| Software developers are offering new services daily, | | | | previously distinct portable units, such as personal |
| including location based apps that use a phone's GPS | | | | laptops, GPS, digit cameras, and PDAs into a single |
| to establish the user's location and then offer location | | | | device. Sophisticated travelers now have the |
| specific discounts and recommend products. Other | | | | equivalent of personal computers in their hands and |
| apps provide information based on travelers past | | | | with the new Ipad, even more possibilities exist. |
| experiences. | | | | 71 percent of frequent travelers in 2008 used |
| Airlines and hotels reports that reservations made via | | | | smartphones for business while on trips; with 62 |
| smartphones are growing significantly at the same | | | | percent saying they used these phones for leisure |
| time that sales over more established sales channels | | | | reasons, according to a PhoCusWright survey. |
| have remained relatively flat. Technology is the name | | | | In '08 airlines, hotels and car rental companies each |
| of the game when you are in a hurry as most | | | | saw less than $20 million in direct reservations made |
| travelers are. | | | | via cell phone. In 2010 hotels alone are expect to |
| Faster network speeds have contributed to this | | | | have mobile phone sales of $76 million, with airlines |
| growing phenomenon as has the trend to combine | | | | selling $61 million and car rental companies $23 million. |