The Wall Street Journal ran an article today about Starwood's rollout of virtual hotel room keys that are stored in smart phone apps. With this application, you'll be able to zip past the front desk, avoid the lines and open you hotel room door with the flick of a wrist using your phone.

You should expect that the virtual key will become a staple for all major brand hotels in the not too distant future. However, one can't help but suspect that the new key app technology will emerge across a wide range of uses across all forms of real estate, from the home to the apartment—and all sorts of public facilities.

Working with a client in their office for a couple of days? No problem, your host will ping you and presto, you have unfettered access to the firm's locked offices, public bathrooms and the like.