For me, it all started with the iPod. Technology, that is. Being excited about technology, I mean. Prior to buying an iPod a few weeks ago, I’d run the gamut of “getting into the 21st century communications world” with a certain amount of apprehension. Actually, a lot of apprehension — and ignorance bordering on denial.
Translation: I didn’t want to go there.
Now that the iPod is safely embedded in my hand, not to mention my routine, there’s no stopping me. Suddenly, I feel like a communications junkie. So reading about the technological advances on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was more invigorating than intimidating (former self).
Some of what I found, even in my advanced state of tekkie knowledge, is amazing.
For example, on the Oasis (and its soon-to-arrive sister ship, the Allure), small children wear bracelets as they move around the ship. Misplace a child (or worse yet, a grandchild) and you send a query via iPhone and a transponder on the bracelet responds and shows the location on the iPhone’s screen. Just like that, found child. And if you don’t have an iPhone you can rent one.
This was one of the revelations made on Monday by Bill Martin, Royal Caribbean’s chief information officer, at the InformationWeek 500 Conference in California. He also said boarding the Oasis or the Allure will take just 15 minutes, with 90 check-in stations featuring the latest digital technology.
See, it almost sounds like I know what I’m talking about…doesn’t it?