News Briefs

SoundHound AI Inc.  announced its participation in the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show.

Attendees can visit Booth 6466 to experience SoundHound’s end-to-end, omnichannel voice AI platform, powering fast, seamless ordering and support across front of house, back of house, and off-premise channels, including drive-thru, phone, kiosk, in-vehicle systems, and any other connected devices.

SoundHound’s display will feature its Dynamic Drive-Thru, featuring a live demo from Burger King UK, as well as Smart Ordering, an AI-powered phone ordering solution. Attendees can also explore Smart Answering, a fully-automated phone assistant that handles inbound calls using business-specific data, and Employee Assist, an AI coach that provides instant answers to restaurant staff on the job. Also on display: Voice Insights, unlocking actionable data from customer conversations, and Smart Lane, our next-gen drive-thru solution designed to accelerate service and reduce wait times.

At the center of the showcase is SoundHound’s groundbreaking in-car voice commerce platform – the first of its kind to let drivers and passengers order takeout directly from their car’s infotainment system. Visitors can experience a live demo, placing real-time orders from SoundHound’s restaurant partners, paying hands-free, and navigating to the nearest pickup location, all using their voice.

“The National Restaurant Association Show is a key moment for us to demonstrate how voice AI is reshaping restaurant operations,” said Ben Bellettini, SVP of Restaurant Sales at SoundHound AI. “From the drive-thru to behind the counter, and even behind the wheel, our solutions increase speed, sales, and employee and consumer satisfaction.”

This year, SoundHound is joining forces with Acrelec, Elo, Samsung, Stream, and HME, who will be providing first rate displays, enclosures, audio, and headset technology to support SoundHound’s demonstrations.

“Exceptional customer experiences are built on simplicity, efficiency and consistency — and that’s exactly what voice AI and digital displays deliver,” said Sara Grofcsik, Head of Sales, Display Division, Samsung Electronics America. “At this year’s National Restaurant Association Show, attendees can see how Samsung and SoundHound are transforming everyday moments like self-service ordering into seamless, memorable experiences. Together, we’re not just meeting expectations; we’re helping define the future of restaurant service.”

Today, Square launched Square Handheld, its most powerful, portable point-of-sale device ever. Combining a sleek, durable design with comprehensive, versatile software, Square Handheld enables sellers to manage everything from payments to back-of-house operations right from their pocket. 

Power Meets Portability

Square Handheld is built for fast-moving and operationally complex businesses, offering an ergonomic, pocketable form factor — just 11 ounces and less than an inch thick. It’s IP54-rated and designed for durability, standing up to water splashes and dust. Equipped with a large 6.2" Corning® Gorilla® Glass touchscreen and a battery built to power through a whole day, Square Handheld is packed with advanced features, including: 

• Barcode scanning for speedy checkouts, gift card scanning, and inventory management
• A 16 MP camera for capturing photos of newly stocked merchandise and updating item libraries
• Full payments functionality to capture tap and dip transactions and seamless integration with Square’s ecosystem of software, making managing a business easier than ever  

It’s portable, reliable, and powerful. With Square Handheld, sellers and their staff gain the mobility, speed, and efficiency essential to keep operations steady and deliver high-quality customer experiences — whether they’re restaurateurs that need to take tableside orders and manage their floorplan from the palm of their hand, or retailers managing large inventories and letting shoppers check out anywhere on the store floor.

Adaptable Software for Every Type of Business

Square Handheld is powered by the new unified Square Point of Sale app, bringing years of commerce innovation and technology leadership into a single, powerful hub for running any size or type of business. The redesigned software provides sellers with seven different modes that lets them customize their experience with industry-specific features — such as Quick Service mode, Bar mode, and Retail mode — and the ability to easily add modes when their operations require different or expanded capabilities. Device-specific features like quick settings for easy adjustments and push alerts for timely notifications mean Square Handheld can fit into and improve any in-store workflow, especially for restaurants and retailers, which drove 50% of Square’s gross payment volume (GPV) in 2024. From intimate neighborhood wine bars and bustling multi-location restaurants, to local pet shops and sprawling garden centers, Square Handheld gives sellers of all sizes a powerful solution to keep commerce moving.

“Square Handheld is just what we needed. It’s tremendously helpful to place orders instantly at each table instead of waiting at a counter and entering multiple tables’ orders at once, which introduces wait time to parties that placed their order earlier,” said Trevor Ledergerber, owner of Berkeley, CA’s La Mediterranee. “The device is reliable, comfortable to hold, and fits perfectly into our aprons. The battery is dependable, lasting through two service staff shifts, so we no longer need to worry about plugging it in between lunch and dinner. And we’re saving on paper receipt costs, going from 100% print to 75% digital.”

Designed to Drive Commerce

Square Handheld builds on the company’s legacy of hardware design excellence that began over a decade ago with the iconic ‘little white reader’ and permeates throughout Square’s entire portfolio of devices – from two generations of Square Stand, to Square Register and Square Terminal. Representing the company’s unique ability to elegantly marry form and function, Square Handheld is one of the thinnest and lightest handheld point-of-sale devices on the market, offering a purposefully engineered solution that’s not only built for today’s business needs, but designed to evolve and grow with sellers as commerce transforms in years to come.

"Running a business, especially a restaurant or retail store, has never been more demanding: every second counts, every team member must find ways to be more productive, and every customer has increasingly higher expectations for when and how they’re serviced," said Thomas Templeton, Block’s Head of Hardware. "Square Handheld fuses Square’s industry-leading design with powerful commerce software to deliver a dynamic device that empowers sellers to keep pace with the breakneck speed of modern business — whether they’re a full-service restaurant looking to provide seamless tableside service across multiple dining areas, or a boutique looking to give its clients a refined checkout experience anywhere in-store.”

Beginning today, Square Handheld is available for purchase online at Square Shop, starting at $399. And to help sellers get the most out of their Square Handheld, Square has partnered with industry-leading accessories manufacturer Belkin to offer premium protective cases at launch. The Belkin SheerForce cases, which will come in seven different colors, complement Square Handheld’s sleek design, add further defense against accidental drops and scratches, and lets businesses match their brand identity to their device. Thoughtfully designed to improve device grip while maintaining Square Handheld’s pocketable profile, the Belkin SheerForce case starts at $39 and can be purchased online at Square Shop.

Square Handheld was launched today in conjunction with Square Releases — a new biannual product launch that delivers the most important, new Square features and tools — all at once. Born out of feedback from the seller community, Square Releases gives businesses a simple, consistent way to discover what’s new, understand what’s next, and take action to grow, all found at squareup.com/releases. 

Duetto and Event Temple are excited to announce a first-of-its-kind partnership combining the power of Duetto’s cutting-edge OpenSpace solution and Event Temple's award-winning venue management software. Specifically designed to eliminate manual processes, prevent errors, and unlock new revenue opportunities, the integration between OpenSpace and Event Temple enables hotels and venues with fully synchronized, automated, and real-time booking workflows. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Event Temple to deliver a solution that not only enhances operational efficiency, but also drives data-driven event revenue optimization,” said John Lingos-Webb, VP, Global Partnerships & Alliances, at Duetto. “This integration aligns event sales, revenue, and general management teams, enabling them to focus on strategic growth rather than manual processes or troubleshooting discrepancies. Strategically, the groundbreaking partnership allows hoteliers to tie event space  pricing to the property’s revenue strategy, providing a cohesive approach to on-property revenue management.”

The powerful integration features a fully synchronized, two-way connection that continuously updates both systems. Providing a single source of truth eliminates potential double bookings and inaccuracies, allowing teams to make informed pricing decisions while reducing errors.

“The combination of Duetto OpenSpace and Event Temple is a smart addition. It not only allows us to represent dynamic pricing, but also boosts efficiency and team satisfaction. For any hotel considering it, the integration is seamless and simply makes sense,” said customer Christian Rex, General Manager, Paulinenhof.

Leveraging real-time data, hotels and venues can optimize event revenue, forecast demand, reduce last-minute discounting, and streamline their sales and revenue management processes for more efficient and profitable bookings.

“We understand that hoteliers and hospitality professionals have to juggle many priorities,” said Bob Graham, CEO of Event Temple. “We want to offer straightforward solutions that work to make their jobs easier. That’s why we’re delighted to announce this partnership and integration with Duetto OpenSpace — it truly delivers on that promise.”

This integration represents a significant step in how hotels and venues manage event sales and revenue, ensuring they reach their full potential profitability.

Beekeeper announced the launch of its AI assistant, Maia. Designed to empower the frontline workforce, Maia accelerates tasks, enhances employee engagement, and bridges language gaps with intelligent support designed for deskless teams.

The introduction of Maia highlights Beekeeper's commitment to being the one-stop solution for frontline workers and managers. By streamlining operations, improving the work experience, and promoting a more connected work environment, Maia is an extension of Beekeeper’s dedication to being the digital front door to everything frontline workers need.

“Given the polarizing nature of AI, it's crucial to remember that AI is not a solution; it is a tool. A tool that – when utilized correctly – is a valuable key to empowering your frontline,” said Beekeeper CEO and co-founder Cris Grossmann. “AI has the potential to transform the way frontline workers operate by providing them with the resources and support they need to excel in their roles. That is why we made Maia. We see this as an opportunity to enhance human capabilities and move towards a future where AI and human ingenuity work together to achieve greater success.”

According to Beekeeper's 2025 Frontline Workforce Pulse Report, a significant trust gap exists between frontline workers, managers and HR personnel regarding implementing AI in the workplace. While 36% of employees and 23% of managers distrust AI, a striking 97% of HR personnel have confidence in it. The launch of Maia aims to bridge the existing trust gap by introducing the practical benefits of AI to frontline workers and managers.

By automating repetitive tasks, empowering communication, saving time, and reducing friction, Maia adds value to everyday tasks and makes frontline work easier. Maia is specifically designed to empower frontline workers by:

• Accelerating tasks: Automating routine tasks and providing instant information access allows workers to focus on more complex and value-added activities.
• Boosting employee engagement: Reducing administrative burdens and enabling more meaningful interactions, fostering better team communication and connection.
• Enhancing safety and compliance: Monitoring tools and predictive alerts to improve worker safety and flagging inappropriate content to maintain a respectful work environment.
• Bridging language gaps: Providing instant translations of communications, ensuring inclusivity, and reducing miscommunication.
• Support knowledge transfer and training: Serving as a virtual mentor, Maia provides instant, contextually relevant guidance and training to new employees.
• Understanding employee sentiment: Frontline managers will gain deeper company insights by utilizing advanced, GDPR-compliant AI technology for sentiment analysis.

Maia represents a foundational shift for frontline teams and redefines the possibilities of frontline support in the AI era. With Maia, Beekeeper is laying the groundwork for a future where frontline work is more innovative, faster, and more connected than ever.

Mews announced the launch of the Hospitality Industry Advisory Board to continue its pioneering work within hospitality technology.

The creation of the board reflects Mews’ status as a pioneer of hospitality technology and highlights its commitment to transform experiences for both staff and guests. The diverse group will meet to discuss emerging trends, identify key challenges and work collectively to ensure hospitality evolves to meet changing needs and conditions.

“Since Mews was founded in 2012, we’ve been at the forefront of hospitality innovation. This success doesn’t happen in isolation, and we’ve always sought the input and expertise of hoteliers. Our advisory board continues this important mission,” said Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, and Co-Chair of the board. “Technology has a vital role in making the world more hospitable, but meaningful change only happens if it's driven by people who understand our industry. I’m really proud that so many inspirational leaders are devoting their time to drive our product strategy forward and reimagine what’s possible.”

The board is made up of forward-thinking hoteliers with decades of on-the-ground hospitality experience, as well as leaders in hotel technology and management groups. Members include Charlie MacGregor, CEO & Founder of The Social Hub, Bashar Wali, Founder & CEO of Practice Hospitality, Halima Aziz, Head of Hotels at Criterion Capital, and Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple. 

“I’ve worked with Mews for years and have seen first-hand their commitment to driving our industry forward with bold moves, just how we at The Social Hub like to run our business,” said Charlie MacGregor, CEO & Founder at The Social Hub. “It’s exciting to be a part of this board and to swap ideas with fellow forward thinkers to help disrupt the way we approach hospitality. Our industry is all about people, and I truly believe that we can create systemic change and positive social impact through new models that enhance the guest experience, our employees’ lives, and the communities we serve.”

The Hospitality Industry Advisory Board is also an opportunity for Mews to receive first-hand learnings and advice about evolving staff and guest needs. These conversations will help inform the company’s decision-making and strategy to ensure that they continue to lead from the front with product development.

Bashar Wali, CEO & Founder of Practice Hospitality, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of innovation in hospitality. “The future of hospitality isn’t spreadsheets and software - it’s soul. It’s about moments, not modules. This board isn’t just advisory - it’s insurgent. We're here to stir the pot, not sip the Kool-Aid. Mews gets it. They’ve never followed the playbook, and now, we get to help them write the next chapter. I'm not here to nod along - I’m here to challenge, to build, to innovate.”

The Hospitality Industry Advisory Board members are:

Alessandro Bottero, Director of Data Strategy & Analytics, Lark

Basha Wali, Founder, Practice Hospitality & This Assembly

Charlie MacGregor, Founder & CEO, The Social Hub

Dina Belon, President, Staypineapple

Gorjan Lazarov, CEO, Orea Hotels

Halima Aziz, Head of Hotels, Criterion Hospitality

Jo Geneen, Independent Consultant

Julia Record, Global Director of Communications and Partnerships, Dorchester Collection

Kari Anna Fiskvik, SVP Technology, Strawberry

Kevin Machefert, CEO, Machefert Group

Laurent Lacourt, Co-Founder & COO, Emerald Stay

Niko Karstikko, Co-Founder & CEO, Bob W

Suzanne Dau, Director of Technology Management, BWH Hotels

Valerie Parkes, Senior Director of Business Relations, Choice International

A brand new report from property management software Hospitable reveals that independent short-term rental (STR) hosts are feeling confident in their ability to compete — and clear on what gives them an edge.

Published today, ‘The Evolving STR Landscape: Insights for Hosts & Property Managers’ draws on a survey of 566 STR professionals, including self-managing hosts, co-hosts, and property managers. 

Among the findings: nearly half (47.7%) of hosts say large property management companies (PMCs) have no impact on their ability to attract bookings, and just 10.4% believe PMCs dominate their local markets.

Although 65.4% have noticed an uptick in competition, most aren’t concerned. Rather than stepping back, hosts are leaning into what sets them apart — personalization.

Three-quarters (74.8%) say offering a more personalized guest experience is their biggest competitive advantage over PMCs, while 72% cite attention to detail as a key differentiator. Many also point to direct guest relationships (60.3%) and pricing flexibility (48.8%) as core strengths.

While the majority of hosts remain committed to self-management, many aren’t opposed to outside support — as long as it adds clear value. 38.3% say they would consider working with a PMC if it improved marketing and visibility, while others would welcome help with saving time (29.7%), scaling their portfolio (28.5%), or streamlining operations such as cleaning, guest communication, and tech tools.

Pierre-Camille Hamana, CEO of Hospitable, said: “The findings from this report highlight a new level of confidence among independent hosts. They’re not looking for someone to take over, they’re looking for tools and strategies that strengthen what they already do well. Hosts know that personalization, direct guest contact, and control over their business are what make them competitive, and they’re leaning into this more than ever before.” 

Looking ahead, independent hosts remain optimistic about their growth prospects. Over half (56.7%) of hosts plan to expand their portfolios in 2025, signaling strong confidence in the future of the STR market. 

Hospitable’s new report is ready to download today.