September 2010
103 posts
How the iPad is Transforming Web Design →
Very similar to my ideas on move from flow to flip. Will have implications on how web design will move, in particular for travel guide sites as well.
“The application uses a weather algorithm developed by CBS meteorologist Lonnie...”
– Wearcast - New iPhone app offers the weather forcecast - and fashion tips! | Gadling.com
Rand McNally iPhone app integrates Tripology →
Rand McNally launched an iPhone app, Explore America, which combines travel inspiration, maps, games and referrals to Tripology-affiliated travel agents.
New, Lighter iPad Could Include Camera, USB Port,... →
Analysts at Goldman Sachs say Apple’s next-generation iPad will likely include a camera and a mini USB port and will be lighter. The company is also considering making a smaller tablet, they say.
Bing rolls out travel and mapping updates for... →
“The latest version focuses on improving the mapping experience for the user as well as offering a couple new travel features.”
Zinio Wants Visual Digital Books →
Hoping it can make the transition to iPad-like platforms. Pitching full data info back to publishers, unlike Apple.
“The survey found that 40% of affluents downloaded travel apps and 39%...”
– The Mobile Apps That Affluents Download - eMarketer
Case Study: Lonely Planet's augmented reality... →
Will Lonely Planet Magazine be Sold off? →
At least part of its parent might be…
The Future of Context: From Flow to Flip
These are the notes from my presentation today at the European Journalism Center’s “Future of Journalism” conference in Amsterdam, as part of the larger PICNIC conference. I intend to flesh this out in a larger column. For now, this is a but conceptual, though I do think and hope this is how media consumption and interaction evolves.
— This is my personal story, as well...
French Travel Search Site Gets Acquired →
Everything You Need to Know About Tablets Right... →
Like the article says. A great primer on the current state of new tablets. “For starters, design is less a factor for tablets than in the other categories. A tablet is supposed to be a mostly featureless panel of glass: that’s the whole point. The hardware will also be fairly standardized (display, cameras, microphone, chipset)—the only question will be who has the most and best apps. And if...
TeleNav Prepares For Drop In Revenues From Its... →
TeleNav’s troubles continue…
10 Beach Blogs You’ll Love →
A nice list.
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Intel's Context-Based Computing Could Be Boon For...
Still a bit in the future, but Intel’s new mantra, context-based computing, may have some major applications in the travel guides space. From this article, Fodor’s is interested in it, apparently. “Context-based computers would be useful in helping develop online travel apps, especially as they could monitor where a person was, what he liked, and what he was looking for. Tim...
Afar Launches To Connect Like-Minded Travelers...
A new travel social network of sorts, from the publishers of the newish Afar travel magazine. Afar Connect uses a proprietary ‘Travel Personality’ technology to create a customized profile for each user. Types of profiles range from the Florida-bound “Vacationer” to a “Discoverer” volunteering in Haiti. Users can then ask questions on the site about their upcoming travel plans and the site will...
Sabre TripCase goes Pro with premium version →
Pricing will be $9.99 per month or $69.99 for an annual subscription. TripCase Pro, a product from Sabre Holdings, is adding seat maps with available seats; turn-by-turn driving directions from locales within your itinerary; SMS flight alerts within the TripCase application; flight search up to one year in advance, and sharing of full travel itineraries with assigned recipients.
Bing Travel Holiday Forecast: Thanksgiving and... →
Not sure if I can believe that. NYT in a story couple of weeks ago had the opposite conclusion: that prices for airfares and hotels are on the up and up this year.
TripAdvisor Launches Lists
These lists, written by real travellers, offer inside tips and secrets for travelling to cities around the world, from “Cheap Eats in San Francisco” to the “Must See Museums in Paris.” There are more than 7,500 lists and tours now available at travellers’ fingertips on TripAdvisor Mobile.
Rethinking the Publishing Company | Booksquare →
You may not agree with most of it, but it surely is provocative. And creative.
WatchA review of three iPad ebook reading apps: iBooks, Kindle and Nook. None tower over others, the conclusion.
Mossberg Review: Three E-Reader Apps for the iPad | Walt Mossberg | Personal Technology | AllThingsD
Women-Focused Travel Guides? →
The opportunity is big.
Augmented Reality Conference →
Wish I could go. On Sep 27th in Munich.
I want
sashalina:
this to be my future more than anything.
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Confirmed: Google Buys Video Tour Startup Quiksee →
“With Quiksee, users shoot video of a location, and Quiksee’s software then puts the clips together as a 3-D video tour. Videos are shared on Google Maps.” Interesting application and possibilities for guide companies.
“I do think brands matter in this industry. Imagine the content dropped into...”
– Me, quoted on Poynter.
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State of Nokia's Ovi Nation
From today’s annual Nokia World show in London. Showing they are still in contention for the apps ecosystem that is being dominated by Apple and Android platforms.
—2 million downloads a day. —90 percent of Ovi Store traffic converts to actual downloads. —85 percent of traffic is return traffic. —Of that, it’s averaging 2.6 downloads per user per day. —Ovi Store quicker than competitors in...
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“It’s too easy to learn every single thing about a place and even view it...”
– How I Travel: Susan Orlean | BootsnAll Travel Articles
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WorldMate's Android App Launched →
Worldmate, an app I already use in iPhone, is now available on Android app. Surprisingly, with different features than the iPhone. Has itinerary management, hotel bookings, alerts for flights and meetings, Google Maps, currency conversion and 5-day weather forecasts.
Czech taxi ripping you off? There's an App for... →
Why didn’t anyone think of this for Delhi, the king of getting ripped off by the taxi drivers? Neat app for travelers. The Czech company announcement is here.
8 iPhone Apps Every International Traveler Should... →
Nice list. Didn’t know about Dragon Dictation app; this might be a killer app for me. And it is free.
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TripAdvisor Creates Nearby Widget for 3rd Party... →
The widget works by locking in the location of the host site, such as a hotel or restaurant, and plotting other properties and things to do in the vicinity. Developers can then code the TripAdvisor-branded module into an existing site or blog.
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Amazon Moves On From Subtle Jabs At iPad; Kindle... →
Actually, not a bad point. As a traveler, would you want your mobile app to NOT be visible during your travels out in the sun? If only Kindle was touchscreen. And color. And better browser. And…
List Of All App Stores →
Worldwide. A very useful list for travel guide publishers.
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EveryTrail Review -- Trail Mapping For Everyone
A very detailed review of EveryTrail, a startup trails site and now a phone app. So positive I suspect it is an advertorial. | NatGeo Adventure
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Travel Roulette, Google Street View Style →
Pick a continent, press “Shuffle,” and Globe Genie will take you to a random spot.
Everyone Will Have A Share →
A different take on the mobile OS market, than the one I linked to below, where Android was the clear winner. In this analysis by Needham analyst Charlie Wolf, Android will still be the largest, but: “Android to end up with a 40%+ share and that the iPhone’s share could reach 25% as Apple signs up additional carriers…Nokia’s share is likely to fall from 39% currently to 20%,...
End of Standalone Nav Devices? →
If the writing is on the wall for standalone navigation devices, does that foretell a future for standalone travel guides as well?
10 Facebook Pages Every Traveler Should Follow →
Decent list includes some of my own faves.
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Telmap Navigator for Palm in Germany →
Telmap has launched Telmap Navigator for Palm webOS in Germany, for Palm Pre and Palm Pre Plus devices. Available on O2 Germany network and the service will include German local content and services such as Lonely Planet and speed enforcement zone warnings.