BizJournals Portfolio
Home >   Business Views, Opinions and Blogs >   Business Blogs >   Tech Observer >  

Cell Phone Video Remember Portable Tv

Tech Observer

by Kevin Maney
Main
When Will Software Transcribe Whole Docs?   Banjo Hero! More From the Kotick Q&A

Recent Blog Posts

Links

Apr 22 2008 12:00am EDT

Cell Phone Video: Remember Portable TV?

So many companies are so hot on the concept of full-length shows and movies for cell phones. But I don't get it. Not in a mass-market way anyway. USA Today says that cell carriers are ramping up full-length offerings -- big shows on tiny screens. OK, so if you're a 15-year-old kid stuck at your grandfather's retirement party, maybe you sneak into a corner and watch the American Idol you missed last night. On occasions, you might find yourself with an hour to kill and no screen anywhere to entertain you (gasp!), like maybe waiting for your wife outside a department store dressing room. But on a regular basis, professional full-length video is not likely to prove out as a major success on cell phones.

Reminds me of portable TVs. Remember those? Seemed like the coolest thing at the time -- a TV you could carry and set up at the family picnic. Of course, they were limited by only getting broadcast signals via the antenna. But all in all, portable TV never had a big impact on the market.

ekcoadvert.gif. □

Comments

If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.


Connect With Portfolio.com
Like Portfolio on Facebook

Come on, like us—you know you want to.

Follow Portfolio on Twitter

Follow us and if you're an innovative entrepreneur, we'll return the favor.

The Mix

Today's top stories, conversation starters, and the back nine business bites.

spotlight on

Slideshows

500 Startups Hits New York

Dave McClure's brainchild makes its way to New York and introduces East Coast money folks to some intriguing new companies. View Slideshow