APEX: Next generation of IFEC to be driven by Android

Speaking at the APEX conference in Long Beach, California both Panasonic Avionics and Thales said the Android system will form the basis of their new systems and that this would create numerous opportunities for new software applications for airlines

Thales is launching a touch passenger media unit (TouchPMU) that is designed to act as a stand-alone media access device as well as a controller for its TopSeries i8000 IFEC system and its new, as-yet-unnamed fourth generation (4G) IFEC system, which will be launched on Qatar Airways' Boeing 787s before the end of 2011.

Speaking at APEX   yesterday Alan Pellegrini, head of Thales In-flight Entertainment told Air Transport Intelligence (ATI): "The TouchPMU will be able to host endless applications. Its mature, open source, web-based platform makes it easy to integrate functionality and leverage existing gaming and application resources."

According to Pellegrini, The first of Qatar's 787s will feature the i8000 platform, but the European technology firm is working hard to introduce the 4G platform - with Android operating system - on the airline's later 787 deliveries by 2013.

Thales said it is on schedule to make the system available to market by late 2012.

Panasonic is also pressing ahead with its Android-based IFEC platform plans and at the show has been demonstrating Android apps on the latest versions of its eX2 systems. The company said at APEX that it hoped to formally introduce the system before the end of   next year – ahead of the rival Thales.

According to industry specialists, ATI,  both manufacturers moving to Android will drive a paradigm shift in the IFEC industry.