Okay, so this isn’t exactly news. People have been using remote controls for their televisions for decades. What makes the trend new and noteworthy is that travelers can now skip the search for the hotel remote and control the TV with their iPhone or iPad. This is all thanks to LodgeNet , a service that most of us have used without even knowing it. Apparently they’ve decided, like most companies looking to remain relevant, that jumping on the mobile technology bandwagon is an essential part of a strategy to move their business into the future. With so many travelers looking for new ways to use their tablets and smartphones while on vacation (or anywhere and anytime, really), LodgeNet seems to have found a niche that gadget-lovers are sure to embrace. So here’s the scenario. You’re staying in a hotel. If it’s one of the 85% of the hospitality industry that features LodgeNet services (and the odds are clearly in your favor here) then you needn’t search through every drawer in the place to unearth the hiding spot of the remote control. In fact, you don’t even have to get up off the bed to snag it from the desk (Five feet away? It’s like crossing the oceans of time!). All you have to do is use the hotel’s free Wi-Fi (or your 3G network) to download the LodgeNet Mobile app (free on iTunes) and get to surfing. But it doesn’t begin and end with turning the TV on and off, changing channels, and adjusting the volume as you would with your average remote. This app has a lot more to offer. Once you sync up with the TV in your room you can use the app to view movie listings and place your order, as well as watch streaming trailers. But you can also access content pertinent to your current position as a hotel guest. You’ll be able to view information about the establishment you’re staying at, including dining and other services offered, and you can even order room service, housekeeping, or wake-up calls via your favorite iDevice. That’s not all, though. You can also use LodgeNet Mobile to learn about the city you’re visiting, with information about local shops, reviews of restaurants, and access to tickets for concerts, sporting events, or other forms of entertainment. You can even get maps and directions, making this app like a virtual concierge in addition to an entertainment hub for your trip. And it works for the duration of your stay at a large number of hotels in a wide range of cities, large and small. In fact, it is estimated that you can access LodgeNet Mobile in about half a million hotel rooms worldwide. So whether you’re looking at oceanfront
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