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FLO TV introduced its Personal Television – a $259 portable device that delivers live, mobile TV – during a media reception Thursday in New York City.
Several of Audiovox’s top executives also attended the event, throwing their support behind the FLO TV Auto Entertainment service, which they say will drive the sale of new in-vehicle video hardware and installation services.
"If you look at the mobile industry as a whole, it (the FLO TV in-car video solution) provides value to every segment," said Tom Malone, president of Audiovox Electronics Corporation.
"It’s the first thing I’ve seen in years that has an easy learning curve, is affordable and is based on technology that people are used to," Malone said. "The broad range of content provides appeal to a wide range of consumers. It’s not just for kids."
With rear headrest DVD products in their second and third generation and the children who grew up with the technology now driving their own cars, Malone said the mobile TV service will give people a reason to bring video back in the car or to find new uses for pre-existing hardware. He also noted the service brings new content to drivers who might want to listen to a TV program since they can’t watch it.
Audiovox is now marketing its rear headrest and overhead DVD players with the FLO Auto Entertainment service. The company plans to market future products for existing and new in-vehicle video systems as "Flo Ready," Malone said. Audiovox will sell the mobile TV solution through its channel of 12-volt retail specialists, expeditors who service car dealers, car dealers, mass merchandisers, electronic retailers and an OE sales group.
"This provides a good opportunity for 12-volt specialists to add an exciting technology to their existing product lines," said Audivox chairman and founder John Shalam, who attended the event. "It opens up a whole new market for dealers and installers and gives them an edge for gaining new business."
On the handheld front, FLO said the new device and service will be available at Amazon.com and Best Buy. RadioShack will begin selling the device online and in stores this holiday season. As part of the launch and for a limited time, FLO TV said the first six months of subscription service will be bundled into the overall retail price of $249.99, after which it will charge a monthly subscription fee.
The FLO TV Personal Television includes the following features in one package:
* Dedicated portable television, which measures 3 inches by 4.4 inches by 0.5 inches
and weighs about 5 ounces.
* FLO TV offers full-length simulcast and time-shifted programming from such brands as Adult Swim Mobile, CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go and Nickelodeon. FLO TV also offers limited-time bonus channels for special events, premium programs and original content.
* The service is available through a dedicated multicast network so millions of consumers can receive high-quality video and audio in real time without streaming, buffering or downloads.
* A capacitive touch-screen. Users control the device with intuitive swipe gestures. The oleophobic glass lens keeps the 3.5-inch QVGA display crisp and clear.
* Long battery life, with more than five hours of viewing time and 300 hours on standby.
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