Medeviewer VS IFE?
posted on
Nov 17, 2005 08:38AM
Well it seems that the adventure with digEplayer is going to be low key once the embedded/wireless IFE gets built into the planes. Not that there won`t be a need for them on smaller planes and less financially able airlines. But the bulk of the IFE seems to be heading to the embedded and wireless for the big carriers. And that is OK to the extent that EDIG can make some money on the digEplayer thru Wencor or RWM. I don`t know if EDIG is going to be involved with the embedded of any carrier.But the potential exists for things to change over and over, as some pointed out. But the more interesting thing to me and point that leaves me with some hope is the Medeviewer, and here is why. The product is portable and for people on the move. IFE is for a captive audience and therefore limited. Not that if EDIG scored all that audience I would be disappointed, because that is a big audience.And those selling any IFE can make money selling a product. But the mobile audience is far bigger. And I will say it again that the medeviewer could be taken onto plane like cell phone or luggage or laptop and then who needs IFE. Given the record of the airlines, installing IFE will be a looser in the long run because most people in a few years will have a personal phone/computer/video/appliance that will be like a watch has become over the last 75 years. If airlines are going to be charging for IFE in a few years when it is all installed few will want to use it because they will bring their own. Airlines may provide some sort of connection or a larger screen. Of course this is all my humble opinion and if EDIG will get a big part of the portable market only time will tell.