Latest news with #BYOD
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
British Airways rolls out controversial in-flight change - here's how passengers will be affected
British Airways is set to trial a new system that could change how we watch movies and shows on long flights. The airline is launching a trial called 'Bring Your Own Device' (BYOD), which will allow passengers to stream all the usual in-flight entertainment from their seat-back screens straight to their phones, tablets, or laptops. This is welcome news for passengers who've ever struggled with malfunctioning seat-back screens, especially on long-haul flights where travellers are left with limited options to pass the time. The trial is set to start later this month on selected long-haul flights out of London Heathrow, specifically on BA's A380s, Boeing 787-9s, and the older 777-200s. Passengers on these flights will be able to use the same entertainment options they usually get from the in-seat screens – but streamed directly to their personal gadgets. British Airways has made it clear that this won't mean the seat-back screens are going away anytime soon - at least not yet, as the new system will be offered alongside the existing screens. However, it's worth noting that a number of other airlines have already started ditching seat-back screens on short-haul flights. Etihad, Qantas, and American Airlines are among the carriers removing them to save weight and costs, relying more on passengers' own devices instead. While some travellers are excited about the move as a sign that airlines are adapting to how people regularly travel these days, others may not quite be ready to say goodbye to the built-in entertainment just yet. Many people still like having the choice of a big screen in front of them, and phones and tablets have their own limitations, such as running out of battery mid-flight. For the unfortunate few who have accidentally packed their chargers in their checked luggage, they might be stuck altogether with no way to keep watching. Another big factor is WiFi on planes, which still isn't up to scratch, according to Travel expert Clive Wratten, who told The Telegraph that if airlines want passengers to stream content, 'every seat must have reliable power and WiFi'. He added that without steady connections and charging ports, streaming might cause more frustration than convenience. The BYOD service will be free for BA passengers on the trial flights, who will need to connect to the plane's WiFi to start streaming. For now, there are no plans to roll it out on short-haul flights, so passengers flying closer to home will still want to download their entertainment before they board. Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a number of groundbreaking new changes set to enhance the in-flight experience, announcing that it will become the UK's first airline to offer free, unlimited, 'streaming-quality' Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. The service, powered by SpaceX's Starlink satellite technology, will begin rolling out across the airline's Boeing 787s, Airbus A350s, and A330neos starting 2026, with completion expected by the end of 2027. This marks a significant milestone for the airline, which first introduced fleet-wide Wi-Fi across the Atlantic in 2017. The new system promises 'low-latency, global connectivity,' meaning passengers can enjoy video streaming, work seamlessly, and stay connected from gate to gate - all at no additional cost for members of Virgin's free-to-join Flying Club. Following a $17 billion fleet modernisation, Virgin Atlantic will also operate a fuel-efficient fleet of 45 next-generation aircraft by 2028, with an average age of just under seven years.
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- Health
- UAE Moments
UAE Schools Ditch Trolley Bags Over Health & Safety Concerns
Parents at several institutions have received circulars advising against wheeled bags for the upcoming academic year, with educators and health experts citing safety, practicality, and physical wellbeing as top concerns. From Trendy to Troublesome While trolley bags are seen by many as a convenient choice, some UAE schools argue they're more trouble than they're worth. At Woodlem Schools, the ban is all about student safety. 'The removal of trolley bags across Woodlem Schools is a student-centered initiative aimed primarily at safeguarding students' health and wellbeing," said Noufal Ahmed, Managing Director at Woodlem Education. Ahmed pointed to multiple problems: the strain of dragging the bags, students tripping on stairs, noisy disruptions, and classroom congestion. 'Trolley bags also contribute to clutter in classrooms, increasing the risk of tripping inside the classroom, too,' he added. Instead, the school is boosting its BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy and encouraging digital learning to cut down on heavy books. With lockers provided on campus, students are urged to carry only the essentials in ergonomic, lightweight backpacks. One Size Doesn't Fit All At Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi, the rules vary by age group. 'We recommend that students in Foundation Stage and Upper Primary use trolley bags, as their shoulders are still developing and carrying heavy loads could strain their spine and body,' a school representative explained. 'For middle and senior school students, backpacks are more suitable. We advise students to pack their bags according to the timetable to keep the overall weight below eight kilograms.' Doctors Are on Board Health professionals across the Emirates are echoing the schools' concerns, emphasizing that trolley bags may not be as safe as parents think. 'While trolley bags may reduce direct pressure on the back, they are not necessarily safe,' said Dr. Amr El Zawahry, Consultant Pediatrician at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital. 'Tripping hazards are a major concern. Manoeuvring trolley bags in such settings can also lead to wrist and shoulder strain.' He added that students often end up lifting the bags over curbs and stairs, which increases the risk of injury — essentially defeating the point of having wheels. Dr. Maleeha Rafiq, Consultant Paediatrics at NMC Royal Hospital, also warned against misuse. 'Children often use them incorrectly, which can lead to uneven muscle strain, altered walking patterns, and even spinal misalignment,' she said. She added that the oversized nature of trolley bags creates practical issues too: 'They can easily trip other students... and the larger size makes them harder to store neatly in classrooms or buses. Besides, the wheels can be noisy and disruptive.' The Bigger Picture Last August, Abu Dhabi authorities reminded schools that backpacks should not exceed 20% of a student's body weight. Since then, many schools across the UAE have taken steps toward lighter load policies — either by adjusting school bag requirements or implementing tech-friendly alternatives. The takeaway? While a flashy trolley bag might look like a back-to-school win, schools and doctors agree — lighter, smarter, and safer is the way forward.
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Phone Arena
Google Chrome's iPhone update makes switching between work and personal browsing easier
Google is introducing new features in Chrome for iOS that aim to make switching between personal and work accounts easier, while also enhancing enterprise-level protections across mobile platforms. This move is particularly important as more companies adopt Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, where employees access both work and personal content from the same now, Android users have enjoyed work and personal profile separation, but iOS users often had to rely on separate browsers or cumbersome sign-in processes. That's changing with the latest Chrome update for iPhone users. Chrome now supports seamless account switching with clearer data separation. When a user signs into a managed account, Chrome isolates that session's tabs, passwords, history, and other local data. This means your work-related content won't mix with your personal browsing, offering added security and convenience. Users are also informed when they're entering a managed experience, ensuring transparency. Users will be able to easily switch between personal and work accounts within Chrome. | Image credit — Google IT administrators benefit too. They can decide how previous browsing data is handled the first time someone switches to a managed account. Admins also have access to Chrome Enterprise's mobile security tools. These include extended reporting capabilities that send browser activity logs to the Google Admin console or third-party security tools. That gives companies more insight into potential risks. I.T. Admins will also have more control over what users see once they sign in with their work accounts. | Image credit — Google Chrome is also bringing URL filtering to iOS, a tool that was previously limited to desktop and Android. This feature helps prevent users from visiting unapproved websites, including generative AI platforms that might lead to unmonitored data use. Companies can instead redirect users to approved alternatives, reducing the risk of ShadowAI updates are part of a broader effort by Google to strengthen Chrome's enterprise tools on mobile. Chrome Enterprise Premium offers additional protections, but organizations can start with Chrome Enterprise Core for free. I definitely appreciate these improvements for users like myself who rely on Chrome across all devices. Until now, I had to juggle two browsers on my iPhone to keep my work and personal accounts separate. That's no longer necessary with this update. This marks a meaningful step in giving users more flexibility while letting organizations keep better control over security across platforms. Switch to a 2-month Total 5G or 5G+ plan with Total Wireless and score this foldable deal. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Google adds separate work and personal accounts to Chrome on iOS
Google has introduced new features for Chrome on iOS that help users bifurcate work and personal data by using separate Google accounts. As more employers implement bring your own device (BYOD) policies, employees increasingly access company resources from browsers on their personal devices. Devices connected to a managed Google Workspace are able to leverage these additions. Chrome now supports easy account switching and data separation on iOS, similar to its approach onAndroid andChrome for desktop. The browser keeps data such as tabs, history and passwords confined to the corresponding account, protecting employer information from exposure to personal activities. When users first sign or select their managed account, they will be taken through an onboarding process that explains the separation between managed accounts and personal, as well as insights into how their company is handling their data. Anytime a user switches to the managed account, they are notified that they are entering a managed experience. Google has also added safeguards for companies using Chrome Enterprise. IT teams can now apply URL filtering to work accounts in Chrome on iOS, and security teams can stream audit logs from iOS and Android directly into the Admin console or any SIEM, both of which are features already available on desktop. These features are available for managed devices through Chrome Enterprise today.
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
BA is scrapping seat-back screens. They might be onto something
Kicking back, guilt-free, in front of a silly film or television programme is one of the last remaining joys of long-haul flights – eclipsed only, perhaps, by the free bar. But the days of seat-back screens and all-you-can-binge films could be numbered, as airlines tighten their purse strings and pursue other options to keep their passengers entertained. This month, British Airways is trialling a new system on selected long-haul aircraft that allows travellers to stream the airline's entertainment selection to their own devices. Dubbed a 'BYOD' – or 'bring your own device' – model, it is being offered in addition to the airline's existing seat-back screens, but other airlines are already taking a harder line. In June, Qantas revealed new screenless seats on its short-range routes, joining the likes of American Airlines, BA Euroflyer and selected Etihad services. Travellers' tastes are changing, too. More than 80 per cent of us consider inflight entertainment (IFE) important or very important when choosing long-haul flights, according to research by management consultancy Kearney. And yet, the same study showed that most 18- to 35-year-old long-haulers prefer to watch their own content and devices than the airline's. According to a report by Sita and Air Transport World, 97 per cent of us were flying with a smartphone, tablet or laptop as far back as 2014, so it's hardly a behaviour change to use them. Are you team IFE, or prefer to BYOD? Here, we examine the perks and pitfalls of each approach, and quiz industry experts and frequent fliers: should seat-back screens stay or go? Why the screen should go By the time you plonk yourself down in front of the seat-back screen, your patience is probably already wearing thin. Frazzled from the airport, all you want to do is be lulled by a nice Jane Austen adaptation, a Jennifer Lopez romcom or a gently violent Mission: Impossible film – but no, the bloody screen isn't working. You have to beg one of the cabin crew to reset it, at which point it blinks reluctantly to life, greeting you either in Spanish or Mandarin. Cue the litany of annoyances that a clunky, outdated IFE system inevitably entails: the labyrinth of menus, the dodgy headphone jacks, the 'touch-sensitive' screen that's anything but. Before you know it, you're prodding impotently at the non-responsive panel, twizzling your headphone cable in the socket (why no Bluetooth connection?!) and raising the hackles of your fellow passengers – especially the bloke in front whose headrest you're now punching. It would be simpler, would it not, just to whip out your iPad and watch that instead.
