Prepare for a little ``wild speculation``. When I read this article and description of the coming Panasonic PMP, I can`t help but think that with a little massaging, it could be describing the ``enhanced digEplayer``. All the same attributes in an already proven device. Here`s that description slightly altered to make the point:

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The first PMP to see the light of day will feature a 7in screen, an integrated credit-card reader and a graphical user interface able to support advertising and airline branding. Larger screen sizes and added functionality are to be introduced next year (an embedded version with an 8.5 inch screen has been demo`d).

Industry observers suggest that APS/Wencor’s digEplayer offers a device capable of communicating wirelessly (via ethernet) with a head-end server on the aircraft. This would allow PMP to provide not only entertainment playback but also interactive functions such as data communications and inflight shopping.

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Could it be? Not likely, but maybe with a slight stretch of the imagination. Panasonic could have mimicked the digE, or saved the research/development/testing/evaluation/certification costs, as well as dealing with the studios, and done some technology licensing, allowing them to just plug in the specs on their manufacturing equipment and let `er rip. License from EDIG (and maybe Ittiam), DivX (if necessary - supposed to be open source) and maybe Wencor/APS if necessary (and if lucrative enough, I can`t see where they`d pass it up - income with zero hassles, while offering virtually the same thing themselves at a probable lower cost to airline. Offer your own, and actually make money when a viable competitor beats you out, along with your other competitors!).

But, this probably makes too much sense and is way too easy and logical to have been actually done..... But if I were Panasonic, it`s what I would have done. Did I mention speed to market?! LOL

Unfortunately, good solid reasoning and plain common sense are rarely the foundation of big business. These days, big business is more about internal politics and control; solid reasoning and common sense be damned.

And I KNOW nuttin`! (on the wild speculation), but KNOW sumtin` about current big business internal ops (which was a big reason why I ``dropped out``).

SGE