What's the state of pocket TVs in NA today?

[mmntech]

Pocket TVs, like the Sony Watchman. I remember seeing these when I was a kid and thinking they were so awesome. You could watch TV, anywhere! I remember having a friend that even had the TV tuner for GameGear. That was long before PMPs came out.

These things seemed all the rage back in the 90s, then they vanished. Not that I'm looking for one. I'm just curious about what happened to them. Especially now since the US has switched to ATSC, and Canada is doing its switchover next year. I mean, there is online TV. But when the world's most successful line of PMPs can't even stream Flash video, let alone Silverlight...

I've seen a few ATSC pocket TV models floating around but only a handful at best. Anybody think pocket TVs will make a return in the ATSC era.

 

[akugami]

Doubtful. I used to have one of those pocket TV's and it sucked batteries like crazy. It also sucked on the reception front. I think that we might be entering an era where we have a device that does almost everything. And this likely means streamed video to devices like the Zune HD, iPod Touch, Android phones, etc. This is much more flexible to a mobile lifestyle than having to attempt to set your schedule to whenever a show is on TV. Obviously you'll still have to budget your time in the case of live shows like sports.

 

[Muadib]

I use a slingbox & an iPhone, and except for when I go to Giant stadium, it works much better than any portable TV. Until someone comes up with a better antenna for the new digital channels, I think that is the only way to go.

 

[hanoverphist]

just did a google search on portable tvs. i was trying to remember the name of the one i keep seeing shitty ads for, but it wasnt even in the list. all kinds of tvs available still, so while you dont hear much about them the industry/ demand seems pretty good for them still.

 

[gorcorps]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/FLO+TV+-...20tv&cp=1&lp=1

This is the one that has ads running. I haven't really heard anything about it but it looks to be getting medicre/average reviews on BB website which is about what I expected.

 

[Muadib]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/FLO+TV+-...20tv&cp=1&lp=1

This is the one that has ads running. I haven't really heard anything about it but it looks to be getting medicre/average reviews on BB website which is about what I expected.

What does this need in order to work? Their website doesn't really say.

 

[mmntech]

I use a slingbox & an iPhone, and except for when I go to Giant stadium, it works much better than any portable TV. Until someone comes up with a better antenna for the new digital channels, I think that is the only way to go.

The big problem with Slingbox is mobile bandwidth, or lack there-of, plus the high cost. Thus streaming becomes impractical without wifi reception.

Hmm, Flow TV. This explains it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flo_TV