3 Point Games - WiFi in the Sky

Written by HellCat
Monday, 11 August 2008
Aircell, the people who want to put WiFi on airplanes across the country, finally received the FAA certifications it needed to start building equipment into airplanes. It recently finished its nationwide network of transponders that would bounce the signals up to the airplane, and with this last hurdle out of the way, we could start seeing WiFi-equipped aircraft this year. That's Good news for those of you who travel often. Many airlines are banking on satisfying their tech-savvy passengers by rolling out live TV, e-mail and Wi-Fi Internet access on some flights. Continental Airlines recently said it would add lie-flat seats in business class, so travelers can recline while viewing their personal videos and listening to their personal music, all while charging their iPods. Laptop power, headset and USB plugs also are tucked above the customer's shoulder.Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that allows people with laptops or personal digital assistants to connect to the Internet via "hot spots," such as hotels, universities, libraries, coffee shops and airports. So far, airlines have been slow to adopt Wi-Fi for in-flight service, even though passengers are hungry for high-altitude e-mail and messaging services. By providing wireless connections, financially ailing airlines could add some sorely needed revenue, and meet the needs of many passengers, analysts said. "Airports are the No. 1 area for wireless hot spots," said Darryl Schoolar, senior analyst for wireless broadband at In-Stat, a technology research firm in Scottsdale, Ariz. "People use them for business and pleasure. Airplanes are the next frontier." Airlines are still wrestling with the business model for such a service at a time when they are trying to lighten their planes to make them more fuel efficient. Delta Air Lines offers wireless access in its frequent-flier lounges, but not in-flight, and United Airlines is studying the cost of such a service. American Airlines is testing its service and doing dry runs this summer with the hope of eventually charging $12.95 per transcontinental flight. The coming in-flight wireless will not include cell phone service, thank god, which the FCC and the FAA have blocked so far. Most of the airlines also have vowed to disable Skype and other Internet phone services accessible through laptops and WiFi phones. Given the myriad possible options for Internet phone calling, I’ll be curious to see how they manage to accomplish this. So if you love to fly an game this will be a little slice of heaven for everyone! What More is their to life then Blowing Things up or playing your favorite rpg all while being sky high to your destination! Sources:SeattleTimes , CrunchGear

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