Automated check-in kiosks at airports once seemed futuristic compared to queuing for an agent but they may soon be seen as somewhat something of the past.
Within two years, mobile is expected to be the top form of self-service check-in at most airports, according to research by aviation technology group SITA.
It isn't just in wealthy countries like Australia where mobile check-in has taken off. According to SITA globally, 83 per cent of passengers carry a smartphone and more than one-quarter of passengers in Mexico and Brazil expect to use mobile check-in this year.
''Over the next three years the vast majority of airlines and airports are planning to invest in mobile services for passengers,'' SITA explained. "In addition, most airports will also be financing self-service processes."
The usage of self-service bag drop is growing world wide. Qantas was one of the world's first adopters, while Virgin Australia introduced it as part of its new Perth Airport terminal last year. Jetstar and Tigerair Australia use self-service bag drop at Melbourne Airport's new Terminal 4.
Technological developments and improvements in wireless infrastructure primarily influence the smartphone and tablet industry, with revenue forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 9.3% in the five years through 2015-16 to reach $7.9 billion.
The Smartphone Movement
The launch of the first generation Apple iPhone in 2007
spearheaded the smartphone category with a touchscreen interface and more advanced computing capabilities. The device largely displaced feature phones, which use a number keypad and maintain limited computing features. The release of the first iPhone drove industry revenue increases in 2007-08 as consumers gradually gravitated towards premium smartphone products. Apple has continuously updated its original iPhone model since 2007, incorporating new and improved features, and has largely benefited from the device's aesthetic design and ease of use.
Tablets
Tablet-style computers with touchscreen interfaces have been available for more than ten years, but the Apple iPad release in April 2010 popularised the computing tablet category. The first generation iPad offered computing capabilities comparable with the iPhone, but with a larger interface, and supported by strong marketing initiatives and extensive third-party applications. Apple has introduced successive versions of its iPad tablets since the original release and gradually improved key features with each release.
Marketing Initiatives
Marketing campaigns across multiple media platforms typically accompany product launches for Apple and Samsung smartphones and tablets. This is because large industry operators seek to differentiate their brands and boost local exposure. While large industry operators such as Samsung have engaged in local marketing initiatives, they have benefited from the strong marketing of their global parent entities, which is carried out on a worldwide scale and is further intensified by social media and greater online connectivity.
* With AFR
