Restaurant guests get the perfect light for food photos
25-4-2014
Not every restaurant is happy with guests who post food photos on Social Media. The photos are often blurry or improperly exposed whereby the dish looks unsavory. To give guests the opportunity to shoot professional photos, restaurant El Burro in South-Africa placed a portable light studio in the restaurant. Guests can choose various colored lights and once they have chosen the perfect mood lighting, they can take a photo and upload it on Instagram with #dinnercam. The device is developed by MWEB Wi-Fi network. Guests receive a free copy of their photo.
Hotel video made with a drone
24-4-2014
To create a good image of a hotel, a video is often used. A great way to promote the hotel is by a drone, like the video above. A drone can capture angles and views of the hotel that couldn’t be captured before and is relatively inexpensive to use.
Pay with your fingerprint
17-4-2014
From tomorrow it is possible to carry out mobile payments with your fingerprint. Consumers can use the fingerprint scanner of the new Samsung Galaxy S5 to pay through PayPal. The fingerprint is converted to a key that has been encrypted and gets access to PayPal. To activate the fingerprint, consumers must give permission once via an e-identifier. A lot easier for the consumer, it’s not necessary to fill in any data or remember the passwords, but simply swipe a finger across the screen.
Connecting coffee machine
16-4-2014
At many companies the coffee machine is the place to socialize with others. Conferences often lack this social moment because of the abundance of coffee. The Coffee Connector by the ‘Economic Development Board (EDB)’ from Singapore brings back the social moment in coffee drinking during networking meetings. The impressive machine only works if two people order a coffee at the same time. With a few short questions you get to know your fellow drinker over a cup of coffee. Watch the video.
Hospitality game for Utrecht
15-4-2014
Utrecht Tourism has developed an online game for the hospitality industry. Entrepreneurs can train their personnel more easily with this game and track their progress. Utrecht had an average score at the ‘Most Hospitable City’ research last year, with an 11th place from the 21 cities studied. Watch the video by Shapers for an impression.
Contactless payment at NS retail stores
14-4-2014
Starting this week, it is possible for the consumer to pay contactless with a Maestro debit card at the NS retail stores in the Netherlands. Tomorrow, NS retail introduces the contactless payments in collaboration with MasterCard in the NS retail stores like ‘Broodzaak’, Smullers, Kiosk and Julia’s. The consumer can pay by holding the mobile phone or the debit card against the payment terminal. For an amount below € 25,= there is no PIN required. This method of payment saves time, particularly at the stations, where consumers are often in a hurry.
Foodini 3D printer for consumer
9-4-2014
To provide consumers with the easiness of a 3D printer in the kitchen, the designers of the Foodini 3D printer have started a crowdfunding project via Kickstarter. The printer comes with empty capsules so that you can use your own fresh ingredients. The machine is expected to be ready for mass production in January 2015.
Hotel blends ultra-modern technology with old-fashioned coziness
8-4-2014
The ACME hotel in Chicago is the first hotel to offer the possibility to guests to try the Google Glass for free. The Google Glass can be reserved for a couple of hours at the reception or with your booking. You can use it for a walk through Chicago. Besides the Google Glass the hotel offers more devices to their guests as well as an almost old-fashioned breakfast Knock N ‘Drop service from the Weston Town Bakery in the lobby. There is also an old-fashioned football game available for guests… Beautiful combination of modern technology and art and old-fashioned games, door chalkboards and service. Quote from a guest on Tripadvisor: “Came here to try the Google Glass, but realized the hotel had way more than just that. So many quirky little things, from the odd name to the chalkboard on the door”.
Body Dryer replaces towel
8-4-2014
A device that blows your guests dry after showering seems to come to the market soon. The Body Dryer by Tyler Overk collected via a crowdfunding campaign more than the required amount to go from concept to production. In September 2014, the first machines will be delivered. It could be a considerable saving in towel and washing cost if the technique functions. The devices, which sit somewhere between a hair dryer and scale, now costs about $ 150, – plus shipping.
The re-introduction of Reverse Delivery
2-4-2014
Boston Pizza introduces ‘reverse delivery’ for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 16 April. The promotion has a funny wink in it and appears to be merely for free-publicity purposes, watch the video here.
