“There’s a buzz for wearable technology – various brands have built apps specifically for the Apple Watch”
beacons], and the creativity of developers designing for the Apple Watch and similar devices, will be needed to help convince the majority of business travellers that this is an essential piece of kit,” says Amadeus’s Golledge.
(GEO)LOCATION IS EVERYTHING Samsung vice-president Graham Long predicts a duty-of-care benefit: “The safety and security of travelling employ- ees can be enhanced by wearables: using geolocation and independent commu- nication – without the need for a paired smartphone – to enable calling for as- sistance, even hands-free, can help travel managers look after their workforce on the road.” The Samsung Gear S can be operated – including texts, emails and phone calls – without a separate handset. This security factor looks likely to extend into expense management, too. “Payments
and wearables – are we mixing oil and water?” asks Steve Waldron, CFO and CIO at Grange Hotels. “But, and it sounds perverse, there is actually an extra layer of security there: linked to a mobile app, it could improve security, with the watch used to verify the payment.” Paul Richer, senior partner at consul-
tancy Genesys, agrees, although he says smartwatches would need to include a PIN or biometric fingerprint – the same way a fingerprint-reader operates on a smartphone – when making a payment. However, while Apple Pay works in the US (220,000 outlets and counting, since its launch in October last year), it has not yet arrived in the UK. Reports suggest the move is imminent, though. It’s early days. Qantas’s Apple Watch
app, for example, has so far seen just 1,000 downloads. “We’re always looking at how new technology can improve the customer’s airport experience,” a spokesperson told BBT. It appears travel brands are now willing
to invest, and experiment, more in wearable technology – particularly since Apple joined the party. And as the current generation of employees expects mobile technology in the workplace, so the next generation will expect wearables to be the norm. Whether this is the year Apple opens the doors to another revolution in travel, or, well, just helps travellers open doors in hotels, remains to be seen. Watch this space.
WEARABLE TRENDS
1 Alcatel has launched a £100 smartwatch, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices; and Samsung has also been pioneering the smartwatch for several years, with its Gear range.
2 There are rumours Google Glass 2.0 will be launched this year. New designs are likely, following adverse publicity surrounding privacy issues regarding the original ‘smartglasses’.
3 The Revault smartwatch is currently being crowdfunded on Indiegogo. It can provide
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM Project Jacquard
up to 128GB of storage, accessible via wifi or Bluetooth, meaning users can access their files on any compatible device.
4 Project Jacquard, a new venture from Google’s Advanced
Technology and Projects, is an experiment to incorporate conductive strands of fabric into clothing, creating interfaces for nearby devices. ‘Smartclothes’, if you will, and Levi’s is onboard as a partner.
IN BRIEF
■ IATA has launched an app aimed at reducing jetlag and improving the health of frequent travellers. The Skyzen app, used in conjunction with the ‘Jawbone’ fitness wristband, monitors travellers’ activity and sleep patterns throughout the flight, and then offers advice based on analysing the data.
■ Travel technology firm Sabre and rail booking service
Thetrainline.com have signed a long-term content deal. The agreement means Sabre will integrate with Thetrainline. com’s application programme interface (API), making all of its UK rail content available to more than 425,000 Sabre-connected travel agents globally.
■ Gatwick airport CIO Michael Ibbitson wants larger companies to share data with small start-up firms. Speaking at the Smart London joint event with London and Partners, as part of London Technology Week, Ibbitson said that “only by embracing the spirit of collaboration” can large
companies meet the needs of travellers.
BBT JULY/AUGUST 2015
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