Earlier this week, hotel industry insiders leaked information about iPads becoming the latest craze in luxury hotel amenities. The best of the best are offering iPads filled with relevant apps to their guests rather than a laptop or even a daily newspaper. Now, Bluebox Avionics wishes to do the same thing with the airline industry bby providing an opportunity for travelers to use their iPads as the source of their in-flight entertainment. Bluebox Avionics is known in the airline industry as the company of choice for providing in-flight entertainment, such as in-flight movies and games.
On long distance flights, today’s traveler is stuck watching the airline’s chosen movie on overhead screens or screens near the bulkhead. On some flights, the in-flight entertainment system features slightly more convenient back-of-the-seat options that give travelers a small selection of movies and low-quality games to play during the flight. An in-flight iPad entertainment option would make it possible for travelers to play better quality games, watch first-run movies and even read e-books from the comfort of their seat.
The key to making this successful is Bluebox Ai, a software program that allows travelers’ iPads to wirelessly accesses the media options while on the flight. This, in theory, replaces the typical entertainment system on airplanes, giving travelers more freedom to choose the way they spend their time. To date, details on the program are not widely available. Bluebox Ai will, apparently, allow guests to download apps from the Apple App Store, play games on an in-flight casino, and access e-books and online magazines.
The software that Bluebox Avionics is adding to the device contains a security package that allows users to access the iPad and most of its features, even during times when use of electronic devices is not typically allowed. In other words, from the moment they settle into their seats, travelers will have something to entertain themselves with. This could, in theory, make long waits for takeoff less troublesome.
So have any airlines actually signed up for the service. Bluebox is not releasing any names, but sources indicate that at least one international airline has purchased the service. Bluebox Ai is expected to make its debut in July, and only time will tell whether or not it will take off as the next big thing in the world of airline entertainment. If the popularity of the device is any indication, demand for the Bluebox Ai program could be strong.
