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WAEA 24th Annual Conference & Exhibition
9-12 September 2003
Washington State Convention & Trade Center

WAEA ANNUAL CONFERENCE: NEWS BRIEFS - Key WAEA-Member/Industry News Emerging during the Conference Week

• Altobridge announced the development of a new SIM (subscriber identity module)-based solution that allows passengers to use the seat-back IFE system to make incoming and outgoing telephone calls, as well as mobile commerce transactions, without the need to transmit radio signals within the cabin.
  
  
• Connexion by Boeing has signed an agreement with the Tokyo-based Space Communications Corporation (SCC) to lease transponder capacity on the company's SUPERBIRD-C satellite, providing Connexion with satellite coverage that supports the real-time, high-speed inflight communication service on Asia-to-Europe routes.
  
  
• Starling Advanced Communications unveiled its latest product, MIJET, an airborne antenna system that is capable of transmitting and receiving a Ku-band signal using a single, low-profile, top-mounted aperture.
  
  
• Innovative Media Solutions (IMS) and Formation, Inc. have formed a strategic alliance to offer turn-key content delivery and management products to the IFE industry and are introducing four new products at the Conference.
  
  
• Spafax received its first Telly statuette for the Delta Air Lines' Delta VJ animated sequence used as the opening graphic for the Delta Horizons music video programs.
  
  
• David Peterson has joined Matsushita Avionics Systems as Marketing Manager for the Oceania region. Previously he was General Manager for Stellar Inflight.
  
  
• Sue McKinney has joined Bravo! Entertainment as a partner to Geraldine Reilly. McKinney has held marketing positions at Honeywell, Revlon, and Bionaire.
  
  
• Northwest Airlines now allows passengers to use their cell phones to make calls and send and retrieve text messages during the aircraft's taxi to the gate after landing at US airports. Previously, passengers were not allowed to use their phones until the aircraft had reached the gate and the doors were opened.
  
  
• Rockwell Collins has begun upgrading users of its Airshow Network news and information service with the latest version of software, called P4, that improves overall connectivity of the Airshow Network and adds support for AirCell's onboard telephone system.
  
  
• Royal Brunei Airlines launched its new A319, equipped with power port connectors, 8.4-inch personal monitors, in-arm audio and video control units, electronically adjustable lumbar and a footrest in business class.
  
  
• SITA's AIRCOM two-way operational short messaging service (SMS) is now commercially available and enabled on both Matsushita Avionics Systems (MAS) and MORS/Rockwell Collins IFE systems.
  
  
• All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Boeing signed a letter of intent to install the Connexion by Boeing real-time connectivity service on its long-haul aircraft. ANA and Connexion are working closely to define the levels of services that will be offered and an installation schedule.
  
  
• Virgin Blue has selected Rockwell Collins' Programmable Audio Video Entertainment System (PAVES) IFE system and avionics equipment for 10 new Boeing 737 aircraft with an option for 40 additional aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2004.
  
  
• Alaska Airlines demonstrated APS digEplayer™, which uses portable video-on-demand technology to deliver a spectrum of IFE choices in a digital handheld device. Alaska will offer digEplayer™ units beginning in October on select transcontinental routes.
  
  
• General Dynamics Airborne Electronics Systems (GDAES) group introduced EMPOWER® YES!, a complete personal IFE system consisting of a powerfully equipped Tablet PC, with a 10.4-inch display, capable of storing and playing more than 28 feature films, 100 hours of stereo audio, video games, and supporting standard web browsing.
  
  
• Bose® is demonstrating its newest acoustic noise-cancelling® headphones, QuietComfort®2, which operates on a single battery and features a single, detachable cable allowing passengers to use the headphones for noise reduction if desired.
  
  
• KID-Systeme GmbH introduced the third-generation skypower, with new, universal outlets for more than 90 countries and more power per outlet.
  
  
• Matsushita Avionics Systems (MAS) unveiled eX2, its next-generation AVOD IFE system for wide-body aircraft. The system is scheduled to enter service on the Airbus A380 in second quarter 2006.
  
  
• Matsushita Avionics Systems' MASMedia is demonstrating In-Flight Communicator, iXplor, an enhanced version of Live Text News, and Connecting Gate.
  
  
• Rockwell Collins' entertainment services group, enCompass, has been selected by EVA Airways as their supplier of Hollywood content to be delivered through December 2004.
  
  
• Cinea, Inc. has entered into multi-year agreements with Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox to provide "key" management and related security services for IFE content.
  
  
• Innovative Media Solutions (IMS) and Cinea, Inc. announced Cinea Security Compliance™ will be a key feature of the IMS' family of content management solutions for the IFE market, a move supporting an end-to-end secure system.
  
  
• VPT Inc. has developed a "Stan, the Exercise Man" doll with elastic arms for stretching, a pouch for a water bottle, or toothbrush for all ages.
  
  
• One of Tenzing Communications Inc.'s main partners, PCCW NETVIGATOR, the largest ISP in Hong Kong, this week is launching marketing activities in support of PCCW NETVIGATOR (which includes Tenzing e-mail).
  
  
• KID-Systeme GmbH's SKYPower in-seat power system has been approved for all Boeing aircraft (except the 717), with first delivery to Japan Airlines.
  
  
• Thales Avionics Inc. has launched TOPEffects!TM, a new Group to manage application development, content integration and distribution, and secure data management for the Thales TOPSeriesTM cabin system platform.
  
  
• Discovery Channel receives eight Prime-time Emmy award nominations.
  
  
• Thales Avionics Inc. has completed all laboratory testing to qualify its TOPSeries i-400 on-demand IFE cabin system for use on Boeing 737, 757, 747, 767, and 777 aircraft. Lab test reports are currently under review by Boeing.
  
  
• EMS Technologies, Inc.'s Cabin Network XceleratorTM, a wide area network optimization device, can increase bandwidth up to 400% on EMS's family of high-speed data products.
  
  
• Bose®'s first-generation QuietComfort® noise-cancelling® headphone now is seat-powered with a new smaller box.
  
  
• ITS Electronics Inc. has received a license from The Boeing Company to manufacture and sell the Boeing Ku-Band Power Amplifier and Upconverter Assemblies.
  
  
• ARINC Inc. and Telenor Satellite Services have partnered, creating the world's largest alliance of aeronautical service providers.
  
  
• Miltope Group Inc. was awarded a contract for a cabin wireless (802.11b) LAN unit by Connexion by Boeing, enabling high-speed, secure, wireless network connectivity in flight.
  
  
• Ibises International Inc. and Global Aviation will jointly introduce inflight Internet connectivity options to complement the SkyMediaCenter (SMC3000) Infotainment System.
  
  
• Robert Crandall, former CEO of American Airlines, has joined AirCell, Inc. as Senior Advisor and Board Member. AirCell also has named Joe Cruz to the newly created position of V.P. of Network Technology and Development.
  
  
• KID-Systeme GmbH's SKYpower inseat power supply system will be installed on 17 Boeing 747-400s and 15 Boeing 777-200s for Malaysia Airlines in summer 2004.
  
  
• Sennheiser Electronic GmbH is in preproduction of a prototype wireless IFE headphone.
  
  
• Phitek Systems launched two new noise-cancellation headphones (models 2101 and 2201).
  
  
• Matsushita Avionics Systems Corp. (MAS) signed with Taiwan-based interactive game developer TWP Corp. to offer Asian games-including Mahjong, Poker, Chinese Chess, and "5-line"-inflight.
  
  
• MAS signed with General Dynamics (GD) allowing GD's inseat power system to be integrated into several MAS IFE systems, including System 3000, eFX and eX2.
  
  
• Inflight Canada, Inc. has been granted an STC by the FAA to use its patented iCACHE hardware installation method on B767 aircraft.
  
  
• Spafax has hired Dina Schultz, a leading consultant in digital entertainment.
  
  
• Thales Avionics, Inc. has hired T. Greg Miller as Director of Turnkey Maintenance and Steve Iverson as Director of Product Support for IFE Systems.
  
  
• Inflight Management Development Centre (IMDC) has released IFE Outlook 2003, its second biennial report on the IFE industry, including quantitative and qualitative market analysis. IMDC has also partnered with data capture/reporting specialists Innovative Media Solutions.
  
  
• Matsushita Avionics Systems Corporation (MAS) and FlightStore reached an agreement whereby the MAS maintenance services organization will download passenger transactions placed online via FlightStore's service during flight.