6 ms·

> For example, if the airline wanted to get approval for the iPad, it would have to test the first iPad, iPad 2 and the new iPad, each on a separate flight, wit

by phillco 15y ago

> For example, if the airline wanted to get approval for the iPad, it would have to test the first iPad, iPad 2 and the new iPad, each on a separate flight, with no passengers on the plane. I still think that could be a great differentiator. "Virgin: We don't care when you use your Kindle. Or your iPad". Too bad it's too expensive. Also...having to do dedicated test flights seems very inefficient. What if they just bought 100 iPads and gave them to everyone on randomly selected flights? They'd let the passengers use them for an hour (enough to watch three episodes of The Office), take them back for another hour, and compare the radio quality. It'd be great -- they'd get some serious stress testing, have relatively low fixed costs, and it'd make the customers happy. (They could even give the iPads away afterwards to rewards customers as gifts.) Hmm, I guess it'd be not so cool if the devices actually did cause the planes to crash.

darkstar999 15y ago
They can't let passengers test the devices: "For example, if the airline wanted to get approval for the iPad, it would have to test the first iPad, iPad 2 and the new iPad, each on a separate flight, with no passengers on the plane."
rmc 15y ago
They cannot test them on a live plane with live people. Imagine if something did go wrong, and it crashed the plane. What official wants to say "Oops". Performing the tests would be insanely bad PR. An official has to approach someone going on a flight and say "we think this device will crash the plane, but We're not sure, would you mind playing with it during theft flight so we can see if the plane you're on falls out of the sky?". Panic would ensue.
- lizzard 15y ago
  They have been testing them for the past few years simply by allowing them on flights.
- VBprogrammer 15y ago
  In the UK I often fly Ryanair who due to falling under the Irish Aviation Authority have been allowing the use of electronic devices while the fasten seat-belt light is of (although, not phones) for several years.
  - tedunangst 15y ago
    Does of mean on or off?

by phillco 15y ago

darkstar999 15y ago

They can't let passengers test the devices: "For example, if the airline wanted to get approval for the iPad, it would have to test the first iPad, iPad 2 and the new iPad, each on a separate flight, with no passengers on the plane."

rmc 15y ago

They cannot test them on a live plane with live people. Imagine if something did go wrong, and it crashed the plane. What official wants to say "Oops". Performing the tests would be insanely bad PR. An official has to approach someone going on a flight and say "we think this device will crash the plane, but We're not sure, would you mind playing with it during theft flight so we can see if the plane you're on falls out of the sky?". Panic would ensue.

lizzard 15y ago
They have been testing them for the past few years simply by allowing them on flights.
VBprogrammer 15y ago
In the UK I often fly Ryanair who due to falling under the Irish Aviation Authority have been allowing the use of electronic devices while the fasten seat-belt light is of (although, not phones) for several years.
- tedunangst 15y ago
  Does of mean on or off?