Items tagged with flight
Most pet owners will agree that there are some days when walking the dog is the last thing you want to do. A drone retailer in the UK called Dronesdirect has a customized version of the Proflight drone that is specifically designed to take Fido for a walk when you just don't feel like it. This sounds like a great idea, as long as your dog is good on a leash and you don't mind those nearby assuming you to be the laziest dog owner ever. The drone is called the Proflight Walkies Dog Drone and it has a retractable lead to keep the dog safe and under control. Like the Proflight drone that it is based on, you don't have to actively pilot the drone so you can sit back and marvel at your own tech...
Read more...
A SpaceX Falcon 9 static fire test went horribly wrong earlier this week -- what was supposed to be a routine test run before today's scheduled launch ended in a massive fireball. The explosion, which occurred while fueling the liquid oxygen tanks, resulted in the destruction of Facebook's first satellite for use with its Internet.org initiative. Luckily for SpaceX, it has a lot of data to pore over this weekend. In a blog post, SpaceX says that the anomaly occurred eight minutes prior to the expected test fire at Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral. Fortunately, the launch pad was clear of all personnel, so while the craft was destroyed, there were absolutely no injuries to report....
Read more...
Without any formal government regulation, Bitcoin prices have been surging and falling, and surging and falling. It's a roller coaster ride that only the bold can stomach, but those who are willing to invest in something like a new digital currency already have some wild stories to tell. Earlier this month, a university in Cyprus announced that tuition could be paid in Bitcoins, and a number of online e-tailers are accepting the currency as well. A currency really only takes shape once it's accepted "everywhere," or close to everywhere. But here's something that few currencies can say: Bitcoins are now accepted in space. Virgin Galactic, which is just years away from taking civilians to space,...
Read more...
There's progress, and then there's going too far. While you won't find too many technology lovers who are opposed to having Wi-Fi below 10,000 feet or being able to leave one's Kindle on from gate-to-gate, there's a fine line here that may soon be crossed. Enabling connectivity in the sky is a godsend for those who fly frequently and need to get work done, but by and large, all of this happens at a low volume level. The noise of one's keyboard is largely drowned out by the rumble of the airline engines, and there's a good reason that most in-flight Wi-Fi services don't allow VoIP or video calls. The airline is a cramped place, and any semblance of privacy is precious. But, a new report suggests...
Read more...
Now that folks are able to read their Kindles and continue racking up high scores in Fruit Ninja while their plane is taking off and landing, we suspected that it was only a matter of time before the deaded "10,000 rule" was axed for in-flight Wi-Fi. That said, we didn't see it happening so quickly. Starting today, Southwest Airlines flyers will be able to keep their tablets, smartphones, and other WiFi enabled portable devices connected to the aircraft's internet service for the entire duration of the trip, which includes takeoff and touchdown. As Southwest puts it, customers will have the ability to remain connected "from the time they step onboard a Southwest plane to the time they exit."...
Read more...
Ever been on a flight with a TV in the headrest? Sadly, too few planes still have these, but those fortunate enough to see one may have seen some fairly compelling content of late. But evidently, more of that is to come. YouTube has reportedly signed a deal with Virgin America that would see an airline offering YouTube channels for the first time ever. Google's video portal has been striving to turn into a more serious outlet for serious content in the past few years, and this would certainly cement that effort. According to Variety, the airline will make programming on five YouTube channels -- Warner Bros.' "H+ The Digital Series," produced by Bryan Singer; WIGS' "Blue," starring Julia Stiles;...
Read more...
Boeing thinks you need even more ways to stay connected while on a plane. Agree? Not that it matters much, because the friendly skies are gradually becoming a place where you can no longer escape your work e-mail, and maybe, your work calls. The airplane maker has this week revealed that systems will soon be installed during production on the 747-8 and 777, enabling these aircraft to provide in-flight use of cellphones and Wi-Fi by the end of 2013. It's all a bid to bring more wireless waves and more robust in-flight entertainment options to passengers, and in an increasingly competitive airline marketplace, it sure sounds like a good plan. Additional connectivity systems are being evaluated...
Read more...
In-flight Wi-Fi still feels like it's a futuristic thing, and Delta's been doing their best to expand Gogo's services to every plane they can. This week, the airline announced an expanded in-flight Wi-Fi effort as well as entertainment on-demand options, with Delta Connect offering free entertainment, shopping options and travel information. It's all part of Delta's $2 billion investment in the "flying experience," with Connect being a new in-flight portal that will be available exclusively to all customers using Wi-Fi on Delta aircraft; wireless movies and television on demand on Boeing 757-300 aircraft; and a more user-friendly design for Airbus A330 in-flight entertainment systems that include...
Read more...
Your average coach airline seat won't have a power outlet, but you can bet the pilots have access to a couple of them. At least, we sure hope they do over at Alaska Airlines, because the company just green-lit a new program that will allow their aircraft to use iPad flight manuals instead of bulky, wasteful paper ones. They're claiming to be the first domestic airline in America to make the switch, and as with paperless billing, we suspect it will only snowball from here. Airlines tend to follow each other, and now that the iPad has their first subject, everyone else is probably considering following suit. According to the report, a 1.5lb. iPad will replace a 25lb. paper flight manual, and they...
Read more...
What would Google want with a flight search engine? Oh, it's not so hard to guess! Google's business is search, and by capitalizing on more and more aspects of search, Google's able to extract even more ad dollars. One area where Google has fallen behind others is travel. When you think of travel search, you don't really consider Google. You may think of Orbitz, Expedia, Bing Travel or Kayak, but you probably don't immediately think of Google. But that could change with their acquisition of ITA Software. Last year, Google made the decision to snap up ITA, but many pundits were quick to point out that such a combination was unlikely to happen. After all, how would such a deal pass regulatory hurdles?...
Read more...
If there's one thing everyone needs on a flight, it's in-flight Wi-Fi. That's something we can all agree on, right? While the business and casual travelers debate, Aircell is announcing yet another partner in their efforts to blanket the sky with Internet: US Airways. The company has managed to land deals with nearly every major (and minor) American airline, and with US Air onboard, there's really no stopping things. Starting today, a total of five Airbus A321 aircraft have been outfitted with the service, enabling users to actually get online with their notebook or smartphone while flying. US Air isn't saying which five they are, but they'll have Gogo logos everywhere when you board (so be on...
Read more...
It seems like the Droid has been receiving all the attention of late, but for those looking for something a bit simpler, AT&T has two new options from Samsung Mobile. Up first, the Mythic is delivering a 3.3" full touch screen display, Samsung's own TouchWiz internet, one-touch access to features including AT&T Mobile TV and social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, and the ability to watch CBS Mobile, CNBC, CNN Mobile, COMEDY CENTRAL, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, FOX News, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go, Nickelodeon and the movie channel Crackle right on the phone. Granted, you'll be paying $9.99 per month (down from $15) for the mobile TV service, but who knows--maybe it's worth it...
Read more...
On Saturday Virgin America launched its Gogo in-flight wi-fi service, showing it off by filing the press release from 35,000 feet, and with the first ever "air-to-ground" video stream to YouTube Live, YouTube's first official real-world user event. The "fleet" will consist of one wi-fi enabled plane to start, with Virgin saying fleet-wide rollout will be achieved by Q2 2009. In their press release, Virgin America President and CEO David Cush said: "As San Francisco's only hometown airline, we couldn't do less than offer Wi-Fi as a standard option for our tech-savvy guests. With power outlets at every seat, Gogo will turn our planes into Wi-Fi hotspots and home offices in the air. We're proud...
Read more...
The frequent flyers over at Flight are reporting that iPod connectivity to airlines' in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems are starting to take off: "Singapore Airlines last week started supplying iPod and iPhone connectivity on the first of five newly reconfigured all-business Airbus A340-500s. United Airlines is expected to soon offer this feature in the premium cabins of its international widebody fleet, and Air New Zealand has opted for iPod integration as part of a retrofit of Airbus A320s and Boeing 767s with Panasonic's new X Series platform.Panasonic appears well-positioned to capture even more business. It claims to have the only IFE solution that can natively support Apple's authentication...
Read more...
