An Eyewitness Account!
DTI, the inflight gaming & entertainment software house in Montreal has landed a big fish. We wondered when someone in our line of work would do so. Accordingly, interactive IFE will now get some of the best travel content ever. First, if you dont know DTI, check out their website. They cut their teeth on IFE gaming software and are now branching out into interactive entertainment, travel and information on airborne platforms. They have established a deal with Dorling Kinsersly, the DK people who have developed an incredible printed books called “Eyewitness” which encompass general knowledge, interesting places and and intriguing things. Classy stuff.
History has shown that inflight interactive guides, especially travel, were met with ho-hum acceptance by passengers probably because of hardware, and the software. No doubt, DTI was aware of this and chose to change the paradigm. With greater capability in todays IFE systems, DTI elected to go ahead and key off the best printed travel (and other subject) guides available , by DK, and design a product around it. The first products is “DK Essential Manager”, and we also understand a general interest Eyewitness Series product (Great for kids and adults who love to learn) is also available now. The fantastic Dorling Kindersly Eyewitness Travel Guides translated for IFE will come along later this year. The image content of DK books is the driver here and and since IFE is a visual media, the Eyewitness Series is perfect for travel or general interest. Today there are well over 121 in the non-travel Eyewitness Series and over 50 city and regional travel guides. The first DTI product, as we mentioned, is flying on Swiss today and we are told there are other customers in the wings. As a matter of fact, we see value in these off the plane, if you get our drift.
For you travelers and speaking of digital guides, there are also IPOD Applications developed by DK as well, but we are told when the DTI/DK Travel Series debuts later this year, it will be much content richer and more akin to the printed travel guides. Check out the YouTube link and see if these little applications make sense for your IPOD or IPHONE but look for the interactive DTI product on your next flight.
The line has blurred between Inflight entertainment (IFE) and Inflight connectivity (IFC). Inflight Internet will soon be as ubiquitous to fliers as Sky Mall and carriers will be integrating it with their own IFE systems for passengers to buy movies, stream music and order snacks - all at the click of a button.”
