Qatar Airways took a step forward to stand against the US governments ban on the bringing of large electronics in the plane. For example the loaner laptops.

On Thursday the Doha, Qatar based airline made an announcement that was about the passengers of the business class will be able to use loaner laptops provided by the airlines. The announcement was made that this advantage will be given to the passengers from next week. That means the facility starts tomorrow.

According to a statement given by the CEO of Qatar Airways Group’s, Akbar Al Baker,

“By providing this laptop loan service we can ensure that our passengers on flights to the US can continue to work whilst on-board. This unique ability to offer ‘business as usual,’ above and beyond the competition, is yet another example of Qatar Airways justification for being the ‘World’s Best Business Class.'”

Not only this but the passengers will have access to the complementary Wi-Fi.

No more details have been announced regarding the service or type of laptops. The announcement just confirmed that the passengers will be able yo use laptops provided by the airlines. The economy-class passengers wont be able to ue the service.

According to the US Government, They have introduced the policy in response to fears that terrorists could hide explosives within electronics, though it has not mentioned any imminent plots.

All the airlines that came under the ban seemed quite worried and planned to comply though the Qatar Airways was not the first one to come up with such policy that straightly stood against the ban.

Recently on Wednesday Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates based airways, announce to provide passengers free Wi-Fi and iPads.

Before, the Turkish Airlines also revealed to provide free Wi-Fi to the passengers who turn on the laptop and tabs in the plane.

All these services are for the passengers who travel via business class.

Last week, Emirates Airlines implemented a laptop handling program allowing passengers getting on US-bound flights to have access to their laptop until boarding. The Dubai, UAE-based carrier has also hinted that it may offer loaner laptops.

President of Emirates, Tim Clark,

“The US government’s laptop ban has created logistical challenges for the airline and the airports that handle its flights. Thus far, the short-term effects have not been as dire as anticipated, while its long-term effects won’t be clear for some time, Clark told Business Insider. Not having access to laptops, however, is still an inconvenience to the carrier’s passengers.”

The post Qatar Airways offers loaner laptops after electronics ban on US-bound flights appeared first on Techlist.

Mobile calling app Viber is going to offer free calls between United States and the countries that are under the travel ban recently implemented by Trump. It will do so by Viber Out.

The seven countries that came under the ban include Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. Once the service is launched the users of Viber will easily connect to users in these seven countries via free calls to landlines and mobiles. Another initiative is that the users from the seven countries will also be able to make free calls.

Hiroshi Mikitani , the CEO of Rakuten statement on twitter,

I am very sad to see what is happening now in the US. I came to US when I was seven and I really respect big American big heart.

— 三木谷浩史 H. Mikitani (@hmikitani) January 30, 2017

Remember that, Rakuten acquired Viber for $900 million in 2014.

COO of Viber, Michael Shmilov said,

“Viber has always been committed to enabling people to connect freely and securely whenever and wherever they are. Under the current circumstances, we feel obligated to enable our users to remain close even when apart.”

On Viber website a statement reads:

“In light of recent events in the United States, we are now offering free calls to any landline or mobile number between the United States and Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen so that those affected will now have one less barrier to cross when trying to reach their loved ones.”

It is not just Viber who is taking a step to solve communication problems of the countries that came under the Trump’ controversy of sudden executive order. Lyft will donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union. The CEO of Airbnb and the co-founder Brian Chesky mentioned that they will work to solve housing problems. Google also created a $2 million crisis fund after coming out against the executive order.

This seems like really a positive gesture.

The post Viber Offers Free Calls From U.S. to Countries Affected by Trump Immigration Ban appeared first on Techlist.