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Sean Snyder

Singapore Airlines Introduces Linux Based PC and Entertainment System for Each Passenger

In-flight entertainment is taking a giant leap forward as Singapore Airlines takes its planes above and beyond the norm with the new Krisworld entertainment devices. The details of the new setup vary from first to business to economy class, but the basic principles persist; these entertainment systems include individual screens, a navigation control, on demand movies, music and television programming, as well as interactive games and a fully functional Linux based PC.

The PC includes an office suite where passengers can create word documents spreadsheets or presentations. The office productivity software suite is reported as Star Office, created by Sun Microsystems. The PCs also have a USB input to attach a flash drive or other portable media storage devices so that files created on the plane can be used once on the ground.

The controllers resemble a cross between a remote control, a paddle controller for a gaming system and a standard keyboard. They have basic navigation on one side to select what type of media the passenger wants to use and to generally navigate the interface and on the other side, the controller features a full QWERTY keyboard.

The screens range from a 23 inch first-class screen to a 10.6 economy class screen with a 15.4 inch business class screen in between.  Other features to the in-flight entertainment array include, Dolby surround or noise cancelling headphones and a built in sky phone to communicate with the ground or other passengers on the plane.

Just coming back from a long flight, I know I could’ve used a personal entertainment system, even if the screen was only 10.6 inches.