The ARIA Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas has always been known to lead Sin City in technological innovation, and is furthering that reputation with the release of three new iPhone apps.
The first one, simply dubbed “ARIA,” is an interactive concierge app for guests of the hotel, giving users on-the-go access to news, menus, directions, tickets, weather, special offers and much more within a single app. User can take advantage of all the complex has to offer directly from the app, including reserving show tickets, booking reservations at the numerous restaurants or navigating the massive grounds.
The second, called “CityCenter Fine Arts Collection” provides real-time information on the various artwork located around CityCenter. The app allows users to either preview the artwork before their visit or learn more about each of the pieces as they walk around. The app uses GPS technology to pinpoint certain art pieces based on your location and even provides details and ratings on each piece of art.
The third and most engaging app is called “Vegas Reality,” which is an augmented reality (AR) app that merges real Vegas with virtual Vegas for a multi-dimensional experience of its hotels and attractions, including the ARIA itself. Being the city’s first dedicated AR app, users can simply hold up their iPhone and watch as visions of Vegas appear on the screen and information on the Strip’s hottest resorts and attractions appears as floating text on the screen using the phone’s camera and GPS functionality. Check out a preview of the app in action here.
It’s a smart move for the ARIA to take advantage of the one device every one of their guests is carrying with them, especially in terms of the concierge app — it’s surprising that we don’t see this more often. Providing an AR app for a virtual Vegas experience is another brilliant idea. The ARIA can expand on this once it gains in popularity to include special offers and other real-time information for users. I have a feeling the droves of other resorts in Vegas will be following suite.
