The Apple Watch launched this week, with the first shipments of wrist-based devices dispatched to their new owners.
It’s most exciting technological launch since the Apple iPad, because it takes everything we love about our Apple iPhone and incorporates it into a tiny wrist-based device.
For those out of the loop, the high-anticipated device is a mini, rectangular shaped object that wraps around the wrist like a watch.
However, unlike a watch, the Apple Watch can tell you the weather and take your heart rate. It also lets you receive and make phone calls, message friends, check Facebook, keep up with the news and download all the apps you love to use on your iPhone – well almost all.
Companies, including those in the travel industry, are quickly rolling out Apple Watch versions of their apps.
So far, the Apple Watch has some 3,000 apps available in health, fitness, creativity, work, communication and travel.
To help you choose what to download first, we’ve listed out top five picks:
TripCase
Sabre is among the GDS companies that has miniaturised its app for the wrist-based device.
Travel management app, TripCase, is now available for Apple Watch owners, allowing users to receive real-time flight alerts at a glance of their wrist.
Watch wearers can also use the app to access flight and hotel details as well as hotel address, phone number and confirmation code.
Other features include searching for restaurants, shops or activities while holidaying.
Airline Apps
Airlines have started moving onto the Watch, including Qantas, which unveiled its version in March this year.
Wearers will be able to use the Qantas app to receive notifications on gate changes, what carousel from which to collect baggage and up to the minute information on the flight.
Users can also check their Frequent Flyer account and their lounge access.
The App went live yesterday and Qantas Executive Manager of Customer and Commercial Steve Limbrick says it’s designed to enhance customer experience on-the-go.
Hotel apps
According to Kevin Lynch, Apple’s VP of Technology, one day the Apple Watch will act as a room key for hotel guests.
This technology is reportedly starting with W Singapore Sentosa Cove.
In the meantime hotel groups like Marriott International have started rolling out apps that work similarly to the phone versions.
Marriott says it’s on a mission keep travellers connected throughout their journey, with the new app, which launched this week.
Apple Watch owners can use the app to check-in and checkout of the group’s global portfolio of 19 brands and 4,100 hotels.
There’s also automatic receipt of room ready alerts, booking and review of reservations plus detailed directions to the hotel.
Expedia
The full service online travel site is now available in the App Store.
The app provides users with notifications for 20 different types of alerts for flight status, gate changes, hotel check-in and check-out, car rental pick-up and drop-off times.
Users can also see the most relevant reservation information, like hotel check-in time, addresses and maps, by swiping up on the watch face and scroll left or right to access the information needed.
Plus there’s access to itineraries for upcoming trips to see detailed flight and hotel information. For flights, the app presents departure and arrival times, gate numbers and terminals. For hotels, it shows check-in and check-out times, maps, directions and phone numbers.