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The future of air travel includes giant seatback displays
Airlines are increasingly embracing mobile devices for in-flight entertainment, and for a good reason -- a tablet is usually much nicer than the cramped, crude seatback systems you normally deal with. Thales thinks the industry can do better, though. It just previewed an in-flight entertainment system, Digital Sky, whose prototype gives each passenger a massive 21.3-inch touchscreen. The portrait orientation leads to some wasted space when you're watching videos, but it can do things that aren't realistic on tinier displays, like serving up the airline's magazine or highlighting things to do at your destination.
Virgin America's in-flight entertainment will run on Android
To call most in-flight entertainment systems old and crusty would be generous when even the more advanced systems typically pale in comparison to your laptop or tablet. Virgin America might just narrow that gap, though. It's rolling out a beta version of its Red seatback platform that runs Android on a multi-touch screen, much like many mobile devices. The modern input gives you more sophisticated flight maps and games than you're used to seeing in mid-air -- you can play Pac-Man while you're waiting for your meal, if you like. The devices also have three times as much storage as before, which will let you watch 720p videos including Netflix staples like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.
