This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel DEVICES in tourism and hospitality for April 2014.
Wednesday 30 April 2014:
TripAdvisor debuts DaoDao app in China
- The user review service launched the new Apple app in the past few weeks and has seen it singled out as "best new app" on iTunes in the country. TripAdvisor claims the app has been downloaded on average 10,000 times a day since its debut.
Just In Time Tourist launches on Apple and Android
- The application lets travellers plot things-to-do in a city depending on how long they have in each destination. The service, created by Portugal-based iClio, uses maps, content and audio walking tours to guided users around a location
Friday 25 April 2014:CarPooling reveals Meet Me Now feature
- The car-sharing service says the new system, by way of an updated mobile app, shows the participants (driver and passengers) exactly where each is located and includes pictures and details of the vehicle. It also allows users to find the nearest route to the pre-arranged meeting point. The details (GPS and other location data) is only available to the participants for 15 minutes before and after the scheduled departure time.
Waygo arrives on the translation scene
- The service works by instantly translating both Japanese and Chinese writing into English, using the camera on the device. The app, which fully without an internet connection, is currently only available for Apple devices.
Wednesday 23 April 2014:mTrip creates while label service for operators and agencies
- The itinerary and scheduling service allows companies to create a mobile service for customers who want to organise their travel plans, browse destination guides and include social sharing functions. The platform works 100% offline and has already been used by agency group Travel Leaders in the US and inbound tour operator Exotissimo.
Explora launches smartphone rental service
- The company allows overseas tourists in the US to hire a Google Nexus 5 for a flat-rate fee, including travel guides, text messaging and 4G data roaming. Each device is also pre-loaded with Facebook, Google Maps, Skype, Expedia, TripAdvisor and Yelp apps.
Friday 18 April 2014:Mr and Mrs Smith unveil Apple device app
- The hotel search and booking service will be available on iPod, iPad and iPhone devices and allows users to find and reserve around 900 luxury properties around the world, as well as find offers, play with a currency converter and social sharing tools.
Spotted By Locals has a new suite of apps
- The destination recommendation and content platform has 56 new apps for its city range on Android devices alongside an updated iPhone application.
Wednesday 16 April 2014:Allegiant Air arms cabin crew with iPads
- The FlyDesk Cabin project will see devices provided to all 700 flight attendants on the carrier. Each iPad will include cabin reports, manuals and messaging apps. All crew are expected to receive their device before the end of April this year.
Vegas.com tries the same-day hotel booking trend
- The casino city-focused brand's latest mobile feature claims it gives travelers the lowest room rate for booking a hotel for the same day on a mobile device.
Tuesday 15 April 2014:TripAdvisor claims world most popular travel app milestone
- The user review service says some 100 million downloads of its free Android and iPhone app have been made - double the amount over the course of the past year and six times more than in 2011. The apps are now available in 21 languages as well as including Google sign-in functionality and the ability to save places or features on a map.
Wednesday 9 April 2014:Tripomatic launches iPad app
- The travel planner startup has come to iPad, with a specially designed map that "makes Tripomatic perfect for city walks."
Uber launches package delivery service
- UberRUSH, a new courier service by Uber, allows its mobile app users to send courier packages. This service is currently available only in a select area in Manhattan. The delivery service will be either via a bike or on foot.
Delta flight attendants to use Phablets
- Starting October, Delta Airline's 20,000+ flight attendants will receive a six-inch phablet device - Nokia Lumia 1520 - that will serve as their on-board manual, in-flight sales device, and also a device to offer more personalized in-flight customer service. This new device will replace the current Lumia 820 that is already in use by the crew members.
Monday 7 April 2014:Qatar Airways pilots to use QLOUD
- QLOUD, an iPad-based application will be used by Qatar Airways pilots to check-in for duty, retrieve their schedules, check flight plans, maps, weather information, details of the crew they are flying with, hotel and destination information, dispatch briefs, and access operational documents. Over 500 pilots are already using QLOUD, and 500 more will use it in the next few weeks. All 2,500 Qatar Airways pilots are expected to be using QLOUD by September 2014.
Thursday 3 April 2014:Emirates creates app for iPads
- The UAE-based airline says the app will allow passengers to search and book flights, select seals and other ancillary products and manage their loyalty schemes. Users can also check-in directly from the app and use the boarding pass on the device.
Ebookers gets in with Android users with new app
- The Orbitz-owned online travel agency claims it is the first "all-in-one" application for Europeans which allows customers to search and book flights, hotels and car hire. Other tools include the ability to store booked itineraries, find mobile-only deals and flight status details.
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NB2: Travel devices image via Shutterstock.