FLO TV Device Hits Retailers

Qualcomm made its FLO TV mobile television device available at retail outlets Friday and likely began holding its breath to see whether it becomes popular with consumers.

The handheld FLO TV Personal Television has a retail price of $249.99 and will include six months of FLO TV service. The device will be available at retailers including Amazon.com, Best Buy, and Radio Shack.

"The FLO TV Personal Television is a dedicated device for consumers' on-the-go lifestyle," said FLO TV president Bill Stone in a statement. "It also adds another way for consumers to use the FLO TV service, in addition to a variety of handsets and our recently introduced FLO TV Auto Entertainment system."

The 3-inch by 4.4-inch by 0.5-inch device weighs slightly more than 5 ounces and features a capacitive touchscreen with an oleophobic glass lens for its 3.5-inch QVGA display. Available TV channels include Adult Swim Mobile, CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, Fox News, MSNBC, MTV, NBE 2Go, and Nickelodeon. The service is available over a dedicated multicast network that enables millions of watchers to view programs simultaneously. Previously FLO TV said the service would carry a $15 monthly charge.

FLO TV said the device has a long battery life -- 5 hours of viewing time and 300 hours in standby.

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