TV on cell phone screens? No thanks, say Europeans

Study shows few Europeans are interested in watching TV on their cell phones, despite industry hopes for growth in that area.

The story "TV on cell phone screens? No thanks, say Europeans" published September 24, 2007 at 11:37 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[imacpwr]

TV on a micro sized screen was a dumb idea..!!

Can't remember how long TV on a cell phone has been available
here in Switzerland (at least 2 years I'm guessing) but I have to
honestly say I have NEVER seen anyone actually watching TV on a
cell phone..!!

[Tsee-1968031069905097881578618]

What's scary to me

is how many people want it.

[MrTeo]

...because it sucks...

....not only because the screens are small and the videos look like streaming real video from 1997 but most likely because european TV is not of the best quality??? what would they want to watch on their 3G phones that is anything worth their time? Plus the only thing available is old episodes of some unknown tv shows and/or music videos....the real problem is lack of content.

[K.P.C.]

Actually . . .

. . . I live in Japan and my wife has had a cell phone (keitai) with
TV for almost 2 years now. It's a flip phone and after you open it
the screen can then be rotated to a horizontal position.

When in the horizontal position the viewing screen is 2.25
inches wide x 1.25 inches tall. The picture is HD and is
suprisingly clear and easy to see.

The carrier (Softbank) does not charge extra for the TV service
and at the time she got this particular phone there was a
promotion where the phone was free and there was no initial
setup/activation fee - just the standard 2 year contract.

She doesn't actually watch the TV that often but it is pretty cool
to use when you have long waits somewhere (Dr.'s office, train)
or letting the kids watch in the back seat during long drives or
even when we are camping.

A couple of years ago I was thinking the same way as these
other posters . . . TV on a cell? Are you nuts? . . . But my
attitude has taken a 180 degree turn since then.

Just my $0.02 (^0^)/

[m.o.t.u.]

Or an alternative....

Instead of watching T.V. why not start a conversation with somebody else?

Then again, if most people have T.V. on their mobiles, we won't want to bother them while the're also watching.

Maybe the Europeans realize the value of communication over questionable "entertainment".

Do people in Japan strike up conversation while queuing, or waiting?

I recommend it, try putting the phone away.

Kind Regards.

[DavieDave]

Mobile While Camping?

You give the kids your phone so they can watch video while you're camping? Now that's what I call learning to appreciate nature !

[K.P.C.]

Also Re: MrTeo . . .

. . . The video here in Japan definately does not look like
"streaming real video from 1997". It's sharp and clear with no
stutters or stalls.

As for the TV content . . . I can't comment on the quality of
European TV but what I can watch on cell phone here is exactly
what I see on my TV at home excluding cable and satellite.

Same movies, dramas, variety, news, sports (Sumo), etc.

$0.02 more (^0~)