We continue talking about mobile TV technologies. In South Korea the government subsidized Digital Multimedia Broadcasting, or D.M.B. to give its citizens an opportunity to watch television on their handsets. The technology has been available since May last year, while the new free land-based version is now operating in the Seoul area (The New York Times). The government expects that the number of mobile TV users will grow to two million by the end of the current year.

Launchers are apprehensive that an extra $10 charged for mobile phone services may scare some users away. Besides, those who would be curious about and willing to get mobile TV services will have to buy a new handset, the prices for which are rather high. As well, the quality of broadcasts often leave much to be desired, which means that the service has several miles to go before gaining a strong footing worldwide.

However, according to telecomasia.net Europe is mulling over a swift decision on mobile TV services on a large scale. Initially, the EU planned to harmonies the rules and regulations by 2012, while now the authorities believe that a more prompt action should be taken to allocate some common European spectrum bandwidths for mobile TV.

Among the pioneers of mobile TV industry are Samsung and Philips, who have recently showcased their solutions aimed at that market at 11th Annual International IC-China Conference & Exhibition.

One of the drawbacks of the technology in question is that you cannot watch full-length films with it, because of the size of the monitor and the quality of reception – you would probably want to have a portable DVD with you if you are on the road. But news and weather are predicted to be among the most watchable items. One of the advantages is that you won’t miss your favorite TV series whenever you are.

mobile TV, mobile TV technologies, land-based version, mobile TV services, spectrum bandwidth, portable DVD

Technorati Tags: mobile TV, mobile TV technologies, land-based version, mobile TV services, spectrum bandwidth, portable DVD

Mobile phone television technologies are living through its early days. At the Cebit exhibition, which is still open in Hanover, Germany, Siemens showcased a stand with special mobile technologies that can broadcast various channels. Visitors can have a viewing experience of such high-profile channels as ARD, ZDF, Sat1 and DSF. The company is giving as a live demonstration of how everything works.

The point of bringing a TV screen to a mobile phone is to give users a chance to watch some important material while they are not at home, or in cases when their TV is not immediately accessible. Let us take a soccer match. If you decide to watch it outside your home and do not feel like going into a smoke-filled bar, then you can pick up a bench in a park and enjoy the competition.

The new screen technology allows for needle-sharp broadcasting quality, which can zoom in on the ball and make it more discernable than just a white dot. It should be noted that the game is then broadcast in near-real-time mode, because the additional processing of information takes away several fractions of a second.

Mobile TV has an advantage over a conventional TV, as it provides users with an opportunity to interact while watching a match or a show.

Digital television is going to be launched in Qatar and Kuwait by the end of 2006 and residents can gain access to digital broadcasts for only $20 of monthly fee. According to http://www.itp.net/business/news/details.php?id=20002&category, Nokia pilot tests into mobile phone television technology are to start shortly, while the handsets will hit the shelves this autumn.

France and Britain are already offering on-demand broadcasts to their subscribers, the list of which includes CNN and Bloomberg. Producers say that the content is going to be optimized and the most popular items to be watched on mobiles will be music videos, sports and news broadcasts as well as pre-recorded clips and series.

mobile TV, mobile phone television technologies, live demonstration, Cebit, broadcast, high-profile broadcast, needle-sharp broadcasting quality, digital television, on-demand broadcast, pre-recorded clip

Technorati Tags: mobile TV, mobile phone television technologies, live demonstration, Cebit, broadcast, high-profile broadcast, needle-sharp broadcasting quality, digital television, on-demand broadcast, pre-recorded clip

At a recently held Cebit trade fair in Hanover, which is regarded as the world’s biggest technological event, Microsoft showed off an Ultra Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC). It has been branded as a new generation of mobile computing devices and captured full attention of common visitors and businessmen alike.

So what is UMPC? Briefly, it is a light, thin and low-power tablet-like device that has been designed for those who are in need of staying always connected. It is small (can be compared to a paperback in size) and boasts a long battery life. Convenience of handling and portability are among its most eye-catching features.

In essence, Ultra Mobile PC is ideal for those who are constantly on the run and want to be au courant virtually. It allows making the most of PC and Internet. It uses Intel Architecture, Microsoft’s hardware partner, and according to http://www.intel.com/design/mobile/platform/umpc.htm can offer its users the following advantages:

• access content and information virtually anytime, anywhere
• communicate via email, IM, chat, or blogging
• entertain themselves with videos, games, music, pictures or TV on the go
• be productive by monitoring office apps and tools

With such a wide range of services available at hand, the device addresses the needs of business people and those who are active and prefer to keep pace with technological upflow, computer game buffs among them.

The creators promise an uncompromised access to the Internet, news, downloads, quality connectivity with devices in a living room or car, while friends, relatives and others can reach you via chat, e-mail, VoIP and instant messaging.

You can take UMPC with you wherever you go: go shopping and inform your friend about a sale in the shop that you both like, use GPS to find the street you are looking for, watch some videos while on the bus.

Cebit exhibition is held in Hanover March 9-15. In 2005 it attracted approximately 500,000 visitors, while this year the number of those interested in the event is expected to outrun the figure.

Ultra Mobile Personal Computer, UMPC, Cebit, new generation of mobile computing devices, IM, blogging, GPS, VoIP, instant messaging, Hanover, Intel Architecture, Microsoft

Technorati Tags: Ultra Mobile Personal Computer, UMPC, Cebit, new generation of mobile computing devices, IM, blogging, GPS, VoIP, instant messaging, Hanover, Intel Architecture, Microsoft