Travel

Fly the WiFi skies

Productivity on planes used to be limited to working on a PowerPoint presentation or document. Slowly, though, today’s frequent flyers are able to go online while in the air – and Aircell, the top provider of in-flight internet, has just made it a little easier.Plane

The company has expanded the pricing options for its GoGo services, which are available on select flights on Delta, United and American - and all Virgin America and AirTran flights. (Air Canada service will launch soon as well.)

Passengers lucky enough to be on one of the planes carrying the service now have the option to purchase passes for either short haul flights or a 24-hour pass (in case you’re doing a same-day return or will be making multiple connections).

The short haul pass will cost $5.95 and will cover flights lasting up to 1.5 hours. The 24-hour pass will run $12.95, but is currently only available on AirTran and Delta planes.

While distribution of in-flight internet is still limited, that’s changing. Delta plans to offer the service on over 300 planes by the end of the year, a move that may force competitors to increase their usage as well. 

Take a road trip with Homer Simpson

Admit it… that voice on your GPS gets old. The condescending way it says “recalculating” after you miss a turn? The harsh tone that seems to occasionally seep in when it tells you to “Turn right”?Homer

Maybe it’s time to replace it – with the dulcet tones of Homer Simpson. TomTom has unveiled a new voice skin putting the patriarch of the Simpsons household in charge of your navigation. It’ll cost you $12.95.

Sure, it’s a marketing gimmick, but with lines recorded by Dan Castellaneta, it’s a more entertaining way to get where you’re going. For example, “Take the third right. We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm…ice cream.”

Homer isn’t the first celebrity to lend his voice to navigation systems, of course. Everyone from Mr. T to John Cleese have offered skins. Kevin Carter, a TomTom spokesperson, said the most popular, by far, has been Mr. T. The company declined to give any sales numbers though.

Carter, though, says the company expects Homer to give the iconic “A-Team” brawler a run for his money.



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About

Chris Morris reports on the the intersection of Hollywood and technology, as well as the latest must-have consumer technology gadgets.
Tips and feedback are encouraged at chris.r.morris-at-gmail-com

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