Travel Technology News - North America.

New York (AirGuide - Travel Technology News North America) Jul 3, 2011

Airfarewatchdog Airfarewatchdog Picks World's Top 10 Most Thrilling Airports. Airfarewatchdog released its list of the World's Most Thrilling Airports for takeoffs, landings, and approaches. The top 10 feature ocean-covered runways, abrupt descents, and landings over sunbathers. Airfarewatchdog president George Hobica said, "Globe-trotting frequent flyers probably have their own favorite 'thrilling' airports that might not be on this list. Anyone who once flew into the old Hong Kong airport remembers literally being able to see what people in adjacent apartment buildings were watching on their TV sets. And let's not forget the amusement park ride that is St. Barts' tiny airport. How fun is that!" Airfarewatchdog picks for the World's Most Thrilling Airports include: - Toncontin International Airport, Tegucigalpa, Honduras Highlight: To line up with the runway, planes must make a last-second 45-degree turn. - Princess Juliana International Airport, Philipsburg, St. Maarten Highlight: Planes fly mere feet over sunbathers. - Queenstown Airport, Queenstown, New Zealand Highlight: On descent, passengers may feel a sudden drop in altitude caused by downdrafts. - Gustaf III Airport, St. Jean, St. Barts Highlight: "Small airports, short runways, and terrain are the three whammies of flying," says Pilot Anonymous. Gustaf III Airport has all three. - Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, Sitka, Alaska Highlight: Unpredictable weather means that pilots need to take caution of boulders and other debris that can wash onto the runway. - Courcheval Airport, Courcheval, France Highlight: A short 1,722-foot runway, and Courcheval has a steep incline (which slows planes down on landing and speeds them up on takeoff). - Catalina Airport (Airport in the Sky), Avalon, California Highlight: The sole runway is raised in the middle, so much so that pilots can't see where it ends. - LaGuardia Airport, New York, New York Highlight: Before landing, pilots make a number of white-knuckle turns, one of which is 180-degrees around Citi Field. - Tenzing-Hillary Airport (Lukla Airport), Lukla, Nepal Highlight: This is 9,000 feet high in the Himalayas, and pilots have one shot to land, as the terrain rules out a fly-around. - Barra Airport, Barra, Scotland Highlight: It's always a beach landing, and runways form when the tide goes out. Jun 28, 2011

Amazon Q-and-A: Amazon's Jeff Bezos on the digital revolution. The Internet has developed at breakneck speed during the past 15 years, faster than any other technological advancement, but the digital revolution is still in its infancy, says Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in this interview. Increasingly sophisticated smartphones and tablets will drive the most significant changes in the digital world during the next decade, he said. Jul 1, 2011

Amazon Amazon benefits as technology helps consumers shop around. Amazon is gaining market share as consumers increasingly research prices using mobile technology, according to a presentation by CEA's Steve Koenig and Eric Voyer of Stevenson's TraQline unit last week at the CEA Research Summit. Amazon was top-rated in pricing, selection and prior store experience, the three things customers look for, according to a poll conducted by CEA and TraQline. Jun 27, 2011

American Airlines American Leads The Industry With Its Mobile App Offerings. American Airlines continues its forward momentum in the mobile application space once again as it launches apps for BlackBerry[umlaut] and Windows[umlaut] Phone smartphones. These latest additions to American's suite of mobile apps make American accessible on more devices and through more channels than any other airline, underscoring its commitment to keeping its customers connected while on the go. Available for the BlackBerry Curve*, BlackBerry Torch*, BlackBerry Tour*, BlackBerry Bold* and Windows Phone smartphones, the new apps offer many of the same convenient mobile tools that are available in American's previously released apps for Android*, iPhone[umlaut], iPad[umlaut], iPod touch[umlaut] and the Barnes & Noble NOOK Color Reader's Tablet*. These useful features, which are designed to simplify travel for American's customers on the go, include the ability to: Create flight status notifications Check flight status and schedules View personal flight details Check in for flights Access mobile boarding passes Monitor standby status Access AAdvantage[umlaut] accounts and enroll in the program Track AAdvantage elite status progress View terminal maps In addition, a unique feature of American's app for BlackBerry smartphones allows users to save their flight itineraries directly to their calendars. A future version of the app will allow users to easily share their flight information with contacts via BBM* (BlackBerry Messenger*). The introduction of American's apps for BlackBerry and Windows Phone smartphones also means that American's mobile apps are available to a large majority of smartphone users. According to a recent Nielsen report, BlackBerry, Android, Apple and Windows Phone make up 87 percent of the smartphone market. In addition, more than 90 percent of American Airlines customers who access AA.com's mobile site use devices on these platforms, highlighting American's focus on developing useful technologies that meet the needs of its customers. "We know our customers continue to rely heavily on their mobile devices when traveling, and these new apps will simplify travel for a larger portion of them," said Andrew Watson, American's Vice President [ETH] Customer Technology. "Whether they need to check in for a flight, view their itinerary or access their mobile boarding pass, customers can use our apps to stay connected and make their travel experience more convenient right from the palms of their hands." American's new apps are the latest in a number of recent mobile options and enhancements that American is rolling out to solidify its leadership in the mobile space. This month, American continued to expand its Mobile Boarding Pass functionality, which is now available to customers traveling through more than 65 cities, most recently adding Cincinnati; Hartford, Conn.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Louisville, Ky.; Milwaukee; Madison, Wis.; and Montevideo, Uruguay. American plans to add even more cities to the list in July. As American continues to make the Mobile Boarding Pass option available across its network, customers around the world will benefit from the time (and paper) savings the technology offers. The Mobile Boarding Pass process is simple. After checking in through one of American's mobile apps, the Mobile Boarding Pass is stored for easy access during the travel process. Customers who don't have an app can get their Mobile Boarding Pass through the online check-in process on AA.com by selecting the "Email with Mobile Option." They then will receive an email with an Internet link to their boarding pass, which is comprised of a 2-D barcode that can be scanned both at security checkpoints and at American Airlines gates. More details, including a complete list of cities where Mobile Boarding is available, can be found at AA.com/MobileBoarding. To help customers stay connected throughout their travels, the AA.com Notification Center at AA.com/Connect enables AAdvantage members to set up flight status notification preferences just one time to automatically receive updates on gates, times and baggage claim areas via email, voicemail or text message for all their future flights. Customers can also set up notifications for friends and family and save up to 10 contacts in their AAdvantage profile. In addition, customers can still create a one-time notification for any American Airlines flight, even if they are not flying on that particular flight. For customers who may not have an Internet enabled smartphone or one of American's mobile apps, the airline has developed a one-off text message notification option that provides customers information for specific flights on the day of travel. The recently launched FLYAA text option allows customers to send a text message with their flight number and airport code, or just their flight number, to FLYAA (35922) and receive an instant text response with useful details, including gates, times and baggage claim areas. Details on how to use the FLYAA text option can be found at AA.com/FLYAA. "American's growth in all areas of the mobile space this past year has been very exciting for the company, as well as for our customers," said Rick Elieson, Managing Director [ETH] American Airlines Interactive Marketing. "We continue to look for ways to innovate and optimize the functionality within our mobile apps as well as develop other future mobile enhancements that will allow us to reach even more customers." The new BlackBerry smartphone app can be downloaded by going to AA.com/BlackBerry on select smartphones running BlackBerry OS 5.0 or 6.0. The new Windows Phone app can be downloaded in the Windows Marketplace[umlaut] on any smartphone using Windows Phone OS 7.0 (marketplace.windowsphone.com). To see all the devices where the American Airlines app is currently available, visit AA.com/App. More information about American's other mobile offerings, including Mobile Boarding Passes and the FLYAA text notification option, can be found at AA.com/Mobile. Jun 30, 2011

American Airlines American Airlines continues its forward momentum in the mobile application space once again as it launches apps for BlackBerry[umlaut] and Windows[umlaut] Phone smartphones. These latest additions to American's suite of mobile apps make American accessible on more devices and through more channels than any other airline, underscoring its commitment to keeping its customers connected while on the go. Available for the BlackBerry Curve*, BlackBerry Torch*, BlackBerry Tour*, BlackBerry Bold* and Windows Phone smartphones, the new apps offer many of the same convenient mobile tools that are available in American's previously released apps for Android*, iPhone[umlaut], iPad[umlaut], iPod touch[umlaut] and the Barnes & Noble NOOK Color Reader's Tablet*. In addition, a unique feature of American's app for BlackBerry smartphones allows users to save their flight itineraries directly to their calendars. A future version of the app will allow users to easily share their flight information with contacts via BBM* (BlackBerry Messenger*). Jun 29, 2011

Apple Apple's iPad app inventory reaches 100,000 mark. The iPhone's U.S. market share rose to 17% in the three months ending in May, while Android remained steady with 27% of all smartphone sales, Nielsen reported. Overall, Android held a 38% share of the market, compared with 27% for Apple's device, 21% for the BlackBerry and 9% for Windows. Nielsen also reported that smartphones outsold feature phones for the first time in May. Jul 1, 2011

Barnes & Noble B&N will stock Nook buyers with free summer reading. Barnes & Noble plans to give away an e-book collection, worth about $315, to consumers who buy a Nook this summer. Buyers must bring in another e-reader to show they're switching to a Nook. Jul 1, 2011

Barnes & Noble B&N bets "Angry Birds" status will boost store traffic. Barnes & Noble's brick-and-mortar stores will be the first "Magic Places" in the popular gaming application "Angry Birds," which means that players using the app on a Nook Color device who stop at one of the stores will be able to add a new character to the game free. The company is betting that the "Magic Places" designation will shore up flagging foot traffic at its physical locations. Jun 29, 2011

Boingo Wireless Boingo Takes to the Skies with Gogo. Boingo Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ:WIFI - News), the Wi-Fi industryOs leading provider of software and services worldwide, and Gogo[umlaut], the worldOs leading provider of inflight connectivity, today announced that Boingo customers can now log in to Gogo using their existing Boingo[umlaut] account. This access includes more than 1,100 planes from nine carriers, providing robust Internet access above 10,000 feet. The service is immediately available for Boingo customers via the Gogo home page or by using the latest Boingo[umlaut] Wi-Finder app. By simply using the ORoamingO button at the bottom of the redirect page, users will be able to choose Boingo as their provider and log in with their existing Boingo username and password. Logging in to Gogo via BoingoOs easy-to-use one-click app is as simple as accepting the flight segment charge and entering a CAPTCHA validation phrase. Existing Boingo app users should check for software updates to make sure they have the latest version of Wi-Finder, which supports inflight access. The latest version of the app can be downloaded at www.boingo.com/boingo-apps/. Inflight access is a premium service and is not included in monthly plans. Boingo laptop and tablet users will be charged $4.95, $9.95 or $12.95 per flight based on the length of the flight. Smartphone users will pay $4.95 or $7.95, depending on flight duration. Jun 27, 2011

CheapSally.com Penny-Pinching Travel Tips for Summer From CheapSally.com. Family Features Being on a strict budget may mean making sacrifices along the way, but with a little smart planning -- and shopping -- your well-deserved vacation getaway need not be forsaken. The Internet, including online travel agencies, branded suppliers and other websites, is the leading source of travel information, surpassing referrals from friends and acquaintances and travel books, according a 2009 survey by the U.S. Travel Association. With so much information available at your fingertips, it's easy to plan ahead and manage your travel spending. Not only that, a wide range of travel coupons are available online to help trim costs even further. Follow these tips from the cost-conscious experts at CheapSally.com to make your vacation dollars work hard for you. Accommodations: According to the U.S. Travel Association, lodging is the second highest source of travel spending in the country (second only to food). But your accommodations don't have to break the bank. First, consider what type of hotel will best suit your travel needs. Will your trip be filled with sightseeing, tours and excursions that keep you away from your room most of the time? Or do you prefer to spend a leisurely stay at the hotel, enjoying its onsite amenities and attractions? Depending on your preferences, you can allocate your spending to the elements that matter most. In other words, if exploring is on your agenda, save some cash by booking a lower-cost hotel with fewer amenities. Online tools will allow you to search by amenities, location and even by other travelers' ratings. Many sites offer hotel discounts, as well as tools to determine which arrival dates offer the best rates. Flights: Pack light. Most airlines now charge for checked baggage, and extra fees apply if you exceed quantity and weight limits. Remember, you'll have to double those fees if you want to return home with your luggage. Start early and do your homework. Several services are available that help you compare rates, as well as the number of stops and travel schedules, side by side. You'll get better rates booking well in advance. And never make an online purchase without checking first to see whether any discount codes are available to bring your price even lower. Car Rentals: Beware of extra expenses with the add-ons, taxes and fees. Whenever possible, return the car with a full tank of gas. Know that airport car rentals are at a premium. If you can arrange for other transportation -- such as a hotel shuttle -- look for rental locations near, or even at, your hotel that are likely more competitively priced. Be sure to try variations in your pick-up and drop-off dates and times. Even minor alterations can impact your price, for example, taking you out of the daily rate and into weekend pricing. Vacation Packages: Numerous airlines and travel sites offer vacation packages with myriad features. Flights and car rental, car rental and hotel, all three -- you name it. In addition to discounts on the key elements of the package, many also offer steeply discounted -- or even free -- add-ons such as entertainment tickets or meal vouchers. For the best deals, look for last-minute packages, where prices have been slashed to help fill vacancies, or for off-season destinations. www.CheapSally.com. Jun 27, 2011

Chicago Explore Chicago has created a tour on Foursquare that allows tourists to visit locations used in filming OTransformers 3 Movie Experience.O Among the locations are Hotel 71, the Tribune Tower, the Old Chicago Post Office and Trump International Hotel and Tower. Other Chicago movie tours available on Foursquare include OThe Blues Brothers,O OThe Dark Knight,O OFerris BuellerOs Day Off,O OHigh FidelityO and OChick Flicks in Chicago,O which includes classics like OThe Lake House,O OWhile You Were Sleeping,O OWhen Harry Met SallyO and OThe Break-Up.O For more information, visit www.ExploreChicago.org/games. Jun 29, 2011

Cisco Social media's next phase isn't about your customers. Business have typically used social tools to engage customers, but the next step in social media's evolution will be for more businesses to embrace the technology for internal communications as well, Cisco's Andrew Warden said at a recent event. Internal social media can help to link a global business, reinforce corporate culture and allow managers to fine tune their employees' work flows, Warden said. "Internal social media is the second wave. ... The future of work is in communities," he said. Jun 28, 2011

Electronic Arts Electronic Arts gets hacked. Hackers breached Electronic Arts' BioWare division, stealing customer information that included encrypted passwords and mailing addresses from a forum for the game "Neverwinter Nights." Credit card data and Social Security numbers were not stolen, according to a post on EA's website stating that the company learned of the theft June 14. The attack is the latest in a string against video game companies, including Sony, whose PlayStation Network was targeted in April. Jun 27, 2011

Facebook Facebook: Friday Freight Rail Quiz -- Win a train whistle . Happy Independence Day weekend! Freight rail has always made it a practice to hire military veterans because we value the commitment, training and diversity that our Armed Forces bring to the workplace. In fact, GI Jobs has consistently recognized a number of railroad companies as top employers of veterans. TodayOs question is: How many Class I railroads were counted in the top 20 military-friendly employers in 2011? Visit AAR's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FreightRail and post your answer. The first to correctly answer the question wins a free train whistle. Jul 1, 2011

Facebook 10 steps to maximize results from Facebook ads. Sophie Bujold warns that Facebook ads must be done correctly to get good results. "In order to achieve maximum success with your ads, you need to have a plan and follow through with it," the social media expert said. Bujold presents 10 steps for a successful Facebook ad campaign. Jun 30, 2011

Facebook Monster's BeKnown aims to help Facebook users manage their professional identities. A Facebook application from Monster called BeKnown is designed to help users better manage their professional personas on the social-networking site. Users can win badges when they reach professional milestones, follow companies and gather endorsements of their work Jun 27, 2011

Foursquare, Ritz-Carlton Foursquare users get travel tips courtesy of Ritz-Carlton concierges. Ritz-Carlton is using Foursquare to share travel tips from the company's concierges with guests and other users. The application is not intended to replace the concierge, but Foursquare "heightens awareness of the richness of the information they have, making it more attractive and making customers want to communicate and spend time with them," said Chris Gabaldon, the hotel chain's chief marketing officer. Jun 29, 2011

Gilt Groupe Gilt Groupe and Gogo[umlaut] Team Up to Offer Airline Passengers Exclusive In-Air Deals. Gilt Groupe, Inc., an innovative online shopping destination, and Gogo[umlaut], the world's leading provider of in-flight connectivity, today announced a partnership that offers passengers exclusive in-air sales for both men and women on all Gogo-equipped Delta, United, Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and US Airways aircraft. Passengers who log onto Gilt.com through Gogo will also have free access to the site and all it has to offer, including children's apparel and accessories, home decor, Jetsetter, Gilt City, and Gilt Taste. The program kicks off tomorrow, July 1st. Accessing Gilt.com in air is easy. All you need is a web enabled laptop or smartphone. Passengers who log onto the Internet with any web enabled device, will automatically be directed to Gogo's Web site. From there they can simply connect to Gilt.com through the Gogo homepage where they'll have real-time access to exclusive in-air deals and Gilt's daily selection of products, including fashion for women, men, and children; home decor; gourmet finds; and travel experiences on every continent; and unique activities in a select list of cities and destinations. Jun 30, 2011

Gogo, Boingo Wireless Wireless provider Boingo Wireless, Inc. and Gogo, which provides in-flight Wi-Fi, announced that Boingo customers can now log in to Gogo using their existing Boingo account. This access includes more than 1,100 planes from nine carriers, providing robust Internet access above 10,000 feet. The service is immediately available for Boingo customers via the Gogo home page or by using the latest Boingo Wi-Finder app. By using the ORoamingO button at the bottom of the redirect page, users will be able to choose Boingo as their provider and log in with their existing Boingo username and password. To log in to Gogo via Boingo, accept the flight segment charge and enter a CAPTCHA validation phrase. Existing Boingo app users should check for software updates to make sure they have the latest version of Wi-Finder, which supports inflight access. The latest version of the app can be downloaded at www.boingo.com/boingo-apps. In-flight access is a premium service and is not included in monthly plans. Boingo laptop and tablet users will be charged $4.95, $9.95 or $12.95 per flight based on the length of the flight. Smartphone users will pay $4.95 or $7.95, depending on flight duration. For more information, visit www.boingo.com or www.gogoair.com. Jun 27, 2011

Google Virgin America passengers get chance to preview Chromebooks. Virgin American and Google have teamed up to offer the airline's passengers the opportunity to check out Chromebook computers. From now until the end of September, Google will provide Chromebooks and free Wi-Fi to travelers on certain Virgin America flights. "Our goal has always been to use the best in technology to reinvent the travel experience -- and help bring some fun back to flying," said Porter Gale, vice president of marketing at Virgin America. The two companies are also developing the Virgin America Traveler application, which will run on the Google Chrome system. Jul 1, 2011

Google Google offers details on its response to data requests by U.S. government. Google has issued an update to its Transparency Report website -- which tracks the search giant's cooperation with government requests for data on its users -- revealing that U.S. officials requested information on about 4,600 Internet users in the second half of 2010, and that Google complied with the requests in 94% of the cases. Jun 28, 2011

HawaiiGaga.com HawaiiGaga.com has launched the Maui GPS Tour Guide, a virtual tour guide that talks to vacationers as they drive around Maui, for iPhone or iPad 3G. The guide knows exactly where travelers are and alerts them to hidden beaches and scenic attractions and hikes, and tells them about the island's history, geography and plants and animals. The guide is split into five tours -- West Maui, Central Maui, South Maui, Haleakala and the Hana Highway. Combined, they cover the entire island and include the historic sites of Lahaina, the highway beyond Kapalua, all of the attractions of the Hana highway, Haleakala National Park, Iao Valley, and snorkeling sites and beaches of South Maui. Users purchase the tours they want from inside the application. Those with Apple devices like the iPod Touch, which doesn't have a GPS, can download the application and take advantage of the beach and snorkeling guides with photos, hiking information, weather and surf forecasts, driving directions, and Maui background information. The Maui GPS Tour Guide is scheduled to be released on July 8. For more information, visit www.hawaiigaga.com/hawaii-iphone-apps.aspx. Jun 30, 2011

HotelTravel.com HotelTravel.com is pleased to announce it is a finalist for the prestigious Travolution Awards in the OBest Accommodation Consumer WebsiteO category. HotelTravel.com Chief Information Officer, Olivier Dombey, said that the entire company is thrilled to be a named a finalist in this exclusive competition: OTravolution Award finalists are a very elite group. We are delighted to be recognized and excitedly await the outcome set for Tuesday, October 11, at The Roundhouse in London. Jun 29, 2011

IBM IBM cites memory breakthrough that boosts storage speed, life span. IBM has announced an advancement in solid-state memory technology with the creation of phase-change memory chips that have the storage capacity of NAND flash components but work 100 times faster and increase enterprise chip life span from 100,000 erase-write cycles to 5 million. Jul 1, 2011

Intel Intel sets tablet invasion plans, starting with Medfield. Intel, which has yet to crack the tablet computer market, has set out an ambitious strategy to release a series of chips, most notably a hybrid processor that will roll out early next year with its Medfield technology prior to the Clover Trail launch later in 2012. "Both Medfield and Clover Trail are targeted at tablet designs but could also be used as tablet hybrids," Intel's Suzy Ramirez said. Jul 1, 2011

Intel Intel says it's building a chip for Windows 8, mobile devices. The arrival of Microsoft's Windows 8 will also mark the debut of a new chip from Intel, called "Cloverview," which was crafted specifically for tablet and netbook devices. The combination of Windows 8 and Cloverview will offer a "one-two chip-software punch," Intel's Bill Kircos said. Jun 30, 2011

InterContinental Hotels InterContinental launches new iPhone booking apps. InterContinental Hotels Group rolled out iPhone booking applications for its seven brands last week, which allow guest to search, compare and book at its properties. "Our initial iPhone efforts were targeted at our Priority Club Rewards program, currently totaling 58 million members, and because our seven brands are at the heart of our business, we are building off that initial success by expanding our iPhone solutions to include apps for each of our seven brands," said Michael Menis, IHG's vice president for Web and interactive marketing. Jun 28, 2011

LaCie LaCie introduces an automated cloud-backup solution. LaCie has unveiled its CloudBox device, an automated two-in-one storage solution that allows businesses to back up their data both on a hard drive and via the cloud using 128-bit AES encryption. Jun 28, 2011

LeapFrog LeapFrog introduces educational tablet PC for children. Educational electronics company LeapFrog Enterprises is entering the tablet PC market with the LeapPad, designed for children. The device, available for pre-sale now for $99, features a 5-inch touch screen, a camera and a video recorder. The LeapPad, which will be released Aug. 15, will run educational games and applications. Jun 29, 2011

LiveTV, JetBlue Airways LiveTV is about to live up to its name on overseas flights. LiveTV, a subsidiary of JetBlue Airways, is preparing to offer live television services to passengers on overseas flights. Initially, passengers will have access to up to five live television channels through the airlines' legacy in-flight entertainment systems or their own hand-held devices, according to LiveTV. Jun 29, 2011

LulzSec LulzSec says it's ending its reign of havoc. The hacker group known as LulzSec announced that it is disbanding in the face of mounting pressure from law enforcement after it penetrated highly sensitive sites including the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Senate. Jun 27, 2011

Microsoft Office in the cloud: Microsoft takes on Google Apps. Microsoft is scheduled to release a completely Web-based version of its Office 2010 suite of business software today. This is the first time the company has made available full versions of its word processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs via the cloud, and the move is widely seen as an attempt to head off the progress of Google's Web-based office software. Microsoft's offering will cost businesses between $6 and $18 per user per month. Jun 28, 2011

Netflix Netflix expands its streaming catalog of Asian movies. Netflix subscribers will have access to more streaming Asian movies after the company agreed to a deal with Well Go USA to add more than 2,000 titles to its selection. In April, Netflix reached a deal with VIZ Media to offer more anime titles. "We're committed to providing to our members a rich and diverse offering of TV episodes and movies from around the world," said Lisa Nishimura of Netflix. Jun 28, 2011

New Orleans The New Orleans CVB, in partnership with Miles | Weaver and the MeNetwork, is launching Text NOLA, an innovative new mobile marketing product offering visitors, meeting attendees and locals a chance to grab city-wide deals just by sending a text message. The customizable mobile platform will officially kick-off July 1 to 3 for the 2011 Essence Music Festival when 400,000 attendees of this major event will be offered exclusive discounts by texting Essence Deals to 63638. New Orleans CVB members, including restaurants, attractions, music clubs, shops, galleries and tour companies, create their own deals for the Text NOLA program and have the option to edit them at any point in time. Through several communications pieces, the CVB is encouraging its members to log into their accounts to create a new deal or two specifically for Essence guests when Essence Deals 63638 is messaged. The Text NOLA program is an on-demand service, meaning deals are only delivered when the visitor or delegate requests them, and it is entirely free to the end-user. Standard text messaging rates apply. Visitors can search city-wide, year-round by texting NOLA Deals to 63638 with an option to narrow a search to a specific neighborhood or category for more targeted discounts. For more information, visit www.neworleanscvb.com. Jun 30, 2011

Orbitz Orbitz has introduced its own flash sale product, called OInsider Steals.O This is a weekly members-only flash sale that gives Orbitz members 50 percent or more off handpicked hotels in top destinations around the world including Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, Cancun and Hawaii. Orbitz registered members will receive an email every Tuesday with exclusive new deals available on Orbitz.com for just 72 hours. OOrbitz hotel market managers are scouring their destinations to help our members score exclusive, half price deals on high-end hotels around the world," said Peggy Bianco, group vice president, hotel supplier services at Orbitz Worldwide. "Our participating hotel partners recognize the limited-time, members-only aspects of the Orbitz 'Insider Steals' opportunity, and are willing to offer extremely attractive rates in exchange for broad email promotion to millions of Orbitz members." Current members can sign up at www.orbitz.com/Secure/PrepareMemberPreferences. OrbitzO sister site, CheapTickets.com, has also launched a members-only flash sales site called Members Only Prices. www.cheaptickets.com/account/registration. Jun 28, 2011

Orbitz Orbitz summer hotel sale . Save up to 30% on your hotel stay this summer! Just use the link on the AOPA Lifestyles Collection Web page. The AOPA Lifestyles Collection is a place where you can purchase products; every purchase you make through the links on the Web page provide support to general aviation. Jun 27, 2011

PayPal Survey: Half of Canadians would opt for digital wallets. About 56% of Canadian consumers would happily give up using cash in favor of using only mobile payments to make purchases, according to a survey done for PayPal. About one-third said they would rather carry a mobile device than a pocketful of change, and 36% reported that they would use digital wallets to pay for everything from a latte to an iPod. Jun 30, 2011

PayPal PayPal revises its 2011 mobile-payments forecast. PayPal has revised its outlook for the mobile-payments sector, saying now that it expects to process $3 billion in transactions this year -- an average of $10 million every day, and double its original 2011 forecast. Jun 27, 2011

PCI-Express PCI plans a thin data link for wireless devices to peripherals. PCI-Express has set a goal of 2013 for creating a new, thin interconnect between mobile and external devices, the head of the standards-setting group said Monday. The solution will support data transfer speeds of up to 8 gigabits per second, said PCI-Special Interest Group President Al Yanes, adding that the new device could help expand opportunities for PCI technology. Jun 28, 2011

Secunia Making the case for a targeted security approach. Four out of five vulnerabilities plaguing corporate networks can be traced to one of 37 Windows programs targeted by hackers, according to a report from security firm Secunia. Other experts argue that just because a system has a vulnerability doesn't mean it will be targeted. Daniel Guido of iSec Partners says an analysis of hacker exploit kits from the past two years found tools for exploiting 27 of about 8,000 possible software weaknesses, suggesting that not all vulnerabilities are equally dangerous. Jun 30, 2011

Single Touch Systems Single Touch SystemsO New Chief Executive, James L. Orsini, Adopts Role as Mobile Media Advocate. Characterizing the first thirty-days of his move from Saatchi & Saatchi to the world of Single Touch Systems Inc. (OTCBB:SITO.ob - News), the mobile media solutions provider, as Osomething like drinking from a fire hoseO, James Orsini, Single TouchOs new Chief Executive Officer, is on a mission: To firmly position SITO as the mobile industryOs Ofriend- of-retailers and their agenciesO. Orsini is determined to underscore Single Touch Systems as uniquely sensitive to the business goals of retailers, brands and advertising agencies. According to Orsini, Othe beauty of Single Touch is that its solutions were built on a foundation of elegance and simplicity. We have a product mix that will enable any retailer and any brand to connect with every mobile device [ETH] with content consumers want, where they want it.O At his first meeting with his staff in Bentonville, Arkansas, one of the companyOs four U.S. locations, Orsini said that he had every intention of putting his Saatchi experience, as well his learning from Interbrand, the worldOs leading brand consultancy, to powerful use on behalf Single TouchOs clients and partners. Additionally, Orsini made the point that it is his unique marketing background that he believes will support the overall distinctiveness and growth of the company and the interests of SITOOs shareholders. OWith my background, IOm in a perfect place to simplify access to, and adoption of, our abbreviated dial code, our reminder messaging, and our coupon advertising programs around the needs of each of our clients,O Orsini noted. OEven if retailers and brands donOt quite realize the advantages of mobile yet, I am sure that as we demonstrate how simple Single Touch has made it for marketers to connect with their consumers at point of purchase, their interest will be piqued. This is my mission. This is my goal.O Reflecting on the milestones he set for his first 100 days, Orsini borrowed a quote from Leonardo da Vinci, stating that Osimplicity is the ultimate sophisticationO. OSingle Touch will promote our core offerings to the technical and marketing departments of our client companies. We will work to apply each offer with laser precision, efficiency and effectiveness where they will demonstrate the greatest returns for our clients. I have no doubt that I will be able to deliver the best that mobile media solutions has to offer the worlds of advertising, retail and branding,O Orsini stated. Orsini further pointed out that, Othe mobile marketing industry needs more leadership, insights and creativity from folks who understand how best to speak directly to consumers at or in close proximity to where the purchase decisions are being made. If you can make sure that what a brand is saying or showing at point of sale is on message [ETH] that it reinforces the brandOs position [ETH] it will be very powerful for brand marketers and retailers and will excite industry growth.O Orsini is confident in his past success. He believes strongly in the fact that much of what has made him successful is his ability to turn ambitious visions into commercial action. As CFO of SaatchiOs Rowland Public Relations, Orsini guided the firmOs financial performance as it grew from a U.S. based firm into a multi-million dollar, multi-national organization. At Interbrand, he was jointly responsible for growing revenues by 20%, increasing profits by 60% and increasing the EBITDA by 4 margin points for what grew to become a multi-million dollar firm in just 18 months. At Saatchi, he was part of the leadership team credited with diversifying the client portfolio beyond its core CPG client base into retail, financial services and government. OThis is what I did in the past. This is what I intend to do at Single Touch,O Orsini noted. Jul 1, 2011

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Asteroid hurtles toward a near-miss with Earth. Scientists at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory are tracking an asteroid that is expected to come within less than 8,000 miles of Earth today. Researchers at the center have seen just four other asteroids pass closer than the rock dubbed Asteroid 2011 MD. It will be visible in the sky around 1 p.m. EST, but if you miss it, don't fret; it will be back in 2022. Jun 27, 2011

Sprint Nextel Real Estate Pro ID Pack Launches on Sprint ID Devices. Sprint announced the launch of the Real Estate Pro ID Pack, a customized bundle of widgets, applications, wallpapers, ringtones and other content designed specifically for real estate agents. In addition to combining all the top realtor tools and informational applications available in the Android market, The Real Estate Pro ID Pack is also the first Sprint ID developed for enterprise use. While the Real Estate Pro ID will be available for download by any Sprint customer with an ID-capable device, real estate agents and teams have the option to develop customized, branded versions of the ID pack for distribution across all or part of their workforce. The Real Estate Pro ID pack includes multiple lead generation and sales applications, including Fidelity TitleForce, ZIllow, eKey and Realtor.com; enhanced communications tools, including SpringPad, Astrid To-do List and Blik News; and expense control and reduction services, including FuelLog, GasBuddy, ReWealthCoach and Kayak. Jun 28, 2011

Sprint Nextel Sprint Launches 4G Enterprise WAN for Businesses. Sprint now offers businesses Sprint 4G Enterprise WAN (wide area network), a fixed wireless access solution that provides speed, reliability and secure wireless connectivity to the Sprint Global MPLS network. Not only can wireless connectivity open a world of possibilities by allowing people to work virtually anywhere, now Sprint 4G can enable businesses to replace or improve on traditional "wired" options with a solution that is cost-effective, fast and flexible to deploy without compromising bandwidth and network reliability, available within all Sprint 4G markets. Jun 27, 2011

Twitter, Facebook When you're traveling and something goes wrong, all you want is for someone to help you get back on track. That used to mean lengthy lines in the airport or long hold times on the phone, but that's been changing, thanks to social media. Airlines are quickly learning that social media tools, particularly Twitter, can act as an excellent customer service channel. Though Twitter and Facebook have been around for several years, many airlines, like other companies, were hesitant to really embrace them. These outlets have given people a great deal of power, and companies are generally afraid of things they can't control. Forward-thinking airlines like Southwest and JetBlue have long participated, but others have only recently realized that it's a smart move. The power of social media is undeniable. Just ask Delta Air Lines. A video posted on YouTube of military personnel upset over fees for their fourth checked bags recently earned the carrier a tidal wave of negative attention. The airline already provided three checked bags for free to active-duty military, and the government reimbursed fees for any additional bags, but the reaction via social media channels was overwhelming anger. The uproar actually caused Delta to change its policy and increase its allowance, and other airlines followed suit. In the past, many airlines have tried to ignore things that bubbled up via social media, and that hasn't worked well. Remember "United Breaks Guitars," where a frustrated United passenger took to the Web with a music video to get satisfaction? United finally responded once the story got legs, but now airlines are quicker to react. But those instances are few and far between. More important than how an airline reacts to viral stories is how an airline responds to regular people with travel problems. Jun 27, 2011

VacationRoost VacationRoost, a major website for professionally managed vacation rentals, has launched a new website featuring the new VacationRoost brand and image. The site, www.vacationroost.com, features more than 150,000 professionally managed vacation rentals across North America, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. The company plans to add European homes and villas to the site in the third quarter of this year. VacationRoost currently offers the largest collection of travel agent friendly, commissionable vacation rental product in the market and is actively increasing its travel agent business. The company also offers white label reservations programs for resorts and destination marketing organizations, and currently operates programs for Park City Mountain Resort, Alta Ski Area, Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce and many others. www.vacationroost.com. Jun 28, 2011

VEGAS.com, Mexico.com Weekly Travel Deals on VEGAS.com and Mexico.com. The travel experts at VEGAS.com, the world's number one city travel website with the top Las Vegas Hotels and Las Vegas Shows, and Mexico.com, the full-service site that helps travelers with booking Mexico vacations, have outlined some of this week's exclusive and limited-time only travel deals. Ravella at Lake Las Vegas - 30% Off Your Stay Book a room marked with the 30% Off Your Stay offer at Ravella at Lake Las Vegas between now and Sept. 30, 2011, for stay dates between now and Sept. 30, 2011, and receive 30% off your stay. As an added bonus, travelers will receive a complimentary breakfast. Wynn Las Vegas - 25% Off Your Stay Book a room marked with the 25% Off Your Stay offer at Wynn Las Vegas for a minimum of two nights between now and March 23, 2012, for stay dates between now and March 23, 2012, and receive 25% off your stay. Donny & Marie - Ticket Upgrade Special For a limited time only, receive main floor seating at balcony prices when you book select Donny & Marie tickets on VEGAS.com. Guests save $15.40 per ticket!

Book a vacation to any 11 Palace Resorts between now and July 31, 2011, for travel dates between now and Dec. 30, 2011, and receive $100 off any package of $1,000 or more. Guests simply use promo code PALACE100 at checkout. Jun 28, 2011

Virgin America Virgin America and Google Team Up to Keep Travelers Connected With Chromebooks @ 35,000 Feet. Virgin America, the airline that is reinventing domestic flying, today announces that it is teaming up with Google Inc. to offer guests the opportunity to "test-fly" Google's new Chromebook for free onboard their flight and at select airport gates. From July 1-September 30, 2011, Virgin America flyers will have the exclusive chance to check out a Chromebook at their departure airport gate and take the new notebook computer out for a spin onboard select Virgin America flights. In addition, flyers who check out a Chromebook will receive a free WiFi session onboard Virgin America via the Gogo[umlaut] network. Virgin America was the first airline to offer fleetwide WiFi, so Chromebook users on all Virgin America flights can open their browser and surf the web for free at 35,000 feet. With an eight-second boot time, the available Chromebooks are built for today's connected traveler. Virgin America and Ace Hotel are also launching a "Get Away with a Chromebook" sweepstakes today via Facebook for one lucky winner to score a free Chromebook and fly with a guest to New York for a two-night stay at The Ace Hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The winner will also receive a 30-day pass to use Aircell Gogo WiFi Internet service onboard Virgin America. For details and sweepstakes rules go to http://vgn.am/Chromebook. Virgin America guests traveling between the airline's sleek and sustainable new home at San Francisco International Airport's (SFO) Terminal 2 and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) will see Google "Chrome Zone" lounges at their gates starting this week, where they can learn more about the Chromebook and check one out for their flight. Travelers can simply check in at their departure gate, swipe their credit card (for deposit purposes) and receive a Chromebook for use on their flights between SFO and DFW, ORD or BOS. The Chromebooks can be returned at the guest's arriving gate. The Chrome Zone service is offered for free for all Virgin America flyers traveling between SFO and the above airports. Google Chrome Staff will also be on hand at the participating Virgin America gates to assist guests. In addition to being exclusively available on Virgin America, the new Chromebooks are also now available for purchase on Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. www.virginamerica.com/vx/chromezone

Jun 30, 2011

Virgin America, Google, Ace Hotel Virgin America and Google are working together to let Virgin America passengers "test-fly" Google's new Chromebook for free onboard their flight and at select airport gates. From July 1 to Sept. 30, Virgin America flyers will be able to check out a Chromebook at their departure airport gate and take the new notebook computer out for a spin on board select Virgin America flights. In addition, flyers who check out a Chromebook will receive a free Wi-Fi session onboard Virgin America via the Gogo network. Virgin America and Ace Hotel are also launching a "Get Away with a Chromebook" sweepstakes via Facebook for one winner to score a free Chromebook and fly with a guest to New York for a two-night stay at The Ace Hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The winner will also receive a 30-day pass to use Aircell Gogo Wi-Fi Internet service onboard Virgin America. For details and sweepstakes rules, visit www.vgn.am/Chromebook. Jun 30, 2011

ZZ AirGuide 110704

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