In Germany, four cell phone operators (T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2 and E-Plus) provided live broadcast of the recent 2006 World Cup soccer matches through cell phones.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia GSM operators like PT Execelcomindo Pratama are trying to grab this opportunity by offering cell phones that can receive television broadcasts. However, these cell phones are more specifically intended for XL subscribers, ranging from pre-paid Jempol subscribers to post-paid Xplor Powerplan subscribers.
In fact, the system of reception in mobile TV is digital. Like a cell system, the digital TV system is based on signal beaming from an antenna such as BTS. However, what XL is offering is the same as ordinary television reception in that it is still analog. Therefore, it is more appropriate that it is called a TV cell phone.
A folded cell phone called i-mobile TV 901 comes complete with an ordinary TV tuner so a user far away from a broadcasting antenna will find it difficult to receive TV broadcasts. Uniquely, this compact TV can record any program desired in an MPEG4 format to be later replayed, either through the cell phone or other electronic devices supporting this system.
This special product can also serve as a useful mass storage device when connected to a computer that is USB compatible. This removable disk can store files that can be displayed through the computer.
As it is, a cell phone is now an inseparable part of modern man. It is not just a device for telecommunications but is also an instrument with various functions. The days of the cell phone being a device just for conversation or for SMS is over. The function of a cell phone is augmented today in line with enhanced capability of transplanting various kinds of technology into it.
The most standard features of a cell phone are SMS, a phone book and an organizer. The next features to be added included the MMS, small note, ringtone download or wallpaper, bank account balance checking and banking transactions, SMS news service, Internet connection as well as dispatching and receiving e-mails.
As more features are added to the cell phone in line with the rapid progress in technology, there will soon come a time when we can no longer distinguish a cell phone from a personal digital assistant (PDA) or even a computer, for example. This is a phenomenon known as the convergence of information communication technology capable of combining various technological capabilities in one unit.
This unifying convergence has at least been found in a PDA as smart phones and PDAs complete with a cell phone receiver are being increasingly developed today. These two devices have almost the same features and have been improved in such a way that they are close to being notebooks. Still, they maintain their identity as practical, stylish and portable devices.
The presence of an ultra mobile PC, pioneered by Microsoft, for example, also illustrates this trend of convergence. The expansion made by this computer giant shows a stronger combination between telecommunications and information technology.
