Proto FLO TV tuner gives iPhone live shows

Qualcomm has quietly shown an example receiver that would give the iPhone and iPod touch FLO TV reception. Despite assertions that the company would use iPhone OS 3.0 support for native hardware, the demonstrator mimics the strategy used for the Softbank 1Seg tuner in Japan and pipes video over Wi-Fi. The receiver itself is roughly as large as the iPhone, though it's unclear whether this is due to its prototype nature or to accommodate a larger battery.

The example is considered a concept and won't necessarily be a production device, the company told Electricpig. Qualcomm is capable of smaller peripherals and just recently began shipping the FLO TV Personal TV, a TV-only device with its own touchscreen and five hours of battery; using iPhone OS 3.0 support would theoretically allow a Dock Connector device to achieve the same goal.

FLO TV normally requires a paid subscription and, until the Personal TV, has normally been limited to carrier deals through AT&T and Verizon.

By Electronista Staff