The Apple Watch and Clients: What Agents Need to Know
by Andrew Sheivachman /Is the future of consumer technology finally here?
The long-awaited Apple Watch goes up for pre-orders tomorrow, offering the promise of connecting consumers to the digital world in a more organic manner than ever before.
By sticking an intuitive computer on your wrist, Apple hopes to transform how users access the web and interact with the world around them.
But will increased automation change how your clients travel and the level of service they expect from your agency? Here are four things travel agents should know about the brand new Apple Watch.
Wearables have already been around for a while
While Apple has just entered the wearables game, so-called ‘smartwatches’ have already been around for years.
Pebble kicked off the trend in early 2013, followed by a bevy of devices running on Google’s Android operating system.
So while Apple will likely popularize the smartwatch device in the public eye, consumers haven’t yet embraced having a computer on their wrist.
It’s unclear if they ever will.
The total failure of Google Glass, once hailed as a life-changing gadget, shows that most consumers don’t want another distracting piece of electronics in their life.
A steep learning curve
The Apple Watch has a touch screen similar to the one your smartphone probably uses. It even measures how hard you press on the screen, allowing you more control options than the usual touch screen.
There is also a small rotating crown, which allows your to scroll through menus, and another button on the side. In other words, this is not a simple device to use.
For the average user of an Apple device who reads the paper on their iPad or checks email on the phone, the user interface may create difficulties in using the device effectively.
Technophobes need not apply. It’s unlikely your clients will be sending you messages from their Apple Watch any time soon.
Limited travel partners
Like the iPhone, the Apple Watch needs the equivalent of apps to provide functionality, connecting users to the services they need.
From a travel standpoint, the number of apps suppliers announced for the watch is extremely low at the moment. Starwood Hotels & Resorts is the only major hotel brand signed on right now, while American Airlines is the most high-profile carrier.
The lack of these specialized apps will likely keep many business travelers from embracing the Apple Watch.
Travel is not one of the strongest areas for use of the new device, especially since it must be paired with an iPhone to work. If your clients are abroad without a data plan, the device is basically useless.
Don’t expect the Apple Watch to work on cruise ships, either.
Another distraction?
It remains to be seen whether the Apple Watch will become a tool for savvy travelers.
Most travelers go on vacation with their family once a year to disengage from their everyday life and disconnect from the work world.
They may not need another device on their wrist nagging them with emails and other notifications.
The key question for Apple Watch in the travel space is this: do travelers really need another distraction from their experience?
Some clients may relish the ability to stay more connected when they’re away from home. Others may be disturbed by the intrusion of technology into their vacation experience.
Time will tell, and agents should take note of any trends that can affect their clients’ travel experience.