The Cromwell room automation app shows off what Windows 10 can do

“Cloud first, mobile first.”

It’s a vision that Microsoft has developed over the past few years within all of its fields, whether it be its view on Windows Phone, Microsoft Azure, and even Windows itself. Windows 10 is designed with interconnectivity and interoperability in mind, and this is showed throughout the capabilities and syncing that the operating system provides.

Recently, Microsoft has sprung forward in this vision. The firm has recently began working with Caesars Entertainment Corporation, a major player within the field of hospitality and a well-recognized provider for casinos, to enhance the experience and lifestyle that the consumers and guests have (after all, they do want their guests to come back).

Microsoft has been building on the functionalities that its new, unified Universal App Platform can provide to developers on the platform, and the corporation has worked to make its apps available on all of its hardware, and with new devices such as the HoloLens and Xbox, one can feel at home on any device that they are using. With the partnership with Caesars, both companies are expounding on this vision, and allowing each of its guests to control the experience of their stay with a new, universal The Cromwell app.

The app aims to consolidate and unify the infrastructure within the newest Las Vegas Strip boutique hotel, integrating free and paid services that users can access directly from within the app. The Cromwell’s app is based on the Microsoft Cloud, and will be used on a standalone, handheld device. The app will also dynamically suit its needs for its users, notably the ability to provide proactive guest assistance and hotel systems with a quick glance.

Eileen Moore, the Regional President of many boutique hotels including The Cromwell, The LINQ Hotel & Casino, and Flamingo Las Vegas, is optimistic about the integration that this new consumer experience will provide. Moore states, “As the only standalone boutique hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, we offer superior personalized service to our guests and make them feel like exclusive VIPs, [and by] bringing together all aspects of their stay into a single system, we are aiming to redefine traditional hospitality into a seamless and connected 24-hour experience for our customers.”

This new app is currently being flighted and tested in two suites at The Cromwell, and will be brought to all 188 rooms within the hotel. The app will allow the guests to use the device to fine-tune their entire experience at the hotel. The ability to change the lighting, adjust the temperature, and change channels on the TV are all available within the app. Additionally, one can view notifications regarding current events and placed order from the in-app Notification Center, and request services – such as reserving a spot at The Giada Restaurant or making a request for housekeeping. The app also sports a “Discover” page, allowing customers to be informed of nearby entertainment and nightlife – and with the support from the Microsoft Cloud, recommendations can be individually displayed to suit each guest.
As well as being a great beacon and resource for consumers, employees can also take advantage of the Connected Room to keep the guest content, whether it be items on the menu, promotions, or shows, up-to-date for guests. Scot Campbell envisions this service will bring contrast to the competition, saying “We believe this level of customization will help differentiate The Cromwell by providing a unique ‘wow’ personal experience our guests have come to expect, building loyalty with guests each time they visit Las Vegas.”

This is just one effort that Microsoft is taking to connect consumers to their daily lifestyles using Windows 10, and creating a converged experience for users. Hopefully, we’ll see more and more businesses and services creating integration like this, and ultimately Windows 10 as a whole.
Do you like the idea of a unified, Windows 10 experience for your home? Feel free to tell us in the comments.