Via wins big Singapore Air Linux deal

SINGAPORE Airlines is to install a PC running Red Hat Linux operating system in every seat on its newest A380 superjumbo.

According to Network World, the system consists of a central Linux server that connects to a network of PCs installed under every seat on the aircraft.

Each economy-class seat will be fitted with a 10.6-inch LCD screen that offers resolution of 1,280 pixels by 768 pixels. Of course the screen is much larger in business, 15.4-inch, and first class which will have a 23-inch screen.

Passengers can choose to watch a movie or listen to a CD, which is streamed from the central server to the seat's computer.

Each seat has 40G bytes of hard-drive and will use a Via processor.

It means that each passenger will have access to 100 movies, 150 television shows, 700 music CDs, 22 radio stations, and 65 games on a flight.

It will also run Star Office and passengers can connect to the PC using a USB to take the novel they write on those long flights to New Zealand with them.

More here. µ