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I know that the laptop bans are currently only on inter-continental routes, but investors in this kind of system must be watching the laptop ban in horror of th

I know that the laptop bans are currently only on inter-continental routes, but investors in this kind of system must be watching the laptop ban in horror of things to come.

krallja 9y ago
Airlines can creatively work around this. They could provide a browser on seat-back touch screens, which would be satisfactory to most customers, who just want to watch HBO, Netflix, Hulu (maybe not in Europe), or YouTube. Also, smartphones have WiFi, so that's a way for the security-aware to control the device for typing your very important passwords into. Bring a Bluetooth keyboard and a phone mount with a built-in magnifying glass, and it's almost a laptop!
- willvarfar 9y ago
  I don't think this system's price-point nor bandwidth is going to be suitable for having large numbers of passengers idling hours by watching movies? I think the target is more likely to be business users doing work during the flight?
- ghaff 9y ago
  Although a number of airlines have been moving toward streaming entertainment to user devices rather than having seat-back screens in economy. But those movies are supplied locally. I wouldn't expect in-flight WiFi to work with streaming video from external sources. In any case, broader laptop/tablet bans seem to be off the table for now.
tyingq 9y ago
I'm curious if the drop-off is that bad, since the passengers still have their phones.
- amelius 9y ago
  But phones should be put in flight-mode before takeoff. Which means no wifi/bluetooth.
  - HeavenFox 9y ago
    For flights I took in western countries (US, Canada, Australia, EU), it seems that it is no longer required. China is a major holdout afaik.
    - mattkrause 9y ago
      US and Canadian carriers definitely still tell you to put your phone in airplane mode.
      - jandrese 9y ago
        They do, but they also frequently offer in-plane WiFi so it's clear they're expecting you to know to turn your WiFi chip back on even though the phone is in Airplane mode. IIRC the "put your phone in airplane mode" rule is a FAA mandate. Airlines can't change it.
        ghaff 9y ago
        I also wonder what percentage of phones actually get put in airplane mode. I don't think I'd bet that it's as many as 50%.
        jandrese 9y ago
        IIRC last time I saw a study on this it was pretty high. Well in the 95% range. But there would usually be a phone or two on every 737 or larger sized plane not in airplane mode.
        ghaff 9y ago
        That would somewhat shock me to be honest. I make a genuine effort to turn on airplane mode if only because not doing so drains the battery and I bet I miss at least one in 20 times. I would hope such a study was based on measuring ehat pople did as opposed to what they said they did.

I know that the laptop bans are currently only on inter-continental routes, but investors in this kind of system must be watching the laptop ban in horror of things to come.

krallja 9y ago

Airlines can creatively work around this. They could provide a browser on seat-back touch screens, which would be satisfactory to most customers, who just want to watch HBO, Netflix, Hulu (maybe not in Europe), or YouTube. Also, smartphones have WiFi, so that's a way for the security-aware to control the device for typing your very important passwords into. Bring a Bluetooth keyboard and a phone mount with a built-in magnifying glass, and it's almost a laptop!

willvarfar 9y ago
I don't think this system's price-point nor bandwidth is going to be suitable for having large numbers of passengers idling hours by watching movies? I think the target is more likely to be business users doing work during the flight?
ghaff 9y ago
Although a number of airlines have been moving toward streaming entertainment to user devices rather than having seat-back screens in economy. But those movies are supplied locally. I wouldn't expect in-flight WiFi to work with streaming video from external sources. In any case, broader laptop/tablet bans seem to be off the table for now.

tyingq 9y ago

I'm curious if the drop-off is that bad, since the passengers still have their phones.

amelius 9y ago
But phones should be put in flight-mode before takeoff. Which means no wifi/bluetooth.
- HeavenFox 9y ago
  For flights I took in western countries (US, Canada, Australia, EU), it seems that it is no longer required. China is a major holdout afaik.
  - mattkrause 9y ago
    US and Canadian carriers definitely still tell you to put your phone in airplane mode.
    - jandrese 9y ago
      They do, but they also frequently offer in-plane WiFi so it's clear they're expecting you to know to turn your WiFi chip back on even though the phone is in Airplane mode. IIRC the "put your phone in airplane mode" rule is a FAA mandate. Airlines can't change it.
      - ghaff 9y ago
        I also wonder what percentage of phones actually get put in airplane mode. I don't think I'd bet that it's as many as 50%.
        jandrese 9y ago
        IIRC last time I saw a study on this it was pretty high. Well in the 95% range. But there would usually be a phone or two on every 737 or larger sized plane not in airplane mode.
        ghaff 9y ago
        That would somewhat shock me to be honest. I make a genuine effort to turn on airplane mode if only because not doing so drains the battery and I bet I miss at least one in 20 times. I would hope such a study was based on measuring ehat pople did as opposed to what they said they did.