AT&T announces AT&T Mobile TV for May launch

They haven't revealed anything we didn't already know, but AT&T's finally come out with a semi-firm date for the launch of its MediaFLO-powered mobile TV service which will be branded simply as "AT&T Mobile TV." It'll be available to subscribers in May -- no specific date just yet -- on two exclusive handsets, the Prada-esque LG Vu and the more pedestrian Samsung Access; the Vu features an expansive touchscreen and 2 megapixel camera, while the Access makes do with a smaller landscape display and a 1.3 megapixel sensor. Both feature Bluetooth and 3G data, but the real story here is Mobile TV itself, which will come with two new channels that are exclusive to AT&T (in other words, unavailable on the other live MediaFLO service, VCAST TV from Verizon). The latest, hottest way to burn productivity on the go gets real in just a few short weeks, folks, so finish up whatever remaining work you have now.

[SPARTEN II @ Mar 27th 2008 5:16PM]

I hope this comes to the iPhone.

[Killian @ Mar 27th 2008 5:22PM]

I second that ridiculous hope

[Xavier @ Mar 27th 2008 7:23PM]

I came in to post this.
But even if AT&T doesn't give it to us directly, I'm sure someone will find a way...

[nclester @ Mar 27th 2008 10:13PM]

Who in the hell enjoys watching a television show on a 2-3 inch LCD anyway? It's fucking annoying, that's why they call it TV, it's for fucking televisions, not mobile phones. One more way for corporations to suck your wallet dry, shit brain.

I use an iPhone 8GB, and I wouldn't think of sitting there trying to make out which caveman was which. Leave your TV at home, that's why it's fucking huge and a phone is used to make phone calls.

A little venting, sorry. Another thing, I feel like every hunk of shit phone that comes out gets some in-depth, extensive review, but why. For a single feature, at best? Of course the iPhone was different, but if all these phones come with 3G OR 700MHz, then shit I don't want to read about the same shit over and over.

Fuck a cellphone with TV. It's a cell phone, not a portatele.

I do, however, live for Engadget coverage of anything. So, not directed directly at the company here.

[Paul Moon @ Mar 28th 2008 2:26PM]

nclester, you'll like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKiIroiCvZ0

Which only illustrates that you sound like the same cranky old codger. Get with the times, we're paying a small premium to get 24/7 access to live broadcast content. In the age of terrorism and, to a lesser extent, in this election year, I'm happy to get that access for $15 per month, while not paying for cable or satellite which keeps my ass glued to a chair.

[phanbouy @ Mar 28th 2008 3:50PM]

paul moonbeams. wtf does terrorism have to do with TV on a phone? you guys need to get out more. go for a hike or something

[m1D4W6 @ May 22nd 2008 8:20PM]

I was thinking that, too. I thought the LG Vu would be pretty cool, but aside from the real web browser it has been a let down. It's not nearly as responsive to touch as the iPhone, the screen is sort of dim, the video on the TV is a bit out of focus, and it doesn't allow you to use google maps if you download it. Plus the full retail price of $549.99 because of the tv chip is a turnoff right away. If i'm spending $299.99 on this, why not spend $399 and get the iPhone?

The Samsung Acess on the other hand was one I was expecting to be nothing special, but was kind of a nice surprise. The screen resolution is definetly hi-def. It loads up the TV quick and is crystal clear. Every detail looks great. Aside from this it has the feel of the Blackjack with the size, shape and keypad layout. Only negative would be the 1.3mp camera on it, which would have been nice if it was 2.0, but can't complain with a $199.99 price tag it's a good deal.

[phanbouy @ Mar 27th 2008 5:23PM]

oh goody... car and tampon commercials for my phone.

[bamboo @ Mar 27th 2008 5:27PM]

what the hell, nothing for I-phone????
The screen would be perfect. Maybe it is the no 3g support right now

[nDee @ Mar 27th 2008 10:46PM]

ya, it would look like p0rn on iPhone
(You can't see anything clearly)

[nDee @ Mar 27th 2008 10:47PM]

I mean when on EDGE
coz if you got Wifi than probably you got your tele too.

[thethirdmoose @ Mar 27th 2008 5:36PM]

Is this the same as sprint tv?

[Superevil @ Mar 27th 2008 5:57PM]

So is the NSA gonna know what I'm watching now too?

[phanbouy @ Mar 27th 2008 6:39PM]

you're not evil. you're semi-evil. quasi-evil.

[Sammy D Kat @ Mar 27th 2008 7:07PM]

You're not important enough to spy on.

[Superevil @ Mar 28th 2008 4:45PM]

Hence the reason I don't use ATT

[mushrooshi @ Mar 27th 2008 6:00PM]

I will get ranked low for fanboyism, but wouldn't an iPhone be better to advertise with since it is basically the new RAZR [that is too expensive] and it would make TV bigger to watch?

As for this, I could care less, TV, like radio, has junky programming.

[Tim @ Mar 27th 2008 6:02PM]

What type of tv programming will you get?

[Dave @ Mar 27th 2008 6:11PM]

wow apparently every iPhone famboy thats posted in this topic doesn't realize that MediaFLO requires 3G, which the iPhone currently doesn't have = no mobile tv for you

[Phil @ Mar 27th 2008 6:19PM]

Actually, everyone thus far has been wrong. This doesn't use 3G or any data connection at all, this cannot be use with the iPhone or ANY other phone until special hardware is added.

MediaFLO is a completely different broadcast technology that'd dedicated to the delivery of video and not based on cellular frequencies or signals. Think T-DMB and DVB-H style.

"In the United States, the MediaFLO system will use frequency spectrum 716-722MHz, which was previously allocated to UHF TV Channel 55."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MediaFLO

[Sam Zebian @ Mar 27th 2008 6:24PM]

@Phil- So 700Mhz spectrum??

[Phil @ Mar 27th 2008 7:00PM]

Well yes, but it's not the same 700mhz that was just auctioned off by the FCC:

FCC Auctioned Blocks A through E which ranges from 746mhz to 794mhz.
Qualcomm currently owns a license for the 716mhz to 722mhz range (Analog TV Channel 55) and is currently using this to deploy MediaFLO.
Aloha used to own 716mhz to 722mhz (Analog channel 54), and was planning on using it for its HiWire Mobile TV service, which is similar to MediaFLO. But then they sold out to AT&T.

Lower 700mhz Layout: http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/10/09/att-buys-700mhz-from-aloha/
Upper 700mhz layout (FCC Auction): http://gigaom.com/2007/03/14/700mhz-explained/

[Dave @ Mar 28th 2008 12:07AM]

Phil thank you for clearing this up, everything is crystal now.

[freakmarket @ Mar 27th 2008 7:04PM]

These TV services on phones are a ripoff ... you don't get to watch whole episodes .. they just feed you "clips" at poor pixelated quality. Most phone CPUs can't handle addressing a 300mb movie file.

As far as the iPhone goes i'm sure ATT is under contract not to provide media content for the iphone because that is where Apple makes it's money is by selling you iCrap (i mean iTunes) content.

[Noah Kravitz @ Mar 27th 2008 8:02PM]

Phil PWNS this thread. Does he get to OWN a chunk of spectrum now or something, like that guy who won a laptop by PWNing it in the other Engadget post I just read?

[Noah Kravitz @ Mar 27th 2008 8:03PM]

Ah, shoot. The Reply button just PWNT me. Wrong place. Sorry.

[Christian Chandler @ Mar 27th 2008 8:55PM]

This is live broadcast TV, not clips. This is like walking around with one of those little casio black and white TV's back in the 80's, except that is digital and in color, with alot more channels and whole lot prettier. I've seen this work and it is alot different than streaming clips or Mobitv.

[baaadandy @ Mar 27th 2008 8:13PM]

Oh. My. God.

You people with the exception of Phil should just shut up when you know absolutely nothing about what you are whining about. This is a totally different service and totally separate network which requires different hardware in handsets. All you whiney iPhone bitches can't get it, sorry!

[CT A @ Mar 27th 2008 8:32PM]

IPHONE MEDIAFLO FANBOYS = EPOCH FAIL

[Marc @ Mar 28th 2008 10:11PM]

Now bring on the notebook tethering for these FLO-ready devices, AT&T!

[Luis @ Mar 28th 2008 12:32AM]

MediaFlo for AT&t is the same technology and content as Vcast TV from Verizon. Exxcept now Qualcomm will add 2 new channels for AT&T. MediaFlo is comming for the Samsung Access and the LG Vu. The Vu is an iPhone competitor from AT&T. However the launch of this device has been pushed so many times thanks to the short leash Apple has put on AT&T. Apple basically owns AT&T now. It tells them what phones to put out and when so that they don't steal the thunder from the iPhone. Dont get me wrong the iPhone is beautiful and techy and all but I am no one's fanbiy but My own. I guesS At&T is paying for that iPhone."exclusivity"

[Mog @ Mar 28th 2008 2:05AM]

The Access may be pedestrian, but I sort of like it. It reminds me of my Samsung T509, which was once the thinnest phone in the world. This doesn't look too bad, either - like an A727 that was molded into a simpler shape. AT&T needs more bar phones, and it's nice to see them launching a lower-end phone (than the Vu) for people who might like Mobile TV. So yeah, it's not Vu or iPhone, but it fills an important part in AT&T's Mobile TV line-up, if it's ever going to really take off.

[Psychoskier120 @ Mar 28th 2008 4:20PM]

That Samsung phone looks sick!

[Aaron @ Mar 31st 2008 1:29AM]

Anyone know when their pro-rated ETF is going to start?

[AstroRoach @ Mar 31st 2008 5:38PM]

Why would anyone want to pay a subscription for a service providing access to a limited set of content?

Get yourself a SlingBox and you can access your own cable or satellite feed, TiVo or other DVR, or even your DVD player and what whatever you want, not what AT&T wants you to see. No monthly subscription fees, and SlingPlayer Mobile will run on BlackBerry, Palm, Windows Mobile and Symbian smartphones, not just the two phones supported by AT&T. And it doesn't just work on your phone - you can also run SlingPlayer on a Windows PC.

All you need is a broadband connection and a home network.