In our everyday life, we are more and more dependent on our gadgets.
We need bigger screens, faster internet and every information, new functions, interactivity...
... and all of these 24/7, on the go.
We need bigger screens, faster internet and every information, new functions, interactivity...
... and all of these 24/7, on the go.
The technologies are getting better, but the airlines' fleet are slowly changing their facilities. Many of the long-haul (or even mid-range or short) flight airplanes are sporting a small (touch)screen with very basic functions and oldschool GUI. Is that really enough for us to feel entertained for a 5-10 hours of flying in 2013? I would definitely say NO.
Of course there are airlines out there using state-of-the-art technologies in IFE, like Emirates' relatively huge HD touchscreens or Qantas using iPads instead of built-in technologies, but generally this industry seems to be so high and dry compared to other gadgets "on the ground".
Weaknesses of the oldschool IFEs:
● Small screen sizes
● Not-so-interesting, not-so-intuitive GUIs
● Most of them are still offline
● Lack of basic functions that we are used to on our phone/smart TV/ tablet
● Might not be ergonomic/easily accessible to all of us: think of small children, people with visual impairments or disabled people, who would and could use the IFE but its position is not really suitable for them
● Not-so-interesting, not-so-intuitive GUIs
● Most of them are still offline
● Lack of basic functions that we are used to on our phone/smart TV/ tablet
● Might not be ergonomic/easily accessible to all of us: think of small children, people with visual impairments or disabled people, who would and could use the IFE but its position is not really suitable for them
I insisted on mixing seatback screen with a tablet's advantages which is not a "rooted" iPad.
IFE iPads' interfaces are still relying on given iOS elements and functions (e.g. the "slide to unlock" thing) which I wanted to pass over in this task. Plus there were some other issues (What do you do if you brought your own iPad with yourself but you have one built-in case on the seatback, and the two tablets have different information? If it's a tablet, shall we turn it off for take-off and landing, just like normal electronic devices? What to keep and what to change from an original iOS interface so that Apple-users and non-applers will both intuitively use it? Is that a matter of fact anyway? Is it better if thats an Android-based system? Etc.) So this time I designed an independent IFE GUI, but probably the future is bringing our own devices and integrating it on-demand with the onboard system.
IFE iPads' interfaces are still relying on given iOS elements and functions (e.g. the "slide to unlock" thing) which I wanted to pass over in this task. Plus there were some other issues (What do you do if you brought your own iPad with yourself but you have one built-in case on the seatback, and the two tablets have different information? If it's a tablet, shall we turn it off for take-off and landing, just like normal electronic devices? What to keep and what to change from an original iOS interface so that Apple-users and non-applers will both intuitively use it? Is that a matter of fact anyway? Is it better if thats an Android-based system? Etc.) So this time I designed an independent IFE GUI, but probably the future is bringing our own devices and integrating it on-demand with the onboard system.
My IFE:
● Big touchscreen (multi-touch with the common gestures)
● Colorful, not dull interfaces
● Online connection available
● Basic functions were involved from gadgets, such as alarm, chat, news, adding items to favorites.
● Can be taken out of seatback dock: If you haven't brought your own gadget, you can use this IFE as a handheld device. But it's ok to leave in the dock if you have a tablet or notebook with you which you can use on the foldable seatback desk. Don't forget that children and elder ones can take it out of the dock for a better experience.
● Can be controlled from amrest as well, and that's the place of earphone plug-in too
Not all of the screenshots are published here.
After the system has loaded, you can start the IFE with a tap anywhere on the screen.
Passenger's name would be generated automatically from the check-in data. But for privacy reasons the name can't be seen earlier on the screen (e.g when you have boarded and looking for your seat).
In the chat section, the shown name is changeable.
Passenger's name would be generated automatically from the check-in data. But for privacy reasons the name can't be seen earlier on the screen (e.g when you have boarded and looking for your seat).
In the chat section, the shown name is changeable.
After setting the basic settings, a quick animated tour shows how to use the screen and what are the functions. In real it would be animated showing only one feature at a time.
