3 ms·
I think part of this is exonolies of scale, but also the basis of how much faster/cheaper it is to build/maintain an Android-based interface is my thought. Del
by filmgirlcw 8y ago
I think part of this is exonolies of scale, but also the basis of how much faster/cheaper it is to build/maintain an Android-based interface is my thought.
Delta and GoGo just launched a “wireless IFE” on the new A220 that is basically just a customized Android tablet sucking down/streaming the IFE stuff from a server either in the back of the plane or from satellites using the 2k WiFi system (likely the server on the plane, but admittedly I haven’t looked into the tech specifics), which is designed to be modular for this reason.
Plus, if you’re not reliant on the IFE boxes under the seats (which the Linux/BusyBox units were), you can do a lot of the processing and serving and network stuff on the device rather than having to have those outated and expensive to upgrade computers in each row. Probably just a cheap to get a capricituve screen 10” tablet screen with a Mediatek quad-core professor and 2GB of RAM as if would be to get one “naked” too.
- bpye 8y agoUsing WiFi would be very surprising for most content, but it would be interesting to have live TV on aircraft.
- bpye 8y agoJust realised I said WiFi here. Yeah the in built WiFi network isn't what would be surprising but using satellite internet would be. Streaming from a cache on the plane, that makes a lot of sense. I kinda fancy the idea of Netflix partnering with an airline to offer the IFE, wonder if that will ever ever happen.
- stevehawk 8y agoHow so? United's IFE is an app you install on your phone/tablet or website you use on your laptop to watch media and it's all wifi.
- kortilla 8y agoBut it’s not clear if that comes from a local cache on the plane or if it uses the actual uplink. I doubt it’s the latter because a satellite connection isn’t going to support 300 concurrent video streams.
- reaperducer 8y agoUsing WiFi would be very surprising for most content, but it would be interesting to have live TV on aircraft. There are a few airlines with live TV. I think Southwest and JetBlue, but I could be wrong because mostly I sleep on planes.
- kortilla 8y agoDelta has live tv but I think it comes in from a non-WiFi path because it seems to come and independently of the WiFi service.
- roywiggins 8y agoIt's definitely satellite TV. Some planes have been outfitted with it since JetBlue debuted it in like 2000.
- filmgirlcw 8y agoYup, it's satellite TV. JetBlue pioneered it (and Delta started it with their JetBlue competitor Song in the early '00s IIRC) and some other carriers have it too. JetBlue uses the NYC satellite feed for its local stations (FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC) and I think Delta's might rotate (it's def not the local Atlanta stations) and like satellite, if weather is bad/obstructed, your live TV sucks/goes out.
- monksy 8y agoEmirates has live TV. Granted it's limited but it's there.