United Airlines launching in-flight iOS movie service, and other news for March 13, 2014
United Airlines is about to launch a brand new in-flight entertainment services for iOS users. The service will let anyone with an iPhone or iPad launch the United app in-flight and get immediate access to over 150 movies and 200 TV shows. The news first appeared on PatentlyApple:
Starting this April, United Airlines will roll out a new personal device entertainment system onboard select aircraft for Apple's iPhone and iPad running iOS 7 exclusively at launch time. With the new service United Airline customers will be able to choose from over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows and watch them free of charge.
According to United, "Most planes will be equipped with the new system very soon, and we'll have it installed on most domestic aircraft by the end of 2014. We'll begin on Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 747-400 and select 777-200 aircraft, followed by additional fleets. In the end, all United-operated flights will have some form of entertainment.
On the smartphone side of things the program will only support iOS devices at launch, but fliers with both Mac and PC laptop will also be able to access the new in-flight entertainment system via a browser plugin. The United Airlines app can be downloaded now, although the new functionality will not launch until April.
In other news:
The new Apple TV software update released earlier this week also allows for AirPlay discoverability over Bluetooth.
The Nation and Green America have launched a campaign to get Apple to eliminate more toxic chemicals from its products and improve factory workers' conditions.
Microsoft has launched a new iOS app: My Apps – Windows Azure Active Directory.
