Panasonic considered other frameworks in the past, looking for a fluid, interactive experience coupled with that wow-factor, which they couldn't showcase because of lacking performance. Qt provided them with the performance they were looking for.

 

Another thing that stood out for Panasonic is the ability to skip the complex technical development because of the QML layer. Instead of spending their resources on the underlying technology, they could focus on design and usability. Because of that, they were able to work directly with the airlines to really customize and nail down exactly what they wanted to showcase to the passengers. QML enables joint work with the airlines, designers, and developers - all at the same time, usually on the same day.

The future of Qt in the Panasonic IFE system is bringing in a sense of 3D space. They will utilize light and shading to bring out the wow-factor and immersive passenger experience but still keep the user interface very simple.
 
The other exciting aspect of Qt is the evolving community. The Qt Project is opening its doors for companies like Panasonic to provide a lot more feedback so not only they can contribute but also affect where Qt is heading in the future.