Television and mobile are mixing thanks to the Cydle i30 case. This is a slip on cover for an iPhone that transforms it into a small television. It even comes with an antenna and extra battery.
Korea and Japan have had smartphones that can view television channels for quite some time. Now more of America can do the same with a Korean company named “Cydle”. The three and a half inch iPhone screen can be TV-enabled with the help of a Cydle i30 case. The inside of the iPhone remains unchanged. It is the case that does most all the work. The Cydle i30 covers the back and bottom of the iPhone. It adds some length to the iPhone, but not overly so. The i30 case connects to the 30 pin docking connector on the bottom of the smartphone to provide its service.
The Cydle i30 case uses digital programming so the old analog channels will not be showing with this device. The ATSC Mobile DTV standard is what this product supports. The ATSC stands for “Advanced Television System Committee”. DTV is simply “digital television”. This accessory contains the receiver in the small case. A directional antenna sits on the top of the case for better reception in fringe signal areas.
The battery in the Cydle i30 case is a unique concept. When the user is watching TV and a call comes in, the battery inside the case can help the internal battery of the iPhone. This helps to ensure that the smartphone does not run out of energy mid-way into a call or TV program. The rechargable battery will give three hours of viewing per recharge.
The first area in the United States to receive a Mobile Digital Television signal launched in Baltimore, Maryland. True to form, a marketing organization from California is heading up things in that area of the country. The Mobile DTV Alliance in California was founded by a bevy of large companies including Nokia, Motorola, Microsoft, Intel and others.
The only other thing a person will need is the Cydle iPhone app to make everything work. This is downloadable from the Apple iTunes store. It will allow the user to control volume, see the battery level and change channels. It is available in one language; English and will work on iPhones with iOS version 4.2 and later. It is a free download. Other versions of this Cydle TV viewer are also available for the iPad and iPod.
