[ Blog entry typed on Sep 08th and uploaded today ]
This blog entry is being typed on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ16 from Singapore to San Francisco using Sun’s StarOffice that is part of the in-flight software suite.
Once I boarded this Boeing 777, I am amazed. The seats are spacious, leg room is great and the personal LCD screen is big (12 inches). In addition to that, I spotted these video-in, USB and ethernet ports. Out of curiosity, i switched to the computing view and there it is, the familiar (on the desktop) view of StarOffice suite.
I knew that Singapore airlines started using StarOffice, but never realized that they got it to such a commodity level. It is great to see an office suite as part of the on-board computing infrastructure. Text entry is with the mini keyboard on the back of the remote and all files are stored on the USB stick.
Typing the text is not so easy but the mouse response is great. The monitor quality is same as my laptop. It is a great experience to be able to type blog entries on board the flight.
So what we are seeing here is an office suite appliance, that is sufficient to do lot of tasks for a traveller. The ideas can be documented there itself, the expenses can be documented in a spread sheet as opposed to on a paper. All this, even without opening the laptop and worrying about battery life.
Good job Singapore Airlines! I love this.