the tablet war is heating up

[Fast Learner]

Everyone likes jumping to iPads for use with different services, however, this is a *MAJOR* game changer since it shows that major companies now think Android is a viable platform for the consumption of entertainment.

You're assuming that AA weighed its options and decided to buy tablets from Samsung rather than buying iPads; it's very likely that the opposite is true. Samsung is thrilled to be able to pay American Airlines to offer the use of their tablets to first class passengers; Apple has no need to do so.

 

[catsclaw227]

You're assuming that AA weighed its options and decided to buy tablets from Samsung rather than buying iPads; it's very likely that the opposite is true. Samsung is thrilled to be able to pay American Airlines to offer the use of their tablets to first class passengers; Apple has no need to do so.

Well, you're making as much of an assumption as you claim RdM is making. Apple would be thrilled with the TV and print marketing that comes with having a major airline tout your technology. Do you think Apple wants Samsung to pick up contracts like this? The second or third largest carrier in the world will be running global TV spots advertising this service.

 

[Fast Learner]

Well, you're making as much of an assumption as you claim RdM is making. Apple would be thrilled with the TV and print marketing that comes with having a major airline tout your technology. Do you think Apple wants Samsung to pick up contracts like this? The second or third largest carrier in the world will be running global TV spots advertising this service.

I agree that I'm making an assumption, but it's based on actual market position. The PR is very limited and will be completely over in 24 hours.

American isn't going to run TV spots with the info because it only applies to premium cabin seats. They don't advertise their first class amenities anywhere most people will see them, and while they do limited advertising of their business class service, its restricted to very few ads in print periodicals (and extremely rarely on television during the Sunday morning news shows).

So no, I don't think Apple is worried about it. Would it be nice if they were iPads and the press release was for Apple? Sure. But it's not something anyone in Cupertino is getting yelled at over this morning.

 

[Fast Learner]

I'll add that if these tablets were distributed to every passenger then it would indeed be huge; that would take a whole lot more than 6,000 devices, though.

 

[catsclaw227]

I'll add that if these tablets were distributed to every passenger then it would indeed be huge; that would take a whole lot more than 6,000 devices, though.

Phones and eventually Internet access were previously only available to first class flyers as well. It took Phones about 5-8 years to go coach, and internet access less time. When wireless access was something that was originally marketed for first class, it was then opened up to everyone right away (mostly because it's hard to keep a plane-wide wireless access login secret for too long).

I wouldn't be surprised if tablets are available to be distributed to coach customers for a fee in the next 18 months.

 

[Janx]

Phones and eventually Internet access were previously only available to first class flyers as well. It took Phones about 5-8 years to go coach, and internet access less time. When wireless access was something that was originally marketed for first class, it was then opened up to everyone right away (mostly because it's hard to keep a plane-wide wireless access login secret for too long).

I wouldn't be surprised if tablets are available to be distributed to coach customers for a fee in the next 18 months.

Why would they bother?

A 1st class passenger can afford a smartphone or tablet. Since they tend to be heavily personalized (apps, etc), why would I want to use a shared tablet that has somebody else's cooties on it when I could use my own?

Just like not needing those stupid screens on the back of seats. I have an iThing. It plays movies. Don't need to pay for theirs, let alone be restricted to their content.

While I'm sure there's some saps who'd pay for it, I think the # of haves is increasing rapidly, and there will be diminishing, if any demand for the service.

 

[catsclaw227]

While I'm sure there's some saps who'd pay for it, I think the # of haves is increasing rapidly, and there will be diminishing, if any demand for the service.

Maybe... and I could be wrong here, but I think you are overestimating the number of general consumers that have a tablet or even an iThing. You and I are technology consumers, so we aren't indicative of the general population. In addition, they could also restrict wireless access to their tablets in flight.

 

[catsclaw227]

While I'm sure there's some saps who'd pay for it, I think the # of haves is increasing rapidly, and there will be diminishing, if any demand for the service.

My mom doesn't have an "iThing" and she would pay 4-5 dollars to watch a movie from a tablet with her headphones. She would not appreciate being called a sap.

 

[Relique du Madde]

Check out how many airlines have gone iPad (I'm linking the the press releases from each airline).

Alaska Air using iPads for flight manuals.
Delta Renting iPads as GO Media Bar initiative <-- Note: This story was from may and nowhere on it does it even mention renting an Android Device.
Jetstar starts trial to use iPads for Entertainment
Iceland Express Airline offers iPad Rental

I've also seen some blog posts about British Airlines is making a deal to have iPads on their planes for first class and business class customers. Nothing official has been release.


This is just what I found within the last half hour of searching.


So tell me, why isn't the fact that one company went Android rather then following the trend by going iPad a big deal? It only takes one airline to convince others to consider the options outside of Apple to cause Android's influence to grow and expand in markets that are currently dominated by iPad.

 

[Janx]

My mom doesn't have an "iThing" and she would pay 4-5 dollars to watch a movie from a tablet with her headphones. She would not appreciate being called a sap.

Well, no offense to your mom, but I wouldn't pay $4-5 to rent a digitally delivered movie at the same price you could have rented physical media on better terms.

Let alone, if your mom can afford 1st class, she can afford her own doo-hickey. Or if you were a better offspring, you'd buy her one so she doesn't have to touch the germ ridden slab they're going to hand her.

I'm not impressed by any of the things the airlines do to wallet rape you in the guise of convenience.

I don't think tablets are devices people should be or will be sharing, especially as everyone* will have one.
*everyone who matters, that is

For Rdm, I suspect that could be considered good news that Android has won a sale to the airlines.

However I am in the biased camp that it is stupid to bother deploying these gadgets in airplanes. And i will probably be proven wrong and the airline industry will be saved by the revenues generated by these things.

I simply look at the practical fact that in the last flight I took, everybody in view of me had a device to watch videos, listen to music or fiddle with. The demand for such devices is there, but the fact is the number of people who DON'T have their own doohickey is shrinking, such that the airlines spending energy on in-flight entertainment is going to increasingly wasteful.

Even today, a friend came into town, he who had mocked such smart phones and "all I need is something to make phone calls with" and he's sporting an Android and shooting videos and sending them back and forth, facebooking, etc. It's like he can't live without the thing now.

It's kind of like computers were. in the 1980's your parents had no clue about computers, let alone your grandparents. 30 years later, probably 25-50% of all grandparents are online. Because in the 80's computers were just showing up at the office when they were fixing to retire. The folks who weren't retiring spent 30 years with them, and now they KNOW about computers.

While the have nots won't go away, they don't tend to have money and thus aren't a target demographic.