FLO TV Goes Direct To Consumer; Service Costs $9 A Month, Device Costs $250
Qualcomm’s FLO TV is kicking off its consumer brand today, by unveiling a new device that is only a TV and not a phone. The device and broadcast TV service will be sold directly to consumers rather than through a wireless carrier. Release.
The device, which is built by cellphone-maker HTC, will cost $250 and be available for purchase this holiday season. FLO TV said they will charge about $9 a month, which is considerably less than the $25 a month carriers demand. In addition to the consumer and carrier offerings, FLO will also be sold through in-car entertainment systems.
For some time, FLO has been working out rolling out a consumer brand, so that they can offer a wide range of products at different price points. Up until now, the hang-up has been around network coverage, but the broadcast TV service is expected to be live in 100 markets by the end of the year. The initial device will have a 3.5-inch diagonal screen and will be able to support about 5 hours of TV watching. Much like a cellphone, the handheld device will have a touchscreen, so that users can channel surf with a swipe of a finger. The device also has a stand, built-in speakers, and the ability for users to set reminders for certain TV shows.
I spent about $90 for a 7 inch digital TV that does a very good job of bringing in HDTV broadcasts. There's no monthly service charge. While the FLO is smaller and has longer battery life, I can't imagine any reason to buy one. For many people, a better solution would be to buy a WinTV or EyeTV device, and then the EyeTV software on their home computer and their iPhone/iPod Touch. Again, the cost is lower, and there's no monthly fee for the TV service. Am I missing something here?
I wouldn't waste my money on that piece of garbage
Both my husband and I were watching television, and next came on one of the Flo commercials. The commercial, which I found very offensive, accused a girl of stealing his boyfriend’s “spine” because he was with her shopping, rather than being home watching the game. This is condescending to both women and men, and to relationships in general. Based on this kind of harassment in advertising, I would not purchase this product or any of Qualcomm’s products and/or services. Surely, the smart people in their advertising department can’t think that adults with the buying power are ok with this campaign. I would love to see their target group sample, and the feedback they are getting from this advertising.
Having his spine removed offended you? Are you serious? Go save some kittens or something. Wow!
J McGinnis is an Ass. The commercial was funny…
What? Some guy got his spine ripped out by his girlfriend again? OMG! When will this Maddness stop!?!
@J McInnis I just wanted to let you know that despite what others have said, I completely agree with you. I also want to say that I understand it is a joke and point out that we cannot completely blame the people at Qualcomm for this type of humor. We need to take a look at our society in general which trivializes the degradation of women and homosexuals. I am a psychology and women’s studies major in college right now, and one of our assignments is to write letters to companies or the media expressing our concerns about their portrayal of women, homosexuals, people of color, etc. I have written a letter to Qualcomm asking them to change their portrayal of women in future commercials. This commercial suggests that people who have honest relationships are not valued. People who wear skirts: women and transvestites are also devalued when the narrator says, “Lose the skirt.” This suggests that anyone who wears a skirt is beneath the status of man. I do understand that the commercial was only meant as a joke, but that does not make it okay.
Oohh ok. you’re in COLLEGE! You must be SOOOO smart! Please! show us ignorant fools the way!