Power Up: FAA Changes Rules on Electronics

The FAA announced Thursday they are ending their ban on airline passengers using e-books, tablets, and most handhelds, save for phone calls, during takeoff and landing.

That's good news for people with their nose in their Kindle or frantically working on a presentation on their iPad. The new rules don't apply to cell phone calls, so you're going to have to hang up on your boytoy or girlfriend when you start taxiing. Federal Communications Commission regulations still prohibit airborne cell phone calls.

"The prohibition against electronics began decades ago because of concerns about interference with cockpit communications and navigation equipment," USA Today reports. "But passengers have sought easier use of their gadgets as electronics become more widespread and as aircraft equipment has become less susceptible to stray signals."

The FAA is now advising airlines they can allow passengers to use electronics, so it's up to the individual airline as to when their policy changes.