TabletTV, a startup backed by Granite Broadcasting Corp. aimed at making broadcast TV signals available to mobile device users, has officially launched in the Bay Area and has begun taking orders from consumers.
According to a company press release, customers who pay a one-time price of $89.95 get a piece of hardware called the T-Pod, which converts local broadcast signals into Wi-Fi signals readable by IP devices.
The TabletTV app is only compatible with Apple iOS mobile devices right now, but the company says Android compatibility will arrive in 2015. TabletTV also said the app will expand to include local channels nationwide next year.
The company has begun taking online orders, with Amazon providing fulfillment.
Teaming up with London-based technology company Motive Television, New York's Granite, operator of 14 stations across the U.S., introduced the TabletTV device earlier this year.
Tablet TV relies on a palm-sized digital TV antenna, tuner and digital recorder. Placed within 100 feet of the user's tablet, the T-Pod receives local over-the-air broadcast signals and converts them into Wi-Fi signals that are sent to the tablet. Users operating the service with an Internet connection can use the Tablet TV app to enable social-media integration, as well as access program guides.
For more:
- read this TabletTV press release
- read this Multichannel News story
Related links:
TabletTV, Syncbak, Dyle fuel broadcast battle with Aereo
Broadcaster launches …wait for it…Aereo-like programming service for tablets
Dyle taking mobile TV service on marketing tour
Dyle reportedly dropping dongle with $99 mobile TV receiver
DyleTV expanding mobile TV platform to Baltimore, Jacksonville, Salt Lake City