The Smart TrayPHOENIX (CBS5) -
These days, many airline passengers are using electronic tablet devices like iPads, e-readers and even smartphones for their in-flight entertainment. And with the tray table already holding your pretzels, peanuts and Diet Coke, there was no room for your device - until now.
"Wouldn't it be nice to put a groove in a tray table and free up all this real estate that's so important on a plane," said Nick Pajic, of Smart Tray International.
Pajic recently pitched his new idea at an airline trade show and feels the Smart Tray is getting ready to take off. Literally.
"They all came by the booth and said, 'Oh, my god, this is so simple. We've got to do this. Can you send us samples? Can you send us more information,'" said Pajic.
Airlines eventually have to replace the tray tables on their aircraft anyway, so there's no additional expense other than the cost of the trays.
"Its not like the airlines have to go and look for a budget, and have a budget for the tray tables, it's already there. It's just replacing what they already have, with something that's much better," Pajic said.
Future Smart Trays will allow for both entertainment and possible advertising, creating additional revenue for the airlines.
"You'll be able to watch the content when the tray is up and also be able to watch the content when the tray table is down," added Pajic.
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