Share
Wouldn't it be great to be able to watch TV on your cell phone? Some would argue this can be done pretty easily using SprintTV or Verizon VCast but what about free alternatives? There are actually quite a few!
I've got a chance to play with some of them so let's take a deeper look. All of them rely on IP-TV so don't expect to be able to watch ESPN or HBO but there are some interesting free channels available from all over the globe.
1. DiamondTV
You can download DiamondTV from http://www.diamondtv.fr/, it is a pretty nice application that offers hundreds of channels (371) and a couple of adult channels if you're into it. No sign up is necessary to use it and the install is a breeze.
I've used DiamondTV 2.1, it's simple to use you just add your channels to the main menu using a wizard and then you double tap on the channel logo to start streaming.
Pros:
- Nice UI.
- Videos open up in any media player.
- Lots of channels (371).
- Free.
Cons:
- Some channels don't work.
Screenshot:
2. WebTV
You can download WebTV from http://www.pocketpcfreeware.mobi/download-webtv.html.
I used WebTV 3.71, tabs are used to browse the different channels and you simply double tap on a channel logo to start viewing the channel in a media player.
Pros:
- Videos open up in any media player.
- Decent frame rate over a data connection.
- Free.
Cons:
- UI isn't great, Freeware look and feel.
- Few available channels.
Screenshot:
3. SPB TV
This is the only paid application of this list, you can get SPB TV from here. I've used SPB TV 1.1 and I have to say this is by far the best TV application but you have to pay for it... The install is also simple, I've used SPB TV 1.1. The UI is very nice, the channel list plays a preview of the channel, the controls button show up nicely on the video stream. The embedded TV Guide can be very useful even so some channels don't seem to support it.
Pros:
- Best UI.
- Channel lineup is good.
- Smooth frame rate on most channels even using a data connection.
- Embedded TV Guide.
Cons:
- Not free (even so $14.95 isn't too much for what you get)
Screenshots:
4. theChanner
You can download the channer at http://www.thechanner.com/
Setup was pretty smooth, it installs Microsoft NET CF 2.0 and theChanner software. When initiliazing it asked me if I wanted to use my data connection, it works on both Wi-Fi and regular data connection.
You will have to sign up the first time you use it (username, password, country, gender, birth date etc.).
Then you will be able to log into theChanner, it took a while the first time.
The UI is pretty nice, you can browse the list of channels available (more than 200), I would love to see more touch screen support since you can only browse using the Previous and Next buttons. You can also add channels to your Favorites list which I'd recommend since the channel list is quite extensive.
Pros:
- Nice UI.
- Free.
Cons:
- Slow over data connection.
- Few interesting channels.
- Some channels are not working.
Screenshot:
5. Saturn Liberty Mobile
You can get this application at http://www.ardcorp.tv/liberty/desktop/mobile/Download.aspx. Setup was also smooth, the UI is quite disappointing it doesn't look professional. It seems that they broadcast their own channels but I couldn't figure out what I was watching...
Pros:
- Videos are playable over a data connection.
- Free.
Cons:
- Poor UI.
- Very few channels (3!!).
Screenshots:
Overall SPB TV is the way to go if you can afford it otherwise DiamondTV, WebTV or theChanner are decent free alternatives. I wouldn't recommend Saturn Liberty Mobile based on what I've seen.
Some custom Windows Mobile ROMs are pre-configured with some of those software. In particular you can download the Vulcan1 StarShip MultiMedia Super ROM from Technology1, I didn't get a chance to try it but it got some pretty good feedback.
I've got a chance to play with some of them so let's take a deeper look. All of them rely on IP-TV so don't expect to be able to watch ESPN or HBO but there are some interesting free channels available from all over the globe.
1. DiamondTV
You can download DiamondTV from http://www.diamondtv.fr/, it is a pretty nice application that offers hundreds of channels (371) and a couple of adult channels if you're into it. No sign up is necessary to use it and the install is a breeze.
I've used DiamondTV 2.1, it's simple to use you just add your channels to the main menu using a wizard and then you double tap on the channel logo to start streaming.
Pros:
- Nice UI.
- Videos open up in any media player.
- Lots of channels (371).
- Free.
Cons:
- Some channels don't work.
Screenshot:
2. WebTV
You can download WebTV from http://www.pocketpcfreeware.mobi/download-webtv.html.
I used WebTV 3.71, tabs are used to browse the different channels and you simply double tap on a channel logo to start viewing the channel in a media player.
Pros:
- Videos open up in any media player.
- Decent frame rate over a data connection.
- Free.
Cons:
- UI isn't great, Freeware look and feel.
- Few available channels.
Screenshot:
3. SPB TV
This is the only paid application of this list, you can get SPB TV from here. I've used SPB TV 1.1 and I have to say this is by far the best TV application but you have to pay for it... The install is also simple, I've used SPB TV 1.1. The UI is very nice, the channel list plays a preview of the channel, the controls button show up nicely on the video stream. The embedded TV Guide can be very useful even so some channels don't seem to support it.
Pros:
- Best UI.
- Channel lineup is good.
- Smooth frame rate on most channels even using a data connection.
- Embedded TV Guide.
Cons:
- Not free (even so $14.95 isn't too much for what you get)
Screenshots:
4. theChanner
You can download the channer at http://www.thechanner.com/
Setup was pretty smooth, it installs Microsoft NET CF 2.0 and theChanner software. When initiliazing it asked me if I wanted to use my data connection, it works on both Wi-Fi and regular data connection.
You will have to sign up the first time you use it (username, password, country, gender, birth date etc.).
Then you will be able to log into theChanner, it took a while the first time.
The UI is pretty nice, you can browse the list of channels available (more than 200), I would love to see more touch screen support since you can only browse using the Previous and Next buttons. You can also add channels to your Favorites list which I'd recommend since the channel list is quite extensive.
Pros:
- Nice UI.
- Free.
Cons:
- Slow over data connection.
- Few interesting channels.
- Some channels are not working.
Screenshot:
5. Saturn Liberty Mobile
You can get this application at http://www.ardcorp.tv/liberty/desktop/mobile/Download.aspx. Setup was also smooth, the UI is quite disappointing it doesn't look professional. It seems that they broadcast their own channels but I couldn't figure out what I was watching...
Pros:
- Videos are playable over a data connection.
- Free.
Cons:
- Poor UI.
- Very few channels (3!!).
Screenshots:
Overall SPB TV is the way to go if you can afford it otherwise DiamondTV, WebTV or theChanner are decent free alternatives. I wouldn't recommend Saturn Liberty Mobile based on what I've seen.
Some custom Windows Mobile ROMs are pre-configured with some of those software. In particular you can download the Vulcan1 StarShip MultiMedia Super ROM from Technology1, I didn't get a chance to try it but it got some pretty good feedback.
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and join our Facebook Fan page to stay updated.