Big Week for Product Announcements

I was eagerly anticipating the launch of Apple's tablet, which we now know is the iPad. Reloading the Engadget live blogging site covering the iPad launch every minute, I devoured the details as they came through. But, I can say that I'm in no rush to replace my Acer netbook (which I wrote about here) with the iPad as my "in between" computing device, as much as I love my MacBook Pro and iPod Touch. For me, the iPad is missing a key feature, which is a way to get pictures into the device directly from a camera. My Acer is my primary way to store and backup pictures on the road, and the only way I can blog with pictures without taking a full fledged laptop.

Actually the product announcement that really took my breath away was Air New Zealand's announcement of their new long haul product. You can actually lie flat in economy with their new "Skycouch" option. It's really more for couples who buy three seats between the two of them (the third seat is 50% off), or families where kids can actually use the bed as a play surface. And it boggles my mind how the airline will manage selling this area of economy class (can just one person book one seat in it?).

But kudos to Air NZ for designing this and trying it out. The way it works is that a side group of 3 seats each get their leg rests raised to a horizontal position, connecting it with the row in front. Oh yeah, and the seating arrangement is 3-4-3 on the Boeing 777, which means it's a bit more dense than, e.g. United which has 2-5-2 or Continental with 3-3-3.

Also really impressive is the new premium economy section, which looks like a scrunched up business class now. (see pics here) And interestingly, since there are so many different body positions capable with the new seating arrangement, your footrest is now a beanbag called "Otto." No, seriously. And the armrest between the middle pair of seats can actually move downwards, so a couple can...put their feet on each other? Air NZ is all about cuddling in economy and premium economy (and love, like I wrote here). Watch a short promo video showing this in action here.

Finally, there will be on-demand snacks even in economy, or so they say. I wonder how the flight attendants will coordinate this. Plus the ovens in the new aircraft will be able to cook meals from scratch vs. reheat, which means lots of new dining options are possible. Sounds great all around!