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T-Mobile joins Hiwire for mobile TV test
T-Mobile may be playing catch-up in the 3G game, but it looks like they want to come rearing out of the gate on mobile TV. Hiwire, rife with nationwide spectrum in the 700MHz band, is gearing up to launch its DVB-H trial this December in the Las Vegas area; T-Mobile decided early on that it wanted in on the action, reportedly hooking up with Hiwire within 60 days of its formation. Ultimately, the carrier has not signed any agreements to join forces with Hiwire for a full-scale launch, but we can presume that a successful test in Vegas could lead to a long-term partnership. The trial looks to roll deep with as many as four handset models, thanks mainly to the availability of existing DVB-H phones that operate elsewhere on the same band.[Via Phone Scoop]
Gigabyte's dual-tuner g-Smart i200
Though Gigabyte's not much of a mobile presence here in the US, folks in Asian countries might want to listen up: the spec sheet on their g-Smart i200 Pocket PC phone makes it sound like the best thing since... well, the i120 and i300. The 512MB of internal storage is hot, the promise of Crossbow (if it's available by the device's launch in Q1 '07) is pure gold -- but what's really got us all fired up are the integrated dual tuners (DVB-H and DVB-T) and 2.69-inch VGA display. Yep, we said it: VGA. Everyone waiting for the promise of compromise-free mobile web browsing and remote desktop connections can come out of hiding, because this bad boy could very well be the phone you've been waiting for. The TV-out and DVR functionality don't hurt, either. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to book our flights to Taiwan.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Nokia, Motorola to play nice on mobile TV
Mobile TV may not be off to the blazing start some had hoped, but it seems like only good things can happen when the world's #1 and #2 handset manufacturers get together to push it. Nokia and Motorola have announced an agreement to collaborate on DVB-H interoperability, lessening the burden on carriers trying to take mobile TV networks live and (hopefully) hastening wide-scale adaptation. The agreement may be seen as a blow for Qualcomm, which peddles the rival MediaFLO tech, but even they've managed to hedge their bets in the event the tide turns solidly against them. Either way, this all means nothing until devices are in consumers' hands and the market is sustainable; Modeo, we await your move.
Consumers are/aren't hot for mobile TV, Part V
It appears that despite a strong push by carriers and content providers, consumers' cold, uneasy reception of mobile video continues. This time around, LA Times and Bloomberg have the numbers, showing that a mere 9% of folks in the influential 18-24 age bracket have any desire to watch television on their handset, compared to 40% who wouldn't mind doing so on their computer. The numbers get even worse for movies -- and understandably so -- with just 6% wanting to squint their way through a film. The numbers get a little better among 12-17 year olds with 14% willing to give mobile television a shot, but still, it looks like major investments in mobile TV infrastructure could prove to be money pits if stakeholders don't figure out how to hook 'em while they're young.[Via PVR Wire]
FCC shows Nokia N92 some approval love
Nokia's DVB-H capable N92 may not support GSM 850 or a UMTS band that's useful to us here in the States -- never mind the fact that we don't have any DVB broadcasts to tune in to -- but that doesn't mean we can't lust after the dual-pivot clamshell with its gorgeous 2.8-inch display. Happily, it looks like we can now satisfy our desires without ruffling the feathers of the, uh, FCC police. Of course, that still means we'd have to find some stock; despite getting announced alongside the N80 last year, the N92 hasn't yet become available in significant quantity, though Nokia's promising that we should start to see 'em here in the second half of the year.[Via Mobilewhack]
Brazil chooses ISDB for their digital broadcasts
Brazil is happy. They have their plan for their digital TVs done. Japan is happy. Brazil choose Japan's expensive ISDB format. Everyone is happy - except Japanese soccer fans as Brazil beat them the other day but that is a whole different story.This standard was chosen over ATSC and DVB. We used ATSC here in the States and it works fine, but ISDB has many benefits over our system; cost is not one of them. Brazil felt that the ISDB standard would fit their residents better now and in the future. This is the same system, by the way, that can send high-def video to your cell phone or car. The only downfall really is the cost. But then again if the States could avoid gas at three dollars a gallon and run entirely on ethanol like Brazil, then maybe we could be getting HDTV on our cell phones right now.
MobiTV cuddles-up with Microsoft to bring digital TV to your Windows device
While it sure seems that MediaFLO, DVB-H, and T-DMB broadcast technologies are set to bring the pain to mobile digital television pioneers MobiTV this year, don't count the old dog out just yet. Today MobiTV announced a partnership with Microsoft to bring their flavor of mobile DTV to Windows Mobile powered phones and devices, as well as XP-based PCs and laptops. The love-in means MobiTV will make use of Microsoft's Windows Media platform, including their DRM, audio and video codecs, and Windows Media Player for content delivery and consumption. The technology will be on display at CTIA where we'll be sure to check it out in our live coverage.[Via Geekzone]
Japan launches One Seg, latest broadcast vid standard
As if the world needed yet another broadcast digital video standard, Japan's taking their stab at it today by officially finally rolling out One Seg, which sidechannels analog terrestrial broadcasting with digital signals. Apparently it's be free to air and now live in and around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, which is nice, but we're never too stoked for yet another radio standard the world's got to deal with supporting. Though we understand there are already a half a million One Seg mobile devices floating around Japan as we speak beginning with a December rollout of the standard, including Vodafone's new Sharp 95SH.
Brazil ponders HDTV standards
We've frequently fawned over DVB and Japan-only devices, now some of Brazil's top officials are doing the same thing. While Europe, Japan and the U.S. all use different standards for broadcasting high definition television, Brazil has not chosen yet. They will be visiting Korean companies like LG who are pushing the US standard, while Toshiba and Sony work together to promote the Japanese standard, and European companies pushing DVB before they make a decision. According to the article, they are likely to choose the Japanese standard in return for significant investments to build manufacturing plants in Brazil.
Microsoft shows off IPTV plans, partners
As the convergence race heats up, Microsoft is not sitting on the sidelines, as last week at the IBC show in Amsterdam they shed more light on their plans for IPTV devices with SBC, Intel, Motorola, Linksys and others. Among the announcements made for NTSC markets were:Previously announced Scientific Atlanta set top boxes including SD and HD receivers and DVRs, as well as IP-over-coax and DVB supportA Thomson/Intel box that is said to be commercially available, supporting Microsoft's IPTV Edition platform. Expandable to include DVR features, it also supports Windows Media 9, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 encoded sources.A system-on-a-chip developed with Sigma Designs specifically intended to support all IPTV edition features and lower cost so that it can be included in set top boxes, TV's, DVD players and gaming consoles. I don't think this nearly answers the question of where the Media Center Edition platform's future lies, but Microsoft is clearly doing everything they can to make sure they have their devices at the heart of your digital entertainment center of the future.
