Looks like new eVU embedded system and MEZZO IFE still a secret and not even mentioned in following press release ?

AIX ’08 is just around the corner. Located in Hamburg, Germany on 1 – 3 April 2008 this year’s venue will have 500 exhibiting companies from 27 countries. The In-Flight Entertainment segment has grown once again with 84 IFE companies pre-registered with exhibition space.

The buzzwords this year for IFE are clearly lightweight and connectivity. Here are a few sneak peeks from some of our IFE and Communication colleagues:

1. Panasonic’s eX2 light weight IFE hardware is boasting a 30% – 40% reduction in weight over competitive systems (think fuel burn) while increasing functionality two to three X.
2. Rockwell Collins is promoting dPAVES – a digital version of PAVES. The upgraded system uses 75% less power while delivering a 70% reduction in weight...not to mention utilizing 85% less space than its predecessor.
3. IMS will be present with their portable in-flight entertainment offering with new technology for high-speed content loading as well as their next generation Terminal Data Loader. IMS is riding a crest of a 25% revenue increase in 2007, a year where the company doubled their number of airline customers using their portable entertainment solutions.
4. Those clever folks from the Isle of Wight will have IFPL’s multimedia docking station on display. The docking station allows passengers to use their iPod, Zune, DVD player, or MP4 player to access the onboard IFE.
5. ARINC will have the new Onboard Internet (Oi) at AIX. This is a customizable web portal, enabling the onboard traveler to surf the web, send email and view the latest news highlights on their laptops. Oi does not require the user to install any special software to use the product offering.
6. Row 44 will be present with their range of communication products. They are scheduled to start a satellite delivered broadband Internet test with Southwest Airlines this summer.
7. OnAir will also be exhibiting. Air France is currently executing a 6-month trial of OnAir’s onboard mobile telephony system that allows passengers to use their own cell phones for SMS messages and voice calls at cruising altitude.

This is just a miniscule sampling of all there is to see at this show. We recommend you get on the Internet now and book your flight and hotel to Hamburg for this event – it is not to be missed!