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I actually tried this last week. The way they advertised it sounded like some kind of AR technology but it was pretty vague. I wasn't in a rush to my gate and t

I actually tried this last week. The way they advertised it sounded like some kind of AR technology but it was pretty vague. I wasn't in a rush to my gate and there wasn't anybody else using it, so I thought "why not?" and scanned my boarding pass, and sure enough, my info appeared on the screen in big letters. I didn't know about the unique properties of the screen, which I suppose are interesting, but it was otherwise pretty underwhelming given it didn't display anything different than what was already on my Delta app. Beyond that, I wasn't personally concerned at any privacy implications at that time (especially given there wasn't anybody around, and if there were they didn't care), but I can definitely understand why others would be put off. It's at best an expensive gimmick. McNamara terminal at DTW is a Delta-only hub so it makes sense Delta would put it there as a marketing stunt.

__derek__ 4y ago
McNamara Terminal is also extremely easy to navigate, so it's kind of an odd example.
bonestamp2 4y ago
Obviously it's early for the tech, but I could see a day where every screen you look at shows you what you want to see. Maybe you already know your flight info, so you tune that screen to a TV network that you like, or news headlines, weather info, etc. It's nothing our phones can't offer, but phones haven't made TVs obsolete. Large screens are convenient when you phone is in your pocket as you're walking through the terminal, or when you're talking on your phone, etc. Content switching is faster and easier when you have two screens, but now you don't have to carry that second screen, you just borrow the ones that are already there.
- jerlam 4y ago
  Phones haven't made TVs at home obsolete, but they've definitely made an impact at airports and planes. There are fewer seatback entertainment systems anymore as aircraft have wifi and stream movies to personally owned devices or rent out tablets. Fewer people look at the departure and arrival list because that information is duplicated on the airline app on their phone, which also has their boarding pass. No one is watching CNN on the TVs at their gate; everyone's looking at their phone.
mbreese 4y ago
> it was otherwise pretty underwhelming given it didn't display anything different than what was already on my Delta app This is my highest question for this tech. Privacy issues aside (and they are many), I just don’t see the point. Delta already knows where I am going and has the ability to send messages directly to my phone/watch. Maybe it could be useful for a navigation experience for someplace like ATL, but this just seems like a marketing stunt to me. A solution in search of a problem. Even navigation within a terminal could be handled by the phone app with Bluetooth beacons if necessary for inside location tracking.

__derek__ 4y ago

McNamara Terminal is also extremely easy to navigate, so it's kind of an odd example.

bonestamp2 4y ago

Obviously it's early for the tech, but I could see a day where every screen you look at shows you what you want to see. Maybe you already know your flight info, so you tune that screen to a TV network that you like, or news headlines, weather info, etc. It's nothing our phones can't offer, but phones haven't made TVs obsolete. Large screens are convenient when you phone is in your pocket as you're walking through the terminal, or when you're talking on your phone, etc. Content switching is faster and easier when you have two screens, but now you don't have to carry that second screen, you just borrow the ones that are already there.

jerlam 4y ago
Phones haven't made TVs at home obsolete, but they've definitely made an impact at airports and planes. There are fewer seatback entertainment systems anymore as aircraft have wifi and stream movies to personally owned devices or rent out tablets. Fewer people look at the departure and arrival list because that information is duplicated on the airline app on their phone, which also has their boarding pass. No one is watching CNN on the TVs at their gate; everyone's looking at their phone.

mbreese 4y ago

> it was otherwise pretty underwhelming given it didn't display anything different than what was already on my Delta app This is my highest question for this tech. Privacy issues aside (and they are many), I just don’t see the point. Delta already knows where I am going and has the ability to send messages directly to my phone/watch. Maybe it could be useful for a navigation experience for someplace like ATL, but this just seems like a marketing stunt to me. A solution in search of a problem. Even navigation within a terminal could be handled by the phone app with Bluetooth beacons if necessary for inside location tracking.