for October 1, 2007
IFExpress is sponsored in part
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IFExpress is available via the web at:
http://www.airfax.com/airfax/ifexpress/
Hot Topic: Four From the Cool Room
Last
issue, we promised a closer look into the Panasonic Cool Room. For those of
you that are not familiar with the concept, listen up. Panasonic has been
bringing their R&D projects to the show for a quite a few years now and the
concepts that have been shown are really quite mind-blowing and often end up
as products. This year, Panasonic featured a real focus on iPod integration
for one, and a lot of technology for passenger interaction with the IFE
system. Last issue we showed the iPod-like touch screen entertainment
controller and we failed to note that the iPod sourced material was
transmitted and displayed via Wi-Fi on compatible Apple devices (i.e.
movies, audio, books, point of interest data etc.) This is all possible
because of their developmental agreement with the Bay Area company. This
week, we have a few other “cool objects” to look at, compliments of
Panasonic.
The fist gee whiz product concept is the Touch Tray... an imbedded keypad that lives in the seatback tray table. It runs wirelessly via a proprietary link in the microwave range when deployed. Using no batteries, the ultra capacitor powered device charges in the stowed position (nice touch) and starts talking to the seat electronics when the tray table is lowered. The keypad features removable overlays and while the demo version was not waterproof, rest assured the production unit would be. This system also touted a future VPN tunnel for secure work on the plane and a USB port for those that need to bring their own work (yuk).
The
next gadget is the second go around of their Karma Controller. The unit has
a very nice touch screen and, like the iPhone, senses gravity and rotates
the display for proper viewing in all attitudes. Notice the gaming overlays
that give the unit more functionality. No doubt, an RF or infrared link to a
seatback node will replace the wires in future units.
First
a disclaimer: we don’t know Jack about medical electronics but Panasonic
told us that there are an increasing number of airborne myocardial
infarctions (no, it’s spelled correct), probably due to the Baby Boomer
generation, TSA security lines, and decreasing value of the US dollar. Be
that as it may, Panasonic has developed a unit that acts as a basic
electrocardiogram/defibrillator unit that has an even neater twist... it
transmits patient conditions to the ground via tan airborne broadband link
for diagnosis by medical trained expert. In the past, airlines had no choice
the heart related emergencies but to land causing untold hassles with the
remaining passengers. This unit ends that. Not only can it diagnose false
positives and negatives (via experts) it can defibrillate upon the commanded
button push. By the way, from left to right, Brian Kirby and Steve Sizelove
who were our tour guides.
Lastly,
we present a concave 3D screen that really looks good and demonstrated
terrific 3D... that’s the good news. The bad news, it is probably too big and
too difficult to provide off axis effects for all passengers. The optical
effect was very, very good but it would appear to be difficult to adapt to
aircraft. Panasonic realizes this probably realizes this but noted that you
have to start somewhere. Hey, they are just concepts.
Footnote: If you are dying to see what an idiotic passenger looks like to a seat back... check out this YouTube link:
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JetBlue Airways and LiveTV
Partner to Provide Customers the Convenience of a Cashless Cabin for
In-Flight Purchases
10/1/2007 9:06:29 PM
AirCell Axxess Selected by
Gulfstream as Factory-standard Cabin Communications System for Large-cabin
Jets
10/1/2007 9:00:14 PM
AirCell Prepares for 2008
Launch of New Air-to-ground Broadband System for Business Aviation
10/1/2007 8:59:53 PM
AirCell to Offer
SwiftBroadband Product for Business Aircraft
10/1/2007 8:59:34 PM
Hawker 750 and 900XP to
Feature AirCell® Axxess II Capabilities
10/1/2007 8:59:14 PM
Advanced Cockpit Datalink
Services Coming
10/1/2007 8:58:57 PM
Dassault Falcon Jet Delivers
First Factory Aircraft With AirCell AxxessTM
10/1/2007 8:58:37 PM
Boeing, Air New Zealand and
Rolls-Royce Announce Biofuel Flight Demo
10/1/2007 8:57:28 PM
Boeing Projects $120 Billion
Latin America Market for New Commercial Airplanes
10/1/2007 8:57:10 PM
Panasonic Avionics Selected by
Continental Airlines to Supply IFE for
10/1/2007 8:56:22 PM
Virgin America named the
official "Airline of the Angels" for the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
10/1/2007 8:53:48 PM
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Billion
dollar question: Will AI buy A-380 or Boeing 747-800?
Times of India
Boeing
worker says he was fired for talking to P-I
Seattle P-I
How to bet
on the 787's arrival
Seattle Times
Airbus
refined A350XWB design
Aviation Week
Tech
traveler's fingers do the walking
USA Today
Alaska
Airlines to add Wi-Fi Internet access
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
PTC Seeks
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Aerospace Announces Program Awards From Four Global Airlines For Their New
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Aircraft
Aerospace Online
IFExpress is sponsored in part
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WAEA
Technology Committee Meeting
1/22/2008 - 1/23/2008
8th
Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008)
5/20/2008 - 5/22/2008
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61st Annual Meeting & Convention
10/6/2008 - 10/8/2008
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