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Boeing's laser-equipped 747-400F ready for testing
It looks like scenes from Independence Day and Star Wars may not be so futuristic after all, especially considering Boeing's recent unveiling of its heavily modified (and laser-equipped) 747-400F. Following the recent "first light" phase on its ATL-packin' C-130H, the "airborne laser (ABL) aircraft" was officially introduced at a ceremony in the firm's integrated defense systems facility in Wichita, and it was announced that all systems were go for "testing." Even the branch's director, General Henry Obering III, threw in a Skywalker reference as he insinuated that the forthcoming plane represented "the forces of good," and unleashing it was akin to "giving the American people their first light saber." Just be careful where you bust that bad boy out, Mr. Obering. [Via FARK]
Boeing's Advanced Tactical Laser to take out ground targets
While ground-based lasers might provide some semblance of security, what any science fiction fan really wants is aircraft-mounted lasers to take out evildoers whilst patrolling the skies. Fortunately for the American military, that day may come sooner than one might think. Late last week, Boeing announced the "first light" of its "high-energy chemical laser in ground tests, achieving two key milestones in the laser gunship development effort." In other words, the new "Advanced Tactical Laser" can pretty much take out anything on the ground (and we assume eventually in the sky as well). The best part? The laser is scalable, "meaning the weapon operator will be able to select the degree and nature of the damage done to a target by choosing a specific aimpoint and laser shot duration. For example, targeting the fuel tank of a vehicle could result in total destruction of the vehicle, while targeting a tire might result in the vehicle stopping without injury to the driver." Now that's freakin' sweet.
Connexion by Boeing to be free until Dec. 31
We'd really love to have affordable, ubiquitous internet access while airborne. Sadly, with the announcement two months ago of the unplugging of Connexion by Boeing by the end of the year, that day seems farther and farther away. Sure, ASiQ's (or Panasonic's) service may be coming up in the future, but we'd like to see something a little more immediate and a little less expensive. Luckily for us, Boeing will be making the last two and a half months of its service available for free -- so we'd like to tip our hats to our Seattle and Chicago-based friends for having such a classy exit strategy.[Via MobileRead]
Sims on a plane
Electronic Arts is working with Pogo.com -- purveyor of casual internet games -- and in-flight entertainment company DTI Software to expand its dominance into the air. Even on flights, the jabbering tone of Simlish will pull you away from loved ones, sleep, and work. DTI expects The Sims 2 and a handful of Pogo's games will be added to its in-flight service by Q3 2007. Specific rollout will relate to individual airlines, but DTI tells us that it expects the games to be offered on portable media players throughout the cabins. These games are often free, but pricing will also be determined by carriers. Most of all, we want to play our DS Wi-Fi in the air, but Boing's Boeing's Connexion has recently been shelved. While other WiFi options might fill that market, we like seeing these casual games offered to people who don't travel with handhelds. Anything that gets gaming exposed to non-gamers seems good.
Panasonic to salvage Connexion for own in-flight use?
For those of you a-feared of losing your in-flight internets due to Boeing's recent decision to shutter their Connexion service, it looks like there could be more hope on the horizon. Turns out Panasonic is going to give it a shot, with their new service that bumps speeds to 12Mbps/3Mbps from Boeing's weak-sauce 5Mbps/1Mbps, and can be easily deployed in planes already prepped for Connexion. In order to have a sizable rollout, and to make sure existing Connexion users aren't left high and dry, Panasonic has set a 60-day deadline for airlines to sign up 500 planes to the service -- they have 150 committed so far. Along with improved speeds, Panasonic is using some cheaper and more compact equipment, and they hope to pass those savings along to the airlines with a wholesale rate comparable to terrestrial access. Whether that means cheaper prices for users remains to be seen -- we're not holding our breath.[Via Techdirt]
ASiQ looking to fill the Connexion void
Just because Boeing decided to pull the plug on its Connexion service doesn't mean in-flight broadband has been grounded for good, with a company called ASiQ now promising to step in and fill the wireless void. ASiQ -- who recently revealed plans for allowing consumers to use their regular cellphones while flying -- has just announced an upcoming package based on an Inmarsat broadband link that will supposedly cost airlines just $5 to $15 to operate per flight (depending on the size of the aircraft) over a five year lease, meaning users should benefit from much lower fees than the typical $27 Boeing was charging for long-haul international trips. ASiQ will initially show off its attractively-priced system at Miami's World Airlines Entertainment Association conference and exhibition in mid-September, and plans to begin rolling out the commercial service sometime next year. We'll have to wait and see if the supposedly-lower infrastructure costs actually translate to cheap service for consumers, but if we can get our mid-air WiFi on for like five or ten bucks a flight, well, we can certainly envision this project really, um, "taking off."[Via Geekzone]
Boeing disconnecting Connexion
Business travelers -- especially those who regularly fly long-haul international routes -- are not gonna be happy about this one: after reviewing the long-term sustainability of its in-flight Connexion broadband service and reportedly seeking buyers to take over the money-losing operation, Boeing has finally decided to simply scrap the service and exit the nascent market. Citing lack of interest in its pricey offering, company Chairman, President, and CEO Jim McNerney opined that "we believe this decision best balances the long-term interests of all parties with a stake in Connexion by Boeing;" though by "all parties," he probably wasn't including our many commenters who reportedly enjoyed the ability to web surf and get their WOW-on miles above the Earth. Although the news is obviously bad for investors (benefits from the lack of further investment in the service won't initially outweigh the additional charges the company now expects to recognize this year), at least "the majority of Connexion employees" will reportedly be able to find jobs elsewhere in the organization. It still seems pretty clear that there's some demand out there for in-flight communication options (well, not if you ask Verizon), but unfortunately for Boeing, being an early adopter in this market just didn't pan out.[Via the::unwired]
Boeing looking to sell/scrap Connexion?
After several years of unsuccessfully attempting to coax people into surfing the Internet for a fee instead of sleeping during their international flights, it looks like Boeing has finally given up and started seeking buyers for its Connexion service, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal (subscription required, as usual). While the company had high hopes for the pricey offering (it costs $27 to stay connected for a full flight) when it was announced in April 2000, the lack of adoption by US carriers -- only a handful of foreign airlines such as Lufthansa, Air China, and El Al have installed the necessary equipment -- combined with the lukewarm reception from passengers have convinced Boeing to ditch the service at all costs. The Journal reports that three satellite firms are negotiating to either buy the division outright or become major partners, but if the parties involved are unable to come to an agreement, Boeing is apparently willing to simply dump the service altogether, according to someone familiar with the talks. Still, even if Boeing does decide to drop the ax, this certainly won't be the last you'll hear about in-flight broadband, as airlines have shown that they'll do whatever they can to squeeze a few more bucks out of you after you've already shelled out for your ticket. Headphone rental fee, anyone?[Via MobileRead]
