Just found this....June 27, 2004 - THE handheld IFE market continues to develop a head of steam, with General Dynamics and IMS announcing further details of product ranges designed to challenge the pioneering APS digEplayer.
General Dynamics plans to make its YES! Solo available from early next year. Described as the first and most portable member of a family of products, the handheld Solo is designed to offer passengers a choice of pre-loaded films, audio and Windows-based games. Powered by battery or GD's in-seat Empower, it has optional 10.4in and 8.4in XGA displays and an 80GB ruggedised hard drive. Weight with extended-life battery is 3lb.
IMS' PC notebook-based Pea (Personal Entertainment Appliance) may come in as many as three sizes: standard, mini and, possibly, premium. IMS says the variations are designed to accommodate varying airline requirements and have as much to do with the space available for the Pod docking station as with functionality and space at the seat. The standard and mini versions would be used either in all cabins or in economy only, while the premium would offer extra functionality for business and first-class.
The standard Pea will weigh 4.5lb and have a 10.5in XGA TFT screen, 40-60GB hard drive and in-seat or battery power, the latter offering up to 10hr of continuous use. Functions include MPEG-4 video, MP3 audio, embedded decryption and digital rights management, with optional 802.11b/g wireless connectivity and credit-card reader.
Weighing 3.5lb, mini-Pea will have an 8.9in XGA TFT touchscreen, 30-60GB hard drive, in-seat power or a battery allowing 9hr of continuous use, and functionality and options similar to those of the standard version.
Final specifications for the premium version are in development.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AI
