Apple watches: a new IT revolution on the tourism market or just one more gadget?

The new Apple watch just went out on 25^th april and it seems that tourism actors rely on this new product. Even if it is not an innovation as the same kind of product already exists on the market since more than 2 years, the brand fame can bring a positive change for the development of smart watches. Thomas Husson, vice-president of the Forrester Institute, estimates that about 10 million Apple watches will be sold in 2015.

An article of the French online newspaper “L’echo touristique” by Souen Léger, shows that the different sectors of the tourism industry want to benefit from this product in different ways and some big players already launched their application compatible with the Apple watch. 

You can now use the Apple Watch with different transport applications: voyage-sncf, airline companies such as American Airline or Air France but also Uber and Taxis G7. Hotel chains are also innovating. As an example Starwood makes it possible for the guest to open his door with the Apple watch. Accor also bets on the Apple watch to improve services and make all the information easily accessible to the customers. Even GDS are now on the trend as Sabre made its application Tripcase compatible with it. Finally users of the Apple Watch will be able to use geolocation in cities to orientate themselves, take transports but also use something as useful as Tripadvisor.

What if smart watches were the next revolution in the IT world? Until now it was nothing but a revolution. However Apple has shown its brand power through the years and its new product follows the same path than the previous launches in terms of design and elegance. As an Apple watch cannot be used without an iphone, some experts already question its real utility. However the target is the same than people having an iphone, in other terms people that can afford having an iphone could afford having an Apple watch. Having an Apple watch can become a fashion trend. If it gets the same success than the iphone, it will be sold in mass and tourism actors will be more and more willing to adapt their offer to this small feature. The possibilities brought by the product will increase and it will become more and more convenient to have one. We are not yet at this point and smart watches have to prove themselves.

Do big companies of the tourism industries really choose to invest on this new product only because its functionalities enable to improve the customer comfort? It is quite questionable. I-watches are the perfect device to get even closer to the customer in a time when the big challenge for companies is DATA. If we take for example a guest hotel, smart watches could enable hotel chains to know their customers habits and behaviours much better. These data would enable to market better the offer to the customer and personalize it to finally make higher sales and increase the profit. What about privacy? Technologies evolve; our world change and we are getting more and more manipulated without knowing it. It would be useful to think critically before buying this kind of device. Will it be useful? Will it really make the difference? 

Laetitia BURET

Alexis BLOTTIERE

Sources:

http://www.tourmag.com/Le-tourisme-se-met-a-l-heure-de-l-Apple-Watch_a73632.html

http://www.etourisme-feng-shui.com/2014/09/15/iwatch-quels-grands-enjeux-pour-le-monde-du-voyage/

http://www.tourmag.com/Apple-Watch-opportunite-en-or-ou-en-toc-pour-le-tourisme_a72724.html

http://www.lechotouristique.com/article/tripadvisor-succombe-a-l-apple-watch,73970

http://www.lechotouristique.com/article/ces-entreprises-du-voyage-qui-parient-sur-l-apple-watch,74159

http://www.journaldunet.com/ebusiness/internet-mobile/accor-apple-watch.shtml

Smartwatch: a new way to change event technology

Smartwatch is a computerized watch with functionality that is enhanced beyond timekeeping. While early models can perform basic tasks, such as calculations, translations, and game-playing, modern smartwatches are effectively wearable computers. 

Source

Since smartwatches have been around for years, event technology companies have finally been put on notice. 

Here are the possible advantages of using smartwatches in events.

On-site registration

Similar to NFC payments, attendees could hold their smartwatch next to a registration terminal. Identifying information is passed, and attendees are instantly registered.

Breakout room homing beacons

At large events, finding your meeting or breakout room is hard enough, as you have to wade through a sea of fellow attendees. Now imagine your smartwatch giving you simple navigation through the halls.

Event notifications

Smartwatches are more effective at alerting people to notifications, and with a quick flick of the wrist, attendees will see what needs to be communicated.

Networking serendipity beacon

Like event notifications, you might not notice your phone if it’s in your bag or pocket, but you will certainly feel your watch’s haptic feedback.

In-session audience participation

Smartwatches can literally measure your heartbeat, so they are a natural fit for receiving notifications and glances on the pulse of your audience.

Smartwatches can impact events in many ways, but these impacts circle around a few key themes: glances, notifications, and proximity. As we see smartwatches showing up in ever-greater numbers, we should be thinking about how we can leverage them to create better experiences.

Sourcing:

http://www.conferences.io/blog/2015/04/15/5-ways-the-apple-watch-will-change-live-event-technology-forever/?utm_content=buffer6b63b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

http://www.techradar.com/news/wearables/best-smart-watches-what-s-the-best-wearable-tech-for-you--1154074