Japanese Airlines Ban DS, PSP

Gamespot is reporting that Japanese Airlines such as Japan Airlines and ANA have banned the use of wifi-capable game devices, including the DS and PSP, over 'safety concerns'. From the article: "A law banning on gaming systems with wireless capabilities came into force on Monday, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Japan's transport ministry has concluded that the electromagnetic waves from the wireless networks can interfere with aircraft navigation systems, so it's no Nintendogs for passengers flying with Japanese airlines. The new law also bans wireless computer mice, and headphones that have not been provided by the airlines, although the use of electric razors, calculators, and cassette players is permitted, readers may be relieved to know."

Comments

Re:well,

[Babbster]

Yeah, you know what? Anyone that allergic ought to be wearing a fucking surgical mask. Hundreds of people - whether adults or children - should not have to change their eating habits for one person. Peanuts are not only tasty but they're nutritious as well. I'd certainly rather kids be enjoying some peanuts at lunch rather than some of the crap served by, and present in, public schools...

It's a cell tower problem.

[tepples]

It's funny how cell phones are banned in planes, where they've never caused a serious wreck, but in the US are allowed in cars, where they've caused a bunch of wrecks. Standard (GSM or UMTS) mobile phones are designed to use terrestrial antenna towers. In most cases, you'll get a much stronger signal from one or two of these towers at once, and your phone will remain connected to one tower for a long period of time. In an airliner, you're so far off the ground that your phone can see more towers, and you're traveling so fast (900 km/h for a Boeing 747) that several towers might come in and out of range per minute. This load on the roaming system is why the mobile network operators don't want you using mobile phones on an airliner flight.