Just came back from the official launch of Smart myTV, the new mobile TV service in partnership with 360media (and MediaQuest). They designed the NBC Tent at the Fort with picturesque booths representing situations/locations where myTV could be enjoyed — on the beach, the golf course, at the bus stop, coffee shop, living room, and inside the car (which I think is a potential road hazard).
I earlier posted about MediaQuest’s announcement of mobile TV and even doubted whether the mass market is ready for it (only around 17% of Filipino homes are on cable). Some of my obvious questions before where now answered — Php488 a month for both post-paid and prepaid subscribers (pre-paid will need to have a Php489 load to activate). Available channels include CNN, MTV Philippines, Cartoon Network, National Geographic, Pinoy Box Office, The History Channel, Solar Sports, Basketball TV, ETC and Jack TV.
Area coverage includes Mega Manila (from North to South Luzon Expressway), Cebu, Davao, Tagaytay, Batangas, and Baguio City which will be followed by Boracay and Cagayan de Oro soon. The only available handset that’s DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld) capable is that bulky Nokia N92 but the N77 will be coming out soon.
If you have an N92 now and on the Smart network, you can try myTV for free until August 30, 2007.
Also bumped into tech journos and fellow bloggers Erwin and Max with whom I jokingly challenged on a first-to-publish race.
[tags]smart mytv, pldt, 360media, mediaquest[/tags]
So far only N92 and N77 works for myTV. There’s one model from Samsung but it still hasn’t been tested.
i just notice medyo hawig sa youtube ang logo ng mytv.
its great!!! hehehe but its quite expensive to have one.. n92 lng po b pwede dun? pero astig tlga!!!
I would avail of their subscription if only GMA and ABS-CBN are included, believe me, I’ll be one of the first in line if they have both local networks, with the Disney Channel and HBO as well.
what other phone models it support?
i guess i am not the market of smart, but with the cost of the mobile phone and cost of subscription i can already buy a decent tv and cable tv subscription and have access to more channels.
Doesn’t sound like this will fly.
Just a new way for Smart to charge its customers
Migs, they’ve encrypted the signal so you can only watch the channels if you’re on a Smart network.
Red, I think this phone’s TV tuner is analog while myTV is digital.
Erwin, yeah, I’ve been asking them about their HSDPA upgrade for that as well.
www.mb.com.ph/issues/2007/06/25/TECH2007062*****2.html
how about CECT D2000 mobile phone (China @ PHP 12,000) mobile phone, I saw from LifeStyle Check segment of ABC 5’s news Sentro na its capable of TV viewing…
i am not really intersted with myTV because i can’t afford to buy that…. just interested with the ladies promoting the technology.
Abe, I thought that was a serious challenge ;-)
Smart should think YouTube.
Look for handsets with DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld) support.
If I understand it correctly – ABS can go ahead and transmit their own DVB-H signal on their own, then any celphone user with the proper handset can pick it up, regardless of their mobile operator.
Mobile TV, it’s nice technology viewing via cellphone. What mobile unit will work with Smart MyTV?
MV – they said they weren’t able to close the deal with GMA and ABS-CBN in time for the official launching but they continue to discuss it. Once, they’re on board, the two channels will be added for free. I was also hoping ANC will be there too.
What, no Wowowee?
If ABS-CBN and GMA7 are available on myTV, then the corporate crowd will use myTV (since there’s usually no TV in the office during lunchbreak).
Or think of those teleseryes office people might miss because they won’t be able to go home in time for the show.
How about PhP 244.00 a month for local TV? Office people will bite. :-)
Looks like i need this since i dont have a tv and a cable at home. I will get one 5 years from now. Hahaha.
What Smart probably didn’t say – DVB-H is a different network from GSM/UMTS. Your DVB-H handset can pick up signals from any broadcaster, not just Smart’s own TV station. In fact, Dream TV has made some announcements re: their DVB-H offering.
But yeah, this really sounds like a toy for the rich (and flashy.)
yay, my NDA has lifted!
Isn’t it as expensive as home cable TV? Sa bahay na lang ako, malaki pang screen. Hehe.
On the other hand, kaya nga mobile TV eh. :p