NYT: Qualcomm invests in Globalstar (the CDMA-based satellite phone network) to build a system for airline safety. The system would be 50 pounds and offer world-wide 128 kb data flow for remotely viewable video feeds of the cockpit and cabin as well as real-time downloads of cockpit voice recorders (which would help make investigations of any incident much, much easier). It is looking for FAA approval and airline purchases.
This is another great example of technology being used to improve the quality of airline safety without infringing much on personal privacy. [John Robb's Radio Weblog]