LAS VEGAS-The stampede toward mobile video continued at the Consumer Electronics Show as content providers, carriers and TV networks announced alliances to bring televised content to on-the-go viewers.
SmartVideo Technologies Inc. announced a series of agreements to bring television network content to devices using Microsoft Corp.’s WindowsMedia Mobile technology. The subscription-based service added live, 24-hour-a-day streaming video from MSNBC and CNBC, as well ABC News Now and NBC Mobile, which are designed specifically for mobile use.
Subscribers will also have access to live coverage and regular local updates from The Weather Channel and on-demand video from “World News Tonight with Peter Jennings” and “Good Morning America.”
The video will be broadcast at up to 15 frames per second, matching the quality of Sprint TV and surpassing some other mobile video services. The service is available for subscribers of SmartVideo, which offers packages starting at $13 per month.
SmartVideo is offered on advanced wireless networks.
“We are excited to see a mobile television service built using Windows Media and Windows Server technology become a reality for Windows Mobile-based devices,” said Michael O’Hara, a Microsoft general manager. “We look forward to working closely with SmartVideo to deliver these new services and solutions to mobile users and operators alike.”
Other mobile video announcements from CES include:
c Digital recording company TiVo launched an offering that allows subscribers to transfer digital video content to Windows Mobile-enabled portable devices. During his keynote address, Microsoft Chairman and founder Bill Gates unveiled TiVo ToGo, which can be used on laptop computers, Pocket PCs and smart phones. The free service upgrade will be automatically transmitted to customers with regular TiVo Series 2 boxes during the next month; subscribers with DVD recorders will be upgraded later this year. Microprocessor manufacturer AMD and digital software developer Sonic Solutions are partnering with TiVo and Microsoft to provide the service.
c Sprint PCS added two channels to its menu of video options for its Vision subscribers. CellToons features one- to three-minute animated shorts from established animators and writers, such as Bruno Boosted, Mike Welkins and Blur Studios. Developed by Thumbworks, CellToons is being offered at $5 per month. Also available to Vision subscribers for $5 a month is Fun Little Movies, which features made-for-mobile comedy films and animation. The FLM channel offers programs such as a science-fiction parody and a gang of crime-fighting “MiniBikers.”
c Entertainment publisher Mobliss introduced Thumbdance, a mobile video channel featuring sports clips, comedy shorts, Internet videos and video blogs. The company plans to announce more details about the new network, including carrier partnerships, additional content information and a mobile film festival contest, later this month in Park City, Utah.
