For everyone who feels that all the applications (or apps) on smartphones are just so much junk, this is for you.
I have an iPhone and, yes, I agree that a lot of the apps are junk and frivolous -- mugs of beer, xrays of hands, etc., etc. But there are some very good and useful ones, however, which can make life on the road or tarmac a lot more bearable.
I like FlightTrack which tracks flights in real time (also visually on a map, so you can see where a plane is) and provides the departure and landing gates even before the folks at the airport know them. It's saved me a lot of time when I need to pick up people at the airport. There are also apps for transit systems (want to know which subway to take in New York to get to Columbus Circle plus when is the next train and how frequently they run?) and Zagat guides and a thousand others.
What's really interesting though is the development of a new app which shows how ingenious some businesses can be. Out in Sin City Harrah's Entertainment has developed an app with a GPS locator that can follow you through any of the company's Las Vegas properties. And don't let me hear all that whining about Big Brother -- if you're that paranoid about BB don't use the app.
What really makes this a standout -- it's an industry first -- is that since it tracks you it can send special offers to your phone that coincide with attractions in the area where you are.
Think of it: if you're in the area of Paris Las Vegas - voila! -- they could text two free admissions to your phone. If there are tickets left for a show and you're in the area, they could offer you discount tickets to see Bette Midler or Elvis...well Bette Midler, anyway.
It's a good use of technology to enhance customer service and provide an edge over the competition.
If anyone else knows of good apps I'd like to hear about them.
Jim Ferri
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