Consumer travelers have long been a priority among those in the travel industry, while corporate travelers have been forced to either fend for themselves or coordinate travel details through their companies’ travel departments. The latter option kept corporate travelers in the dark without much control over the way their plans were handled, which airlines they flew on, or even where they should pick up their rental cars. A survey conducted by MMGY Global indicated that about 69 percent of business travelers are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. This is much different than in the past, when the majority of business travelers utilized a corporate travel department for all of their business travel needs. There was a clear demand for a platform that employees could easily access on their own. Recently, the travel industry has begun to recognize the need for more personalized travel services for business travelers. Up until then, corporate travelers had been all but ignored. However, the same people who travel for work have become accustomed to a much more robust experience when booking leisure travel. Companies looking to expand their customer base have gotten the memo and have begun tapping into the corporate travel market. Digital BookingBusy professionals are rarely stationary and are likely to conduct a majority of their business on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Given the tech-driven nature of corporate professionals’ jobs, digital booking is in high demand. Frequent business travelers value real-time updates, standalone travel apps, and social media integration. Ensuring that travel details are easily accessible without having to go through antiquated corporate channels not only saves time, but also gives corporate travelers a high level of control over their travel itineraries. This way, should their plans need to be adjusted based on clients’ needs, they can make changes almost instantaneously without the typical formalities. Corporate Travel Platforms Up until recently, many companies used Concur for their corporate travel needs. While the interface served its purpose, it was typically restricted to certain individuals within a company. If a traveler had issues or questions pertaining to their itinerary, accommodations, or anything else, they had to go through someone else to find answers. Recently, Concur acquired Hipmunk, a metadata-focused website, with the goal of creating a better corporate user experience fueled by innovative technology. In keeping with this same idea, American Express recently acquired the booking platform KDS. American Express hopes this move will help create a richer user experience for its corporate travel partners. Through a dedicated platform for corporate bookings, employees can adhere to various company travel policies automatically, since policies and procedures are built right into the software. For instance, if an employee attempts to book an unauthorized trip or exceeds budgetary restrictions, the travel platform would automatically prevent him or her from continuing. TripActions Offers Helpful ToolsOne such platform is TripActions, which offers a variety of helpful corporate travel booking tools, including a global inventory of flights, rental vehicles, as well as hotel accommodations. TripActions promises to deliver a flawless and modern Internet-based travel booking experience for corporate executives. While the majority of the booking process is self-directed, TripActions also offers high-level support to help travelers should they encounter any issues in the process. Much like leisure travel booking sites, TripActions also offers exclusive deals, corporate discounts, and even a savings dashboard that gives travelers an inside look at the latest savings in real-time. For finance or travel administrators, TripActions also helps to monitor business travel expenses while allowing business partners to enjoy a stress-free method of booking. For companies that still utilize travel managers, TripActions allows these users to view corporate travel at a glance and to keep track of corporate bookings without having to personally book each trip. Business travelers also can take advantage of TripActions’ rewards points, high-tech booking technology, as well as dedicated customer support should they need it. Catering to Corporate TravelersCorporate travel has come a long way in recent decades, and it is expected to become even more streamlined as time goes on. What many travel platforms are finding is that business travelers expect the same level of service they experience when booking their leisure travel, and several companies want to meet their needs. Corporate travelers place a high premium on being able to customize every trip they take, even if it’s for work.
Travel companies understand that if a business traveler has a positive experience with their booking platform, this represents a prime opportunity for repeat business. The scenario presents a win-win situation for both the traveler, who will earn valuable miles and points, as well as the travel booking companies that will earn lucrative and repeat corporate business. Travel tech continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and 2017 is poised to be an exciting year for tourists and industry insiders alike. Explore some of the most highly anticipated travel tech conferences scheduled for 2017 and discover what each has to offer. HDI 2017 Conference & ExpoThe HDI 2017 Conference & Expo, which is scheduled to take place in Washington, DC, from May 9-12, is designed for tech support professionals, from entry-level to CEO. Tech support is an increasingly critical component of the travel industry, especially since a great deal of travel transactions are completed online. The HDI Conference & Expo will help professionals understand how important their roles are, as well as address common barriers. According to information on the HDI Conference & Expo website, professionals at all levels will find value in its offerings. The program will include topics such as improving productivity, networking, the latest innovations in customer experience management, and desktop support, as well as a host of other interesting topics. A conference pass includes access to four keynote speakers, networking activities, break-out sessions, breakfast briefings, and in-depth sessions. Food and beverages are included. The HDI Conference & Expo will offer pricing ranging from the Super Saver level to standard pricing, with earlier booking subject to deeper discounts. Travel Tech EuropeThe Travel Tech Europe conference, one the largest travel conferences in the world, will be held February 22-23, 2017 in London. This two-day event will be packed with exhibitors who will highlight new travel industry opportunities and bring brand awareness to a variety of up-and-coming travel partners. For those in the travel accommodations sector, the Travel Technology Europe is not to be missed, as experts will offer valuable insights, and a variety of leading technologies will be on display. The experts will hold in-depth sessions that will show travel industry insiders how to increase revenue and expand their businesses. Travel Tech Europe is expected to draw over 6,000 attendees, and although it will only last for two days, it will include various showcases as well as more than 30 suppliers who specialize in hotel accommodations and in-room marketing technology. Additionally, IT professionals will have the opportunity to further their industry knowledge and to network with others via social events. Travel Tech ConOne of the most exciting travel conferences for this upcoming year will be Travel Tech Con, which will be held in San Francisco. Travel Tech Con is specifically geared toward travel industry startups, and the coordinators pride themselves on remaining community-focused and dedicated to technological innovation within the travel industry. Travel Tech Con is an independent conference dedicated to educating and inspiring the entire travel tech community and open doors for startups trying to break into the industry. Much like previous Travel Tech Con events, there will be a pitch competition in which finalists will be selected to win prizes as well as funding. Travel Tech Con will also feature live Twitter streaming of the conference events, regular Facebook updates, and a variety of authoritative speakers from the travel tech industry. Aside from Travel Tech Con, organizers also work year-round to promote travel startups through its Travel Tech Hub. The service provides a way to connect worldwide startup partners in the travel industry, giving startup founders access to mentorship, funding, tips on successful pitching, as well as networking opportunities. Why Attend Travel Tech Conferences?Aside from being fun and informative, there are several reasons to attend trade shows and conferences. For those in the travel business, understanding what’s on the horizon is key to pleasing current and potential customers. Travel tech shows allow participants to discover what innovations competitors are working on as well as to see how their company measures up against others in the industry.
In addition to having the opportunity to meet high-profile individuals, conferences offer attendees the opportunity to sit in on master classes, presentations, and Q&A sessions with travel tech experts. Many conferences even offer professional development opportunities and continuing education credits to enhance or maintain certifications. Networking at travel tech conferences is also a major benefit, and attending one of these conferences can put you in contact with thousands of prominent industry figures. The value of these contacts is immeasurable, and familiarizing yourself with key players fosters connections that cannot be made from the comfort of your office. Technology has infiltrated various aspects of life, but nothing can replace good old-fashioned networking. From finding suitable workout facilities to locating nutritious food near the hotel, many frequent travelers have a hard time staying healthy when they’re away from home. Serious workout enthusiasts may find pared-down hotel gyms inadequate, and this may cause them to forgo their workouts altogether. Finding gyms and healthy food are not the only difficulties associated with travel—it’s also true that frequent traveling can take a mental toll. A recent study reported that business travelers—like those who fly more than once a month—age faster due to repeated jet lag and greater exposure to radiation at high altitudes. Even leisure travelers run into similar problems, thanks to the stress that accompanies waiting in long security lines at the airport, and the general frustration that can sometimes accompany travel. Fortunately, there are ways to combat this stress. From mobile apps to fitness wearables, we’ll explore some of the best technology tools for staying fit and healthy while traveling. Tom Tom Adventurer WatchFitness trackers are extremely popular nowadays, and it seems that nearly everyone has one. From the basic to the super high-tech, there are plenty of options out there, no matter your fitness goals or what features you find important. For frequent travelers who enjoy outdoor sports, the Tom Tom Adventurer Watch may be the fitness tracker of choice. This watch is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and other adventurous pursuits, as well as everyday use at the gym. The Adventurer Watch takes what people have come to love about Tom Tom—its GPS technology—and combines it with an easy-to-use setup. Unlike more complicated fitness trackers and watches, the Tom Tom Adventurer Watch is user-friendly. It comes complete with a built-in music player that holds up to 500 songs, a heart rate monitor, and a set of Bluetooth ear buds. The GPS features of the Tom Tom Adventurer Watch are especially helpful for travelers looking to stay fit, since pre-determined running routes can be loaded onto the watch ahead of time. This is great for travelers who’d like to work out in unfamiliar surroundings without the fear of getting lost. The watch holds a charge for up to 6 hours straight when playing music, and up to 20 hours in everyday mode. Users can also download the Tom Tom MySport app, which keeps track of stats and workouts. The Tom Tom Adventurer Watch retails for $350 and can be purchased on the Tom Tom website and at select retailers. Gymsurfing For travelers who are tired of tiny hotel gyms with ancient equipment, finding a good local gym in an unfamiliar city can be a challenge. The Gymsurfing iPhone and Android app is designed to make this process easier by allowing users to locate nearby gyms. The app displays information about each gym, such as the pricing for day passes, as well as the types of equipment and other amenities available, such as pools and saunas. Users of Gymsurfing can book a day pass to nearby gyms right in the app, and passes range from$5 to $20. Currently, Gymsurfing allows users to find gyms in Toronto, Philadelphia, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, to name a few cities, and there are plans to expand to other locations in the future. HealthyOutFinding healthy food is one of the biggest hurdles to staying fit and feeling good while traveling, but the HealthyOut iPhone app changes that. HealthyOut helps find healthy meals nearby. The app offers a variety of search filter options, which is great for those on special diets. Users can sort results by dietary restrictions and choices such as low sodium, low calorie, low carb, diabetic friendly, and vegan or vegetarian options. There’s even a search filter that omits salads from the results, which is good for those who like to watch what they eat, but are tired of eating salad all the time. HealthyOut is available for the iPhone as a free download in Apple’s App Store for US users only. FitGuideFor those following a dedicated health and fitness regimen, frequent travel can disrupt the process. FitGuide is a web and mobile platform that provides exercise and meal plans that are customized to fit anyone’s schedule—including people who are always on the go. The platform is unique because it uses real fitness professionals to design customized workouts and meal plans based on the user’s lifestyle.
FitGuide offers its services for free for the first 30 days in order to give participants a chance to see if it works for them. After filling out the initial FitGuide application, participants are connected with a consultant who will assess their needs and abilities as well as scheduling constraints. After this initial assessment, the consultant creates a customized exercise plan and the participant is paired with a nutritional coach to provide accompanying food and meal recommendations. The FitGuide professionals also make sure to include questions about work-life balance, sleep patterns, and other factors that may affect performance. While traveling can disrupt anyone’s best-laid plans for health and fitness, technology is making it easier than ever to stay on track and in shape while away from home. With a little web research, you can find the tech tools that will keep you healthy no matter how much you travel. Recently, technology company Sabre presented its annual Emerging Tech in Travel report, highlighting so-called forthcoming industry megatrends for 2017 and beyond. In addition to looking at all the potentially big trends for the travel industry, the report covers current technology expected to gain traction in throughout the year. From travel automation to increased use of artificial intelligence (AI), there are some exciting things that travelers and industry insiders can expect to see. AutomationThe Internet has revolutionized travel, granting consumers the ability to book travel arrangements without the use of a travel agent. In fact, the number of travel agents has dwindled significantly—down to just over 64,000 agents compared to 132,000 agents in the mid-1990s, before the Internet was accessible to nearly everyone. Many travel agents were put out of work due to this technology, but industry leaders have since looked for ways to adapt and make automation work for them. Today’s travel automation advances are focusing more on artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can help both travelers and travel companies. One of the biggest contenders in terms of travel AI is WayBlazer, which is a recommendation tool used by the travel industry. Powered by proprietary technology, the software provides insight into a traveler’s search engine behavior, allowing companies to hone in on what customers want and present them with a more customized travel experience. Sabre’s prediction for 2017 is that businesses will incorporate more AI and automation to narrow down exactly what information they want to glean from travelers. The goal of automation is to consistently improve processes that already work fairly well, and businesses will need to expand on that in order to gain a competitive edge. Personalized PromotionAnother emerging trend in the travel industry is personalized promotion. Taking a note from AI, personalized promotion looks to increase revenue for hotels by delivering promotions to guests when they are off the premises. For example, hotels could use location beacons to communicate directly to off-site guests’ smartphones or Bluetooth-compatible wearables, alerting them to promotions or events back at the hotel. Beacons present a number of opportunities to make travelers’ lives easier. For instance, using a beacon in an airport could help travelers better locate terminals and baggage claim areas. For airlines, beacons can improve tracking passengers, assisting them in making connecting flights and thus reducing delays. Beacons can also be used to keep track of airline staff locations, as well as the location of resources such as baggage claim carts. This will help place airline staff where they are needed most within the airport. Magnetic positioning (MP) is essentially indoor location technology that uses the physical components of structures to create a magnetic field or fingerprint of that building. This fingerprint is then scanned, saved, and shared to a smartphone, making it easier for travelers to navigate within a space. MP is similar to the turn-by-turn GPS we have become accustomed to while driving, but it will come in handy for tourists when they’re trying to find their way around in unfamiliar buildings. Voice Influenced TravelAs popularity heats up for devices like Amazon’s Echo, voice influenced travel is expected to be big for 2017. Conversational interfaces seek to simulate real conversations between humans, and companies are looking into how they can integrate this technology into their business strategies. Using voice technology can save monetary and human resources while providing customers with faster service.
Conversational interfaces will enable travelers to plan nearly every aspect of their trip by voice alone, from booking to hotel arrangements. In addition, conversational interfaces will allow travelers to do these things from apps they’re already familiar with, rather than having to get comfortable with an entirely new platform. Another likely possibility for 2017 is VoiceXML, which is speech recognition technology that goes beyond smartphones. VoiceXML, already available in a limited number of vehicles, allows users to book hotels right from their cars. Chevrolet has teamed up with Priceline to provide this service in some of its newer models; hotels can be booked either through a Priceline agent or via the installed OnStar system. Travel tech continues to revolutionize the industry, and 2017 is on pace to be one of the most technology-driven years for customers and businesses alike. It will be interesting to see what trends will be introduced and if these have the staying power to be used in the industry for years to come. Although the price of airfare has dropped significantly in recent years, many people still prefer to travel by car. Road trips offers travelers the opportunity to experience a variety of sights and landmarks close-up along the way, rather than to simply view them from a distance. From travel-focused mobile apps to in-car technology, the following explores some of the best travel technology available for you to use on your next road trip. 1. TuneIn Radio For long car rides, listening to music from a preset playlist can become repetitive after a while. TuneIn Radio provides you with access to more than 100,000 international radio stations, so the chances that you will become bored are virtually non-existent. From podcasts to concerts to talk shows, there’s likely something to entertain every traveler in the car. The TuneIn radio mobile app is available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows smartphones. 2. GlympseWith the majority of people carrying smartphones nowadays, texting and driving has become a major safety issue. Texting and driving is not only dangerous, but it is also illegal in the majority of states. Glympse solves the problem by automatically sharing your location with friends and family, which is particularly helpful when you are sticking to a group itinerary. In order to maintain your privacy, Glympse only sends your GPS location to pre-selected contacts at regular intervals of your choice. This keeps your attention on the road rather than on updating your travel partners via text. Glympse is a free download available for Android and iPhone devices. 3. In-Vehicle TechnologyWith more than 1 billion vehicles on the road, safety has never been a higher priority. Technology has also increased consumers’ demand for more sophisticated safety and entertainment features integrated into their vehicles. The Open Automotive Alliance brings technology and automakers together in order to provide a safe, easy-to-use in-vehicle experience. Many newer model cars have successfully incorporated technology through mobile apps and interactive touch screens. From Apple CarPlay to automaker-specific built-in apps, these cars now have voice capabilities that can be used for everything from making reservations at a favorite restaurant to accessing complex GPS systems. More auto manufacturers are getting on board with in-car technology, and Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Audi are among the front-runners of this type of technology. For road trips, this technology will not only make your trip more enjoyable, but you will likely find the features extremely useful in terms of trip planning. Many in-car systems allow you to gauge fuel levels, as well as to locate gas stations and lodging, along with a host of other helpful functions. 4. My Scenic DrivesWhile GPS technology continues to evolve, there are still some limitations to most location-based mobile map applications. When taking a road trip, the fastest route isn’t always the most desirable, and many map applications fail to account for those who wish to take the scenic route. That’s where My Scenic Drives comes in. Through My Scenic Drives, you simply enter the zip code of your current location, or you can search by state and the specific landmark you want to see. My Scenic Drive then gives you an optimized route that will put you on the direct path to experience national parks, local attractions, historical sites, and more. My Scenic Drives can be accessed on the web, which enables you to use it on any smartphone, regardless of the operating system. 5. Geo GuesserFor passengers in a car, coming up with ways to stay engaged and entertained can be tricky. Geo Guesser is a mobile game that presents you with Google Street View images of nearby areas, then requires you to guess their location. The images, which could be street signs or famous landmarks, can be played alone or with multiple players. Additionally, the settings can be manipulated to focus on certain geographical areas, cities, or countries. Geo Guesser currently only has a dedicated iPhone mobile app, but it can also be accessed from the mobile web with any smartphone or cellular-connected tablet. These are just a few of the technological advancements that can make your next road trip safer and more enjoyable than ever. It’s important that you get some practice in using these apps prior to setting off on a trip in order to become familiar with the features of each one. This will not only save you time during your trip, but it will also eliminate the frustration of trying to master new technology while on the road and minimize distractions. If you are traveling with other people, you may also want to help them to become familiar with the technology so that they can assist you while you drive. When you’re deciding what gift to give a frequent traveler, it can be hard to choose, since there are so many options. It’s even more complicated when you’re looking for a present for a tech-savvy traveler. From professional waterproof cameras to security-focused wallets, there are lots of options that will impress. Here, we explore four of the best. Olloclip 4-in-1 LenSThose who travel often, especially for leisure, inevitably take a lot of pictures, and sometimes the standard smartphone camera isn’t enough on its own to capture stunning shots of landmarks, outdoor landscapes, and all the other scenes that travelers encounter on vacation. Enter the Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens. This award-winning lens is designed to be used with the iPhone 6/6s and iPhone 6/6s Plus, and each lens is easy to access with the simple, quick-change lens system. It’s the perfect size to take on a trip and is capable of cool effects that mimic professional, more expensive cameras. The lightweight 4-in-1 lens makes the iPhone’s sophisticated camera even better by offering features such as a wide-angle lens that’s perfect for panoramic photos or large group shots. The Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens also comes with a 10x and 15x macro lens and a fisheye lens to frame the most unique, creative shots. The product retails for $80. Booq Boa Squeeze BagWhen traveling, especially with children or a group of people, standard backpacks and carry-on luggage leave a lot to be desired. The Booq Boa Squeeze Bag takes the standard backpack to another level by combining compact design with ample space for all of your travel accessories. The bag includes roomy pockets on both sides, a pocket built into the top flap, and two smaller zippered pockets on the outside. The bag boasts sturdy construction from 1680 denier ballistic nylon and not only holds smaller items, but is also large enough to accommodate a 15-inch laptop. The laptop compartment features a soft interior to guard against scratches, and the back of the bag is padded for the ultimate in comfort. Speaking of comfort, the Booq Boa Squeeze Bag is exceptionally light considering all that it can hold—it weighs in at less than three pounds. It’s also water-resistant, so going sightseeing in inclement weather won’t ruin its contents. The Booq Boa Squeeze Bag retails for about $130. GoPro Hero Series Travelers who prefer a professional-grade camera over their smartphone camera will most likely have their eye on the GoPro HERO Series of cameras. The GoPro HERO Series goes beyond novice-level cameras, delivering crystal-clear images with 4K video resolution, a linear field of view, and a variety of professional camera features. One notable model in the GoPro HERO Series is the GoPro HERO5, which was released in late 2016. The HERO5 followed the very popular HERO4, and it is described as the most powerful GoPro camera ever offered. It features voice control, one-button use, and two-inch touchscreen displays. It’s even waterproof. This camera is perfect for the variety of lighting and outdoor conditions travelers are likely to encounter. Additionally, the HERO5 features on-board settings that allow the user to replay recently taken photos and edit pictures right on the camera. All GoPro HERO Series cameras can be used in conjunction with optional accessories and are compatible with a GoPro Plus subscription, which allows users to upload photos and videos directly to the GoPro cloud service. The GoPro HERO5 starts at $300. RFID WalletsFor those who travel often, security is a top concern. From the airport to popular tourist attractions, keeping your passport, driver’s license, and credit and debit cards safe from thieves is a priority. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) wallets provide a higher level of safety by blocking the credit card scanning devices that criminals use. RFID wallets come in a range of sizes, shapes, and styles, and there are even RFID sleeves that can fit into any wallet you may already own.
While most RFID wallets claim to do the same thing—protect your cards from thieves—not all RFID wallets offer the same protection. It’s best to do your research and read reviews because some wallets do not block RFID effectively at all. Others may be effective at blocking RFID scanners, but they can also be less durable and they may have to be replaced more often. RFID wallets range in price from $20 to almost $100, depending on the brand. This is just a sample of some of the most exciting gifts for the tech-savvy traveler. Consider the types of trips the traveler makes most often to help narrow down the most appropriate tech gift. With a little thought and some research, you’ll be able to select a gift that the recipient will love. Google developers spent over two years trying to figure out how to improve Google travel products, and this research eventually led to the creation of Google Trips. Google Trips is designed to make the travel-planning process effortless, thanks to robust organization and trip suggestion features for full and half-day excursions, as well as Google Maps integration. What is Google Trips?The main purpose of Google Trips is to help users plan and manage their travel itineraries. From popular local attractions to hotel reservations, users can access all the information within Google Trips without having to bounce around to a bunch of different apps. Not only does Google Trips store the restaurants, hotels, and attractions that you find yourself, the app also makes suggestions based on your interests and location. These suggestions include the most popular itineraries used by other Google Trips users and data gleaned from other travelers who have visited the same area. The app creates separate tabs for each city you plan to visit, so you can search for activities, save places, and see all your reservations for each stop on your trip. Within each tab, there are further tabs for each day of your vacation, which makes it easy to plan daily itineraries. Google Trips can be linked to your personal Gmail account, and it can aggregate all of your airline reservations and travel information, as well as automatically suggest activities and plans based on that information. In addition, Google Trips uses Google Maps technology to find more interesting things to do near each destination on your trip. Additionally, all travel information stored in Google Trips is easily accessible, since it can be downloaded for offline viewing later. All of Google’s mobile apps work in unison to make Google Trips a powerful planning tool. Clever itinerary featuresThe Automated Itinerary feature allows users to let Google do much of their vacation planning. If you find yourself overwhelmed by planning your own trips, keeping everything organized, or coordinating plans with other travelers, this will be a welcome and refreshing change. The app gives users plenty of options, including popular attractions to explore. If you’re not impressed with the initial itinerary, a simple tap of the Google Trips Magic Wand will provide another list of suggestions by automatically updating with other nearby attractions. Another helpful planning feature is Getting Around Town. This tab allows users to view their various transportation options, and the estimated cost of each option is included as well. The Need to Know tab allows users to learn more about how to navigate a particular city and includes information on the local currency, major shops and stores, and popular restaurants. These suggestions are tailored to the length of your vacation, as well as any information that you may have saved prior on another Google app, such as Gmail or Google Glass. If you want a specific focus for your trip—such as restaurants, museums, or historic sites—Google Trips can customize your itinerary accordingly. Room for improvemenT While Google Trips is certainly a robust travel-planning app, the app still lacks a few features. The most obvious omission is the lack of weather data integrated into the app. Weather conditions often dictate your activities when you’re traveling, so it would be helpful if local forecasts were included. As it is, users will have to rely on another app for this.
Another drawback of Google Trips is that it does not cater to business travelers in the same way as other platforms, such as TripIt. Google Trips only pulls data from Gmail accounts—so any trip information you have stored in a non-Gmail corporate email account must be forwarded to your person Gmail account if you want it included in your Google Trips itinerary. This can be a tedious step that some travelers may not want to bother with. Early testers of Google Trips also reported a few anomalies within the app. At certain times, Google Trips did not properly download data from the testers’ Gmail accounts, in which case they had to manually create a trip within the app. For those who download the Google Trips app specifically for the purpose of effortless trip planning, having to manually create your trip may be enough to cause them to abandon the app. Privacy may also be a concern, especially in the day and age of technology being used to access people’s personal information for all the wrong reasons. Those who are concerned about Google Trips’ access to their Gmail account or GPS tracking of their comings and goings may be hesitant to use the app. Google Trips is available as a free download for both iPhone and Android devices, and the app is a good starting point for those who value a low-cost, easy-to-navigate app. It will be interesting to see how Google Trips evolves over time and whether the app sees widespread adoption. Sightseeing is one of the best things about traveling, and for some, traveling for the purpose of taking is pictures is a professional necessity. With smartphones being the small computers they are, it’s easier than ever to put professional-quality tools at your fingertips. From capturing to sharing to editing, these photography apps allow travelers the freedom of powerful technology to make their photos better than ever. Darkroom For photo editing, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better all-around app than Darkroom. The standard version of the app is available as a free download for iOS devices only. The developers of Darkroom boast of its ease of use, and user reviews echo this sentiment. The professional version of Darkroom - aptly named Pro-Kit - app allows users to create custom filters and use the Colors and Tones tools, all of which can be integrated into your Instagram account for one-of-a-kind pictures. One of the Pro-Kit’s standout features is Curves, which gives users more control over exposure levels compared to standard smartphone camera apps. The Pro-Kit is available as an in-app purchase for $5.99. In addition to custom filters, the Darkroom Pro-Kit allows users to edit directly in the app’s interface without the annoyance of importing photos. This saves time and makes taking vacation pics less time-consuming. Users can also access custom color adjustment features that aren’t available on most of today’s smartphones. 645 Pro Mk IIIDSLR cameras continue to be popular among travelers thanks to their ability to produce professional-looking photos. However, for professionals or even amateur photographers, carrying a camera in addition to your smartphone can be cumbersome, especially when traveling. 645 Pro Mk III is a powerful app designed to use your phone’s rear-facing camera thanks to its high resolution, and the controls include everything from development status to meter mode. The wide variety of controls are located right on the screen, making use of the app an intuitive process. In addition, the app offers many other features, including, but not limited to, white balance, auto-focus, histogram data, and various flash settings. The app works in both portrait and landscape mode for maximum versatility. The 645 Pro Mk III is only available for iPhone at a price of $3.99. A similar app for Android devices is Camera FV-5, which is available in the Google Play Store for $3.95. Motion StillsIf you have ever had the desire to turn a still photo into an animated GIF, look no further than Motion Stills. While there are a lot of photo looping apps available, Motion Stills takes things a bit further thanks to its stabilization technology. Not only can users loop a single Apple Live Photo, they can tie several looped photos together for the purpose of making mini-movies. This is a particularly useful feature when sightseeing and capturing panoramic photos of nature, such as moving water or a sunset. The Motion Stills app was created by Google and is also available for iOS devices. TouchRetouchMost smartphone users have become accustomed to the filtering and retouching features available in their phone’s factory camera app, but there are limitations to what standard camera apps can do. TouchRetouch fills the gap. If you’ve ever taken an epic photo only to realize an object was captured that essentially ruins the picture, TouchRetouch allows you to remove the unwanted item with a simple finger swipe. This is a useful feature for travelers, as it allows you to keep photos that are otherwise great and keeps you from having to retake pictures. If you find yourself on a sightseeing tour and cannot easily get back to retake a photo, TouchRetouch will definitely come in handy. TouchRetouch is available for both iOS and Android for $1.99. The app is also available for Windows-based phones in the Microsoft App Store for $1.49. SnapseeDThe great thing about Instagram is that you can chronicle your trip in photos while simultaneously sharing to your social media followers. If you’ve ever wished you could take Instagram photos in landscape mode, Snapseed is the answer you’ve been searching for. Snapseed not only enables you to take pictures or film videos in landscape mode, the app also includes preset filters that can be selected based on what effect you desire. In addition, Snapseed comes with a variety of editing tools that can be saved for future use, making the process of taking amazing vacation photos even easier. Snapseed is available for iOS and Android devices as a free download. As the adage goes, the best camera is the one you have with you, and technology has enabled us to have a camera available practically everywhere we go. Using theses apps will save space and eliminate the need to carry multiple devices while reducing the risk of losing an expensive camera that you may only use infrequently. With these apps, you’re guaranteed to take travel photos that are very close to professional-grade. |
AuthorBruce Eaton is the president and chief executive officer of i2 Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a hit discovery and lead optimization technology provider serving clients in the pharmaceutical industry. Categories
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