This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel DEVICES in tourism and hospitality for February 2014.
Thursday 27 February 2014:
Uber to launch notification for surge pricing
Monday 24 February 2014:Queensland visitor information centres launch mobile apps
- The new app for iOS and Android platforms will list the nearest Queensland visitor information centre, and also it gives tourists a range of information tailored to their location - local events, attractions, tours and restaurants.
Augmented Reality app shows Tokyo Wifi hotspots
- NTT, a Japanese mobile carrier and navigation service provider Navitime Japan have launched an Augmented Reality-based app that shows all available Wifi hotspots in the city. The app - Navitime for Japan Travel - is available as free-to-download for iOS and Android platforms. The app lists thousands of Hikari Station LANs, Wifi hotspots by NTT East, about 10,000 Wifi services by Buffalo, and 1,000 Starbucks coffee shops with free Wifi.
Star Alliance Navigator app for Android
- Star Alliance has launched its Navigator App for Android platform. Users can use the app to search for (Star Alliance member) flights, track flight status, locate lounges, get information about cities, weather etc. The iPhone version was launched in 2011, and an iPad version in 2013. An Android tablet version is planned to be launched later this year.
Thursday 20 February 2014:Sofitel adds touch of luxury to mobile apps
- The high-end hotel chain has introduced standalone services for both Android and iPhone devices this week. The apps, available in 15 languages, allow users to search and reserve a stay at the chain's 120 properties, manage their bookings and Accor (parent chain) loyalty programme and browse offers and promotions.
Wednesday 19 February 2014:2C2P launches mobile point of sale solution
- APAC-based mobile payment service 2C2P (Cash and Card Payment Processor) and Myanmar Citizens Bank have launched a mobile point of sale solution by name iACCEPT. This solution is developed in partnership with Myanmar Hotels International Group to help hoteliers accept payments through MasterCard and Visa inside the guest room, effectively providing in-room express check out facilities for guests. iACCEPT, transforms iOS and Android phones into a mobile point of sales system.
Marriott Hotels enables mobile checkout
- Marriott International is allowing guests at more than 300 hotels in North America to checkout using its mobile application. The feature is on top of the existing check-in via the app. The plan is to make the service available across all Marriott Hotels by the end of the year. On the morning of departure, Marriott Rewards guests receive a push notification to iPhone and Android devices to tell them mobile checkout is available.
HotelTonight pilots hostels move
- In an app update this week the same-day mobile booking service says it will soon be adding budget accommodation such as hostels in Europe. The service will be called "Crashpad", the company says, launching as a pilot across all its existing European markets. Chief operating officer Jared Simon says: "Since we are growing so quickly in Europe and that customer base is so much more interested in hostel options, we wanted to be sure to offer hostels/budget properties (aka CrashPads)."
Monday 17 February 2014:Tripomatic gets in with Blackberry
- The trip planning service will allow users to create itineraries from their Blackberry phone as well as see their location on an offline map, including 300 POIs from the existing Tripomatic database. The system also automatically synchronises with the user's activity on the desktop version of the service.
Thursday 13 February 2014:Lufthansa System products to launch in Windows 8
- Lufthansa Systems' BoardConnect app will be available for Windows 8 platform. The app allows airlines to create a unique experience for their in-flight passenger entertainment systems. Also, Lufthansa Systems’ Purser Mobile Device application, mCabin, will be available on Windows 8 devices in the near future. The mCabin solution provides airline crews with all relevant flight details at a glance.
Wednesday 12 February 2014:Indian railways to send SMS on waitlist tickets
- The Indian government run railway division has announced its plan to send SMS to traveller's mobile when a waitlist train ticket is confirmed. In India, train is one of the most preferred mode of transports and users experience waitlist status tickets quite often for popular routes.
Saturday 8 February 2014:SpottedByLocals unveils latest version of iOS6 app
- The application, the travel guide's sixth since 2011, works full offline (including maps and pictures), automatically updates with new information when a user gets a connection, as well as showing tourist spots nearby and including "favourites" functionality to store items.
AirPlus develops mobile virtual credit card service
- The payment provider's AIDA tool will allow travellers to pay for goods and services by creating virtual Mastercard numbers from any device when on-the-go. Bills are then settled via an existing AirPlus company account.
Friday 7 February 2014:Wifi service in Japan Airlines
- Beginning July, Japan Airlines will start in-flight Wifi service for domestic flights. Passengers can choose a 30-minute plan for $3.92 or a plan with fees between $4.9 and $11.77 per flight (depending on the flight distance). Some of the airline's international flights already have Wifi service (offered via Gogo).
Thursday 6 February 2014:Ryanair relaxes portable device restrictions on flights
- The Ireland-based low cost carrier says following approval by the Irish Aviation Authority it will now allow passengers to use any device (phone, tablet, MP3 players) during the entire duration of a flight after safety demonstrations have been carried out and equipment is switched to "flight mode".
Lufthansa gives passengers in-flight mobile connection
- The agreement with AeroMobile gives passengers the chance to text and browse the web during flights. Eight aircraft have already been fitted with equipment, alongside a number of Airbus A330s on transatlantic services, with the remaining long-haul fleet expected to be available during the remainder of 2014.
Mobile Travel Technologies creates TripSource for
BCD Travel- BCD Travel business travel clients will use the mobile application to manage and share itineraries around their colleague network (including air, hotel and ground transport), get real-time flight information updates, and earn rewards from BCD partners. The app will initially be available for Apple devices in the US and Canada. Android-hosted devices and other Apple users will be able to download the app in the coming months.
Tokyo taxi association
launches mobile app- Tokyo Hire-Taxi association has launched mobile app for hailing taxis in the city. These native apps are available as free download for iPhone, Android and Windows platforms. The app has about 6,500 taxicabs in the system, and it is expected to connect upto 9,200 taxis by April.
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