BMTC & Android

Recently, I noticed interactive display panels on BMTC - Vayu Vajra (BIA) Volvo bus, while commuting to office (Hebbal to Marathhalli). I’m really excited to say that these are powered by Google’s Android Operating System.

Good part is, it includes a "Webkit" browser for free internet browsing while you travel. What else you want when you are stuck in traffic? :)

I could confirm that its using Android OS and Webkit browser by examining the UserAgent:

Mozilla/5.0(Linux; U; Android 2.1-update1; en-us; Generic Build/ECLAIR) AppleWebkit/530.17 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/530.17

See below snapshot.

Along with the in-built browser, it also lists few useful apps - Youtube, facebook, Sudoku, Weather, Stocks, News etc.

For me, these apps looks to be web-apps which are non-native and not even Java based.

Advertising is another interesting aspect.
The lower part of the display has local retailer advertisements. BMTC may be earning a good revenue out of it. :)

Overall experience of using internet on BMTC Vayu Vajra was awesome! I'm really amazed by abilities of Android as a platform. Its not just phone anymore.

You may not be surprised to see these devices one day in your car. :)
I'll wait for that day!