Sams World: Boeing hitches Android to its 787 Dreamliner ride, powers in-flight options with Google juice

Friday, September 16, 2011

Boeing hitches Android to its 787 Dreamliner ride, powers in-flight options with Google juice

Looks like Boeing's decided to get in bed with Android a mile-high in the sky. The aerospace company has exclusively selected Google's mobile OS as the might behind its new class of 787 Dreamliners' in-flight entertainment. Currently in production jets, of which there are over 800 plus orders, will get outfitted with either a Panasonic or Thales model of the 7- to 17-inch screens. And in a strange twist of luxury privileges, first and business class passengers won't get to enjoy the touchscreen tech, as their monitors will be too large and too far out of reach. Instead, an alternate gesture-based control method is being explored by the company for elite travelers, although nothing's been solidified. Don't expect the planes to launch with the typical Android market experience, either -- apparently, "airline-specific apps" are on the way for the nascent fleets' launch. Now, if only they could replace those flight attendants with little green robots.

Boeing hitches Android to its 787 Dreamliner ride, powers in-flight options with Google juice originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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