Hands On: FLO TV Personal Television

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Have you ever wanted to see the CNBC ticker fly by while waiting to pick up your dry cleaning, or to watch the game on TV as you sit in the stadium? The FLO TV Personal Television, from the company that powers AT&T Mobile TV and V CAST Mobile TV on Verizon, will allow you to do just that, with a $249 (list) pocketable device.

In an age where many mobile devices offer everything but the kitchen sink, shelling out $249 for a one-trick pony might not be high on your list of priorities. The FLO TV Personal Television is a handheld digital television that offers a single service – think of it as a Peek for cable television – and does it only fairly well.

Last night, I spent a few hours with the Personal Television tuned to NBC Mobile, a mobile version of the network channel with a special lineup optimized for FLO TV. Getting my evening fill of TV from a device with a 3.5-inch, 320-by-240-pixel touchscreen wasn't as painful as expected, and the device was able to make it through three hours of programming without offering any sign of a depleted battery, despite an 80-percent battery level when I picked it up earlier in the evening (FLO TV claims that the device offers up to five hours of battery life).

The built-in stereo speakers were sufficient for casual viewing, and they're loud enough to fill the room with clear, yet tinny sound. A standard headphone jack is offered as well, and earbuds are included in the retail packaging, although my review unit only came with a micro-USB charger.

The Personal Television operates independently of cellular networks, so it's possible (though unlikely) that you'll be able to receive a signal even when your cell phone doesn't pick one up. I was unable to pick up a signal from the PCMag Labs, and needed to be near a window in my apartment before content would appear. Remember all that fuss about the DTV transition earlier this year? FLO TV content is transmitted digitally over UHF channel 55, which allows the provider to offer up to 20 simultaneous broadcasts. (More channels may be offered with staggered lineups).

The Personal Television currently offers 10 channels, including Adult Swim, CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go, Nickelodeon, and a FLO TV Preview channel, compared to 18 channels included with service through AT&T and Verizon. The company plans to add more channels "very soon," and is currently in talks with a variety of content providers.

Besides its somewhat limited functionality, the FLO TV takes a big hit for price: $249 certainly isn't the magic number in my book, especially when you factor in that the device will carry a monthly subscription fee of up to $14.99 per month after the included six month trial period ends. Discounted plans are available if you're willing to prepay for one or three years, but it seems crazy to marry a device for that long, especially if you're paying the full amount up front.

So who should buy the FLO TV Personal Television? If you're a smartphone user like me, then carrying around another device for a single purpose probably doesn't sound very appealing. The vast majority of cell phone users don't own smartphones, however, and the Personal Television would be a good travel companion for children too young to operate a more complicated device. Also, unlike a cell phone, the Personal Television can be shared among family and friends, and can provide several hours of entertainment in the car or on a train, assuming you travel within the 100 metropolitan areas currently serviced by FLO TV.

For a device with only one function — displaying up to 20 channels of live television content — I really wish the FLO TV Personal Television offered better image quality, an improved channel lineup, and a much lower price point. At $249 plus monthly service fees after the first six months, it makes more sense to purchase a smartphone from AT&T or Verizon that offers integrated FLO TV, especially considering that the Personal Television requires a long-term commitment for discounted service. After all, FLO TV-enabled phones offer more channels for a lower price, and they don't take up as much space in your pocket.

If you're dying to have a Personal Television, however, you're in luck — the device launches on Amazon.com and in select Best Buy stores today. Stay tuned for our full review next week on PCMag.com.

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