Mobile Technology for travel is unrealistic
By Darren Cronian on Thursday, January 24th, 2008

Interesting discussion on an excellent blog post written by Linda Fox, of Travolution who says that enthusiasm for mobile is all around us. I don’t know about your experience surfing the net on a mobile, but I find it painfully frustrating.

Mobile Technology for travel is unrealistic

Unlike Travolution, I am not convinced that there’s the enthusiasm or demand, especially since the networks are simply too slow when using the internet on a standard mobile phone. Navigation is also a nightmare, so user experience would have to be drastically improved.

As I mentioned in my comments on the blog post, I can see SMS being an effective way for companies to communicate with travel consumers on the move, but then aren’t we bombarded enough with marketing material?

Would you as a consumer search and book a holiday on your mobile phone?


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11 responses to “Mobile Technology for travel is unrealistic”

David Leake | 25 January, 2008 at 12:04 am

The iphone has solved all the problems you mention. I assume other phones will be available with the same available technology. (fast, easy to read and text ). I don’t know why it is so much faster, but I book travel, change seats and make res on mine every day.

Darren Cronian | 25 January, 2008 at 12:06 am

David, but the iPhone isn’t affordable to everyone. I’m on a good salary and I certainly cannot afford the phone and contract, which your tied into using just one network.

David Leake | 25 January, 2008 at 12:11 am

I understand, hoipefully, the technology will be available at a reasonable price soon..

wendissima | 25 January, 2008 at 12:51 am

and the iPhone is only available on one carrier here….

Garri | 25 January, 2008 at 12:58 am

Have to agree with David, the iPhone will start to change how people use their mobiles, coupled with the rise of web applications (as opposed to straight websites)

The internet is becoming a platform now.

Darren, have to agree, the iPhone is expensive but it hasn’t stopped Apple shifting 4m of them since last summer! Prices will tumble, they will be faster and sexier and other manufacturers will copy them - just look at the iPod now.

David, do you really use your iPhone to ‘change seats… every day’ ? Does it have a musical chairs game ;-)

Chris | 25 January, 2008 at 11:55 am

It would be a rare ocassion that I’d ever need or want to book via my mobile. However, I did once get caught out booking a hotel in Sheffield. During the snooker and close to midnight I thought I could just walk into any hotel and get a room. OOOPs. Had to phone a friend at 2 am to get on the computer. Getting accommodation directly by mobile would have been so much easier.

David Leake | 25 January, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Well Garri..what can I tell you, I keep trying to find that seat next to the 300 pound woman with two crying infants and a dog. The search never ends..

Philip Caines | 25 January, 2008 at 7:19 pm

Hi Darren,
I think there is value for attractions and tours on the mobile, as for planes and hotels, I still feel that this is something people plan ahead of time, and not when they arrive. I can imagine a great city guide with coupons built into it for local attractions. I think wCities is doing a great job in this direction.

On a side note, the n95 is a great phone that is jam packed with features, I dare say more then the iPhone, but that is for another discussion….

Phil

Kevin May | 25 January, 2008 at 11:33 pm

We explore the mobile + travel issue here in our December edition (if Darren will excuse the plug - it is relevant):

http://travolution.co.uk/Articles/2007/12/14/1191/Mobile+and+travel+-+The+whole+world+in+their+hands.html

Darren Cronian | 25 January, 2008 at 11:47 pm

Also information received today from American Airlines on their newly launched mobile version of aa.com

http://www.aa.com/mobile

Darren Cronian | 25 January, 2008 at 11:50 pm

Phil, for information, i.e. destination guides, etc I can see mobile technology working, but for booking, I think that will struggle, but we’ll see.

The iPod touch and iPhone have a larger screens, but the costs for surfing the net is expensive, especially since your limited to just O2 in the UK.

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