3rd UPDATE: Apple iPads To Feature On Qantas Unit Planes
October 18 2010 - 2:47AM
Dow Jones News
Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPad media tablet will soon be offered by
Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN.AU) to passengers on its Jetstar unit's
flights as the U.S. electronics giant eyes fresh opportunities with
corporate customers like the Australian carrier.
"We're in the final stages of putting in place what would be a
broader roll out across the network," a Jetstar spokesman told Dow
Jones Newswires on Monday. "We're in ongoing discussion with the
manufacturer around a more integrated network proposition."
In-flight entertainment could provide a new revenue stream for
Apple and rival media tablet makers such as Samsung Group, which
recently launched its Galaxy Tab hand-held unit to compete with the
iPad and Research In Motion Ltd.'s new Playbook. Gartner Inc.
expects media tablet sales to reach 19.5 million units this year
and to nearly triple by 2011. In the U.S. AT&T Inc. plans to
offer iPad WiFi and 3G models directly to businesses with a
discounted wireless data pricing plan in effort to drive corporate
business for the device.
A spokeswoman for Apple in Australia declined to comment.
The Cupertino, Calif-based company will announce fourth-quarter
results later Monday, with the computer maker closing the gap on
oil major Exxon Mobil Corp. as the largest listed company in the
U.S. Analysts on average expect earnings for Apple's fiscal fourth
quarter to rise 46.2%, compared with earnings a year ago adjusted
for an accounting change, to $4.05 a share, according to Thomson
Reuters.
Earlier this year, Apple said half of Fortune 100 companies
currently support or are testing iPads. The iPad, which analysts
expect to have sold 4.7 million units during the September quarter,
will be made available to passengers on domestic and long-haul
Jetstar flights after the device was successfully tested earlier
this year, the spokesman added.
During trials of iPads in June, passengers paid A$10 to use each
iPad device on flights after verifying their identification with
staff. Jetstar had said that it may roll the devices out "later in
the year". A Jetstar spokeswoman on Monday declined to specify the
launch date.
A Qantas spokesman said the airline has no plans to use iPads
across its network, adding that its international aircraft already
have individual seat back video screens. All new domestic aircraft
are also being delivered with in-seat systems, he said.
Australia's second biggest carrier Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd.
(VBA.AU) already has seat back video screens on its aircraft and
said it has no plans to use media tablets.
(Andrew Critchlow in Sydney contributed to this article.)
-By Ross Kelly, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-8272-4692;
Ross.Kelly@dowjones.com
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