Finally, is this TV I see before me?
Rating: square eyes
Verizon Wireless made what it hopes is its killer app announcement even before the CES show kicked off in Las Vegas in the shape of V Cast Mobile TV – a multicast video service powered by Qualcomm’s new MediaFlo network.
Like just about everything else announced so far, V Cast Mobile TV is set to launch sometime in the first quarter. Assuming the operator makes good on its promise, instead of a measly 15 frame-per-second video via the 3G EV-DO network, V Cast Mobile TV will run at around 30 frames per second, which is more comparable with broadcast TV. Also, the service pushes multiple channels simultaneously to MediaFlo-enabled phones, avoiding the 30 seconds or so previously needed for video buffering when changing channel.
The new service will debut with a handful of broadcast and cable TV networks, including CBS, Comedy Central, Fox, MTV, NBC and Nikelodeon. Users will be able to dial up shows on an electronic programming grid and search by keyword, and parental controls will also be available.
The initial V Cast Mobile TV phone line-up will include the Samsung SCH-U620 and the LG VX9400. Prices aren’t yet available.
Rotten picture quality, problems synching the moving image and sound, and frustration changing channels have all been contributors to the poor take up of mobile TV. The next hurdles are affordable handsets and services, with luck coming to a very small screen near you soon, at least in the some parts of the US.
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