Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Man ticketed for making call mid-flight, plane doesn't crash]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/18/man-ticketed-for-making-call-mid-flight-plane-doesnt-crash/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/18/man-ticketed-for-making-call-mid-flight-plane-doesnt-crash/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/18/man-ticketed-for-making-call-mid-flight-plane-doesnt-crash/#commentsDespite the on-again, off-again worries about in-flight calling interfering with an airliner's many navigational gizmos, we have to admit, there's a part of us that really loves to hear a story about what happens when someone actually has the stones to ignore federal law and breaks out the phone. That's exactly what Texan Joe David Jones did on a flight from Austin to Dallas last week, receiving a message on his cell -- which he'd forgotten to turn off -- about his father's health and felt compelled to return the call immediately. He ignored flight attendants' requests to hang up, spending some 20-odd minutes chatting away, apparently with no ill effect on the plane's ability to fly without exploding, barrel rolling uncontrollably, or falling out of the sky. We'd expected that such a blatant disregard for ignoring crew instructions would result in some jail time, but apparently the gentleman simply got slapped with a disorderly conduct ticket that carries up to $500 in fines. If we'd been in the seat next to him, we'd have probably hogtied him with his seatbelt and thrown his phone down the scary vacuum-powered lavatory toilet, but at least we know exactly what happens now when someone says "screw you" to the in-flight phone ban.

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Man ticketed for making call mid-flight, plane doesn't crash originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 May 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairlinerairplanein flightin flight callingin-flightInFlightInFlightCallingmobileSun, 18 May 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/#commentsThat Air France in-flight calling trial is now well underway, and it looks like there's still some kinks left to iron out. The New York Times hitched a ride on a recent flight featuring tests of the system, and found that things weren't quite working up to snuff: voice quality was said to be like "talking to a small robot," only six passengers could get a signal at a time, Blackberry email didn't work, and calls placed from the ground to cell phones in the air went straight to voicemail. That's a pretty long list for a system that's been talked about for a couple years now -- let's hope OnAir manages to clear up some of these glitches before angry passengers revolt over not only having to listen to other people's conversations, but also their screaming over bad connections.

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Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceAirFrancein flightin flight callingin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightInFlightCallingon airOnAirFri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/#commentsThat Air France in-flight calling trial is now well underway, and it looks like there's still some kinks left to iron out. The New York Times hitched a ride on a recent flight featuring tests of the system, and found that things weren't quite working up to snuff: voice quality was said to be like "talking to a small robot," only six passengers could get a signal at a time, Blackberry email didn't work, and calls placed from the ground to cell phones in the air went straight to voicemail. That's a pretty long list for a system that's been talked about for a couple years now -- let's hope OnAir manages to clear up some of these glitches before angry passengers revolt over not only having to listen to other people's conversations, but also their screaming over bad connections.

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Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceAirFrancein flightin flight callingin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightInFlightCallingmobileon airOnAirpicocellFri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Ofcom gives cellphone use on planes the big thumbs way, way up]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/30/ofcom-gives-cellphone-use-on-planes-the-big-thumbs-way-way-up/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/30/ofcom-gives-cellphone-use-on-planes-the-big-thumbs-way-way-up/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/30/ofcom-gives-cellphone-use-on-planes-the-big-thumbs-way-way-up/#comments
Prepare to be annoyed -- well maybe prepare to prepare to be annoyed is more fitting -- as Ofcom, the UK telecom regulator thinks flying and talking is fine for UK-registered aircraft. The technology will rely on a pico cell on the aircraft -- that's activated once the plane passes through 10,000 feet -- that links you up to the rest of the telecom world via satellite. Of course, (un)fortunately roadblocks still exist, as any airlines that want on board will need to have any equipment installed on aircraft checked out by the European Aviation Safety Agency. We love all things cell, as some may have noticed, but we shudder a wee bit at the prospect of being stuck next to a loud talker for a long-haul international red-eye. Non-talking section anybody?

[Via textually.org]

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Ofcom gives cellphone use on planes the big thumbs way, way up originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonein flightin flight callingInFlightInFlightCallingmobilepicoplaneSun, 30 Mar 2008 15:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Qantas bringing in-flight SMS and email coming to all AU domestic flights]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/qantas-bringing-in-flight-sms-and-email-coming-to-all-au-domesti/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/qantas-bringing-in-flight-sms-and-email-coming-to-all-au-domesti/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/qantas-bringing-in-flight-sms-and-email-coming-to-all-au-domesti/#comments
It's been two years since we first heard that Qantas was bringing in-flight email and SMS to its fleet, and after a lengthy testing period, it looks like it's finally happening. The last set of test flights wrapped up in January, and allowing people to check in on the status of their Nigerian money transfers and send R U HERE texts apparently didn't cause any major problems, so the airline is moving to bring the tech to all Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 flights in Australia. Voice service still isn't in the cards, but considering how long it's taking to get any of this tech off the ground in the States, we'll take what we can get.

[Thanks, Chris]

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Qantas bringing in-flight SMS and email coming to all AU domestic flights originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in flightin flight callingin flight callsInFlightInFlightCallingInFlightCallsmessagingmobileqantasThu, 20 Mar 2008 20:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Qantas bringing in-flight SMS and email to all AU domestic flights]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/qantas-bringing-in-flight-sms-and-email-coming-to-all-au-domesti/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/qantas-bringing-in-flight-sms-and-email-coming-to-all-au-domesti/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/qantas-bringing-in-flight-sms-and-email-coming-to-all-au-domesti/#comments
It's been two years since we first heard that Qantas was bringing in-flight email and SMS to its fleet, and after a lengthy testing period, it looks like it's finally happening. The last set of test flights wrapped up in January, and allowing people to check in on the status of their Nigerian money transfers and send R U HERE texts apparently didn't cause any major problems, so the airline is moving to bring the tech to all Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 flights in Australia. Voice service still isn't in the cards, but considering how long it's taking to get any of this tech off the ground in the States, we'll take what we can get.

[Thanks, Chris]

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Qantas bringing in-flight SMS and email to all AU domestic flights originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emailin flight callingin-flightin-flight cellphoneIn-flightCellphoneInFlightCallingqantassmsThu, 20 Mar 2008 20:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe closer to allowing in-flight cellphone use]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/europe-closer-to-allowing-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/europe-closer-to-allowing-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/europe-closer-to-allowing-in-flight-cellphone-use/#comments
The dream of being able to annoy everyone around you at 30,000 feet inched ever closer to reality today, with EU regulators recommending that member states approve a plan to allow in-flight cell phone use. Although previous studies have shown cell radios may interfere with in-flight nav systems, the new plan involves mounting a satellite-linked "pico cell" in the passenger compartment, which will allow pilots and flight crew to selectively enable cell services like voice and SMS. Unfortunately, the system only supports 2G connections, but if its successful, officials say it can be upgraded to 3G. Rollout is dependent on both individual countries and airlines approving the tech, but hopefully we'll be chatting away soon.

[Via Switched]

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Europe closer to allowing in-flight cellphone use originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in flightin flight callingin-flightin-flight cell phoneIn-flightCellPhoneInFlightInFlightCallingmobileThu, 18 Oct 2007 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe closer to allowing in-flight cellphone use]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/europe-closer-to-allowing-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/europe-closer-to-allowing-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/18/europe-closer-to-allowing-in-flight-cellphone-use/#comments
The dream of being able to annoy everyone around you at 30,000 feet inched ever closer to reality today, with EU regulators recommending that member states approve a plan to allow in-flight cell phone use. Although previous studies have shown cell radios may interfere with in-flight nav systems, the new plan involves mounting a satellite-linked "pico cell" in the passenger compartment, which will allow pilots and flight crew to selectively enable cell services like voice and SMS. Unfortunately, the system only supports 2G connections, but if its successful, officials say it can be upgraded to 3G. Rollout is dependent on both individual countries and airlines approving the tech, but hopefully we'll be chatting away soon.

[Via Switched]

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Europe closer to allowing in-flight cellphone use originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in flightin flight callingin-flightin-flight cell phoneIn-flightCellPhoneInFlightInFlightCallingThu, 18 Oct 2007 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[US in-flight calling can't catch a break, ruled out for "foreseeable future"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/#commentsAs the long-running fight for US in-flight calling (or the lack thereof) rages on, it seems that we're finally getting a definitive answer on the matter -- for the time being, of course. According to Telegraph Travel, Les Dorr, of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), stated that "proposals to lift the ban on in-flight mobiles had caused such an outcry [that] they had been dropped." Furthermore, it was noted that aviation authorities had "ruled out the use of mobile phones on planes for the foreseeable future." Unfortunately, there was little exaggeration beyond that, but it seems that in-flight calling on US flights is on hiatus for the time being.

[Via Textually]

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US in-flight calling can't catch a break, ruled out for "foreseeable future" originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>faafccin flight callingin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightCallingmobileregulationsregulatoryMon, 08 Oct 2007 08:42:00 EST<![CDATA[US in-flight calling can't catch a break, ruled out for "foreseeable future"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/#commentsAs the long-running fight for US in-flight calling (or the lack thereof) rages on, it seems that we're finally getting a definitive answer on the matter -- for the time being, of course. According to Telegraph Travel, Les Dorr, of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), stated that "proposals to lift the ban on in-flight mobiles had caused such an outcry [that] they had been dropped." Furthermore, it was noted that aviation authorities had "ruled out the use of mobile phones on planes for the foreseeable future." Unfortunately, there was little exaggeration beyond that, but it seems that in-flight calling on US flights is on hiatus for the time being.

[Via Textually]

Filed under: ,

US in-flight calling can't catch a break, ruled out for "foreseeable future" originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>faafccin flight callingin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightCallingregulationsregulatoryMon, 08 Oct 2007 08:42:00 EST