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CES 2010

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Samsung DTV phone AT&T Moto Backflip Lenovo Lephone  

Jan 5, 2010, 11:28 PM   by Eric M. Zeman & Rich Brome
updated Jan 9, 2010, 10:41 PM

Hands-on in Las Vegas with the Motorola Backflip, Lenovo Lephone, Samsung TV and projector phones, Palm Pre Plus, new LG phones, Windows Mobile 6.5.3, Google Nexus One and more.

At an early press preview, Samsung was showing a demo of the new mobile version of ATSC, the technology used by local TV stations to broadcast standard digital TV into homes over the air.

Samsung DTV Phone  

The demo phone is a specially-modified version of the Samsung Moment. They've taken the camera out to make room for the TV chip, and the antenna is practically bolted on. When not in use, the antenna unscrews and goes into a lanyard holder that dangles from the side like a pen on a string. This special Moment isn't intended for sale to the general public. Rather, it's a small batch of just 300 units that will be used for a closed market trail in the Washington, DC / Baltimore area this quarter. When the technology comes to market for the public, new models will be designed, with cameras and more elegant antennas.

The demo had some glitches, but it wasn't running on a full-scale live network, so it wasn't a great indicator of how it will perform in the real world. When video came up, the quality did look quite nice (the Moment's nice OLED screen certainly didn't hurt.) The technology is designed for wide-screen content (16:9 aspect ratio) so, while's it's not true HD resolution, you'll see the same wide image as you would on an HDTV; no cut-off sides.

When it eventually comes to market, it's expected that some content - such as local channels - will be free. National channels, rebroadcast by local stations, may carry a fee to view.

The technology also supports interactivity. For example, when watching American Idol on your TV phone, you could cast a vote for your favorite singer simply by touching their name on the screen. The technology also supports web links, so that touching an ad might take you to the retailer's mobile web site, for example. Samsung and Sprint plan to test interactivity in the trial.

The trial in DC / Baltimore will involve seven DC stations and one Baltimore station, plus some national channels.

One other tidbit we learned: local stations that are currently on VHF channels 6 and below won't work with mobile TV. Those frequencies are so low that it would require even larger antennas on the phones. Therefore those stations will have to partner with another station that has a license to broadcast at a higher frequency. Fortunately, most such stations already have relationships with suitable sister stations. For example, in Las Vegas, the local NBC station (channel 3) can broadcast on a sub-channel of the local Telemundo station (channel 40,) since they are owned by the same parent company.

Here's a video demo of the DTV function in action:

About the author, Eric M. Zeman & Rich Brome:

Eric has been covering the mobile telecommunications industry for 17 years at various print and online publications. He studied at Rutgers Newark and University of Kentucky, and has a degree in writing. He likes playing guitar, attending concerts, listening to music, and driving sports cars.

Comments

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This forum is closed.

IAmChrisHansen

Jan 17, 2010, 10:02 AM

Rich and the Android Software

They mentioned that "Rich" didn't like the Nexus One, or the Droid for that matter, because it lacked some simple features, such as easily adding a number from your recent call log into your Contacts. All you have to do is simply press and hold down on the number and tap on "Add to Contacts"...It doesn't seem that hard. If "Rich" doesn't know how to use the phone he shouldn't knock it. I haven't personally used the Nexus One but I'm very familiar with the Android platform due to the fact that I have a MyTouch and a Motorola Droid. Either way...don't knock the phone because you don't know how to use a certain feature. I'm pretty sure the Nexus One is an awesome phone.
Hi-z

Jan 11, 2010, 6:12 PM

That's it?

Is it just me or did the new phones being previewed at CES 2010 seem blah? There's nothing real exciting.
That was a relatively good crop of new phones for a CES. It's not a phone show.
bluecoyote

Jan 9, 2010, 11:20 PM

Brooke Shields...

You don't go from an iPhone to an LG Lotus, and you don't go from AT&T to Sprint and find fewer dropped calls...
The iphone is not the end all phone. Heres a shocker not everyone likes the iphone 😲 . Don't be sheep and get a phone because your told its cool and trendy. If the phone works for you and you enjoy using it, thats all that matters. And At&t's net...
(continues)
...
I went from Iphone 3G to Palm PRE on Sprint and couldn't be happier.
jlsmarts

Jan 9, 2010, 7:56 PM

Palm Pre and Pixi Plus

Question(s):

1) What will be the release version of webOS for Verizon Wireless?

2) Will virtual keyboards (portrait and landscape) be included with the Pre and Pixi Plus (despite the webOS version when released)?
1. I will use webOS 1.4 I believe which will be rolled out to everyone else in Feb.

2. There was no mention of a virtual keyboard but you can always jailbreak and install the home brew version.
bleu_tropix

Jan 11, 2010, 3:04 AM

LePhone

Yes the name sounds ridiculous, but I'm lovin' the UI...it's a mash up of all the right parts of Android and iPhone. Any chance Lenovo will bring their phones to the US?
most likely not.. because they'll have to deal with APPLE lawyers.
duncan38d

Jan 7, 2010, 3:56 PM

Sony Xperia X10

So no news about the X10 yet I'm really hoping ATT is getting this device because as of late Tmobile is getting all the good phones.
Rogers (Canada) is getting the X10. I haven't heard anything about AT&T.
 
 
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