Is it just what they’re showing us? A Flo TV app, that requires some kind of accessory to tune into broadcasts? That’s possible, but given how well the iPhone can stream video over 3G, it’d be a hard sell, even with Flo TV’s cable-like channel selection. It would also help if said accessory wasn’t larger than the actual iPhone.

Or is it to foster excitement over the idea of native Flo TV hardware support in the iPhone, like in the HTC Imagio? Because that will never, ever happen. So again, why? [Electric Pig]

Keep in mind we’re not talking about the likes of VCast or the like. This is the real deal, live streaming TV straight from the networks to mobile devices. That could mean live sports, live sitcoms, live whatever-you-can-think-of TV on your phone.

Hopefully the mobile DVR apps will follow. [Press Release via Crunchgear]

AU: For the record, this isn’t available here in Australia. _-EH

The Gadget

Verizon’s HTC Imagio is a touchscreen Windows Mobile 6.5 handset, or “Windows Phone”, with a healthy, if expected, spec set, iiiiinnncluding!: a 3.6-inch WVGA screen, Wi-Fi, GPS, 5MP camera, 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD storage expansion (but sadly, no included card). It’s also the first smartphone with V CAST Mobile TV, which is a Flo TV-based live streaming TV service that looks and feels a bit like digital cable, phone-ised. Accordingly, it has an adorable kickstand, for laid-back video viewing.

The Price

$US200 on contract with Verizon, after a $US100 rebate

The Hardware

HTC is the Taco Bell of the handset world — they’ve only got a few ingredients that they put into their long menu of products, but the results are consistently pretty good, if not all that varied. Of the bulging ranks of 528MHz-Qualcomm-based touchscreen handsets, this is one of my favourite permutations. For its size, the Imagio is respectably thin—about as thick as an iPhone, but with a noticeably larger screen—and pleasantly rounded in the rear, with a subdued two-tone backplate accented with a shiny camera bezel and a chrome kickstand.

The front of the device is framed by a perforated grille, which looks and feels pleasantly knobbly, giving the handset a feeling of security in your hand. The bottom row of buttons—call, V CAST, Windows Start Menu, back and end call—are placed a little low to be comfortable to press, but anyone who’s used to HTC handset designs won’t have any trouble figuring this one out.

Performance is adequate, but since this is the same Qualcomm processor we’ve been complaining about for months now, and the 256MB of RAM isn’t overly generous, it’s nothing better than what we’ve already seen in the likes of the HTC Touch Pro2. HTC’s done plenty of work to making TouchFLO run nice’n’smooth, sure, but it really wouldn’t hurt not just make a handset with speedier hardware, but to actually release it in the US.

The Software

I was pretty hard on Windows Mobile 6.5 in my review, but guess what? HTC likes it even less. TouchFLO 3D reaches deeper into the operating system than ever before, to the point that during casual use you can’t even tell you’re using a Windows Mobile phone. The Titanium homescreen? Replaced. The new, larger contextual menus? How about prettier HTC versions instead? Virtually every other piece of software that HTC had time to revamp or cover up? Out of sight, out of mind. And for one final kick in the nuts, the new Start Menu, which Microsoft even went so far as to require 6.5 phones to have a dedicated button for? Replaced with a slightly better HTC variant. That, right there, is a better review of Windows Mobile 6.5 than I could ever write.

V CAST TV

Based on FLO TV, which probably doesn’t mean much to most people, V CAST is a categorically impressive technology. The best way to describe it is that it’s like having a digital cable box, complete with live broadcasts of familiar basic cable stations (Comedy Central, CNN, the like), and a familiar program guide interface. Video quality is fair, but definitely watchable, and the experience of flipping through live channel is, well, pretty novel.

As interesting as the technology is, there are a few serious problems. Watching TV is neat and all, but on a mobile device, video on demand would be infinitely more useful. And at $US12 or $US15 a month, I don’t think people will be satisfied with the somewhat anaemic channel selection (full listings here).

Moreover, I don’t really understand how Verizon expects people to use this. You can’t use it on a plane or a subway, so what, trains? During your lunch break at work? There centre part in the Venn diagram of times where you might want to watch video content but don’t have a computer or TV and times when you can realistically use V CAST is small, as far as I can tell. But if live, basic-cable-esque TV on your phone is something you can see yourself using, this implementation is actually pretty good.

The (Mild) Tragedy

This has been the story for a few years now, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change with Windows Mobile 6.5: Handset manufacturers will continue to make the OS bearable to use, and carrier will occasionally grant handsets interesting—if not always useful—services to keep customers’ attention. That’s exactly what the Imagio does, bonding pleasant hardware design with a heroic salvaging of the phone’s interface. At $US200 after rebate, it’s not a best value by a long shot, but in Verizon’s sickly smartphone line, it’s not a horrible choice.

I would’ve liked to end this review on that happy note, but while I was writing it Verizon sabotaged my plan, those scoundrels: Two Android phones will be announced for the network “within weeks”, which means that unless you’re bound to Windows Mobile, either by software, your employer, or serious loyalty, you’d be best advised to wait. [Verizon]

It’s got an appealing design, large screen and minimal branding

Kickstand! Ha!

HTC’s done a hell of a job sprucing up Windows Mobile, as always

V CAST TV is technologically interesting, but it’s expensive and I’m not really sure how people will use it

Windows Mobile 6.5, y’all

Specs could use a bump; namely the aging 528MHz processor and included storage

$US200 isn’t a great bargain, and Verizon’s got some Android handsets coming down the pike.

FLO TV, which broadcasts live terrestrial digital TV, has become a staple on a bunch of multimedia mobile phones from AT&T and Verizon, including LG’s Vu and Samsung Access, but with this FLO TV Personal Television (PTV) you’ll get a standalone viewing gadget.

The device will have a capacitive touchscreen supporting swipes and gestures, 4GB of memory for storing other media, a built-in speaker, and apparently a battery that allows for five hours of TV viewing. I’d love to see an HDMI or video out option on this thing.

Not sure people are interested in a device solely for watching mobile TV especially when you will probably have a monthly subscription fee, but throw some Wi-Fi and a browser in there and maybe. No idea of when the PTV will drop, though Gdgt says CES or earlier could be likely. [GDGT]

There are nine new channels in total, ranging from the two we’ve already mentioned to Sky News, MTV’s The Hills and a couple of ABC stations.

Finding pricing for the service on Optus’ website was a bit like tracking down a British backpacker who’s been bushwalking in the Blue Mountains for 10 days, but eventually I found some numbers that actually sounded pretty decent – $1 for a day pass or $3 for a monthly subscription. What’s not clear is whether that price is per channel or for a collection of channels.

Something else I discovered during the search for a price is that Optus iPhone customers can only get a handful of clips from the iZoo site, rather than full episodes or daily passes.

In fact, the biggest lesson from this adventure is that Optus really needs to spend some time making their website more user friendly. Let’s get the important information (like what you get for what cost) right up front, rather than having us waste our time trying to find some pretty simple information, eh Optus?

New channels on OptusZOO Mobile TV
Optus has refreshed its OptusZOO Mobile TV offerings, launching nine new channels including:

• MTV’s The Hills
• Sky News live
• South Park
• Comedy Central – The Daily Show
• Cartoon Network – Powerpuff Girls
• ABC Comedy – Summer Heights High
• ABC Kids – The Wiggles, Bob The Builder
• Aardman Animations – Wallace & Grommit
• Rage

The channels are launched along with new features on the Mobile TV site to improve the ZOO experience with less clicks for customers to watch their content, personalised ‘My TV Channels’ list, a new design and free channel previews.

Mark Mulder, General Manager, Optus Content and Portals said, “The growth in people watching Mobile TV and video is in line with the significant increase in 3G handsets and Smartphones in the market.

“We are excited to bring a range of new Mobile TV channels and a fresh new look to Optus customers to ensure they can access the biggest TV brands on their mobiles, both live and on demand.

“We will also be offering customers the unique opportunity to enjoy Mobile TV for free for two weeks during August, a fantastic way to demonstrate our commitment to delivering the best content to customers,” Mr Mulder said.

To access Mobile TV, customers should visit Optus ZOO on their mobile and click the ‘Mobile TV’ icon. Customers who subscribe to any Mobile TV monthly pack before 31 August receive their first two weeks free*.

* Customers must unsubscribe before the end of the two week free access period to avoid the monthly subscription fee. Optus PrePaid Mobile customers still pay a 22¢ flagfall per Optus Zoo data session. Offer open only to eligible customers with compatible handset

[Optus]

According to rumours, next week at CTIA Research In Motion (RIM) might launch a mobile TV service that would feature full episodes of content. Other than that, there’s not much to go on at this point. The possible release would coincide with the release of its app store. [NewTeeVee via StreetInsider via IntoMobile]

The girl’s actually holding the F703i, not the F706i, which inconveniently doesn’t have a photo of her in a tub demonstrating how it works. Use your imagination please.

[New Launches]