Mfarhanonline Social Media News: Fact: Hotel remote controls are gross. A new app, however, turns your smartphone or tablet into a TV remote so you don’t have to share germs with every previous guest of your room. The new app is produced by LodgeNet , a company that provides in-room on-demand entertainment to 85% of the American hospitality industry. But Todd Kelly, LodgeNet’s vice president of interactive and mobile applications, says the app was developed not just to serve traveling germaphobes. As mobile devices have proliferated in recent years, people increasingly turn to their smarthphones and tablets for entertainment at home and on the road — not a welcome trend for LodgeNet. “It was affecting our business for sure,” Kelly told Mfarhanonline during a recent demonstration of LodgeNet Mobile. “We were smart enough to realize we had to figure out how this works within what we do.” LodgeNet Mobile is a free download available for Android (click here ) and iOS (click here ) devices. You’re also given an option prompting you to download it when visiting the LodgeNet welcome screen on a hotel room TV set. The app works in any room connected to the service — all you have to do is pair it to each new TV set as you travel around. Once downloaded and paired with your in-room TV, the app is simple, intuitive and convenient to use. Scrolling through channels is easier with than with a normal room remote. It’s also easier to navigate on-demand movie options. And billing movie purchases to either your room or credit card is another convenient step. In addition to offering an easier way to manage in-room entertainment options, a second section connects you to information about the hotel where you’re staying, which is terrific for ordering room service or making spa reservations. The app’s third s! ection s ection — which is still being beefed up with deals and connectivity to reservation systems — connects you to information on local restaurants, sights and events. LodgeNet Mobile was officially launched Jan. 30 and is available in more than 600,000 of the company’s 1.7 million rooms. By year’s end, Kelly expects a million rooms to support LodgeNet Mobile. It’s a pretty sweet download for anyone who travels often, and will only get better as the company adds more rooms and fills out the local information features. Would you use something like this? Let us know in the comments. Image courtesy of LodgeNet More About: App , smartphones , tablets , travel Social Media reviews series maintain by Mayya
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