Tablet TV Prepares for Beta Launch in San Francisco
Is there a strong demand for over-the-air broadcast video? While TiVo, Simple.TV, and Tablo all compete to bring time-shifted OTA content to the television, Tablet TV is taking a different approach.
The startup is partnering with San Francisco, California's KOFY-TV (owned by Granite Broadcasting) to launch a beta version of its service in that city by the end of summer. With Tablet TV, owners need to buy a compact antenna called a T-Pod which should sell for between $50 and $100. While the company hasn't released full details on how the service will work, SFGate reports that Android and Apple tablets will be able to connect to the antenna wirelessly at a range of 100 feet, and service won't require Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. There won't be a subscription fee for the service.
Tablet TV will let owners watch live content and record shows directly on their tablets. The service will also offer on-demand video, but hasn't yet said if there will be a charge for on-demand programming or what the on-demand library will look like. Tablet TV will also include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram integration. SFGate says the company plans to add cloud storage in the future.
Citing research from Frank N. Magid Associates, Tablet TV says that 33 percent of all tablet owners say they're very likely to use the company's product.
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