Consumer Electronics
Hard Rock International Joins in Worldwide Commitment To Protect Our Planet During Earth Hour

As part as of its on-going commitment to help ‘save the planet‘, Hard Rock International participated in the worldwide Earth Hour movement — turning off the lights at 18 properties across the globe. As the world clock struck 8:30 p.m. local time on March 30, Hard Rock Hotel guests from China to the West Coast of the U.S. participated in this symbolic lights-out event. From the participating properties, Hard Rock saved a combined total of 11,400 kilowatts, which would be enough to power more than 50 outdoor concerts.
“We are proud to participate in this year’s Earth Hour initiative and will continue to make strides to help the environment,” said Dale Hipsh, senior vice president of hotels for Hard Rock International. “It is part of Hard Rock’s continuous commitment to its founding motto to save the planet.”
Earth Hour is a global environmental movement by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a non-governmental organization working toward wilderness preservation. Each year, WWF inspires millions of people, businesses and landmarks worldwide to turn off their lights for 60 minutes and showcase their commitment to combatting climate change and protecting nature. In 2018, 188 countries and territories participated in Earth Hour, along with 18,000 landmarks.
“Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a critical part of what we do,” said Zubair Rashidi, regional director of marketing for Hard Rock International. “It’s an honor to partner with WWF and support this initiative. We will continue to give back to our planet and hit the high note on sustainability.”
During the event, all light sources in public areas such as the lobby, restaurants and bars, the terraces and the hotels’ outdoor lighting were switched off. Even with the lights off, the Hard Rock vibe was still shining. Properties not only hosted candle-lit dinners but took a step further and planned enticing events for guests to enjoy. Various ‘glow in the dark’ activities were offered including: glowing manicure & pedicures, live painting sessions, flash mobs, nomadic dance performances, face-painting & tattoos, fire bowls & marshmallow sessions and much more.
“I think it’s great how Hard Rock is using this global event to create fun events and bring environmental awareness to guests,” said May Ch’ng Koe Chien, a guest at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast. “My husband and I were really impressed with the glow-in-the-dark cocktails, and our kids were entertained with the glow-in-the-dark crafts and tattoos.”
Participating properties were: Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Hard Rock Hotel Goa, Hard Rock Hotel Davos, Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, Hard Rock Hotel Sioux City, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta and Hard Rock Hotel Guadalajara.
SOURCE: Hard Rock International
Consumer Electronics
5 Gadgets you can use to improve security at your home

It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.
–Albert Einstein
A home security system helps in curbing down the burglary rate in recent times. It prevents you from becoming a victim of the same. In today’s digitized world, and with the rise in available technology, it almost feels that we can do whatever we want with just a touch of a couple of buttons! Technologically sound house is any day more secure than compared to the ordinary ones. The available smart security gadgets help in improving the security of our blissful habitat. In this article, the various intelligent security systems discussed in detail is enabled with various sensors and cameras with high resolution. These smart gadgets even keep track of your day-to-day activities. Keep reading about the five devices that you can make good use to transform your house into a safe haven.
- Electronic smart locks
Wherever you stay, the intelligent electronic locks with the aid of Wi-Fi and various smartphone applications give you the controls over the bolts. Certain smart lock varieties have keypad entry code facility. You can provide the intelligent digital locking code, once you plan for a vacation. The quick numeric locking code will let your next-door neighbor, or friend, come as an aid while you are away vacationing. Later, once you are back, you can change the lock code, to make it more secure. Various other smart locks link with mobile applications. Hence, people who require temporary access have the provision of opening the door with these phone applications. The problem of carrying a house key or the same getting duplicated will not persist. These smart locks are virtual keys to your home. They also auto-lock the doors, once you step inside. With the help of these virtual keys, you can track people visiting your place. Many high-ended ones grant time-sensitive access to your close-knits. Moreover, if you plan to get the whole entry system smarter, go for a smart doorbell, which goes perfectly well with the smart lock. Many sorts of smart-lock, with or without intelligent doorbells, are readily available in big retail outlets. Move into one of them to transform your blissful habitat into a smart habitat.
- Smart Bulbs and switches
Many thefts take place when no one is present at home. If your entrance is well-lit, along with the interiors, then it will get more secured. Install the smart bulbs and switches to make your habitat look well-occupied and well-lit. They turn off and on with smartphone applications. Even if you are staying miles away, you can manage the lights deftly. Various security agencies have the option to teach all these in your home security packages, which upgrades from time to time. If you are an individual who believes in fending for yourself, then the home improvement departmental stores are a good option. Smart light fixtures come with sleek and slender-looking external light fittings. Each light fits with an in-built HD camera at the bottom. Most versions function as a dual-mode communicator, which will allow you to aurally and visually evaluate the probable threats before coming in contact with the intruder.
- Smart smoke detector
Securing the exteriors is not enough, but equal attention is also paid to the interiors. One of the most significant security gadgets to keep your home interiors healthy and safe are the smoke detectors. These smoke detectors are very smart to set-up. The whole process of installation is straightforward. The smart smoke detector manages with the help of the mobile application. With just a press of a button, you will be able to keep your inner-world fresh and full of health. Aided with three additional features, it makes a great home security gadget. The motion sensor, 170 degrees HD recording camera and the 90-decibel alarm, make the smart smoke detector a complete package.
- Smart security cameras
The surveillance system acts as a guiding light while showing who is present at your main entrance. Similar to various intelligent lights and switches, individual smart security camera connects to your smartphones or computers monitoring your house 24×7. Many commercial agencies are present who readily install intelligent security cameras at your place. Otherwise, you can install them quickly, as well. Your house’s outdoor and indoor get equally scanned under the strict vigilance of the same.
- Smart water sensors
In the case of overflowing, the intelligent water sensor alarms you. They can get easily installed under the kitchen or restroom sinks, adjacent to your washing machine, or water pump, with the help of the power cord. They tend to trigger an alarm when it detects any amount of moisture. Your phone will intimate you on-time so that you be extra cautious. Though they are too small in size, it helps you in securing a lot of cash and preventing water wastage.
Thus, to conclude
In the new technologically sound era you require security, which thus safeguards your blissful living habitat. Indeed, it is a smart way to invest in an intelligent security system. It wisely protects our family from the negative attributes of the outside world. These various hi-tech house security gadgets always ensure that your heavenly habitat is intact and protected. The latest digitized technology deftly deters the intruders and assists you swiftly in any emergency. With the discussed five gadgets, you can use in improving the security at your home while multiplying the comfort, as well as the safety of you and your dear ones’ life. It is with the aid of various resources at your disposal. You can think wisely and act wiser with these smart security gadgets, turning as a necessity the day-to-day life.
About the author: Jessica Smith has been writing for a few years now. She loves adventure, traveling, cooking and dancing. She wants to be a successful writer as writing is her only passion. Currently, she is exploring different cultural heritage around the globe. She believes that a healthy diet is a key to healthy living.
Consumer Electronics
Sirved Launches Redesigned Restaurant App With Options for Everyone

Sirved has launched an all new restaurant app that reimagines restaurant discovery and puts all the focus on helping people find menus from restaurants online. Sirved’s mission is to connect people to their ideal restaurant anywhere they go by providing a FREE menu app with over 400,000 restaurant listings across North America.
“The app had a strong backbone with regards to its functionality and menu search. When redesigning the platform, our goal was to elevate the user experience by adding photo driven features that allow users to discover restaurants and menus,” says Kyle Brown, Vice President and Co-Founder or Sirved.
When redesigning the new platform, Sirved wanted to make searching for restaurants and menus more visual. Starting with the discover screen, you can browse restaurants in a variety of ways. You can also search by keyword or by dietary needs, which makes Sirved unique amongst the restaurant menu app competition. Vegetarian? Vegan? Gluten-free? Sirved will find a restaurant that has options for everyone.
The feast for your eyes doesn’t stop there. While browsing restaurants in list view you’ll be able use ratings and photos to guide your decisions. Those looking for more perspective can browse the app to find restaurants near your location using the map view. Lastly if you’re feeling adventurous, you can browse restaurants specifically by a food photo itself – (no logos, no ratings, no distractions) – just let the food photo take you somewhere new and unexpected.
Sirved has added user reviews and ratings to each restaurant listing from trusted online platforms (Yelp, Yellowpages, Facebook, Foursquare and Google) to help users make educated decisions with no bias on where they spend their hard-earned money.
All these new features make Sirved the top iOS restaurant menu app for iPhone as well as one of the top Android restaurant apps. With all the changes Sirved has made to the new platform, one thing remains the same, it’s still all about restaurant menus. They’ve redesigned everything and refocused on what matters most, the user. With so many options it’s nice to know Sirved has taken the time and effort to satisfy your hunger for a food app with all the fixings.
SOURCE: Sirved
Awards
New Research Identifies the Technology That Hotel Guests Really Want

Research conducted by leading travel technology firm Criton reveals the importance of hotel technology to improve the experience of today’s travellers
Dependence on mobile phones when travelling is brought into sharp focus by a survey of more than 3,600 travellers which reveals a growing appreciation for bespoke travel apps. Research commissioned by Edinburgh-based hospitality firm Criton, highlights that loyalty programmes, self-check-in/out and accessing your hotel room via a digital door key are primary requirements of today’s guests.

Julie Grieve, Founder and CEO of Criton
If their favourite hotel was to have its own app, 74% of respondents overwhelmingly stated they would use this digital channel, with only 10% favouring an in-room device such as a hotel’s smartphone or tablet. This reinforces Criton’s core belief that the future of hotel technology is own device. Hoteliers no longer need to absorb the cost of installing in-room devices when their guests travel with their own smartphone and are more comfortable with the apps and content within it.
The opportunity to check-in via an app and access their hotel room via a digital door key was warmly received with 58% likely or very likely to want this technology. With 68% finding it unacceptable to queue at reception for longer than five minutes, offering guests access to a service which global chains already offer is fast becoming a core priority for independent operators.
Respondents prioritised loyalty programmes as their favoured element of hotel technology with 53% recognising it as their top requirement. In a competitive landscape, the opportunity to drive direct and repeat bookings through a personalised loyalty programme will ensure hoteliers save on OTA commission while creating their own closed marketing group to upsell onsite services and facilities.
Underlining modern travellers’ awareness of technology, the survey found an audience ready to talk about tech use and expectations while travelling. Reflecting on the results of the survey, Julie Grieve, founder and CEO of Criton, which developed the UK’s first intuitive app builder for the hospitality sector, said:
“Increasingly, today’s travellers are downloading apps that help them get around and stay connected with their hotel. That level of tech awareness or even dependency also raises expectations for information, guest services, such as check-in, digital key and offers and incentives to reward their loyalty.
“Respondents to the survey were people who travel regularly, with the majority opting for a mid-range hotel or accommodation. It is increasingly clear that adopting technology has to be seen as an imperative for all hospitality providers; it is not something purely for the major franchises.”
Criton lets independent operators compete with big chain technology through an easy to use platform. From digitising the traditional hotel room guest book to PMS, live chat, digital door key and in-room ordering integrations all contained within a fully-branded hotel app; Criton supports hospitality businesses with their digital transformation strategies and work with clients across the UK and overseas.
Research Methodology:
An online survey ran from Tuesday 26th March until Monday 1st April and received a total of 3,654 responses, of whom 1,311 were classed as business travellers.
Key Findings:
- 45% of travellers stated they travel for leisure 2-3 times a year
- 36% travel for business
- 39% use TripAdvisor as main source of research and inspiration before booking a hotel, followed by 29% of respondents relying on online search
- 40% of travellers said they regularly stay in a 4-star (boutique) hotel, with 6% in a 5-star (luxury) hotel. The majority (47%) stated they regularly stay in a 3-star (mid-range) hotel
- 53% have at least one hotel app on their phone
- 74% would use a hotel app if their favourite hotel had one
- 55% stated it is acceptable to wait at check-in 2-5 minutes
- 62% would be likely or very likely to check-in to a hotel via an app
- 58% would be likely or very likely to check-in to a hotel via an app and use digital key
App usage
- 62% use an accommodation app regularly (eg Airbnb)
- 57% use a transport app regularly
- 47% use an airline app regularly
- 36% uses a hotel app regularly
The hotel technology that respondents seek:
- 53% – loyalty programmes
- 35% – self check-in
- 10% – in-room mobile
- 18% – in-room tablet
Awards:
- Criton won the ‘Best Technology Provider’ award at the 2018 Travolution Awards and was Highly Commended for Best Use of Mobile
- Criton won the ‘Industry Breakthrough and Innovation Award’ at the ASAP Awards 2018
- Julie Grieve, Founder & CEO won the prestigious ‘HOSPACE 2017 Best Entrepreneur Award’
SOURCE: Criton
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