Mobile TV
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TV Catchup for Android arrives on Google Play
TVCatchup, the excellent little TV-watching service has brought its app over to Android. The service, which we've found to be much more reliable than the BBC's live streams on our flaky connection, lets you watch nearly 60 free-to-air channels available in the UK. The ad-supported app is available for free on Google Play right now -- as long as you've paid your license fee, folks.
Samsung demos its take on LTE Broadcast, edges closer to TV over 4G
There must be a resurgence of mobile TV in the works at Samsung. Just hours after it brought out the TV-equipped Galaxy S Lightray 4G, the company has confirmed (through partner Anritsu) that it's successfully testing LTE Broadcast technology. As the name implies, the standard and its evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (eMBMS) pipe software-independent services like TV over a 4G network's ample bandwidth rather than requiring dedicated networks and the costs that come with them -- we all know how that last strategy panned out in the US. Unsurprisingly, Samsung isn't saying what its long-term plans might be at this early stage, although we'd note that it isn't alone. Qualcomm was showing LTE Broadcast back at Mobile World Congress, for example. While it's far too soon to tell if there will be any American revival, Samsung's help puts the writing on the wall for conventional mobile TV formats like T-DMB.
Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G hides out in the open, heads to MetroPCS
What's old is apparently new again for MetroPCS subscribers. Thanks to some leaked training materials over on Howard Forums, we have a pretty clear idea of the next Galaxy S device to bow on that budget carrier's lineup -- the Lightray 4G. No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, we've seen this exact phone before at CES 2012 where it was part of Dyle's Mobile TV showcase. And that chassis you see above? It's a mostly unaltered version of Verizon's Droid Charge, although that formerly pointed chin seems to have gotten the Ashlee Simpson treatment. Spec-wise, the 4.3-inch device reportedly packs a Super AMOLED Plus display, 1.3-megapixel front-facing / 8-megapixel rear cameras, 16GB of included microSD storage (what it'll ship with onboard is unknown), HDMI-out and, bizarrely, that aforementioned TV tuner, replete with antenna. No word on when this unofficial fella's set to go legit nor which Google OS treat it'll run, but with a recently surfaced FCC doc and company slides to go off, we're sure to find out sooner rather than later.
Simple.TV launches Kickstarter campaign for support from viewers like you
Winning a Best of CES award is all well and good, sure, but it's not enough to bring your device to market. That, friends, is what Kickstarter is for. Simple.TV is ready to bring its mobile TV / DVR device to market, but it needs the help of some enthusiastic supporters with a little pocket money to spare. The company's been working to make the device a reality and is "close enough that we need to start ordering parts and getting the production pipeline turned on," which, naturally, in where people like you come in. To help achieve its $125k goal, Simple.TV is offering up a unit for a $125 pledge (down from its "already super low price of $149"). Higher pledges will get you fun things like a Roku XD. More info can be had in the video after the break.
Bell Canada Mobile TV service hands-on
Bell Canada's updated its Mobile TV service to introduce a bevy of new features and content. The mobile TV service now offers 26 channels of live programming and a pile of on demand content thrown in for good measure. The interface has been tidied up, a programming guide has made an appearance, alerts are now here so you won't miss shows and flipping to portrait mode from landscape lets you browse the new guide while your current show plays on. Bell's Mobile TV service is priced at $5 a month for five hours of content; overages -- measured in hours -- cost an additional $1 per hour, though using the service with WiFi is thankfully free. Is it worth the $5 on top of your already potentially pricey phone bill? Follow on through while we take Bell's TV offering for a quick spin with words and some pretty video, too.
Hands-on with Dyle Mobile TV, broadcasting live to a handset near you (video)
Dyle couldn't have found a better showcase than CES to exhibit its next gem. It's only been a few days since we first heard that the joint venture between MetroPCS and the Mobile Content Venture would bear fruit in 2012, and, well, we're in Las Vegas and we've seen it take its first steps. Although live TV broadcasting to mobile devices couldn't exactly be considered cutting-edge, judging by our time with the handset, this is one of the greater implementations of the concept. The company tells us that the app is set to hit its beta stage within the next few months at no cost, but that might change depending on partners and networks. Speaking of partners, Samsung alongside the Metro carrier will be the first to have the chipset-embedded smartphones on the market -- yes, that means you won't actually see the circa 1990's antenna. Dyle's also partnered up with Belkin to bring the service past phones and onto tablets, however, unlike the Sammy-branded phone that's expected to use the chip, the tablets will be able to pick up the airwaves by doubling the headphones as a receiver. Jump past the break to see the mobile telecast in action.
RCA-branded hardware at CES includes mobile TVs with Android, soundbar / media streamer
While it may not have the most high profile entries at CES, RCA always manages to lend its brand to some interesting hardware, and this year that includes the Wi-Fi Home Theater Sound Bar seen above. It brings multichannel audio and wireless surround speakers as well as access to services like Netflix and Hulu, by building in the Roku-like streamer RCA is currently peddling. Its other products include a slew of TVs due for various regions in the Americas, like a 55-incher it's claiming is the first connected LED LCD available in Latin America. We haven't hit a Best Buy in Uruguay to confirm that yet, so we'll just have to take RCA's word on that one for now. Also spied at its CES Unveiled booth were mobile TVs compatible with the Dyle service, and licensee Digital Stream has an Android-powered TV receiver planned for later this year. The device has a 7-inch touchscreen and a few simple apps included, and should be priced around $200 when it ships in the second half of the year. Check the press release after the break for a few more details, check below for hands-on pics.
Belkin teams with Mobile Content Venture to bring Dyle Mobile TV to your phone, iPad (hands-on)
Hot on the heels of its agreement with MetroPCS, Mobile Content Venture (MCV) is now teaming up with Belkin. The duo will collaborate on new products and application designs for tech that will bring broadcast TV to 120 million existing devices -- and a plethora of new gadgetry, we'd surmise. Live programming will be enabled through MCV's Dyle Mobile TV service which gathers content from 15 major broadcast groups including Fox, NBC and ION Television, just to name a few. Product prototypes are said to be on display this week at CES, and further details on the partnership should be on the way as well. Update: We got some hands-on time with the setup at CES Unveiled, and spotted the digital TV watching software not only running on an unnamed MetroPCS handset, but on a Belkin dongle-equipped iPad as well. Check out our in-person pics in the gallery.
MetroPCS hooks up with the Mobile Content Venture for live TV on the go
The wireless-for-all carrier's been agreeing to all sorts of partnerships of late in an effort to keep its users content, the latest one being the tie-up with Mobile Content Venture that'll bring local broadcast TV live to your MetroPCS handset. The service, which is said to be coming later in the year, will be offered via a Dyle Mobile TV app, and the companies are guaranteeing that you'll be able to watch the content "right out of the box." There's 15 total broadcasters named in the deal, some of which are: FOX, ION Television, NBC, Telemundo and Univision (for all your novela needs). We've seen a plethora of mobile devices come and go since we first heard of the Mobile DTV promise, but they did say 2012 would be the year, and, well, here we are. A peek at the PR below tells us we'll see this in action next week at CES, so we'll let you know if it's as marvelous as it sounds.
FilmOn finds another way to put live TV on your mobile, but it's still awkward
FilmOn's TV streaming ambitions haven't exactly gone according to plan since it got into legal hot water with a bunch of not-so-minor broadcasters last year -- including CBS, FOX and plenty others. Until that dries off, the company wants to bring TV to your phone, tablet or laptop using an additional route: a portable ATSC tuner. It's shown off a receiver dongle that it claims can enable watching and recording of free-to-air shows on iOS, Android, PC and Mac, with an in-built five-hour battery and pass-through charging. The FilmOn AIR device will start shipping in February with a $95.95 standalone price tag, or $149.95 when packaged with a year's subscription to the main FilmOn service that streams 120 channels over the web -- well, for now at least.
From leak to live: Sony Ericsson officially reveals Xperia Acro for Japan
The Arc's Japan-bound baby brother hasn't exactly been a well kept secret. After last month's website and image leaks, we've been waiting for Sony Ericsson to make it official. And now they have. The Xperia Acro, flaunting a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 8.1 megapixel camera, and Adreno 205 GPU is heading to Japan this summer -- making it a possible match for the Azusa, uncovered by NenaMark earlier this week. The new kid in Akihabara was designed specifically for the Japanese market, runs Android 2.3.3 on a 4.2-inch touchscreen, and adds unique features like a mobile wallet and TV functionality. Hit the break for some quick and dirty PR.
Xperia Acro images leaked, Arc's Japan-bound sibling puts on a little weight at the circus
If you'll remember last week's funny when Sony Ericsson accidentally outed the Xperia Acro on their PC Companion software, we were at an utter loss for quality shots of the device... happily, that's now changed. Yes, dear readers, we present you with a multi-angle look at the Acro, and if it appears decidedly similar to the Arc, you're close to understanding Sony's intent. As expected, this Japanese Xperia has bulked up after tossing on NFC, IrDA and DTV features. If this weren't enough, SE's show-off gets another bonus over its svelte sibling and is expected to ship with Android 2.3.3, (you know, for all that NFC-writing you were planning).
Sony Ericsson's Acro leaked, shows up its older brother
Whoa there, Mister Clickety-click, contain that check-box excitement just a tick. Thanks to a keen set of eyes (and an overly-eager Sony Ericsson employee), we present SE's latest unreleased Xperia, the Acro -- a refinement to its recent Gingerbread-wielding Arc that you most certainly weren't meant to see. Duplicating the core specs of its sibling, Sony's future stuntman takes it a step further, performing infrared and NFC communication, while also showcasing its DTV reception skills -- you know, so the locals can get their fill of zany game shows on the commute. Like its kin, the Arc features a 1GHz Snapdragon MSM8255, 4.2-inch display and an 8.1 megapixel Exmor R sensor, just like the one you may or may not see in future iPhones. Even though the TV function is decidedly intriguing, we know you're just considering beaming bits of IrDA glory to your graphing calculator. Hey, there's no shame in that. Update: Based on the model number, we're pretty sure the Acro is destined for KDDI's au brand. [Thanks, Chris]
Spice Mobile's Popkorn handset touts built-in projector, 1080p unlikely
We're big fans of new kit splashing down close to home, but there's a certain intrigue attached to handsets hailing from faraway locales. So when a loyal reader tipped us off to Spice Mobile's M-9000 Popkorn, a candybar phone from India featuring a built-in projector, we understandably took notice. Originating from the land of saffron for 6,900 rupees (approximately $158), its showcase feature allows users to project broadcast television onto the wall -- not exactly an ideal TV replacement, but it'd do in a pinch. Additionally, designers integrated live and scheduled recording of FM radio for those who'd rather listen in. Conversely, the M-9000 is a woefully dated phone, held back in the ages of analog TV, GPRS and Edge networks. No specs were noted on the projector's resolution, though given an internal 2.4-inch display at 320 x 240, we speculate its splay is one only Mr. Blurrycam could appreciate. Much like India itself, the Popkorn is an apt representation of the past and future, held together as one. Perhaps that's why we feel such fond sentiment for this little guy -- check out Spice's entire portfolio at the source. [Thanks, Akash]
Study shocker! Mobile users piddle around on the internet while watching TV
Shocker of shockers, folks: people do more than just watch TV when they're watching TV. A study of over 8,000 willing individuals from Nielsen and Yahoo recently discovered that some 86 percent of mobile internet users tinker around on their devices while situated in front of the tube. It seems that Googling random facts, checking their Facebook news feed and seeing who has tweeted in the past 30 seconds were atop the list of activities to do while watching, but strangely, a full 20 percent confessed to search for more information about a commercial they recently saw. Hit the source link below (PDF) to be instantly bombarded with facts and figures, but first, refresh that TweetCaster feed. Ah, so much better.
App review: SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7
For better or for worse, the latest SlingPlayer Mobile app is very much like its other flavors: same easy preparation, a familiar interface, and a similarly tear-inducing $30 price tag.
LG's CES 2011 HD lineup: SmartTV platform, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs
Thanks to a couple of carefully planned slips over in South Korea, hardly anything about LG's CES 2011 is apt to take you fully by surprise. But if you just so happened to disconnect over the holidays, we'll break it all down below to ensure you remain firmly in the loop. For starters, the outfit seems pretty darn proud of its new SmartTV platform. Hinted at last month, this system enables HDTVs, Blu-ray players and other sources to access all sorts of streaming media, apps and even provides users with a way to surf the web. Four main sections are given -- TV Live, Premium Content, TV Apps and a Launch Bar -- and for TV models, owners will control things with a wave of the hand (read: Magic Remote). SmartTV picks up where NetCast left off, offering access to Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video on Demand, NHL Gamecenter, NBA Game Live and MLB.tv. This here functionality is baked into quite a few of the outfit's 2011 HDTVs, but should own an older model... Then there's the all-new SmartTV upgrader! The ST600 is a minuscule set-top box that aims to transform any TV into a SmartTV. So long as your set has an HDMI input, you'll be able to access the content mentioned above. But, of course, it's on you to source your own Magic Remote. If it's an all-new TV you're after, the company is also revealing its 2011 LED and LCD HDTV line. Nary a one is different than those we heard about last week, but at least you can now rest easy knowing that the LW9500 and LW7700 Nano Full HD 3D models will indeed see a stateside release this month. The best news here is the use of polarizing glasses -- none of that headache-inducing active shutter mess. There are 13 new LED LCD models in all, with nine of 'em shipping with the SmartTV platform embedded. Unfortunately, LG's not dishing out pricing information on these bad boys just yet. Not so keen on picking up an LCD? Plasma still lives, you know! LG's rolling out its 1080p Infinia PZ950 and PZ750 lines here at CES, with both available in 50-inch and 60-inch class sizes. Both lines come equipped with the SmartTV platform, a gesture-based Magic Motion remote andl as a free Android / iPhone app if you'd rather use your phone as a remote. The 50- / 60-inch PZ550 is saddling with NetCast 1.0, but it -- along with the PW350, PZ950 and PZ750 lines -- can handle 3D imagery. Sadly, LG's also straying from providing pricing details on these. Wrapping things up, the company is debuting its 2011 line of networked Blu-ray players and home theater systems. The BD690 supports 3D BD playback and ships with an inbuilt 250GB HDD and the SmartTV platform. The majority of LG's line also includes WiFi, DLNA streaming support and a MusicID feature by Gracenote that enables consumers to play a song from a movie of TV show by mashing a single button on the remote. The BD670, BD650, BD640, BD630 and BD650 are also seeing the light of day, with the latter being LG's first portable BD deck. Finally, LG snuck in an image (seen above) of a 3D mobile TV prototype. We've no details whatsoever to go on, but you can rest assured we'll be scouring the show floor in search of just that. For more information on all of the goods here, head on past the break for the full releases. Don't expect to find any pricing information, though. %Gallery-112603%
Philips crams ATSC M/H tuner into PD725 portable DVD player, intros PB9013 mobile Blu-ray player
In recent years, Philips has strayed somewhat from introducing products catering to the North American marketplace. We're thrilled to say that this year's spate of CES announcements signifies a stark turn from that approach. The most interesting release from the company during this year's blowout is probably the PS725 (shown above), a 7-inch portable DVD player that doubles as a mobile TV viewer. Before you bust out the yawn collector, you should know that Philips managed to stuff both an ATSC and an ATSC M/H tuner within, the latter of which just announced a major push into 20 major metropolitan markets back in November. The unit has an 800 x 480 resolution display, three hours of nonstop playback via a rechargeable Li-Polymer battery pack, a screen that swivels 180 degrees and a $299 price point. It'll ship in March, just as your FLO TV service keels over. In related news, the outfit is also outing a PB9013 portable Blu-ray player, which touts a 9-inch display, a battery good for three hours of enjoyment, a bundled mounting kit and an HDMI output. You'll also see this one ship in March, but with a $399 retail sticker. Outside of those two, we're told that the GeGear Muse MP4 player is now on track to ship in March, with the 8GB model going for $149, the 16GB edition for $179 and the high-end 32GB model for $229. For those out of the loop, it'll deliver a 3.2-inch HVGA touchpanel, an FM radio tuner, 720p movie support and compatibility with FLAC and APE lossless files. Closing things up, we've got the Fidelio DS8550 and DS9010 speaker docks. The former handles your iPod, iPhone and / or iPad, streams tunes over Bluetooth and touts a built-in, rechargeable battery; this guy's on sale now for $299. As for the latter? That one's expected to ship at the tail-end of March for $599, with the price premium netting you an aircraft quality aluminum enclosure, improved audio drivers and a proximity sensor to activate a backlit control panel. Bullet points after the break, per usual. %Gallery-112183%
FLO TV rebates for devices and service are now live
FLO TV said that it would be refunding the eight folks who actually bought into its services once it made the tough decision to shut things down on March 27, 2011, and lo and behold, it's a promise kept. What we weren't expecting, however, was any sort of monetary compensation for hardware, but it looks as if FLO TV will be providing some sort of rebate amount to those who purchased a FLO TV Personal Television, Audiovox Portable DVD Player with FLO TV or FLO TV Auto Entertainment center. It's unclear how much you'll be getting back -- you'll need to go through the entire rebate process to find out -- but you will be reimbursed for any prepaid FLO TV services that you're no longer interested in using (or won't be able to use due to the March 2011 cutoff). Hit the source link to file your claim, but be aware that your service will be cut within 72 hours of submitting it. Beyond the break, you'll find the full email that FLO TV is sending to its customers. [Thanks, T.J.]
Mobile DTV ready to roll out, upgrading 20 major metros to portable TV by 2012
Slowly but surely, the biggest US cities are catching up to the rest of the world -- just imagine, by this time next year, we might even have broadcast television beamed to our tablets and cell phones. That's because the Mobile Content Venture formed from twelve media giants in April has just promised to start upgrading TV stations to deliver Mobile DTV (aka ATSC-M/H) around the country, with the intent of reaching 20 major markets and a total of 40 percent of the US population by "late 2011." Each of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Tampa, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando, Portland, Cincinnati, Greenville, West Palm Beach, Birmingham and Knoxville can expect to have a pair of ad-supported TV channels before long, assuming citizens are willing and able to pick up hardware with a old-school RF antenna sticking out -- and that whole "streaming" thing doesn't take off. PR after the break.
