News

Google Brings Plus Codes To 18 MENA Countries

The geocode system behind the feature, called the Open Location Code, was developed at Google’s Zürich engineering office and launched in 2014.

Published

2 years ago

April 22, 2022

David Morelo

google brings plus codes to 18 mena countries

The Plus Codes feature of Google Maps will soon be turned on for users in 18 MENA countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria.

The feature allows Google Maps users to turn their latitude and longitude co-ordinates into a short sequence of numbers and letters that they can easily share with others.

google maps how plus codes work

“Plus Codes are like street addresses for people or places that don’t have one,” explains Google. “With a Plus Code, people can receive deliveries, access emergency and social services, or just help other people find them.”

The geocode system behind the feature, called the Open Location Code (OLC), was developed at Google’s Zürich engineering office and launched in 2014.

Also Read: Disney+ Confirms Its Middle East Launch Date

Earlier this year, Plus Codes launched in India, quickly attracting hundreds of thousands of users. Plus Codes are also widely used by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments in Sub-Saharan Africa, and businesses that want to make it easier for customers to find them.

To Generate A Plus Code On A Computer

Open Google Maps.
Select the location for which you want to generate a Plus Code.
Click the coordinates (such as 49.475019, 17.116156) displayed in the info box at the bottom.
Hover your mouse over the plus code in the left pane.
Click the copy button to copy the generated Plus Code to the clipboard.

To Generate A Plus Code On A Mobile Device

Launch the Google Maps app.
Drop a pin at the location for which you want to generate a Plus Code.
Tap the “Dropped pin” panel at the bottom.
Find the Plus Code beside the Plus Code logo.
Tap the Plus Code to copy it to the clipboard.

Alternatively, you can use the map on the official website of Plus Code to quickly generate a Plus Code for any location with a street address.

News

chatlyn Unveils Hospitality Chatbot At Arabian Travel Market 2024

The advanced AI software sets new industry standards and can understand and respond to detailed customer queries.

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Nour Nasir

chatlyn

chatlyn, a leading provider of guest experience software for the travel and hospitality sector, has unveiled its latest AI chatbot at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 as part of a strategic expansion into the Middle East.

The new chatbot demonstrates exceptional proficiency in understanding natural language nuances and grammatical structures, and can accommodate various languages, including Arabic. The AI bot’s capability ensures prompt, accurate responses, benefiting hotels with diverse international guest lists and significantly reducing response times.

According to chatlyn, its latest creation has “the capacity to process up to 4,000 tokens and a doubled data capacity,” and is able to outperform competitors in depth and responsiveness during every interaction. Moreover, users can upload business PDFs to receive precise answers instantly, showcasing the chatbot’s effectiveness as a dynamic knowledge repository.

“During the BETA phase, we saw customers increase their success rate in resolving queries by fifteen times simply by uploading a PDF with their information and integrating the chatbot into their main communication channels,” explained Michael Urbanek, chatlyn’s CTO.

Also Read: Joby To Establish All-Electric Air Taxi Ecosystem Across The UAE

Since its inception in late 2022, chatlyn has experienced rapid expansion, and now serves over 1,000 properties globally, including numerous renowned brands in the travel and hospitality sector.

The company’s product suite is focused on improving customer engagement in hospitality, featuring an omnichannel inbox, AI assistants, and Automation Studio, for seamless interaction across web chat, WhatsApp, email, and social media. This AI-powered platform enhances customer interactions, prioritizing satisfaction and operational efficiency.

chatlyn has already established a strong foothold in the Middle East, and now collaborates with various hospitality companies and properties, including GoMosafer, La Quinta by Wyndham, Luxury Bookings, and Amsaan Tours.