FLO TV Plans To Add On-Demand Content And Time-Shifted Viewing

Mobile TV is still a growing technology in the U.S. People haven't had time to decide whether or not they're interested, and it's still available in just a few select markets. But to say it's going away anytime soon would probably be taking things too far. FLO TV, by Qualcomm, is pushing itself as the go-to mobile TV technology, and if the Super Bowl commercials didn't convince you, maybe the new innovations will.

Announced this week at NAB 2010, Qualcomm stated that they are "working to enhance its mobile TV service with new applications that integrate video with Web-based content and social media tools." It's no surprise to hear of these changes; more and more users are watching content through unconventional means, and more and more are Tweeting while the watch. The next big things for FLO TV include on-demand content (right now it's live only) and time-shifted viewing, which users have been enjoying for years on standard at-home DVRs. The full list of incoming updates are below--are these enough to make you shell out monthly for a TV service that only works in select areas? Maybe if FLO TV could bundle this in with basic cable packages, they'd have a much better value proposition...

In addition to integrated experiences, FLO TV announced an expanded suite of mobile TV services, including interactive capabilities, pay-per-day and event passes, and time-shifted viewing options.  The new features will be available on the FLO TV™ service across a range of mobile devices in the second half of 2010.  New service applications will include:

• Interactive features that will enable users to interact with programming and advertising, allowing consumers to click for more information about a show or click to buy an advertised product.
• Pay-per-day passes designed to offer pay-as-you-go flexibility, providing consumers the ability to watch the FLO TV service without committing to a recurring monthly subscription.  Event passes will provide an easy way for existing FLO TV subscribers to add premium content such as limited engagement, special events to their programming lineup.
• Time-shifted viewing, or 'catch-up TV,' that will allow popular shows to be stored on FLO-enabled mobile devices, thereby granting viewers the ability to watch their favorite shows on-demand, even outside of a coverage area.