About a month ago I had downloaded a copy of Spb TV to review it. Something always kept coming up and I had to postpone it. At times it was because I was busy with something (getting a job and now finding an apartment!) or because I could never get to use the product in a manner it should be.
Finally today I can review this product. Sorry Spb for the extended delay!
Let’s understand what the product is first. Spb TV is an application that allows it’s users to watch television on their phone. All you need is an internet connection (WLAN, 3G, EDGE). It is basically having IP TV on your phone.
For the review of the application, Nokia’s E75 was used. I’ve used the application on EDGE and it really sucks! It buffers for more time than it plays. The application is not to blame. It is a data intensive application and so it’s like stream an HD video on a 64Kbps connection. So if you want to watch TV on your EDGE or 3G connection, you better have an unlimited data plan or you’ll pay through your nose. On a good broadband connection you will easily be able to have the video stream in real time. I had no problems streaming video on a hotel broadband connection.
It works absolutely flawlessly! There are easily over 80 channels, I got tired of counting and so this is pretty much an estimate. Each and every channel has a program guide… just hit the options soft key and you’ll see the option. I loved the transition for it… just smooth and original!
I think it’s a great app for the busy business man who is always traveling. Think about it, you are this savvy jet setting executive who spends most of his days in hotels… what if suppose you want to watch this television show and you can’t find it in the hotel, don’t worry, all you need to do is start Spb TV, get the TV out for your Nseries device (don’t know if the E75 supports the TV out) and connect to the WiFi connection of your hotel and plug the cable to your phone and TV and you’ve got those extra channels! How cool is that????
The application due to its high cost behaviour tells you if you use it out of your home network and wanting to use it. This is a brilliant thing to do. it keeps the costs in control. I wish that they would also have an option where the user could set a limit in terms of amount of data, like 100MB or something like that. I also did not know how to add channels if I wanted to… So how would I rate this application? Well I’ll rate it as GOOD! This application works just like it should, I had absolutely no problems making it work and watch TV on the phone. The only gripe I did have was the fact that it did not have some popular entertainment channels in English. But I guess it’s not their fault, it’s more to do with the channel allowing Spb to put it in its bouquet or is available through IP .
I would recommend it for sure! You can download it from here. It costs only US $14.95 only.
It turns out that TV out option has been added with a new version. Symbian-Guru has just written a post informing us of the same! How queer, I write about it yesterday and today it comes true!
WARNING: Spb TV is a data intensive application. Please be aware of the data costs before using it.