Qualcomm enters media players with FLO TV device
updated 10:55 am EDT, Wed October 7, 2009
Qualcomm intros FLO TV Personal TV
Qualcomm this morning made official its attempt to produce its own hardware with the FLO TV Personal Television. The handheld revolves around the company's own FLO TV digital broadcast TV standard and depends on a subscription that provides multiple channels of both live and delayed content, such as Comedy Central, NBC and Nickelodeon. The interface takes its cue from modern media players like the iPod touch and Zune HD by using a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, although it uses a TV-like programming guide to pick channels.
The Personal Television is intended partly as a tabletop viewer and has its own kickstand and stereo speakers. When removed from a power source, though, it should last for about five hours of continuous TV. Rumors of support for offline media playback appear to be false.
Qualcomm hasn't specified how soon the handheld will ship but says the device will cost $250 and will need a paid FLO TV subscription to work. Service starts at $9 per month with a three-year contract but gets more expensive with one-year and no-contract options.
