$15 to check a bag, but free to charge an iPod
(Credit:
New Line Cinema)
United Airlines has been subject to some pretty bad press recently for being one of several airlines to slap a $15 fee on checked bags, but here's a perk: the commerical carrier announced on Monday that it's starting to install iPod and iPhone connectivity features in its airplanes.
More specifically, owners of Apple's media devices can hook them up to the planes' in-flight entertainment systems; they can navigate through music and video on the seat back televisions while charging the devices in the process. The connectivity technology has been manufactured by Panasonic Avionics.
United is the first U.S. carrier to provide this service, it said in a statement. Late in 2006, iPod manufacturer Apple announced that it had struck a deal with the airline--as well as fellow domestic carriers Continental and Delta, as well as overseas carriers Air France, Emirates, and KLM--to configure in-flight iPod connectivity.
For United, the iPod cables won't be everywhere immediately. For the most part, they'll be installed on planes that make transatlantic flights, and in some cases will be restricted to those with first- and business-class seats. The first "iPod flight," United 936, will take off at 5:40 PM EDT on Monday in Washington, D.C., and fly to Zurich, Switzerland.
So, D.C.-to-Zurich pond hoppers: you can can now watch Snakes on a Plane on a plane (on an iPod, without draining your battery).
Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline. 
This will hardly be a perk that flyers will flock to AA for. And it sounds like such a dull way to attract more business. Give something that people can REALLY use on a plane.
I'd be more upset that they aren't just putting USB power ports at the seats, but are going specifically with iPod connectors. Then again, I'm betting the airlines won't be happy when Apple changes it's port design, so maybe this will be a way to keep Apple for forcing us to buy new adapters with new models...
I'd be more upset that they aren't just putting USB power ports at the seats, but are going specifically with iPod connectors. Then again, I'm betting the airlines won't be happy when Apple changes it's port design, so maybe this will be a way to keep Apple for forcing us to buy new adapters with new models...
I'd be more upset that they aren't just putting USB power ports at the seats, but are going specifically with iPod connectors. Then again, I'm betting the airlines won't be happy when Apple changes it's port design, so maybe this will be a way to keep Apple for forcing us to buy new adapters with new models...
I'd be more upset that they aren't just putting USB power ports at the seats, but are going specifically with iPod connectors. Then again, I'm betting the airlines won't be happy when Apple changes it's port design, so maybe this will be a way to keep Apple for forcing us to buy new adapters with new models...
All of that is in coach class in case you were wondering...
Apple's iPod/iPhone docks have the same connectors on the back as iPods and iPhones. So, take one of those apart to get the connector, then use it to hack together a cable with a laptop power connector on the other end. Presto! A trickle charger for your laptop!
iPods and iPhones obviously don't take as much current to charge, so you're not going to be able to actually run your laptop off the amount of power the cable will provide. Like one of the low-current solar cell trickle chargers that are sold for laptops and other devices, though, it could at least keep your battery from draining as fast while you use it. Or, you could leave your laptop in sleep mode and use the power to slowly top up its battery, if it's not fully charged already.
Of course, beware all usual caveats about possibly voiding your warranty, etc.
- by appledogx--2008 June 16, 2008 8:16 PM PDT
- AA hasn't had 747s for years. Perhaps 777s or 767s? It is good news, though. Now you can feed your iPod while you yourself go hungry!
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(13 Comments)Airline "service" today is worse than an intercity bus ride at rush hour and airline personnel are much less friendly than those who drive the bus.