Alaska Airlines has launched a trial version of its new satellite-based in-flight wireless Internet service.
Alaska passengers will now be able to engage in a range of activities, including browsing the Web; accessing online music, games, podcasts and webcasts; sending and receiving e-mail; and connecting to virtual private networks on a specially equipped Boeing 737-700.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer our passengers a way to stay connected to what matters most to them while en route to their destinations,” Steve Jarvis, the airline’s vice president of marketing, sales and customer experience, said in a written release. “This is a service that everyone can use, whether it’s for business or entertainment. Our service gives passengers a choice in how they spend their time while traveling and enhances the in-flight experience.”
The service began on an afternoon flight Feb. 26 between Seattle and San Jose, Calif., and will run for about 60 days. The trial service will be free initially.
In-flight service can be used on any wi-fi-enabled device, such as a laptop, smart phone or portable media player. Voice over Internet protocol and cell phone service will not be accessible, according to airline officials. [24×7]
“Tatto Media Will Pay for its Broken Hearts and Broken Promises.”
The Seattle Times reports that Tatto Media has agreed to pay a $500,000 fine after violating a promise not to use fake romantic e-mails to lure customers to sites where they have to pay a subscriptions for other services.
The ads claimed that a secret admirer — a “LuvCrush” — would be revealed when the user clicked on the advertisement. Instead, those who followed the link were directed to another page that contained an agreement to subscribe to a paid horoscope service.
People who subscribed would be sent the name of a fictitious admirer to their cellphone.
The ads first showed up on social-networking sites such as Facebook.com, MySpace.com and Reunion.com.
The company agreed in November to stop the practice and paid more than $20,000 in investigative fees. Company officials acknowledged they had violated the state Consumer Protection Act.
However, McKenna said in a news release today that the Tatto Media continued to use a similar deceptive promotion on Facebook and other social sites.
“They included more secret crush ads to promote the horoscope services, as well as bogus e-cards enticing users” to install an e-card browsers toolbar on their homepage, according to the news release.
“Tatto Media will pay for its broken hearts and broken promises,” McKenna said. [24×7]
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