WorldMate Live transforms BlackBerrys into traveler's guardian angels

WorldMate has announced the commercial availability of WorldMate Live, the world's first comprehensive mobile travel service.

The WorldMate Live application operates on BlackBerry smartphones and manages a traveler's full itinerary, including travel arrangements and business meetings, making all details immediately accessible on the BlackBerry smartphone, and ensures one's trip is as smooth as possible by pushing alerts regarding imminent events.

Serving as the ultimate secret weapon for harried road warriors, the total solution includes an Outlook Add-In and Web site, which work in conjunction with the mobile application to assist the traveler before and during his trip The WorldMate Live system pushes important travel information to the user's BlackBerry smartphone, such as upcoming trip notification, meeting alerts with integrated maps and flight cancellations with suggested alternatives. Unlike traditional mobile travel applications, the automated solution monitors the situation and assists the traveler in resolving conflicts.

"Business travelers are often at the mercy of uncontrollable events and ever-shifting schedules, creating unplanned headaches when on the road," said Nadav Gur, WorldMate CEO. "WorldMate Live takes the capabilities of the traditional mobile platform and enhances them by fusing together the traveler's plans with surrounding world events. We're excited to bring the first 'guardian angel' to road warriors, to help assist in managing the unpredictability of business travel."

The system automatically builds the trip itinerary by parsing travel confirmation emails, and exporting meetings from Outlook. The Web site serves as an optional planning tool in which members can inspect and manage all travel details or collaborate with assistants and peers in planning travel arrangements. All information is pushed over-the-air to the smartphone, where it serves as the portal for a myriad of services, ranging from time and weather at destinations through real-time flight status, schedules and maps and directions.

"As a frequent flyer I am very pleased with the release of WorldMate Live," said Bertil Snel, director at BEA Systems. "The BlackBerry client proactively informs me of any changes to my trip, allowing me to plan my time much more effectively. Having all trip details in one place made me an organized traveler and the application is a valuable addition to the BlackBerry service for every traveler."

"Having a virtual travel assistant at the tip of your fingers wherever you go is obviously a powerful service for travelers," said Jeff McDowell, vice president, global alliances, Research In Motion. "We are very pleased that WorldMate has chosen the BlackBerry platform to provide customers with a wireless window to their travel plans."

WorldMate Live is provided to the public as an open service with all components and offers a choice in membership tiers. An Open Membership is completely free of charge(a) and includes access to all the system's components and basic services including itinerary management and synchronization, travel content and basic push services.