To enhance passengers in-fight entertainment experience, United States-based airline carrier, Virgin America is introducing its latest version of its "Red system", which works on an Android platform and uses a high resolution multi-touch screen, like today's smartphones. The Android-based entertainment systems also gets more storage capacity, more games, improved maps and surround sound technology from startup Dysonics.
Dysonics has been developing its technology since the past 15 years, according to Virgin America chief technology officer Dean Cookson, who added that the surround sound system resembles that of home theater setup and works in about any type of headphones. He also said that the sound technology had to be tested and fitted according to the pre-existing Red in-flight system, and loudness of the planes' engines had to be taken into consideration when setting up the Dysonics sound system.
The improved sound system will roll-out with episodes of Game of Thrones, as well as the movies Insurgent and Run All Night.Besides the surround sound technology developed by Dysonics, passengers will immediately notice drastic changes made to the in-flight entertainment system.
Firstly, when passengers enter the aircraft they will be drawn by the new high resolution multi-touch screen from Panasonic called the EcoV2 monitors with pinch, swipe and zoom features. Secondly, with the upgraded entertainment system, the storage capacity too has increased by three times, and with it passengers can now watch movies and TV series in a 720p resolution. Thirdly, the in-flight entertainment system has got better and more interactive games, which includes favorites like Atari's Asteroids and Pac-Man. Fourthly, Virgin America has come out with enhanced and more interactive maps, which passengers can check out for a better understand of their destinations, like the travel distance from airport to their hotel and more.
Speaking to Techcrunch, Dean Cookson said "everyone expects better tech at work, travelers now expect better tech on planes, which puts pressure on Virgin America to innovate." He added, "At the same time, the airline also has to be selective."
Accrording to Virgin America, with the Android operating system maintenance, updates and modification will become easier and will result in a more user-friendly experience for travelers.
Bidnessetc says the latest Android-based in-fight entertainment system is available in three aircrafts and by the end of 2015 Virgin America plans to extend it to 18 of its planes and to the rest of its fleet by 2016.
The Red system (in-flight entertainment program) began in 2007. Now the with the upgraded system, the budget aircraft carrier is upping it game so as to attract more people to use its airlines, which in effect will increase its profits.
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