Smart Home Lifestyle

November 18, 2006

In a Wi-Fi zone? Now you can watch TV, access computer files on some cell phones

“Mobile media” may be the new mania, but unless you live in a metropolis, you might as well hold on a minute, when it comes to new Wi-Fi options.  These new technologies may be ready for us, but are we ready for these new technologies?

Electronics integration was the first step- cell phones with cameras, GPS units and MP3 players.  But now, combining cell phones with the Internet brings “media on the go” to a whole new level.

 “3 Group just gets it,” said Joe Costello, chairman and co-founder of Orb Networks.  “They are the first mobile media company to give their customers the freedom and choices to use the mobile internet the way it was intended to be used.  Who doesn’t want the freedom to control what digital media we enjoy, when we enjoy it and where?”

3 Group’s (www.xseries.three.com) new mobile phones to be released at the beginning of next year combines the best of “media on demand,” including, you guessed it- TV.  3 Group recently partnered with two streaming media companies, Orb Networks and Sling Media, to offer even more.

“Working together with 3 has enabled us to push the boundaries of TV viewing further than ever before,” said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media.  “The availability of SlingPlayer Mobile for 3 customers is a major breakthrough in mobile TV viewing.  Customers can now view all the programs they love watch at home whilst on the move via their mobile phone.”

Sling Media (www.slingmedia.com) and Orb (www.orb.com) use two different approaches to accessing media.  Orb lets you access your photos, music, videos and TV all through the Internet and your PC.  Sling Media’s SlingPlayer Mobile uses a Slingbox device to watch TV.

So, what’s a Slingbox?  Slingbox attaches to your TV to provide the route to live or saved programming.  Local network channels can be accessed as well as movie channels, a huge perk for the business traveler longing for commercial-free entertainment.  And best of all, Slingbox lets you control your DVR from remote locations, which means you can watch what you have saved, or you can schedule a future taping. Slingbox even provides an on-screen virtual remote control that acts just like your Tivo remote at home for commands like "pause" and "thumbs-up."

And, now thanks to new mobile phones with SlingPlyer Mobile software pre-installed in select mobile phones viewing TV has never been simpler.

So, where does the mobile phone come in?  3 Group also partnered with a company called SkypeOut (www.skypeout.com) which uses the internet to let you call friends and family via the Internet to PCs, landlines and other mobile phones.

“The arrival of WiFi phones has helped liberate Skype users from the PC and made Internet calling truly mobile,” said Stefan Oberg, Skype’s General Manager, Hardware. “But never before have all the necessary ingredients been combined in one package at such an attractive price. This partnership delivers a ready-to-use system, leaving more time for conversations with family, friends and colleagues everywhere.”

Well, is it worth upgrading your phone now?  Do you frequent airports?  Then yes.  Do you live in a big city like LA or NY City?  Then, definitely yes.  Remember, since these new technologies depend on the Internet, you’ll need to be in a Wi-Fi hotspot for service.

Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec