GOOGLE PIXEL BUDS: A POWERFUL TOOL OR JUST A GIMMICK?

Did you already have trouble to communicate with locals because of the language barriers? Google seems to have the solution with Google Pixel Buds, the new must-to-have for travelers, accordingly to Big G’s advertises. The new headphones set for Google Pixel enables travelers to talk everywhere with everyone through real time translation.

Adam Champy, product manager for Google pixel, reveals 7 things that users can do with this technology. With the Google pixels, users can connect with their phone by bluetooth, control the audio onto a touchpad on the right earbud, access to google assistant,  check their messages without looking their phones etc. The feature we are focusing on is “communicate through 40 language” (Adam Champy, 2017). The Google pixel will translate through the earbud when another person will speak to you. The dream of traveling having the opportunity to constantly interact with the local population and always obtain the maximum from your vacation is finally here. Well, that’s what they say. Andrew Sheivachman illustrates on Skift the real features of this product and tells something a little bit different.

“Your earphones hear you and your Pixel’s speaker will play the translation in another language. When the other person speaks, you’ll hear the translation right in your ear.“ Sheivachman reports directly from Google advertises (Sheivachman,2017). Anyway, that’s not completely true and here it is the first problem: apparently it isn’t easy as they say and the user still have to put out its phone. The main feature is gone, along with a less fluent UX (User Experience). Then, the quality of the translation it is not the best possible either, as the device uses Google Translate. You will be able to reach your final goal (get the direction and reach your chosen restaurant, order the dish you wanted), but still a good grade of human action is required to clearly understand all the information. Therefore, the main critic addresses the lack of functionality of this new gadget, because the earphones are not able to listen and translate. Not many travelers will really be able to freely go around and easily interact with locals in the end. This technology is more a gadget which will target a niche product of Google fans.

However, the author finds also a good point from this new tool pointing out how it represents a first step toward the end of language barrier. Now it’s again the turn of  Big G and his friends (Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, etc.) that will have to improve their AI (Artificial Intelligence) to extend the functionality of Google Pixel Buds, because for the moment “from a travel industry perspective, there’s no real need to equip front-desk workers or anyone else with these pricy headphones when a cheap smartphone can do the same thing on its own.”(Sheivachman,2017). Finally, a first step toward an easier travelling, but not much more than that.

Giulio & Valentin

Sources:

A.Sheivachman, (2017) “Google Earbuds With Real-Time Translation Aren’t Much More Than a Gimmick”. Skift. Retrieved from : https://skift.com/2017/11/16/google-earbuds-with-real-time-translation-arent-much-more-than-a-gimmick/

A.Champy (2017), “Seven things you can do with Google Pixel Buds” Blog.Google. Retrieved from https://www.blog.google/products/pixel/seven-things-you-can-do-google-pixel-buds/

Wiidii : your new personal assistant, anywhere, anytime !

Today it has become really easy to find a hotel or a last-minute restaurant for your clients; open your Wiidii app and ask him directly “Wiidii, where could I find the perfect Japanese restaurant for lunch with 4 of my clients close to my location?” and Wiidii will tell you where to go! You can just deliver your inside laziness, Wiidii will do everything for you…

Your hybrid assistant

It was created in 2004 by REVEXO C which is already specialized in concierge services: it is a way to be always closer to the clients as they only have to open their smartphones, click on the app and their personal assistant shows up! Wiidii defines itself as a “hybrid assistant” as it is a mix of human and machine intelligence: the machine fulfils the request of the client but a real person is there to help in case of complicated request or just to check that the job is done well. Wiidii can do anything for you; from booking a hotel to reminding you of your grandma’s birthday; almost anything can be done. But it also enables you to save your precious documents while traveling: passports, boarding passes, driver’s licence, … you can travel safely.

Unfortunately, for now the service is only available for the business travellers but it plans to be able to serve leisure travellers in a near future as well.

There are pros and cons for such an app. It is useful because it enables people to get services immediately and this can be particularly advantageous when people are in a rush (for example they have to find a restaurant as soon as possible because they are with important people and the one chosen is exceptionally closed); they just have to say a couple of words and their wish is fulfilled. But is this particularly good? Being able to get whatever we want whenever we want, counting the seconds we need to get it? This is the problem of the whole generation: thanks to IT we are able to get information very quickly but at the same time, we become more and more demanding (and we are already much more demanding than previous generations). Such apps never stop to develop in order to satisfy the client by the minute. Because of this instantaneous system, achievements we make sometimes have less value than they used to; because everything we want, we can get it through IT in a couple of seconds, of minutes or of days (in case of a delivery).

Wiidii is of course not responsible for such a system but apps like this one continue to favour it.

References: 

http://blog-etourisme.com/actualite/application-conciergerie-wiidii-et10-4482

http://www.wiidii.fr/

My personal experience with the TripCase App voted Best Mobile Travel App

On March 23rd, TripCase was voted as the Best Mobile Travel App at the EyeForTravel's Mobile Innovation Awards in San Francisco. 

Not knowing anything about this App, and as a frequent traveler, I was curious to know more. On my way to Paris for three days with a full schedule, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to download the App on my phone and try it. 

Once you download the App (for Free!), the home page looks something like this:

(This is an example taken from Google Images. The user already had several trips planned that you can see on the left, and on the right is an example of what one trip looks like in detail) 

The great thing about the App is that you can literally plan every aspect of your trip. For instance, to start planning a trip, you either "Create a New Trip" or you simply forward your flight/train/hotel/etc. confirmation to trips@tripcase.com. It will automatically select information in relation to the trip, then you can start adding items one by one (see image below).

Of course, you can also have access to TripCase on other platforms such as your personal computer or your tablet. Personally, I found it very convenient. Since I have an older version of the IPhone, making it a bit slow, it was faster for me to create my trip on my computer, and then had full access to it anytime during my trip thanks to my phone. 

Thanks to TripCase, not only is your full travel schedule available quickly at anytime, but you can also print it out with your computer, or share it with a friend or coworker.

In addition, TripCase was named Best Mobile Solution for Business Travelers at the Italian Mission Awards for its TripCase Corporate solution. I haven't had the chance to test this one, but for a company, I think it would indeed be a great tool. 

In conclusion, I believe the TripCase App is a great way to have easy access to your different booking information without having to go back to your emails. It is especially useful for people who have their days fully planned ahead of time. For my three days in Paris, I added personal activities at the last minute so I did not use it as much. It is best for business travels. 

All in all, it is a very user friendly App, and I love the fact that it is accessible on tablets, computers AND phones. I highly recommend frequent travelers to get acquainted with this App!

Ebay, a new canal for the hotel industry?

A US firm of digital analysis recently made the “European Online Travel Overwiew” study by analysing the trends of e-tourism for the next years. In France for example, the penetration rate of 42 % in 2012 is planned to increase by 46% in 2016. This study include all the digital travelling industries including Priceline/Booking.com, airlines companies even low cost, TO and every distribution channel. However, the Fevad barometer (Distance selling and e-commerce Federation) detect a decline in travel online website, but the barometer only analyse a panel of 10 historical matures web sites such as Voyage-sncf. Does it mean that the competition through the different channels of distribution will become harder in Europe ? And what about Ebay, the giant on the e-commerce sector but beginner in the travel industry?

The German company Cultuzz a global leader in online hotel bookings made the bet and has expanded its business into the UK. The company created a service called CultBay which use Ebay as a platform for the direct sale of holiday vouchers and package deals. This service will have an exclusive interface on Ebay which is the 25th most visited website in the world. Thanks to this partnership the product will reach a new audience with an innovative and easy-to-use service. 

And the bet seems to be good. According to the Director of Sales and Marketing Ted Montreal in 2013 the sales of hotel vouchers on Ebay led to a 40 percent increase in sales compared to the previous year. The offers on the website are quite considerable and provide good hotel room opportunities. Several big cities in Europe such as Berlin, Rostock, Prague or Vienna were promoted.

What’s the interest to compare with other competitors? In one side hotels are able to advertise on a globally renowned website, helping to increase trade or sustain revenues through the quieter times of the year, and on the other side, the customer is then able to get a great deal on a variety of trips and accommodations. Moreover, a big added value compared to other e-travel websites is the possibility to sell a voucher that can be redeemed in various different destinations.

Since the current year will once create more benefit from the introduction of new features and functions as well as the growing public awareness of CultBay, this product have been creating a supply and demand chain that previously did not exist. This year, the presentation of the product and the company at the ITB 2015 through conference and stand should also probably  stimulate their growth. Let’s keep an eye on it!

Source:

Lainé, L. (201, 01 15). E-tourism, trend for 2016. Retrieved from L'Echo Touristique :  http://www.lechotouristique.com/article/e-tourisme-les-tendances-a-l-horizon-2016,71399

Company website : http://www.cultuzz.com/our-products/cultbay.html

Conference itb 2015

Eve Dellinger & Elsa Yenigotchian 

Travel Apps

Nowadays, the world revolves around technology. Everything, even traveling is significantly improving through the facilities technology is able to provide its users. Mobile phones have been the most accessible targeted source to engage in this benefits because it is what everybody keeps with themselves absolutely everywhere they go. Mobiles have become an extra limb in our society’s body and have become essential when traveling to an unknown city. 

Before traveling there is a lot of planning to do from booking to figuring out what you should bring or do beforehand. This hectic nightmare needs to be simplified with technologies help. Therefore, we thought we should increase awareness of this five apps to reduce stress and facilitate a traveler’s life.

PDF maps:

Lost again? Getting lost in an unknown city can be the worse, especially if you don’t know the language or the internet connection is troublesome or out of reach. This app will allow you to download detailed maps that you will be able to look at even without Wi-Fi. This app is operated through GPS so roaming is not a concern. It is reliable no matter the geographical conditions. In addition you will be able to calculate travel time estimations to any point of interest or add location photos to record your journey.

This app has been recognized as the best map product worldwide and is used by the US forest service, firefighters and the Jane Goodall institute.

My TSA:

What can’t you forget? The unexpected can always occur in the time lapse between booking your preferred flight and actually taking it. In order to be well prepared, this app that is all about Transportation security administration regarding carry- on items, check point wait times, airport delays, weather forecasts, ID requirements and specific rules will smooth out that transition. It allows you to provide feedback afterwards as well.

Food spotting:

Hungry? When starving in an unknown city this app is the best to help you obtain just what you crave. It helps users get to a restaurant that fits their criteria through filters from price range to specific diet wishes or traditional spots. In case you still doubt about selecting certain restaurants, it also provides with photographs and ratings of the offered dishes to convince your appetite.

Hipmunk:

A helpful chipmunk? Easy and effective flight and hotel booking is what it’s all about. It sorts it by price and agony. It also allows you continue the search you began at a coffee shop, in your house’s desktop as search history is transferred either way.

Adventure Friend:

In need of adrenaline? Sometimes your friends don’t have the same interest as you, sometimes you really want to go in some adventure and nobody wants to join you or lack the skills to do so, or simply  sometimes it’s your only chance to do it but don’t want to go alone. This app is the solution as it enables you to find the ideal adventure you wish to find based on demographics and the buddy that shares your interests and skills to join you in your venture. It will even plan your itinerary and suggest handy products and services

Tina Stojanovic

Karen Madrigal

About writing the blog:

We decided to write about this essential apps because we are exchange students which means that we have been traveling a lot in this semester. Therefore, we have had certain experiences that would have been much easier and less stressful if we knew about these apps beforehand. We believe this kind of things should be spread upon travelers to make their adventures better and smoother as ours could have been and will be in the future because of these essential traveling apps.

Source:

Rudnansky, R. (2014, March 16). 5 travel apps that you need right now. Retrieved from www.travelpulse.com/news/travel-technology/5-travel-apps-that-you-need-right-now.html 

Geo-fencing - how tourism and event companies can profit from its mobile usage

Tourism and event companies are looking to use today’s mobile technology to their advantage. As a large number of people are traveling with mobile devices, a company who uses this technology may find itself getting ahead of its competition. The fast-changing technology not only helps to speed up many processes in tourism and events, it also contributes to getting things done more efficiently. Furthermore, it is used to connect people, share information and knowledge, and spread travel experiences.

AT&T, the largest American telecommunications company, and Sabre, an American-based international travel technology company, recently announced a joint venture in geolocalization and personalization in travel. They plan to use AT&T’s Location Information Services (LIS)-Hybrid software to develop applications to help streamline the travel experience for travelers and travel companies, namely airports and airlines. This software allows the creation of so-called “geo-fences” which can be defined as “visual perimeter[s] within a geographic area” (Karantzavelou, 2014). Whenever a traveler’s mobile device passes into or out of a geo-fence, mobile applications can alert either the traveler or a company to important information based on his or her location. For events, geo-fencing can be very beneficial as it quickens registration processes, connects attendees and facilitates networking and the sharing of information, and can be used to create “added event intelligence” (Aubespin, 2013).

Image courtesy of suphakit73/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The example given in the Travel Daily News article is of a traveler passing through an airport. Based on his or her location given by the GPS, cellular, or Wifi signals of his or her device, various services can be personalized. For example, as he approaches a boutique in the terminal, the traveler can receive notifications of sales or special deals valid in said boutique directly on his smartphone. Or a passenger arriving on one flight could receive pop-up information on her iPad on where to find her connecting flight in reference to where she is currently.

Sabre’s research department, Sabre Labs, is looking to combine their data and research on travel with AT&T’s technology to develop applications that can work on all mobile devices in order to better serve travelers. The two companies hope to finish the first part of their project by this summer.

In today’s increasingly connected world, tourism and event companies are looking for ideas to set them apart from the competition. Additionally, customers are coming to expect more from their travel and event experiences than just the cookie-cutter basics.  As more and more companies make use of technology to enhance their products and services in order to provide added value to their customers, it is will not be a question of setting yourself apart, but rather of not getting left behind.

This is an interesting endeavor and a logical starting point, however, to maximize the efficiency of such technology in the travel and event industries, AT&T will have to open up its LIS-Hybrid to use by rival American and international telecommunications companies.

Sources:

Aubespin, D. (2013, October 17). 5 benefits of geofencing at events. ReJuvenate. Retrieved from 

http://www.rejuvenatemeetings.com/2013/10/17/5-benefits-of-geofencing-at-events/

Karantzavelou, V. (2014, January 20). AT&T and Sabre to test and develop new mobile services for travel industry companies. Travel Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58611/at-amp-t-and-sabre-to-test

Image source:

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Telecommuncations_g177-Handsets_With_Applications_p55509.html

Aline Biber & Caitlin Richardson 

Monument Tracker: A new way to discover cities ?

Tourism industry, as every others sectors, has developed the past few years lot of different applications in order to answer to the customers’ needs. In fact, since the progress of smartphones technology, applications have become inescapable.Many applications allowed to book a flight, a trip or to get information about a destination. Monuments Tracker is one of the many interactive travel guides, which propose to discover cities. However Monument Tracker offers amazing additional tools: geolocation and augmented reality. The application was created in 2010 by an actor of the tourism industry in Cannes, Jean-Jacques Lottermoser. 

How it works?

Monument Tracker is a unique tool which highlights the heritage and the history of various cities. The application is available in more than 38 cities in France and abroad. It is very easy to use as it is exploiting geolocation and push functions. It enables the user to visit the city in his own way and to be informed about the monuments, which surround him. Once the monument is detected, the application provides automatically series of information. As 60% of downloads are international, the application is available in 9 different languages on Apple and Android. As many others apps, Monument track is charged between 1,79 and 4,49 euros depending on cities.

Monument Tracker proposes also others features. First of all, augmented reality, among others functions, allows the reconstitution of sites. The application offers also thematic tours and search of monuments by names. Finally, monument tracker plans to store contents in advanced for foreign people and to only use the free GPS function when on site.

In order to collect data for the application, developers work closely with cities. A partnership is created between Monument Tracker and municipalities. Cities received 15% of the turnover of the application and are able to update the information thanks to a back office. 

Impact on travel industry 

Monument Tracker is an application which changes the way to discover and to learn about a city. In fact lot of tourists, when visiting often miss the opportunity to discover monuments that surround them.  

Monument Tracker allows tourists to discover a city they often explore partially. It allows traveling more lightly as the tourist gather all information needed in only one device.

As it is well-known, cities and governments struggle to collect funds for the renovation of their “heritage”, especially in France. Monument Tracker tries to assist the cities and monuments to gather money. To make tourists aware of the deterioration of historic monuments, Monument Tracker proposes to collect small donations thanks to their application. In fact, on each download, a small part is donated to a monument. For instance for a application of 1,79 euros, 1 euros is donated to the renovation of the Mont Saint Michel. Moreover for downloading the Paris apps, the buyer will automatically donate 2 euros out of 4,49 euros to the Pantheon.  Donations are efficient as in only few years, Monument tracker gathered 30 000 euros for the renovation of the Pantheon.

To conclude Monument Tracker is a useful and very successful application, which only not thinks about profits but also includes what matters the most to their founders, the heritage.

Alyssa, Coralie Deguerville & Lou

Liens:

http://www.club-innovation-culture.fr/jean-jacques-lottermoser-monument-tracker-avec-secrets-de-peinture-nous-souhaitons-enrichir-lexperience-au-musee-en-associant-les-nouvelles-solutions-numeriques-a-la-richesse-de-l-art-classiqu/

http://www.monument-tracker.com

http://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/paris-75005/participez-a-la-renovation-du-pantheon-26-12-2012-2434743.php

The Facebook Send button in the travel industry

Mujteba Naqvi, the founder of US-based social travel startup Bonvoy wrote an article on “How the travel agencies can make the most of Facebook Send”.

Celebrating its most successful year, the Facebook Like button has been incorporated through more than 2.5 million websites. Although email is still the largest and most personal social network, the Facebook Send button might just shatter that gap.

Facebook gives us the ability to click a button which helps in sharing contents with whomever we want on Facebook.

Mujteba Naqvi believes that the Facebook Send button has to be also adopted in travel industry, which will help in sharing hotel and trip information. For instance the review sites such as TripAdvisor or Yelp can integrate it so users and their friends can exchange information whilst tapering the field of choices or activity and tour websites like Viator and Trafalgar need the button so friends can discuss what they should do while on their trip. Moreover flash sales sites like Jetsetter or LivingSocial integrate it so that a user can send their deals to a friend with whom they wish to go on a trip, as well as airline, hotel, and car companies should implement this so loyal customers share directly from their sites.

As an entrepreneur in the social travel industry Mujteba Naqvi finds it overwhelming that Facebook validates what they have already been doing at Bonvoy.

Bonvoy is supporting groups of friends on cooperation around any topic, while they have been assisting travel collaboration and planning for groups of friends within Facebook as an app. They are expecting Facebook to continue to integrate, thus giving users the opportunity to be selective with their social graph. “It will be exciting to see how travel sites use the Send button, I can envision friends kicking off trip planning or estimating costs”, says Mujteba Naqvi.

He considers that the mission of most travel websites is to make travelers’ experiences better and he anticipates that the Send button will help in this development and will enjoy scores of success.

It has been explained how Facebook's Send application can be used for the travel sector, it's use divers and useful, it is still not explained how it can be implemented into the events sector and how it will impact it?

For the time being is hard to actually predict how the Send button will affect and influence the events environment, but one thing seems very clear. Facebook will make itself known to that sector shortly. What do you think?

New "cuddle class" for Air New Zealand

When booking a flight from point A to point B, the customer has the option to book either economy or business class. Economy is cheaper and offers little space to make oneself comfortable, while business is most of the time unreachable for the average traveler, due to its price, but offers a bit more legroom and higher service quality. But the question remains; what will the average traveler do to be able to have a bit more comfort for a reasonable cost now a days? The answer to this question is provided by Air New Zealand. Beginning with the 2^nd of April the current year, the airline will introduce the so-called “cuddle class”.

The “cuddle class” is meant for couples or for kids that are boarding a long haul flight. With the touch of a button, the footrest will come out of the three seats, the armrest will disappear between the seats, converting the space to a bed similar seating area where one can get some rest during the flight. These seats are only available for a couple, not allowing two strangers to share this “coach”.

Price wise, Air New Zealand, will try to keep it as flexible as possible, meaning that for the purchase of the three seat row, the couple will pay the economy price for the two seats, plus 50% of the economy price for the third one.

It seems very convenient to be able to buy three seats with your partner and have a make shift bed, but this innovation raises a few questions and problems.

1. How many can get this seating area? For the moment it is mentioned that only the Boeing 777-300 aircraft will be converted to have the seating area, yet it fails to mention how many will be installed and available. In long haul flights, most of the passengers travel with their families, meaning the couple plus children. Although the upgrade is done online, how will the airline guarantee that all the travelers have access to this type of seating?

2. Will this modification prompt airlines to purchase new aircrafts that can sustain this type of seating? As mentioned before the demand for the “cuddle coach” might not be sufficient for the supply that the airline has. It is only safe to assume, that the airline might be forced to order specific build aircrafts.

3. What are the economic impacts on the airline? With only a few rows of this new seating, the airline might be forced to take out standard economy seats to make way for the “cuddle coach”. This in a way might impact the traveler since the number of sold seats is diminished, potentially leading to a fail in the selling of the seats.

4. What is the impact on the business class? With this new type of seating, business travelers that travel in two’s might see it as more affordable to buy three seats in economy instead of two seats in business. This might lead to lower number of seats sold and it also forces the airline to come up with alternatives to attract the business traveler once again.

As a conclusion, it can be said that the “cuddle class” is an interesting alternative with the potential to become indispensable and lead to new developments in the airline industry.