Apple has decided that it’s going to do hotel streaming in the guest room, which means that the world’s largest company has decided that streaming is important. For Apple users reading this, it means that since last year their ‘phones have been updated in readiness, even if they didn’t realize it. They and their content can now be released into hotel rooms.
In terms of what this means for the evolution of casting; to use the language of the theory of technology diffusion; we are now past the innovators stage and we’re moving to the early majority phase. If you are building or refurbishing a hotel, you will have to have streaming; the time of installing a Live TV setup is long past. I believe that the real mass deployment of this technology will now happen.
That it’s being driven by Apple will mean that it will see the greatest traction in the luxury and upscale segments, where the majority of Apple users dwell, before streaming spreads further. For those users, it will mean a simple stylish design, coupled with an easy connection experience – all approved by Apple – which will have a QR code from Apple on the front of the TV screen, allowing the guest to access their content in that seamless, intuitive way which they are used to across all their Apple products.
They will be able to AirPlay their content to the TV, and it will be very polished, making the guest feel that Apple happiness. They’re paired for the duration of stay, it’s slick, seamless, bulletproof and it means that, as an industry, we have entered a new era of streaming in the hotel room. Anything you can do at home, you can do here now in your hotel room.
What won’t be in your hotel room under Apple Airplay is any hardware, removing the need for expensive and time-consuming installations and completely cutting out light-fingered guests trotting off with it. Instead there will be an easy-to-manage system which, if required, can be accessed remotely by experts.
Moving on from the Apple TV boxes in hotel rooms will also mean even-higher security and privacy for guests and no chance that the next occupier of the room is exposed to the previous occupant’s terrible taste in boxed sets because they’re still logged on.
Apple Airplay creates a true home-from-home experience where your hotel room really is your sanctuary. And a feeling of never wanting to leave can only be good for hotels.
