Apple's Airplay for Hotels announcement sets the stage for ROOMNET at the Hospitality Show

San Clemente, California, United States - As consumers are quickly moving away from costly content subscriptions and the “traditional TV-centric” viewing experience, hoteliers are in-turn looking for an offramp to reduce the cost of content that their guests simply don’t watch. The ROOMNET Apple TV platform delivers the best of streaming content directly to the hotel TV which includes Airplay for guest iOS devices, further elevating the standard of in-room entertainment for hospitality and offering guests a true at-home Living Room TV experience. In an exciting move that will further elevate how guests experience in-room entertainment, Apple recently announced an enhanced version of Airplay for Hotels which will appear in new versions of iOS later this year.

Airplay gives guests yet another seamless and intuitive option to view their favorite content from their Apple device directly to the ROOMNET Apple TV. This powerful feature connects guests effortlessly to their personal libraries, streaming services, and applications, creating a truly personalized entertainment experience during their stay. From streaming movies and shows to sharing vacation photos with friends and family, Airplay further extends the comforts of home into hotel rooms around the world.

So, why did Apple decide to venture into the travelers’ TV experience with Airplay for Hotels? The answer lies in Apple's continuous pursuit of delivering exceptional user experiences across various domains. By introducing this feature, Apple is capitalizing on the increasing consumer expectation for seamless integration of their personal devices with the in-room entertainment system, at a time when the likes of Chromecast and certain casting technologies are being announced as end-of-life, presenting significant challenges to hoteliers and guests alike. By contrast, Apple's Airplay on the ROOMNET Apple TV platform, distinguishes itself from other competitors by striking a perfect balance between casting and streaming. Unlike other casting solutions that sit on a “traditional TV-centric” experience and simply add casting, are difficult to manage, and require the guest's device to remain connected throughout playback, Apple Airplay is accessed via the hotel's Wi-Fi network, whereas the stream itself once initiated from the guest device, is then played back by the Apple TV itself. This frees the guest device, eliminating viewing disruptions caused by incoming calls or limited device availability.

Additionally, the familiarity of Airplay with consumers at home further strengthens Apple's position in the hospitality vertical. As consumers continue to embrace Apple devices as their primary source of entertainment, the Airplay feature seamlessly aligns with consumer behavior and preferences. Guests can effortlessly navigate their preferred content, whether it be from popular streaming platforms or personal libraries, making it a compelling choice for hoteliers seeking to enhance guest satisfaction.

While Apple's Airplay holds immense potential, it's essential to mention that ROOMNET is currently the leading Apple Enterprise Partner operating in the hospitality in-room entertainment sector. ROOMNET’s Apple TV platform for hotels extends far beyond the capabilities of just Airplay by offering a comprehensive core streaming experience, decoupling hotel operators from costly TV content subscriptions. This means that guests not only benefit from Airplay's casting feature but enjoy a broad range of streaming services and engagement with the hotel, through direct integration with the hotel and its partners.

ROOMNET will be showcasing its next-gen TV platform at AHLA’s upcoming inaugural event, The Hospitality Show in Las Vegas. This event promises to be an innovation showcase, bringing together industry thought leaders and professionals to explore the latest advancements in hospitality trends and technology. With ROOMNET’s presence at the show, attendees will get a firsthand experience of the future of in-room entertainment, further solidifying ROOMNET’s reputation as an industry leader in the content and entertainment experience for the modern traveler.

Don't miss out on the chance to witness this transformation at the Hospitality Show in Las Vegas and discover the limitless possibilities of in-room entertainment in the digital age.

Darren King
CEO