Just in time for World Cup 2014, new mobile phone with HD TV. Watch Thailand's new digital TV channels for 6 hours on battery without internet charges or connection problems.
NEW GADGETS
Take TV with you
i-mobile's latest phone arrives just in time for catching digital broadcasts of the World Cup
4/06/2014
Komsan John Jandamit
I-mobile has come up with a timely solution to Bangkok’s World Cup craze.
Thailand is at a shifting point between traditional analogue and digital TV. And a massive number of people are still unsure on what they have to do to continue indulging in their beloved soap opera in HD.
Fortunately, i-mobile, Thailand’s No.1 house brand mobile phone company, has transformed one of its phones into a digital TV receiver.
The iMobile IQ 5.8 DTV mobile phone, in many aspects, might not be the best Android phone out there — it has a mediocre screen, plain design and subpar CPU speed — but it’s the only phone that can receive Thai digital TV with ease. (article continues after photo)
With the phone, users can watch digital television on the go without an internet connection. Well, it technically uses a built-in
built-in (adj.)
Meaning: made as part of a device or thing, not a separate part; integrated
Thai Translation:
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, foldable antenna to receive Thailand’s terrestrial digital TV signal (though you might be out of luck if you’re deep underground or somewhere that lacks reception).
But does it matter, since you can get digital TV programmes via several applications and software? To many, yes, since image quality from internet TV and streaming video from apps and websites are often unreliable — and shaky, to boot. And don’t forget the need for a fast and stable internet connection which allows videos to load fast enough to prevent constant buffering (we are all too familiar with “please wait” loading screens). Watching TV without relying on the internet is much more reliable.
The digital TV you get from this phone’s antenna is HD quality and can be watched for about six consecutive hours before the battery runs out. Even though the screen on this phone is, to be honest, pretty crappy, it still displays good picture quality.
The phone, I think, suits very well Thai housewives and the large group of people who are addicted to certain soap operas and TV programmes, because they just need to pull up the antenna and open the Digital TV app to watch their beloved heartthrob perform malevolent deeds, all the while avoiding charges for using their limited internet connection.
I-mobile is quite generous in providing a free screen protector and transparent case in the box. No need, then, to go out and buy those essential accessories.
Having a bigger screen is bliss for reading large web pages or viewing detailed pictures. While this mobile phone’s screen is 5-inches, graphics and pictures are not displayed as the most detailed or crisp, especially when compared to high-end phones.
A gripe I experienced while playing with the phone was that it hanged pretty often — like, a few times a day — which requires you to hold down the power button and restart the device. It’s not quite unexpected from a 6,000 baht phone, mind you, but annoying nonetheless.
You’re also stuck with a stock 4.2.2 version of Android, which is not the latest OS version from Google. But it’s still adequate, snappy and reacts quickly to your inputs. I hope i-mobile updates the phone in the future to allow their customers access to the latest bug fixes and security patches.
If you’re looking for a device to watch digital Thai TV for free and without hassle, this phone is an excellent choice, one for a very reasonable price as well.
The ability to make actual phones calls is just a plus.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/tech/mobile/413440/take-tv-with-you