AT&T promises mobile TV "as early as possible" in 2008

So we know that AT&T slipped its MediaFLO-based mobile TV launch from the end of 2007 out to early '08, but just how "early" are we talking? Well, "as early as possible," to be specific. That rather unhelpful statement is all that's coming out of AT&T for the moment regarding its go-live window for the service, saying that testing is going "very, very well" but that it wanted to take an extra timeout to "make sure the user experience is absolutely optimal." As far as we're concerned, those statements are in conflict with one another -- if they'd planned to launch in '07 and everything's going well, what the heck's the hold up? At any rate, when it does launch, it turns out that we'll be getting essentially the same lineup MediaFLO offers through Verizon's VCAST TV presently, featuring channels from Fox, NBC, ESPN, CBS, and MTV. That rubs us the wrong way considering that AT&T's original press release mentioned its intention to take advantage of advanced MediaFLO capabilities like datacasting and music, so to summarize: less functionality, later than originally expected. Everyone cool?

[Via mocoNews]

[Josh @ Dec 19th 2007 7:38PM]

cool... has there been a date released on when they take over the world?

[Rob @ Dec 19th 2007 7:45PM]

I hate AT&T... Hate it with all of my heart.

[matt @ Dec 20th 2007 3:42AM]

what a pesamistic post, too much complaining baout it being late. bit of a revolution if you ask me, your yanks dont know how good you got it.3g is still a rare occurance here in the UK..

[Bob @ Dec 19th 2007 8:00PM]

I just switched to AT&T when my sprint contract was up (ironically two days after the iphone came out) so as you can guess I have one. On my sprint razr I had mobile streaming radio and TV that I had to give up when i got my iphone. I would love to see AT&T work with apple to get those as official apps for the iphone. If the iphone can do you tube than It should do TV and radio too. I know someone will say "IT WONT BE FAST ENOUGH ON EDGE!!"(in an annoying voice) So they should have it for edge iphones and maybe 3G iphones in '08? So please Uncle Steve give it to us for **(INSERT HOLIDAY YOU CELEBRATE HERE)**!! Or as a late holiday gift at least!!! :P

[L8 4 Tahoe @ Dec 19th 2007 8:09PM]

It's just like AT&T saying the treo 750 wm6 update was coming "soon"

[T-Bone @ Dec 19th 2007 8:22PM]

I don't really care. I'm still waiting for plain 3G.

[Ron @ Dec 19th 2007 8:26PM]

i wonder if it's part of iphone g2's features then
*rolls eyes*

[Maestro @ Dec 19th 2007 10:33PM]

Now if only I could get an ATT signal in my office, or my house, or my car, or at the mall this would be great!

I recently switched to ATT from VZW (no, not for an iPhone, for a Tilt) and it is no comparison. I got VZW signal everywhere. I have about a week left in my 30 day trial so I may jumping back.

[aaron rooney @ Dec 19th 2007 10:46PM]

If you are not getting signal at home or at work, why they hell would you NOT switch back?

[dontmatter @ Dec 20th 2007 12:38AM]

why awould you wait that long? user experience differs for everyone. VZW in my city sucks

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2007 10:49PM]

Why? Nobody watches tv on their phones anyway. It's pointless. Who's selling the phone companies on this mobile tv sham, cuz they must be the best salesmen in the world.
Seriously, what, are you going to watch "the game" on your little phone screen? No, you are going to go to a bar, or your 46" at home and have a beer while enjoying the boob tube, not squinting at your dinky little lcd.
Other than school kids or the people who just got suckered into buying/trying the service, have you ever seen anyone watching tv on their phone?
Save your money AT&T.

[Eric G. @ Dec 20th 2007 9:00AM]

Hey man! I watch TV on my phone via my 2 year old Slingbox Classic! It's very useful for dumbasses like me that are on the go all of the time and not in my local market for the local game. This leads me to my next question for everyone.....why don't these people just get a Slingbox and not have to pay for TV service on their phones? Just a thought.....

[derX @ Dec 20th 2007 1:49AM]

There is a lot of merit to Mobile TV. Apparently, you've never been on a really long train ride, had to wait in a doctor's office (where cell phone usage is allowed, of course), or had to wait unexpectedly for a long amount of time. When you're somewhere, alone, for a long amount of time when it's not really appropriate to call someone (e.g.: late at night) and you only have a cell phone on you, Mobile TV fits the bill for entertainment. Coupled with the phone's built in MP3 player--I'm assuming if it has mobile TV, it'll have an MP3 player--that makes for a good time.

If you don't want the service, don't sign up for it; if it's well-implemented and well-priced, I most certainly will.

[aleenm88 @ Dec 21st 2007 12:57PM]

doesnt at&t have mobile TV.? I mean i live in mexico and i have been watching mobile tv for 2 years.

I thought that in USA that has been availbable ages ago. Guess i has wrong

[Constable Odo @ Dec 19th 2007 11:56PM]

People like using those TV-equipped handsets in Asia, so why not here. It should be sufficient for watching sitcoms, music videos and news. One drawback is that it must really eat up batteries. The phone companies think video will be a big thing. I wonder why?

[Scott @ Dec 20th 2007 11:29AM]

Because they think the suckers--whoops, I mean customers, are going to pay an additional fee for mobile TV even though they may ALREADY be paying for cable.

I think there in for a shock if they think this is going to be a common occurance.

[Jack Storm @ Dec 20th 2007 2:55AM]

I have att and i already watch tv on my phone through my slingbox, its great.

[jamesFF @ Dec 20th 2007 3:53AM]

Great! My mobile tv will stop working in 2009, and ATT just bought out my cell phone company.

[russ_schroeder @ Dec 20th 2007 9:09AM]

I agree with DerX...in fact I've been using SlingPlayer Mobile with my AT&T Tilt for a week now and absolutely love it. Coupled with my stereo bluetooth headphones, made the weekend Christmas shopping tolerable.

[aus @ Dec 20th 2007 12:15PM]

Or more importantly. When the heck is a US carrier going to support 2-way video calling. Telcos abroad have a good 5 year head start on us.

[Bombaclaat @ Dec 20th 2007 12:17PM]

Already got mobile tv and it works great. webguide4 + media center.