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AT&T Mobile TV: May 4th in three packages?
Okay, first the bad news: we're hearing that AT&T's most expensive Mobile TV package is going to run a stiff $30 a month. Now, the good: you're paying for a heck of a lot more than just tee-vee there. Our tipster tells us that AT&T is expecting to launch a grand total of three packages of its MediaFLO-based service come the 4th of next month; first up is Limited, which will run $13 a month and offer Fox, CBS, NBC, and NBC News. This one is so limited, in fact, AT&T's limiting it right off their website -- it seems you'll have to call customer service to get hold of this particular setup. Next is Basic at $15 a month (seriously, who's going to not pay the $2 more over Basic?), which includes the full range of channels: the aforementioned four plus Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, CNN Mobile, Sony Pictures, and ESPN. Finally, the Plus package should feature the same lineup as Basic but bundles unlimited MEdia Net and Cellular Video for $30 a month, and we suspect this is the plan most Mobile TV subscribers are going to snatch up. We still think this could end up being a tough pill to swallow for a lot of power users who've graduated to SlingPlayer Mobile, but with simpler devices like the Samsung Access (pictured) in the mix for Mobile TV, who knows -- they might find a target demographic yet.[Thanks, Rayne]
Touchy TV: quick start guides surface for the LG Vu
While we're all twiddling our thumbs and waiting patiently for next month's Vu release on AT&T, we suppose some reading materials couldn't hurt, right? We've found no earth-shattering surprises in these quick guides that are filtering their way into corporate stores, but we do think it's kinda funny that they're pushing Cellular Video right alongside Mobile TV on page one; then again, with a MediaFLO launch that covers just a fraction of AT&T's total coverage area, we suppose we'll still need some entertainment when we're out in the sticks. Video Share instructions are here, along with the comforting reminder that a light finger press is sufficient to operate the Vu's touch screen -- so yeah, we're pretty much educated and ready, AT&T. Bring it on.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]%Gallery-20596%
Chilling out to some telly on the Samsung Access
The Vu is going to end up stealing the bulk of the spotlight when AT&T's initial Mobile TV devices launch in May, but the Samsung Access has one key advantage over its sexier stablemate: aggressive pricing. The wide-load candybar (thanks to the landscape display) will run $100 less than the Vu while offering the same quantity and quality of brainpower-sapping television. In fact, we imagine there'll be a contingent of folks who actually prefer the physical keypad (gasp!). We wish Samsung had put just a little bit more thought and energy into the Access' physical design -- there's no rule saying a $199 phone has to be ugly, last time we checked -- but it's functional, looks and feels solid, and you'll still manage to impress the neighbors when you fire up CNN. AT&T had a functional MediaFLO node in Las Vegas, as evidenced by the glorious footage we took in while hanging out at the Access' kiosk; hit the gallery for some more visuals of the device in action.%Gallery-19916%
Sony's PIX brings full-length films to AT&T Mobile TV
Sony just revealed a bit more about AT&T's Mobile TV service launching in May. We now know that one of the two exclusive AT&T channels will be called PIX, Sony's new feature film channel for cellphones. The service is a first of its kind in the US... for good reason. Oh, it's not that we have anything against the roster of films including "Ghostbusters," "Philadelphia" and "Karate Kid." It's more the prospect of sitting in front of that tiny mobile screen to watch a full-length film without the ability to pause, fast forward or rewind. This is live broadcast folks. Nevertheless, Sony Pictures claims to understand the risk. According to Eric Berger, VP Mobile Entertainment at Sony Pictures Television, "We recognize that people are on the go with their mobile phone and coming and going. This isn't for people looking to view a movie for the first time. It's OK to miss the beginning." Films will run on PIX for a month with new additions added weakly weekly.
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.
MediaFLO staffing up, probably still not turning a profit
We think MediaFLO's footprint, carrier buy-in, and device support are all still too puny for the Qualcomm division to be in the black, but you know how they say you should feed a cold? Yeah, it looks like MediaFLO's taking the approach to its little situation, spending its way to success. The new hires are all the way up at the Senior Vice President level, bringing in industry experience from ABC and Viewsonic for the programming / advertising and sales / marketing roles, respectively. Hopefully the new headcount dovetails nicely with the impending AT&T launch, because, you know, if there's one thing you need to wring some success out of a media service with a monthly fee attached, it's content.[Via mocoNews]
LG Vu goodies showing up in AT&T stores
So we still don't have solid word on exactly when the MediaFLO-equipped LG CU920 Vu (and its TV-less little brother, the CU915) are going to launch, but we're figuring it's a good sign (pun totally intended) that signage is showing up in AT&T stores. Then again, it seems that the branded K850 was canceled after the promo materials were shipped, so we guess we can't stop holding our collective breath just yet.[Thanks, Kal]%Gallery-18861%
European Commission standardizes on DVB-H, Nokia dances jig on Qualcomm's grave
As expected, the European Commission just did the obvious and made the EU's de facto DVB-H standard, standard. The move is expected to accelerate the deployment of mobile television services across Europe in the same way that GSM standardization in the early 90s gave Europe a head-start on backwater cellular locations like North America. So get outta Dodge Qualcomm and South Korea with your MediaFLO and DMB mobile television technologies, you aren't welcome around Brussels anymore.
PacketVideo brings Mobile TV to any WiFi device
PacketVideo has a new receiver which can pump mobile TV over good ol' WiFi. PV claims the device will ultimately ship before the year is out in versions supporting over-the-air DVB-H and MediaFLO broadcasting as well as TDtv and WiMAX streaming. Although it's presumably compatible with any WiFi device, they specifically cite support for the iPhone, N-Series Nokias and HTC devices while demonstrating the device with an iPod touch at Mobile World Congress. The 6.4 x 1.8 x 4-cm block is powered by a lithium-ion battery of unspecified capabilities. Although it's not stated, we assume the received television can be shared with multiple devices over that wireless link -- else why bother with WiFi? [Via Slashphone]
Legal issues, chipset problems holding up AT&T's MediaFLO launch?
"As early as possible" in 2008 is getting less "early" by the minute, and details are starting to emerge on all the juicy drama going on behind the scenes at AT&T where the powers that be have been unable so far to get their long-overdue MediaFLO-based mobile TV network launched. Apparently, both LG and Samsung were rearing to show their launch devices (Samsung's Access is pictured here) at CES last month, and both were asked to pull 'em at the very last minute as it became apparent that AT&T wasn't ready to rock and roll, leaving LG with a rather awkward situation on its hands as some folks caught the Vu doing... well, absolutely nothing in the company's booth. Rumor has it that unspecified legal troubles and flaky mobile TV chipsets are both to blame, with delays hovering somewhere in the two to eight week range. Here's our simple question: if the network already exists (and it does, because Verizon's been using it for a year now), what the heck is so hard here?
Qualcomm reveals MediaFLO's 2007 numbers (hint: profit-free)
Qualcomm's proxy statement filing with the SEC last week revealed some juicy tidbits regarding subsidiary MediaFLO USA's performance in fiscal year 2007, and as might be expected, the numbers aren't so hot. The mobile TV outfit's revenue isn't broken down specifically, but Qualcomm calls it out as largely accounting for its QSI (Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives) segment's poor '07 showing thanks to a $118 million year over year increase in losses. To be fair, MediaFLO launched for the first time anywhere on any carrier in 2007, and the statement blames $70 million of those losses on expenses associated with the March '07 rollout on Verizon -- but these cats have another big push coming up with AT&T, and we can't imagine that service launches are getting any cheaper these days. Hopefully the economies of scale start to kick in before too long and put 'em on the road to black ink.[Via mocoNews]
Samsung Access, AT&T's other MediaFLO launch phone
We already know that the Prada-esque LG CU920 Vu is one of AT&T's two launch handsets in support of its MediaFLO-based mobile TV rollout, but what's the other one the carrier mentions? Mobiledia has scored gorgeous shots of this not-so-gorgeous phone, the A827 "Access" from Samsung, and the combination of AT&T branding and a dedicated "TV" button next to the d-pad has us believing that it'll be stepping up to the plate for that role. Unlike the Vu, the Access seems to be a lower-end handset on account of a 1.3 megapixel cam, unremarkable design, and smallish display, so we're certainly hoping its price point reflects the specs accordingly. Good to see that AT&T wants to bring mobile TV to every price segment, we suppose.[Thanks, Matt D.]
The lowdown on AT&T's MediaFLO launch!
We still don't have a launch date other than the rather large window of Q1 '08, but AT&T's starting to prep its peeps on the launch of its MediaFLO-based mobile TV service, so we figure that's a good sign. We've learned here that in addition to the eight standard channels of programming MediaFLO has deployed -- all of which are available on Verizon's competing VCAST TV service -- AT&T will pick up two exclusive channels that are yet to be named. Pricing has also yet to be announced, but we see here that it'll be available either standalone or in a bundle with MEdia Net and Cellular Video (we still can't believe they didn't change that acronym after the Cingular name went away, by the way). Two "new devices" will be offered for the service, one of which we know to be the Vu. A grand total of 53 cities will be covered at launch, covering about 129 million people (or so AT&T says, anyway) -- you can see a larger version of the map after the break. Enjoy![Thanks, anonymous tipster]
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]
Watch the 24 most obscure NCAA bowl games on Verizon's V Cast
Are you ready for some football? How about full-length, live coverage of 24 NCAA bowl games. Sounds good, right? Just forget about big screen HDTV though, this is MediaFLO on your itty bitty cellphone display. Fanatics (in every sense of the word) will have access to games provided by ESPN Mobile TV, CBS Mobile and FOX Mobile through Verizon's V CAST Mobile TV. Unfortunately, none of the BCS Championship games will be available on the service. You will however have access to Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, the Meinke Car Care Bowl, and Papa John's.com bowl to name just a few. "Must see" games Verizon -- really?
AT&T pushes MediaFLO launch out to early '08
Whoa, a carrier slipping a deadline for a major new feature? How very unusual! AT&T is the unlucky subject of our wrath here on news that it has opted to move its MediaFLO-based mobile TV launch from the second half of '07 to the "very early part of 2008." The company's being a little shifty about the reasons for the move but has vaguely chalked it up to fine-tuning of the service -- lingo we interpret as "it doesn't work yet." With Verizon having launched its VCAST TV service in the early months of this year -- a service that also happens to be based on Qualcomm's MediaFLO tech -- AT&T looks to come dangerously close to missing Verizon's mark by a full year, a fate eerily similar the one met by its 3G launch. Of course, with the LG Vu looking lined up to be one of AT&T's launch handsets for the service, it all might just be worth the wait. Maybe.[Thanks, Fernando]
LG's Shine and Vu for AT&T: colors, dates, and FLO -- oh my!
So here's the deal for AT&T's CU720 Shine: AT&T looks to be preparing the anticipated slider (or, at least it was anticipated like a year ago) for a Black Friday launch. The silvery model will launch first, with black and red both planned for early '08. The Vu -- alias Prada, alias CU920 -- is still on track for an early '08 launch, too, though LG and AT&T are apparently pushing hard to get it rolled out in December, presumably to catch some last-minute holiday sales. MediaFLO support is confirmed in this bad boy, meaning that glorious display should see a little more action than the Cellular Video and MobiTV options AT&T subscribers have today. Oh, and are you wondering how that name's pronounced? Turns out it's "view," not "voo." Thank goodness.[Thanks, Kal-El]
Verizon announces Motorola Z6tv for October 5 launch
Verizon's finally ready to expand its two-strong VCAST TV lineup -- currently composed of the Samsung u620 and LG VX9400 -- to a third device, the Z6tv from Motorola. Supporting Verizon's MediaFLO-based mobile TV service, the Z6tv takes on a simple slider form factor like its u620 stablemate and features a 2 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, support fo VZ Navigator, roughly 50MB of onboard storage (mere scraps, if you ask us) plus microSD expansion, and support for landscape viewing of television, video clips, and the camera viewfinder. Look for it to launch a week from today, October 5, for a penny shy of $180 after $50 rebate.
Motorola Z6tv gets detailed and priced by Verizon
After having been through the indignity of an outing by the FCC, a roadmap slip, and subsequent roadmap correction, the Motorola Z6tv finally looks good to go. Verizon has let it slip that the handset will land for $279 on one-year agreement and $229 with two-year -- both feature $50 mail in rebates, to boot. So, there ya have it, look for this handset to be in your local bricks and mortar in the coming weeks, if not sooner. Oh, and hit the read link to pop on over to the Verizon site where all the nitty gritty details are posted for your geeky pleasure. [Via phoneArena]
Qualcomm looking to push MediaFLO in Taiwan with joint venture
DigiTimes is reporting that Qualcomm has openly expressed interest this month in setting up a joint venture in Taiwan to get the ball rolling on MediaFLO there. Having bagged two of four national carriers in the US (with the distinct possibility of bagging one or two more still in the cards), Qualcomm appears to be turning its attention to distant lands. As DigiTimes points out, the company has already set up a joint venture with Japan's KDDI (a CDMA carrier, unsurprisingly) to push its proprietary mobile TV tech in that country, so it seems like similar ventures elsewhere are a foregone conclusion. Noting that a joint venture could be either "financial or technological," Qualcomm already runs a MediaFLO-based trial in Taiwan that kicked off earlier this year, so we figure that it may be looking to get an infusion of local cash to take the service commercial -- especially considering that it'll be going up against a handful of recently-awarded DVB-H licenses in the country.[Via mocoNews]
