Wireless Ckeck-In

Marriott International, Inc. a hotel chain has announced that it is trialing a mobile wireless check in system for their custumers. The system is using Microsoft’s Windows Mobile®-powered devices on end-to-end Intel Architecture and is being tested in Redmond Washignton Town Centre.

Source Hospitality.net
In a collaborative effort with Intel® Solution Services and Microsoft®, Marriott is working toward implementing a mobile wireless check-in process that is convenient and easy for guests to use. During testing, guests with Microsoft Windows Mobile-powered Smartphones–running the PocketPC Platform–can simply download and install Marriott’s seamless mobility software from Arrive.Marriott.com. Using the Internet, they can then connect securely to the Redmond Marriott Town Center hotel’s property management system and check in to their room while in transit to the hotel. Guests will also be able to change room types, receive welcome information and reconfirm their room rates. When they arrive at the hotel, guests retrieve their room keys from a conveniently located automated key dispenser in the lobby.

Critical to the test is innovative software developed by Intel Solution Services to Marriott’s requirements that enables guests to check-in while in motion and eliminates the need to restart the check-in process, even if the wireless signal is lost in transit. Information entered by travelers will be automatically restored when the signal is re-established. A future benefit of this project will also enable guests to check in from their office PCs and laptops.

Upon successful completion of the test later this year, Marriott will evaluate requirements for production development and a rollout plan for mobile wireless check-in at its hotels.

Microsoft demos hybrid computer/phone

The line of distinction between a full fledged computer and mobile phone has been blurred with the advent of smartphones and Microsoft is doings its best to continue the trend. The company demoed a prototype product that combines Windows CE and a phone. The device is able to hook into a keyboard and TV to perform PC-like tasks.

Chief Research and Strategy Officer Craig Mundie thinks this type of device could bring computing to the masses:

"Could this be your first computer? And if it was, what could you do with it?" Mundie asked. He demonstrated word processing, multimedia playback and Web browsing using scaled-down versions of Internet Explorer, Word and Windows Media Player. "For at least simplified applications, it's harder to distinguish this from a computer," he said.

Microsoft has been facing pressure to develop a low-cost PC as emerging markets begin to come online. Nicholas Negroponte founded the One Laptop per Child organization to bring computers to emerging markets, but to cut costs the project is not using any Microsoft software (opting instead for open source apps).

Get an SMS from your washing machine

The Internet Home Alliance, an organization comprised of high tech companies such as HP and Microsoft as well as P&G and Whirlpool, have begun an eight-week pilot to test the concept of an intelligent washing machine. The mobile angle? The machine is tied into a home network that can alert you via SMS, as well as messages on the TV, that your laundry is done. Thus spake the managers of Laundry Time:

"To be conducted in Atlanta homes between today and early September, Laundry Time is built around a connected laundry solution that links a washer and dryer to a home network and sends text messages about the laundry's progress to a computer, TV and/or cell phone. This revolutionary technology enables consumers to manage the laundry process from remote locations such as a grocery store or soccer game, freeing them up to go about their day rather than forcing them to stay home to manage the process.

'Generally, most people tend to 'batch' their laundry -- washing and drying at the same time -- and they stay home during the hours it takes to manage the laundry process,' said Carol Priefert, Senior Product Development Manager, Whirlpool Corporation. 'Whirlpool research shows that the average consumer "batches" about six and a half loads one day per week, while heavy users may "batch" as many as 15 loads. Laundry Time will test ways to make it easier for people to manage the process remotely or while doing other things around the home.'

Isn't that what the buzzer is for?

dot Mobi domains

.mobi is a new top-level domain already approved by ICANN. It will be restricted to mobile devices and mobile sites. It is financed by a association of companies such as Microsoft, Nokia, Samsung, Syniverse, 3, Ericsson, GSM Association, T-mobile, Telefonica, TIM and Vodafone. You can’t register .mobi domains yet. Dot Mobi domains will be registered through ICANN certified registrars.
From May 22, members of .mobi TLD association will have an opportunity to register their trademark names as a .mobi domains. Other trademark holders can register their trademarks as .mobi domains from June 12 and personal users can start filing for registration starting August 28.