Symbiotic relationship ensures IFE's continued survival

For years in-flight entertainment manufacturers have been staring down the irritating threat to their existence in the form of personal media players. IPods and MP3 have quickly been making in-flight entertainment (IFE) a thing of the past. After all, who really wants to watch the same film four times on that long haul flight to Oz? Exactly.

With the prospect of becoming an endangered species staring these manufacturers square in the eyes, they’ve decided to take on a role which is no longer competitive but companionable. In-flight entertainment manufacturers have made the leap in logic previously seen in smaller species that are staring down those big predators; symbiotic existence is king. Instead of trying to keep up with the latest technical advances they’ve decided to develop systems that support personal media players and therefore provide a better experience for passengers all over the world. Singapore airlines are the first to use these great products, just outmanoeuvring other major names at the last.

Audio and visual feeds are sent from the iPod to the IFE system, which in turn sends power to the iPod. So even better you’re iPod isn’t going to die during your flight. So, from this point onwards we could all be looking to great music, great movies and, with the developments of the eBook, great reads on our flights, no matter who we fly with or where we go.