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This article talks about secure technology measures for the travel industry. The myth that Apple iOS devices are not infected with viruses is a total lie. But what is true is that Android devices are much more susceptible to malware attacks than Apple iOS devices. The big boss of security "for years…was what made Blackberry the darling of IT departments everywhere." But now what has driven new markets especially transportation is the increasing use of Android devices. American Airlines uses thousands of Android Galaxy Notes for flight attendants and in-flight entertainment devices for passengers as well as those used by the maintenance crew. Samsung's SAFE platform was a key reason the company was influenced to go through with the product because of a security issue. It's important to remember that not one device is immune and to explore an innovative and secure option when picking a device.

Mobile Key by OpenWays is the hospitality industry's first and only ubiquitous mobile phone-based guest front-desk bypass solution that is truly deployable today and enables guests to use cell phones worldwide as a room key. OpenWays, inventor of Mobile Key announces new apps and makes it possible for ALL smartphone operating systems, including Apple iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7, J2ME, Symbian OS, Brew, MeeGo, Bada and more, to run the Mobile Key App. This generation Mobile Key app is much simpler than ever before in deployment, maintenance and updating. New features include: tutorial for new user; messaging function between guests and property; customizable brand information; 3D secured set up and security PIN code management. Hotel chains with existing mobile applications also can enable Mobile Key as a value-added service to mobile guests. In a word, it is fully interoperable, carrier independent and highly secure. This self-service option is meeting guests' demands for more service and it's reducing hotels' operating costs while building competitive advantages.

The event today is not only between planner and organization; it's more like the communication and interaction among attendees. The technology assists the needs and expectation of attendees, which allows them to engage more during meetings and events. Besides, App or other online software facilitates attendees to get full knowledge of location, content and activity in one event. In addition, Audio-Video equipment mentioned in article also emphasized that lighting plays an important role to make one event stand out. In another words, creating great experience is definitely what technology is for.

This article talks about how technology has changed the world completely, especially Event Management. For example, the FiFa world cup puts out cool application so people could know the highlight, real time schedule of the games and result. Some other example are the stage show, this drastic change improved in the Audio - video equipment, stage and lighting. Technology has change in Live Meeting. Live Meeting webinar and live meeting are use halfway around the world. Also, the Social Explosion like facebook and Twitter is the big thing around the world. Even the Mobile Application are used now in iPhones, Androids, and Blackberrys has become the next -gem platform for Event Management

Now the event attendees can ask questions to the speaker via tweets or Facebook comments real time during an event. With the world tweeting away night and day, there is no doubt that technology has changed our life completely.

This article gives pros and cons of mobile apps compared to mobile websites for event planners. Of course each have their positives and negatives. I think the decision of going mobile app or website depends on the people who are attending your event. If it's more of an older business crowd, I think a mobile website would be most appropriate. You can email the web address to all attendees and then they can click into it straight from the email on their smartphone. This can work with any phone that supports a web browser so you don't have to worry about developing an app for iPhones, Androids, and Blackberries. If the attendees are younger and more tech savvy, an app is probably the way to go since that can incorporate parts of their phone like the camera. Younger people are more apt to take pictures and post them to twitter or facebook. With the app they could do that right in the app and connect to more of their peers that way. Younger attendees are more likely to go through the trouble of downloading the app and using all of its features whereas older, more business oriented attendees are more likely to appreciate the ease of use of just clicking on a web link. At any rate it's an interesting choice to make if you are unable to afford both options. 

Source: Successful Meetings; Mar2005, Vol. 54 Issue 3, p28-34; Author: Ben Chapman bchapman@successfulmeetings.com I am posting this article because if points out another netiquette issue, which is having consideration for those outside your internet access zone, such as the public nearby, companions, and most importantly, your business supervisors and peers. This article discusses the pitfalls of technology when it comes to conducting meetings, whereas the attendees are not fully engaged due to their focus on their personal devices. While it was posted in 2005, and stating that establishment of etiquette rules are yet to be established, I still do not see indication seven years later that this trend of attentiveness towards one's device over the person next to you (or presenting to a group) has changed for the better. Not only that, but apparently meeting attendees have actually emailed the presenter to express their boredom with the meeting, and while it's good for coordinators to know how engaged the audience is, it still is very rude. The article does say that "awareness of etiquette is rising as technology matures" and "it's hip to have manners," but I don't see it in school nor in the workplace. Employers have all adopted guidelines regarding use of personal devices to limit use during work hours, and even to constrain employees online social activities to forbid use of their company name or to post disparaging comments. I find it sadly amusing that the very instruments which are meant to increase productivity and provide increased communication and professional interaction is becoming the very opposite in the workplace and during professional development venues.

This article focuses on the "smart" trends in hotels that are replacing the human service. In this article David-Michael Davies does make a good point about "technology as a substitute for human hospitality" Now days hotels are focusing on having the latest technology that it could be seen as if they are forgetting the human service in the hotels. Though, I do agree with Barbara Kahn, that "most guest, especially younger ones who are used to having information at their fingertips…l" However, hotels are still focusing in personalization and making their guest feel like they care about them and not just their money. In my opinion, it is wonderful that hotels are focusing on being up to date with all the technology that is being offered to hotels because it does simplify the whole experience of staying in a hotel and at the same time it saves money for the hotel. Like they mentioned in the article, hotels are saving money by using technology to manage their inventory instead of having employees physically counting them. Specially, when the technology being adopted in the hotels can help safe money for guest. Just like The Park Hyatt Tokyo helps their guest with saving money with international calls. Furthermore, hotels are adding more advantages to being connected with them through social media. by offering promotions, discounts and even free drinks if you tag, check-in or write about them. This type of telecommunication is growing every day, but hotels should remember that the most basic modern service is important for the guest. Free Wi-Fi is a most for almost everybody now days.

The article tells us how the social networks important to the hotel business. The study shows the network and social media are benefit to hotel marketing. And the ARCOTEL sees this potential opportunity in social media and network application Facebook. Nowadays, the network and some third party such as kayak, priceline provide many hotels boost in booking and increase in guest loyalty and public relation. But study shows that only 24 percent of the users would like to join hotel profiles on Facebook. The ARCOTEL hotels have integrated the apps into their Facebook sites. By using this app, the fans can directly book their favourite hotel and read ratings and other information through the app. The social media will get after them to offer excellent services. Both of them were done on the internet. At the same time, the fans who use the app to book hotel will also get prize draws, special discounts or a user-friendly booking function with extra tools. Although the network has given the hotel a instrument to contact with the guest, the modern technology still can not replace the classical booking and marketing paths, the network is just like the catalyst. As the internet business is rapidly growing worldwide. Hotels have to focus on combine their classical marketing with new technologies such as smartphones, ipad and facebook. They will help the hotel gain business and be success.

This article talked about Jamaican hotels are going  to upgrade their facilities' service with new technology which allowing visitors to access various hospitality options throught applciations on their smart phone.  Nowadays a lot of hotels they public their products based on this technology. Local mobile service provider Digicel on collaboration with New jersey based telecommunications company Avaya and Pennsylvania based mobile technology company Movitas, revealed the new technology to hotel industry representative during a recent hospitality breakfast at the Haif Moon resort. it sounds really convenient , I mean based on several platforms like that for example Black Berry Android and on IOS any smart phone or tablet. it could be used widely not just for hotels also other business.

This article mainly talks about the pros and cons for mobile app and mobile web. For mobile apps, it is required that in order to develop a new app for every individual type of device that you want to reach. However, only one mobile website can extend to anyone with devices that can perform web browsing. Therefore, it is a more expensive choice to develop an app if a company has mass marketing goals. Also, mobile websites tend to cost less to maintain over time. That's because to change an app you have to hire a programmer, and you need approval from the app store. Plus, every time a particular device is updated, you'll need to change your app accordingly.

Fujitsu has released a 2-inch mobile receipt printer that is compatible with apple iOS, blackberry, and android systems. It also has bluetooth and USB interfaces to support connectivity with various mobile computing devices.

This article is about technology of combining the room key with the iphones. Holiday Inn will test this technology next month. Though this is a creative idea, some people may feel skeptical to try the new room keys. As this technology is new, some guests may not accept that use the cell phone as their room keys and there are many questions come into being with this new technology. For hotels, they must think about the using guests' iphones as the room keys is optional or required. The article also illustrates how the iphone works and what will happen if the iphone is lost or stolen. Besides, more hotels will test this new technology and the technology will work with regular cell phones. In my opinion, combining the cell phones with the room keys is a good idea, because many customers today use iphones today, and almost everyone takes a cell phone when live in the hotel. It is convenient for the guests to use their cell phones as the room keys. This technology can give guests fast check-in because before the guests arrive, they will receive a text massage containing their room number and a unique and encrypted sound code that they'll use to unlock their hotel-room door. When they arrive at the hotel, they can directly go to their rooms. It also can reduce front desk's work. . However, security is still the main factor that the guests will concern and there are some risks if the cell phones lost or stolen. Besides, some guests may prefer to use traditional room key and may not accept the change. It relies on the Open Ways (the secured network) and can work with more brands of cell phones. I consider hotels can provide this technology for the guests as an option because some guests prefer the traditional room keys while some like the new technology.

This article is about the use of I-Phone of Blackberry as your room key. It explains that Holiday Inn will be trying this new technology and many guests are not sure about trying it out. Many guests are not sure about trying it and question how safe it can be. The article explains that this new technology is not required and is rather an opinion. The article explained how it works and is simply a code sent to the customer to their phone and this is used to open the door and the code is only used once and resets every time. The article goes on to explain that there is no issues if the phone is lost or stolen because the codes aren't saved to the phone but rather the server the app runs on. I feel that this is a new cool way to technology. However, I don't see where it is anymore secure than a room key and really it doesn't make the process any easier. I feel its new and innovative but its not the best idea.

The growth and development of mobile technology has had positive effects on society. There are many advantages that are experienced from the implementation and use of mobile technology. It is obvious that mobile devices are intended to play and gradually more important role in the distribution and sale of travel services in years ahead. Hotel companies should capitalize on this technology and make the process of booking travel using smartphone. It will be a more intuitive process for guests. Mobile technology enables you to get real time hotel information and enable you to make speedy and informed decisions. With a big number of people using mobile technology growing each day, businesses are adopting the use of commerce to reach a larger pool of possible clients. By doing so, hotel businesses are able to increase their revenues and client base.

This article talks about how social media helps hotels not only to promote their public image but also provide customers a two-way road of comments and suggestions about their stay. The three websites that are best suited for hotels are Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Using these resources a hotel can give its clients and potential guests the freedom to freely interact with the company itself. Facebook serves greatly to allow people to comment on their recent stay and provide feedback. Twitter enables the marketing department to promote deals and upcoming special events. Foursquare is a tool similar to reward accounts. People can check-in to Foursquare at the actual location and depending on a set amount of check-ins, a guest can be awarded with a discount or special arrangement, for example, a complimentary bottle of champagne can be offered for five check-ins. Social media is an always evolving tool that goes hand-in-hand with marketing advancements and the growing use of gadgets. Iphones, blackberries and tablets are present in almost every home of travelers and are heavily used to interact, find deals and leave reviews. Hotels that use this media weapon and its technology to the fullest are on the upper hand compared to their competitors that rely on traditional advertisements.

That is a good way for hotels and restaurants to invest more in social media. Almost all people have their facebook pages they can a lot of information from facebook. People talk about everything on the facebook and share their experiences with friends. If somebody is sharing his great hotel experience with friends, that would be like a great advertisement that does not requires much money and all friends would believe this advertisement more than others.

The social media is a good way to promote itself from word of month. It is an easy way to get the feedback from their customers, and improve itself. The hotel can become more competitive base on the social media because it contains the real evaluations from the previous customers rather than the unconvincing advertisement.

Netiquette is very important in today's industry as it can only improve and enhance our way of communicating and networking. Also, everything is pretty much done by conference calls, audio visuals and over the internet by exchanging emails and web links. I personally believe that Netiquette should only be improve on because that is where the world of today is looking forward to and addressing too.

This article introduced the importance of e-marketing in today's internet time and in the future. This kind of marketing is growing rapidly. Including the use of portal marketing, mobile app, mobile websites, and so on. The author was from India. He said online marketing will grow dynamically in India, especially in hospitality industry. I think it's not only for India, for the developed countries, a media plan for any service industry product has online e-marketing as the first channel to reach the target audience.

Valued investors are seeking a sense of opportunity in the stock market and have found it in investing in technology firms. Many of the major and most famous names in technology are becoming a valued investment to big shot investors. The article relates back to 1999 and the 2000's, technology firms were not considered a valued investment. Today companies like Google, Cisco Systems, and Apple are yielding high profits, paying dividends, and have strong balance sheets. The author also points out the faults in investing in the wrong technology company. Examples like the Palm Pilots, Motorola Razor, and now Blackberry that are all obsolete or close to it.

This article is about mobile app technology within the event planning sector of the hospitality industry. It lists and details several apps that event professionals can use to make their job easier. The article discusses the various benefits for event planners who use these specific apps.

Thank you for sharing. It's great that there are free tech applications that are available to to make the planning process more efficient.

There are kinds of meeting technologies in nowadays. This article mainly introduced how Mobile Apps affect this industry. It gave a description of two categories of mobile apps which are particularly relevant to meetings. They are meeting management apps and meeting apps for attendees. App use is gaining traction among attendees, particularly when event producers market it well.