Wearable technology is constantly trending to make users’ lives easier by creating more convenient experiences. And with wearables continuing to integrate themselves across multiple industries and aspects of our lives, there are many new use cases for how this technology could replacing credit cards, tickets and even room keys at hotels.
To keep up with the wearable tech industry, you don’t have to scour the internet for the latest news: we’ve done all the legwork for you. Here’s what you need to know about the wearable technology industry this week:
1. Wearables Replace Room Keys and Credit Cards at Two Ibiza Hotels
The Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel and the brand new Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza are rolling out wearable technology that will allow guests to leave their room keys and credit cards in their luggage while enjoying their vacation.
The wearable smart bracelets will enable guests to enter their rooms, pay for food and services on-site, and skip lines for check-in and check-out.
Read the full article on Skift >>
2. PayPal is Piloting a Wireless Smartwatch Payment System
PayPal is piloting a new program to enable wireless payments with smartwatches in its on-campus Starbucks in San Jose. The pilot pairs Bluetooth Low Energy beacons with Samsung Galaxy smart wearables so that no bank card or smartphone is needed for a transaction--just the smartwatch.
With PayPal’s new app for the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch and the Gear Fit fitness band, patrons receive a push notification when they walk into the area that is covered by a PayPal Beacon installed inside.
Read the full article on Fast Company >>
3. Magic Bands: From Disney To Healthcare
In 2013, Disney introduced Magic Bands as part of their theme park experience, functioning as tickets, fast passes, credit cards and hotel room keys.
This article explains how this technology can apply to the healthcare experience. Medications, food allergies and restrictions, medical conditions, emergency contact information, scheduled procedures and appointments all could be loaded onto the wristband to provide new efficiencies, improved services, enhanced healthcare workflow and increased patient care for organizations seeking competitive advantage.
Read the full article on Health IT Outcomes>>
Takeaways:
These 3 wearables use cases represent the next step for wearable technology: the convergence of mobile, big data, and personalization to drive truly superior user experiences. Customers will soon come to expect this level of integration and prefer the brands who can offer these convenient and superior solutions.
