FLYSmart App Aims To Make Navigating Airports Easier
With fewer direct flights, weather delays, and long security lines, there are more chances than ever that you’ find yourself with time to kill in an unfamiliar airport. The boredom of waiting will inevitably lead you to twiddle your thumbs on your smartphone. If you're not texting—or triaging your inbox—you could be using the new FLYsmart app for Android and iPhone to look for the closest newsstand, restroom, souvenir shop or ATM.
FLYsmart is the result of a partnership between outdoor advertising giant ClearChannel Outdoor, and Geodelic, a mobile, location-specific media platform powered by a network of informative and relevant guides to local attractions, businesses and services. (For full disclousure, Geodelic is also a client of Waldo Finn, which employs the author of this post.)
FLYsmart customers will also be able to linger in a bar or bookstore longer - and with less stress - because they can check arrival and departure times right from their smartphones, instead of running out to the concourse to check the displays.
"By combining Clear Channel's enormous airport footprint with the simplicity of Geodelic's mobile experience, we can provide consumers with a new level of convenience that comes from having personalized and relevant location-specific information at your fingertips," said Rahul Sonnad, founder and CEO of Geodelic.
Sonnad says the app will be available for Blackberry in the near future, as well.
Location-based marketing is a growing category for businesses looking to maintain traffic into physical locations, like retail stores, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Companies like Gowalla and Foursquare have popularized "check ins", while social networking behemoth Facebook has just launched Places, a feature for connecting with friends based on their location.
The FLYsmart application takes a different approach, providing location-specific services and information to improve a transient customer's experience through an airport terminal.
“Airports are always looking to improve the traveler experience and find new ways to garner the attention of transient passengers in promoting food, retail and advertising sales,” commented Toby Sturek, President of Clear Channel Airports. “FLYsmart will do all that in the most relevant, convenient and contemporary way.”
Continued on the next page
Follow Technorati