FOcUS On inflight entertainment
observes that for airlines the Android market certainly offers some advantages. And the small size and sleek casing is very attractive. Williams says: "Yes, there are airlines (as we are seeing) that will opt for a consumer device despite the drawbacks. But in the near term many airlines will continue to opt for something that is truly designed for inflight use." American and Samsung are still working through the specific features available on the Galaxy tablet for passengers. Their goal is to offer pre-loaded movies, TV shows and games. The tablets will be wi-fi enabled, allowing
customers on wi-fi enabled flights to check email, browse the internet and keep connected to friends and family on the ground. Passengers can purchase wi-fi onboard American and use the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in premium class cabins, a feature not offered with inseat entertainment systems.
Embedded IFE systems American Airlines is also evaluating its inseat embedded IFE. The airline has been upgrading the tape-based IFE systems to Panasonic’s eFX digital system on its 737 and 757 fleets and is currently investigating introducing digital IFE systems on the recently announced new deliveries of 777 aircraft. Elsewhere, major IFE vendors have continued
to make gains with inseat embedded system contracts. Aeroflot has chosen Thales TopSeries for its fleet of 16 B777-300 aircraft. The system will be configured for 402 passengers and linefit, with first delivery scheduled for January 2013. Monitors will range from 8.6 inches to 15.4 inches. The system includes the Touch Passenger Media Unit, which won the Judges Commendation Prize in the Crystal Cabin Awards in April. It uses Android software to access new applications. Thales has also sold its TopSeries to TAAG Angola Airlines for installation on two new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for China and the US. Inseat screens come in sizes 15.4” in First and Business and 8.9” in Economy and feature the ASXI moving map, a games library, meal and beverage menu selections, onboard shopping catalogue, survey application, and picture viewer which allows passengers to view video from their personal devices on the inseat screen. Intelligent Avionics, which made its debut this year, has announced two London-
based partners for its new IFE system, AURA. Factorydesign will design AURA’s industrialised screen units (initially 10.1” and 15.6” touchscreen devices) and additional hardware. Reactive will develop AURA’s modern, clear and intuitive touchscreen user interface. EVA Airways of Taiwan has ordered the
Rockwell Collins Airshow® 4200D 3D Moving Map system for 36 aircraft, including three new A330s, with the first delivery due later this year. The system has also been ordered for its 33 A330-200s, B777-300ERs and B747-400s. The new Airshow includes a new graphical
design using NASA’s Blue Marble map data, based on actual satellite imagery presenting a modernized view of real-time flight information.
Connectivity contracts Panasonic Avionics Corporation (PAC) has been awarded a large contract by Gulf Air. Panasonic will supply its Global Communications Suite for worldwide inflight broadband connectivity, mobile phone service and live television programming. The retrofitting will start in September and
take two years. PAC ceo Paul Margis comments: "With our
Global Communications Suite, Gulf Air will be able to create a deeply immersive, content-rich environment like nothing their passengers have experienced before. The connectivity offers high speed internet, 3G-4G mobile data speed connectivity, voice over internet (VOIP), streaming videos and the world's first inflight live TV satellite stream across continents. "Business passengers will enjoy unlimited
virtual private network (VPN), stay fully connected watching live-news and market updates, while sports fans can watch their favourite matches in real-time while chatting with their friends."
Top left: The IMS Company supplied this 10.6 inch player in 2006 to American Airlines, soon to be replaced by the Samsung tab. Above: drop-down monitor displays the enhanced Airshow moving map from Rockwell Collins
Continuing with connectivity, Gogo, the
inflight wi-fi service in the US is rolling out on more aircraft. The Alaska Airlines’ fleet is now more than 92 per cent equipped. "We're pleased to be able to offer in-flight
wi-fi service to our customers flying throughout our U.S. mainland and Alaska route network," says the airline's vp of marketing, Joe Sprague. Passengers with wi-fi enabled devices can
browse the web; access online music, games, podcasts and webcasts; send and receive email; and connect to virtual private networks. Fees start from $4.95, based on length of flight and device used, with options for 24-hour inflight wi-fi passes and monthly subscriptions. Gogo has also partnered with clothing brand
Gilt to offer exclusive inflight sales on all Gogo- equipped Delta, United, Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and US Airways services. Florida-based LiveTV has announced Global
LiveTV for transatlantic coverage, with up to five channels of sports and news in 2012. LiveTV already supplies live television to 500 commercial aircraft for a number of North American airlines. Read more on:
www.gethinsinflight.com
CONTACT US
IFE Focus is a regular feature in OnBoard Hospitality. If you have a new product, new technology, a relevant report or a new partnership to announce please email;
sally@gethinsinflight.com (text only, please). Please send any picture files, marked IFE in the subject line, direct to
jo.austin@
onboardhospitality.com.
www.onboardhospitality.com 63
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