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Moogfest celebrates music and the machines that make it
The synth-heavy Moogfest at SXSW (the main event is in May) is scheduled during the overlap of the festival's Interactive and Music tracks. That makes sense, because it's the perfect combination of music and technology. The pulsing tones of a synthesizer are born of musicians hunched over circuit boards and schematics, soldering and cutting, trying to get a sound that's just right. At the Austin club Cheer Up Charlies, Moogfest (rhymes with vogue) booked not only some amazing bands but also some folks who have taken their love of sine waves and created a business.
The government insists airlines replace WiFi-allergic cockpit displays
A fleet of 737s and 777s are definitely in line for an upgrade, now that the Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines to replace their cockpits' displays with ones not vulnerable to WiFi signals. Let's go back a few years to understand what's going on here. See, back when the use of wireless internet aboard airplanes was only just starting to take off, Boeing conducted a test, which discovered that WiFi signals affected 737 and 777 cockpit displays. These screens, which showed pilots important flight data such as altitude and airspeed, flickered and even blanked out completely in the presence of WiFi. In one particular bad test run, the screen remained blank for a full six minutes.
Boeing 747-8, 777 to join 787 in support for in-flight cellphone use and WiFi, like it or not
The more cynical among us would argue that allowing cellphones in-flight is only a guarantee of an even more unpleasant trip, at least for anyone wanting a distraction-free cabin. There must still be a few optimists: Boeing is promising that future production runs of the 747-8 and 777 will have the necessary support for in-flight cellphone use, live TV and internet access that comes through either headrest screens or WiFi. Aircraft with the upgrade should roll off the production lines before the end of 2013, and they'll be following a slight change to the 787 later this year that makes the technology support a common option. Some of us may wind up reaching for the earplugs in countries where regulators approve in-air wireless, but there's definite upsides for all but the biggest curmudgeons -- Boeing's moves could lead to more ubiquitous in-flight WiFi next year, on top of ready-made wireless media streaming due in 2014.
American Airlines becomes first FAA-friendly carrier to use iPads through whole flights
You don't have to wait for an FAA rethink to use your iPad on an airliner below 10,000 feet -- if you're part of an American Airlines crew, that is. As of this month, the air carrier is the first cleared by the FAA to use iPads in the cockpit at every point during a flight. The program starts just with Boeing 777 pilots at first, but it should eventually grow to save $1.2 million in weight-related fuel costs per year across the airline, not to mention a few trees and the strain of 35-pound flight bags. American is confident enough in the tablet switchover that it plans to stop handing out any paper updates to its charts and manuals as of January, just days after its entire fleet gets the regulatory nod for iPads at the end of this year. We just wouldn't anticipate Android or Windows tablet rollouts anytime soon. American isn't opposed to the concept, but it's only promising that slates beyond the iPad will be "evaluated for use" if and when the FAA applies its rubber stamp.
Spilled coffee in 777 cockpit leads to inadvertent hijack warning, FAA-mandated sippy cups look likely
If you've ever spilled coffee on a piece of electronics, maybe a keyboard or even a laptop, spare a thought for the pilot of United Airlines flight 940, outbound from Chicago and heading to Frankfurt. Not long after takeoff the pilot apparently dumped a cup of Joe onto the communications panel in the cockpit and things rapidly went downhill from there. The crew inadvertently sent a code 7500, which indicates that the plane is being hijacked and, as you can imagine, that led to a lot of unwanted attention. It's not clear whether the equipment malfunctioned and sent the code or the pilot, likely struggling with a scalded lap, fat-fingered things on the panel. Either way, the flight diverted to Toronto and, rather tragically, the passengers were all sent back to Chicago to try again the next day.
InFocus drops the price on the still kickin' SP777
InFocus is keeping the award winning ScreenPlay 777 around just a bit longer with a price drop to $9,999.99. (Previous price drop lowered it to $12,999) We were kind of hoping that they would announce a successor to the venerable 720p DarkChip3 projector. This projector really is sweet and all, but it;s been around for a while and we just want a refresher. It;s not even that it's 720p cause around here we don't fall for all that 1080p hoopl, but it would have been nice to see the same quality contrast and colors with the option of a higher resolution. Even still, the projector is an amazing unit and we would venture to say that is now the best projector for under $10 grand. (period)
InFocus @ CEDIA - Screenplay 777 & IN78EX
The Screenplay 777 is nothing new but the projector just commands attention and we complied. It is such a beautiful 3-chip projector that is in a league of its own when it boils down to style and class. Don't expect to put the unit on a end-table though as it is simply too big for that. The big news from InFocus is the new 720p IN78EX DarkChip3 powered projector. By slightly reworking the cabinet from the 76 model and obvisouly throwing in the newer DarkChip3, InFocus has a winner on their hands. The demo they showed us in their pleasantly cool (a good 10-degrees cooler then the trade floor) theater consisted of a pre-record NFL game and The Island high-def trailer that look great. In the world that is CEDIA, this projector held its own and thanks to the DarkChip3 demonstrated astounding black levels. The demo switched to the HD DVD release of Saraha for the Screenplay 777 and even though this three-chip DLP had better detail, it just didn't have the same blacks as the newer and cheaper IN78EX. If you don't fall for all the 1080p marketing hype, this $4,499 720p projector might make its way into your home theater. And, yes, this projector might just look better then the Sony Pearl.Click on for another look at the 777 and inside their theater.
