Don`t mean to rile you, Paul, but it still seems to me that the current portable digE could be easily set up to ADD some type of gambling features. I`m talking interactive, one-on-one gambling (like slots, backjack, poker as found in casinos). It`s got the touch screen, it`s got the credit card reader...all you`d have to add is the small bit of added software. Your play goes against your credit card, and if you win, they credit your card account.

Just an added function, mind you. The gamblers are satisfied and the adult non-gamblers are entertained, along with their screaming kids.

While I totally agree that intro (by someone) of a gambling-only device would hurt us, I have a rough time believing that an airline would go with a gambling-only device (except maybe O`Leary). The whole idea with IFE (up until digE) was simply just keep most people entertained (with digE they actually make money too). How many passengers would use the gambling-only device, and just how do you keep everybody else entertained? While they`d make money, the objective would not be met.

But, with a do-all digE, they would meet the basic IFE objective, and reap the gambling rewards at the same time, with same device, and same logistics (since credit card info will be transmitted anyway).

Do you have a problem with this?

If not, in your spare time, fix that whole gambling in air space problem, will ya? LOL

Again brings thoughts of major trans-continental airlines and international waters.... Just don`t hand out digEs until you over the water, and collect them before sighting land. Or, better yet, use the ethernet to enable/disable the gambling function remotely, at the appropriate times. Seems with today`s tech, this could all be automated. Maybe even automated to the point where the device knows where you are and can record gambling activity over the various countries/states, charging the card appropriately (based on ethernet updates), and isolating any gambling fees/taxes owed.

Certainly, if a techno-novice like me has worked this out, it can be done and EDIG has thought of it. This would also resolve, to a large extent, the air space problem (so you can stand down! LOL).

But I KNOW nuttin`!

SGE