Samsung partners Tune Box to develop new inflight solutions

Kuala Lumpur, September 26, 2011 – Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn. Bhd. (Samsung), leader in digital media convergence, is set to take to the skies through a new collaboration with Tune Box, the new digital media arm of Tune Group. Under the partnership, Tune Box will employ Samsung technology, including the Google Android-powered GALAXY tablets, for Inflight Entertainment (IFE) and Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications, leveraging on Samsung’s market leading mobile technology.

The plan will see the Samsung GALAXY tablets in passenger cabins as portable IFE devices. The tablets will be connected to the on-board cabin WiFi to deliver videos, music and interactive games to passengers. For EFB solutions, the Samsung GALAXY tablet technology will be used to bring innovation into the cockpit to help flight crews perform flight management tasks more easily and efficiently.

Tune Group Chairman and AirAsia X Director Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said: “We are continuously working on providing the best service and inflight experience for our guests and this partnership with Samsung will enable our passengers to experience a modern and innovative inflight entertainment experience. From this, we hope to boost customer satisfaction, remain at the forefront of technology, and grow our ancillary business.”

Class 3 EFB is an installed avionics system developed through stringent development, manufacturing and certification processes. It is a scalable system that features current and future capability and functionality crucial in meeting the growth of an airline's operational needs. A certified Class 3 EFB, which meets the strictest safety requirement for hardware and software, will enable connectivity to the aircraft systems and is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for use during flight. (Class 1 and 2 EFB devices are restricted and cannot be used during flight.)

Mr. Kwon Jae Hoon, Managing Director, Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn. Bhd. said, “Samsung is delighted to work with Tune Box. This enables us to achieve our goal to spearhead new innovations to revolutionise the aviation industry. The aviation industry is a tough proving ground for any technology but we are confident that by partnering Tune, we will be able to demonstrate the robustness of our products and solutions.”

“While also expanding our customer base, creating greater exposure for our products and enhancing customer’s inflight experiences, our partnership with Tune Group is well aligned with our corporate vision to expand our technologies into B2B solutions,” Mr. Kwon added.

Sami El Hadery, co-founder of Tune Box and also the company’s Chief Technical Officer, said: “We always look forward to working with the best in the market, so naturally, we’re very excited about the collaboration with a market leader like Samsung. Technology evolves at a rapid pace and together with Samsung, we aim to stay ahead of the race and revolutionise inflight entertainment and EFB solutions.”

The announcement of Samsung’s collaboration with Tune Box follows the latter’s MoU with AirAsia X to develop wireless IFE at the Paris Air Show in June. AirAsia X is the long-haul, low fare affiliate of Malaysian-based AirAsia Group. The recently-announced JV between Tune Box and avionics solutions provider Flight Focus Pte Ltd, who specialise in Class 3 EFB, will also benefit from the collaboration with Samsung.

Earlier this year, Samsung announced an agreement to supply 6,000 units of Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 to American Airlines.