It will support models iPod Touch models 2nd Generation and above, iPhone 3G/3GS/4, and the iPad. The dongle requires a USB micro AB for recharging and should operate for ~2.5 hours until a needed recharge. Because of the receiver has its own battery, it won’t leech all the power out of your portable device. The Tivizen dongle will be available for $99 within the next few months.

Different conditions have been set for stations depending on whether they are commercial or otherwise, together with their financial situation.  The FCC requires stations to give viewers 30 days notice before ceasing their analog service.  Non-commercial stations pleading low budgets are exempt, however, and may start shutting off transmissions as early as March 27th.

The FCC requires a minimum of an “enhanced analog nightlight signal” from at least one major network affiliate until June 12th, at least in major markets.  The next expected shutdown date for commercial stations is April 16th.

[via TVB]

The USB and memory card slots on the front allow you to use the PDMC as a digital mediaplayer too; alternatively plug in your iPod and use the whole thing as a speaker system.  Still bored?  How about a DVB-T digital TV tuner.

If your arms are weak like mine then you can use it desk-bound, with an AC adapter, but there’s also a rechargeable 3,600mAh Li-Ion internal battery.  No word on how long you can expect it to last, however.  It’s available now for £127.58 ($175).

[via OhGizmo!]

Since there’s no such thing as too much distraction while at the wheel, the Inkel W500 also has a DMB digital TV tuner, and supports Picture-in-Picture (PIP) so you can GPS navigate, watch TV and drive at the same time.  It’ll also give you real-time traffic updates and, thanks to the same Korean wireless network, information on 12,000 gas stations, including up-to-date prices.

As that last sentence might have tipped you off, the Inkel W500 PND is Korea-bound and there’s no sign, at least right now, of it ever navigating itself outside of there.  A shame, as the 2GB model is priced at a reasonable 199,000 KRW ($132) and the 4GB at 239,000 KRW ($158).

[via Akihabara]

Intel are calling it the world’s first such system, and have already applied for the patent.  According to the company, the new system will “reduce the number of items to purchase, carry and keep track of”; it will also presumably allow Intel to build DTV receiver chips into their upcoming chipsets, and standardize the format, complete with antenna.

Will we see an upcoming version of the Centrino platform as including not only WiFi connectivity but DTV reception too?  That seems a likely proposition, as the boundary between ultramobile computing devices and PMPs blurs.

Of primary concern are the estimated millions of Americans still unprepared to receive digital TV, whether through a new set or a convertor box.  The original bill sought to force a wholehearted switch to the new, June date, but was rejected by Republicans who would prefer to see more investment in the subsidy voucher scheme and a commitment to the original, well-advertized date. 

The subsidy scheme – which gives $40 discount vouchers toward the cost of a convertor box – has now been rejuiced, and is beginning to reissue coupons to those whose have expired.  Perhaps I’m stupid, but I don’t see why the expired coupons could not have been accepted, which would certainly be a whole lot cheaper than reprinting and redistributing.  OTA analog TV viewers are advised to consult their providers to find out exactly when the changeover will take place; that is, of course, if the providers know themselves.

In fact, the chief difference between the first and second bills is that the delay is now being made voluntary, rather than mandatory.  If passed, broadcasters would be able to decide for themselves whether to cease analog transmissions on February 17th, or hold off on that until the Senate’s original June 12th replacement date.

If the amended bill passes, it’s win-win for the government.  They get to say that they tried everything within their power to delay the switchover and help the estimated 6.5m Americans without DTV viewing capabilities, and shift all the blame onto any broadcaster who chooses to stick to the February 17th date.  It remains to be seen whether the Republicans that rejected the first bill – and who reportedly would like to see more investment in the DTV convertor box subsidy scheme, rather than a delay – will approve this new attempt.

However the US government’s subsidy scheme – which involved $40 vouchers toward the cost of a DTV convertor box – recently ran dry, with more than a million people estimated to be still waiting for their discount.  Many of the Republicans who blocked the delay bill are said to believe that simply boosting funding for the subsidy program will alleviate the problem, with no postponement in the switchover required.

Barack Obama’s support for the proposal, and the subsequent party-line voting observed, has been blamed for the failure of the bill, which Republican Joe Barton suggested could have been passed if it had been presented as a bipartisan effort.  Instead, many democrats, commentators and analysts portrayed it as an opportunity for the new Obama presidency to “bring order to a mismanaged process”, blaming the previous presidency for the subsidy scheme’s failure.

Technology groups and manufacturers (and, we have to admit, the SlashGear team) are likely to be pleased at the failure of the bill.  The delay would have unnecessarily confused the issue, not to mention postponing Verizon Wireless’ and AT&T’s adoption of the vacated analog TV spectrum, which is likely to be used for next-gen high speed networks.

The decision is also being pegged as an opportunity for President Obama to assert control over the situation, with Senate Commerce Chairman John Rockefeller suggesting that “the Senate acted responsibly to give the Obama administration time to attempt to bring order to a mismanaged process.”  Some estimates claim that 20 million people are still not ready for the switchover.

In addition to delaying the change, the bill also grants AT&T and Verizon an extension on the licences they acquired last year.  The carriers are waiting for the frequencies currently being used by analog TV to be freed up for mobile data use, and will see their contracts extended by 116 days to account for this new postponement.

The President-elect is backing a digital TV delaydue to recent news from the National Telecommunications and Information Adminsitration (NTIA) that the entity is running out of money for analog TV convertor vouchers.  That means that, when the February 17 deadline hits, there may be a large number of people who applied for convertor vouchers and never received them.

Obama isn’t alone in his support – he also has Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-VA) and Amy Klobuchar (MN) backing a delay, as well.  We’ll find out in the next few weeks whether or not the transition will be delayed, but for now, the switch is on as planned.  At the end of the day on February 17, if nothing changes, 1,700 telelvision stations will shut down their analog signals for good.

[via Ars Technica]

The promo video for the contest, which you can watch below, features country group Whiskey Falls as they give a brief explanation of what the DTV transition means and some of your options. Of course, the first option listed is to buy a new HDTV. That CEA sure is crafty!

It also encourages people to help out their friends and family with this transition. It seems clear they know not everyone uses YouTube and this is meant more to make people aware that others might not be aware of the DTV transition. You can view the official rules and learn more about the contest at the Digital TV: Convert Now! website.

[via Crave at CNET]

Just watch Mae LaBorde, a 99-year old woman, try to make the switch. Let me just say, things do not go as planned for this lady.  

I love when she asks, “how many W’s?” I especially like the microwave part. Oh, good stuff. Now, I know it’s not nice to laugh at the elderly, but this is just too good. Check out Mae trying to figure this whole mess out below:

[via Neatorama]

If you currently have cable, you don’t have to do anything, but if not, you’ll need a DTV box. Most people know this by now. However, an FCC official is now saying the transition will not go as smoothly as everyone had previously hoped.

In fact, the FCC official is saying the transition to all digital broadcasts “will be messy…but we will get through it.” Well okay then! That’s not exactly encouraging news but hopefully in the new few months people get more on the ball and prepared for this.  

[via Engadget]

The device also uses Siano’s SMS8021 chip antenna, removing the need for an external aerial while still promising reception in rural areas or while travelling in moving transport.  Different versions of the design will be available, differentiated by the inclusion of 3G HSDPA WWAN.

Flipping between portrait and landscape modes automatically, the Video Touch uses a gesture-based interface with only a single hardware button (for power).  No release date or pricing has been suggested.

Press Release:

Quantum Unveils the New Video Touch Personal TV Media Player Featuring Siano’s Revolutionary Internal Chip Antenna

Ultimate Entertainment Device Combines GPS Driver Assistant Features and GPRS Return Path for OMA BCAST DRM and SCP Profile Support

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands –(Business Wire)– Sep. 12, 2008 Leading mobile TV industry players Quantum (http://www.qtmtv.com) and Siano (http://www.siano-ms.com) announced today at IBC Amsterdam the launch of a new convergence media device developed by Quantum incorporating Siano’s DVB-H front-end technology. Siano’s DVB-H silicon receiver chips together with the revolutionary SMS8021 internal chip antenna have been integrated into the breakthrough Personal TV Media Player by Quantum, becoming the first connected PMP in the world featuring OSF IPDC and OMA BCAST personal mobile TV and GPS navigation.

Siano will be demonstrating the new Quantum device at this week’s IBC conference in Amsterdam, at Siano booth 592 in the mobile zone. Selected Quantum partners will provide their media mobility experience through the new VideoTouch (Motorola: booth 1.D31; Alcatel Lucent: booth 12P,C20; Nagravision: booth 1.D69; Irdeto: booth 1.D51; NDS: booth 1.A71). The move introduces a new realm in portable entertainment, introducing high quality live mobile TV broadcasting of up to 30 channels onto a GPS enabled device offering navigation, personal assistance and location based-services. The end-user can enjoy high performance mobile digital TV entertainment whilst having in-car assistance, traffic and weather updates, movies, an MP3 player, and picture viewing — all on a touch-screen interface.

Based on Siano’s leading DVB-H silicon and additional SMS8021 chip antenna, Quantum’s Personal TV Media Player convergence device offers unparalleled DVB-H reception, in both indoor and outdoor locations, in rural areas, and mobility performance that will support mobile TV whilst travelling on high speed trains or vehicles, eliminating the need for external antennae.

“We are delighted to work with Siano in bringing live DVB-H broadcast capabilities to our new Personal TV Media Player,” said Stefano Martini CEO of Quantum. “Our latest device represents a breakthrough in consumer technology — until now high-quality DVB-H Pay TV has been the missing element in providing the ultimate multi-media rich mobile experience. With Siano’s proven track record in DVB-H and elimination of the need for external antennae — they were the obvious choice.”

Alon Ironi, CEO of Siano, added, “As the demands of mobile entertainment grow, converged multi-media devices are merging entertainment, navigation and mobile TV to provide consumers with the ultimate experience. The debut of Quantum’s personal media player meets these ‘all in one’ demands and we are thrilled to be the selected as the mobile TV chip vendor of choice.”

This converter really piles on the features, especially when compared to similar boxes on the market. For instance, it has a smart antenna port, analog pass-through and S-Video output. Video quality is excellent.

However, the reception on the DT250 is not as diverse as with other boxes. In fact, it picks up about 4-5 stations less than other boxes, such as NBC. If you are super close to the DTV signals, you might benefit from this converter, but otherwise, you’re probably better off with one that gets better reception.

[via Crave at CNET]

Household with cable or satellite TV services and will be unaffected but small percentage of residents will be served as the guinea pigs for the switch. With recent survey of roughly 6 out of 40 millions OTA analogue users may be affected by this change, it will be interesting to see the outcome from project Wilmington.

If you are still unaware of the switch-over, you can read more information on DTV, and how to get a federal rebate on your DTV box.

[via Los Angles Times]