Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Cell Phones as a Mass Media Device?


by Joshua Brockman

"The sound — and sight — of cell phones is all too familiar in airports. And it's likely to become even more of a presence as many airlines move toward a paperless check-in system by expanding what customers can do from their Internet-enabled mobile phones. It's part of the industry's continued emphasis on self-service." Says NPR digital news writter, Joshua Brockman. Mark Shalz, a trainer for Graystone Associates Inc., in Kansas City, Mo., says it would be "a lot more convenient" if he could handle all of this from his BlackBerry. I would have to agree. It would be way more convenient and such a complement to technology, not to have to carry around another thing, if all your ticket information was available on your cell phone. This fact alone clearly shows the new frontiers technology is bringing us to. "Airlines including American, Delta, and Continental are testing mobile and smart phone check-in technology at more than a dozen U.S. airports. And a number of foreign carriers have already implemented it." The idea sounds great but there still might be a few kinks in the system with this move to self-service. "It will become almost like a pocket travel agent or a pocket travel assistant," says Rob Boruki, a solution manager for mobile travel and gaming at NCR. But regardless of how fast or how smart your phone is, there's still no guarantee that you'll whisk through security." I am enthusiastic about where this technology transition will take us next. I am hoping for vacation to Hawaii??! :P

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