First DVB-H Handset this Week

On Saturday, Nokia launched its new Nseries multimedia device, the N92, which the company claims is the world's first Digital Video Broadcast Handheld (DVB-H) enabled handset supporting Live Broadcast Mobile TV.

Nokia's announcement follows the recent launch of DVB-H Mobile TV services in Delhi by national broadcaster, Doordarshan. Currently, DD's service comprises 8 popular free-to-air DD channels, including DD National, DD News, DD Sports, DD Bharati, DD Urdu, DD Punjabi, DD Bangla, and DD Podhigai, supported on DVB-H compliant handsets.

At the Nokia launch, Vineet Taneja, Director of Multimedia, Nokia, said, "We are glad to bring the Nseries flagship device the new N92 to mobile users in the country. With the growing popularity of mobile devices, and their capability to offer instant access to information and entertainment, this initiative will bring in perfect synergy between television content and the mobile platform."

Nokia claims its N92 is the world's first 3G/GSM device to feature an integrated DVB-H receiver. The N92 works in conjunction with DVB-H technology to deliver live digital TV broadcasts, making it as easy for consumers to tune into TV channels on the device as it would be within the comfort of their homes.

With the N92, users can set reminders to watch their favorite TV programs, create personal channel lists, and subscribe to TV channel packages.

In a new form factor that is apt for watching TV on-the-move, the N92 has a large 2.8-inch anti-glare QVGA screen with 16 million colors and dedicated media keys.

The N92 starts shipping by end of this week for a price of Rs 23,719.

In another announcement, Nokia said its N77 multimedia computer cum TV phone is getting readied to be shipped to India later this month.

According to top sources at Nokia, N77 takes TV out of the living room, and into the open. The wide 2.4-inch flat screen and high quality stereo sound make N77 the ideal personal mobile device for enjoying TV programs on-the-go.

N77 features dedicated TV keys to give users direct access to a world of TV programs. The device sports the ability to remember the last channel viewed by the user. Similar to N92, with the N77 too, users can set reminders to alert them about favorite TV programs.

Apart from all the features one would expect from an Nseries multimedia computer, N77 also features: 30-second replay and live TV watching after replay; and program guide for viewing program information up to 7 days, purchasing new channels, etc.

The N77 based on S60 3rd Edition software on Symbian OS is being offered in markets where commercial mobile TV services based on DVB-H technology are available.