Wednesday 25 May, 2011

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.

1

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.

2

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!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

your site is very informative thank you micro Collection Machine
http://handheldforbillingdevices.blogspot.in/ https://twitter.com/#!/ElitePalm Elite Palm™
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004209247998
http://www.squidoo.com/bus-ticketing-machine#module160392208

Unknown said...

your site is very informative thank you handheld Machine
http://handheldforbillingdevices.blogspot.in/ https://twitter.com/#!/ElitePalm Elite Palm™
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004209247998
http://www.squidoo.com/bus-ticketing-machine#module160392208

Unknown said...

The real power of Android as a platform is not yet explored. I think in few years we will be in pool of Android devices. Everything from remote controls to car intelligence system would equip with Android, and above all they co-operate. Even possible they may have some machine intelligence for human interaction. It is my hypothetical thinking as of now, but not a distant truth.