Since the advent of smartphones with decent
internet speeds, the use of mobile video has
been increasing. Nowadays, if bored, anyone
can go to YouTube or Buzzfeed or
Scoopwhoop or Vine, or what have you for a
few minutes of entertainment. In fact, most
people prefer watching television on big
screens rather than making use of
smartphones to catch up on their favourite
shows. However, for those of us who struggle
with time management and cannot let our
schedules revolve around the telly TV apps are
a blessing. A lack of WiFi this week let me test
apps purely on packet data. Unfortunately,
there doesn’t seem to be a lot of great ones
out there, but here are a few that could
placate your wants for the moment.
EndlessTV
A couple of months ago, while introducing
EndlessTV, CEO Mike Weiksner said the idea
for the app evolved from the question: “What
if my TV and my phone had a baby?” While
EndlessTV may not be quite there yet, the
tester cake is pretty brilliant in its own right.
You can stream videos of news, sports, music,
history, etc. and if bored of one, a single
swipe takes you to the next video without
much lag, even on packet data. You can pick
the channels you’re interested in and the app
curates videos you’d like. This one, in my
opinion, is an absolute winner.
nexGTv
Of a scant offering of Indian television apps,
nexGTv is, according to me, the best. A true
‘live TV on demand’ app, the easy-to-use
interface reminds one vaguely of services like
Tata Sky. Pick your favourite featured movie
to watch, or watch your favourite show live.
There are a good number of channels –
including those of regional languages -- to
choose from. Additionally, the app gives you
options to replay an episode you may have
missed.
ZengaTV
Another app for Indian television-lovers, it
offers categories like news, music,
entertainment, food, kids, glamour et al.
While the app does not offer as wide a range
of choices as nexGTv and has a less-than-sleek
interface, it follows a what-you-see-is-what-
you-get policy – live TV without trappings.
And for technologically challenged users, it is
a lot simpler to use than many of its
counterparts.
SPB TV
SPB TV gives you the live television
experience, but from a worldwide
perspective. With an excellent yet simple
interface, it categorises channels, making it
easy to pick what you want to watch. Just like
a TV service provider, it offers free channels,
as well as paid ones. The free selection is
quite comprehensive, even including a
channel called “Bollywood Masala”. However,
if you want to enhance your mobile TV-
watching experience, you could always go for
the paid channels. Now if you’ll excuse me,
my favourite soap is on. A telly in your pocket - The Hindu: Mobile Edition
internet speeds, the use of mobile video has
been increasing. Nowadays, if bored, anyone
can go to YouTube or Buzzfeed or
Scoopwhoop or Vine, or what have you for a
few minutes of entertainment. In fact, most
people prefer watching television on big
screens rather than making use of
smartphones to catch up on their favourite
shows. However, for those of us who struggle
with time management and cannot let our
schedules revolve around the telly TV apps are
a blessing. A lack of WiFi this week let me test
apps purely on packet data. Unfortunately,
there doesn’t seem to be a lot of great ones
out there, but here are a few that could
placate your wants for the moment.
EndlessTV
A couple of months ago, while introducing
EndlessTV, CEO Mike Weiksner said the idea
for the app evolved from the question: “What
if my TV and my phone had a baby?” While
EndlessTV may not be quite there yet, the
tester cake is pretty brilliant in its own right.
You can stream videos of news, sports, music,
history, etc. and if bored of one, a single
swipe takes you to the next video without
much lag, even on packet data. You can pick
the channels you’re interested in and the app
curates videos you’d like. This one, in my
opinion, is an absolute winner.
nexGTv
Of a scant offering of Indian television apps,
nexGTv is, according to me, the best. A true
‘live TV on demand’ app, the easy-to-use
interface reminds one vaguely of services like
Tata Sky. Pick your favourite featured movie
to watch, or watch your favourite show live.
There are a good number of channels –
including those of regional languages -- to
choose from. Additionally, the app gives you
options to replay an episode you may have
missed.
ZengaTV
Another app for Indian television-lovers, it
offers categories like news, music,
entertainment, food, kids, glamour et al.
While the app does not offer as wide a range
of choices as nexGTv and has a less-than-sleek
interface, it follows a what-you-see-is-what-
you-get policy – live TV without trappings.
And for technologically challenged users, it is
a lot simpler to use than many of its
counterparts.
SPB TV
SPB TV gives you the live television
experience, but from a worldwide
perspective. With an excellent yet simple
interface, it categorises channels, making it
easy to pick what you want to watch. Just like
a TV service provider, it offers free channels,
as well as paid ones. The free selection is
quite comprehensive, even including a
channel called “Bollywood Masala”. However,
if you want to enhance your mobile TV-
watching experience, you could always go for
the paid channels. Now if you’ll excuse me,
my favourite soap is on. A telly in your pocket - The Hindu: Mobile Edition
