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iPod connectivity jetting in

Published on 15th November 2006 by Ryan Garside

Will this plane have iPod connectivity? I hope so.

First they were telling us that we wouldn't be able to take anything onto airplanes, that mothers would have to taste their babies milk and makeup was outlawed. Now that the security embargo is over it would appear the airlines are taking full advantage. Yesterday, six major airlines announced they were teaming up with Apple to bring in-flight iPod connectivity to their passengers.

In a statement over at apple.com they said:

"Apple today announced it is teaming up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to deliver the first seamless integration between iPod and in-flight entertainment systems. These six airlines will begin offering their passengers iPod seat connections which power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays."

This move should make a lot of iPod-using commuters very happy. No longer will I have to listen to my girlfriend moaning that her Nano has run out of battery when we're off on our holidays. Questions will be raised over what will be acceptable to watch whilst on the plane though.

Will you, for instance, be allowed to watch adult movies streamed from your iPod? What will be the aircraft's position on Torrented movies? (Probably about 1,000 ft - Ed). Will you be able to download from the iTunes store whilst in the air? We'll probably have to wait till the service is actually implemented to see answers to these questions.

Will the airlines charge us £5 for the adapter cable to hook our iPod to the in flight system? Let us know your thoughts in the forum.

15 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

mikeuk2004 15th November 2006, 13:09

I dont fly on any of thise airlines or even have a ipod. Thank god for that.

is this a first class addon as I doubt it be economy

Garside 15th November 2006, 13:13

Good point, they haven't said yet but I'd imagine Apple are paying the plane companies to make this available to everyone.

It is the common pleb who will be using his iPod not the businessman.

Springs 15th November 2006, 13:27

but what about the people that dont have or will ever have a ipoo..??

Bindibadgi 15th November 2006, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Springs
but what about the people that dont have or will ever have a ipoo..??

Tough luck.

An adapter to plug in my laptop would be nice and far better than an ipod in terms of functionality

Silver51 15th November 2006, 15:33

I had to laugh at the accompanying article image. Could just imagine Manfred von Richthofen listening to Kraftwerk on his 'pod.

mikeuk2004 15th November 2006, 16:34

Plug sockets in economy would be far better so any device can be used running of mains regardless of product or brand. But i suppose the airlines will be getting alot of cash from apple for it.

Perforated 15th November 2006, 18:22

Aye - Virgin trains have plug sockets for laptops & mobiles etc., it's a stroke of genius. Sure, if you're late for a meeting or something a delay's a big issue - but personally, I'd rather be a little delayed & comfortable than on-time and not (given that the journeys I use them for tend to be 3 hours minimum anyway)

r4tch3t 15th November 2006, 19:58

Great idea I think, although I don't have an iPod, I know that on the 24 hour flights I watch all the good movies twice. Can't sleep on a plane.

DXR_13KE 15th November 2006, 20:12

what if......... scre* makeup and baby milk!!! there is something better to stuff explosives in...... a nice Ipod video......

customh 15th November 2006, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindibadgi

An adapter to plug in my laptop would be nice and far better than an ipod in terms of functionality

I agree. Just a 120v or something universal in each seat would be nice for power. But who is going to listen to us?

speedfreek 15th November 2006, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindibadgi
Tough luck.

An adapter to plug in my laptop would be nice and far better than an ipod in terms of functionality

I have a laptop for stuff like that, with only 20mins of batt life a laptop plug would be a lot more useful.

customh 15th November 2006, 22:14

And thats why I'll get a Thinkpad t60 with 6 hours of life in the 9 cell battery.

scifi3018 16th November 2006, 07:04

This is definatley a first class otption.
As good of an opinion as Garside has, the article mentioned playback on seatback monitors...
And either i am flying on the wrong planes, cause my planes dont have video screens for every person, or this is pertaining to fancy-pants first class people.

Fatboy 17th November 2006, 18:56

I bet the adaptors will be about £50 quid and you have to give them back after the flight, going by the prices apple charge.

I think it would be beneficial to have a USB socket in the chair instead because a LOT of devices can charge off USB, and there doesnt have to be any data pins connected.

xion 18th November 2006, 09:04

inflight wireless internet... canned
inflight entertainment ... limited
universal power point for all devices ... Pipe dream

Proprietry i-thingy adapter ... sure why the hell not,

Is it just me or can anyone else see a scope for abuse? Imagine hoards of bored hackers, (read: not script kiddies... straight from the movie guys) a data connection to what is essentially USB / highly modified computer ... and a captive audience for anything you wish to show... Perhaps i watch too many films :P

thanks god for 70's design and hardwired avionics,