CES 2007 has started with a pre-show show (as it were!), so most of the big stories have yet to be made. Verizon have decided to jump the gun, though, announcing their new VCAST Mobile TV service for the US, complete with the fancy new LG VX9400 mobile TV phone (above)

Verizon are using Qualcomm's MediaFLO mobile TV technology, which is a broadcast technology, so there are no bandwidth or capacity issues, and which should ensure seamless clearer video with minimal delay and buffering.

According to Engadget, the VX9400 is a good looking phone that's actually good to use, with clear and easily navigable menus, a smooth and quick to load TV picture, and a slim and attractive form factor.

Recently I've become a bit sceptical about the whole mobile TV thing. Mobile TV was meant to be the killer app for 2006, but clearly wasn't, and although I love the idea of mobile TV, I have a feeling it smacks of novelty. You'll watch maybe one episode of Neighbours (well what else!?), go "wow, that was cool!", then never use it again!

However, after Engadget's preview of mobile TV on the LG VX9400 via Verizon's VCAST service, I might be changing my mind again. Maybe it really is watchable? Maybe it could even change our TV viewing habits like the operators predict.

We'll see later this year, when all the networks have rolled out their mobile TV services. If the LG VX9400 is anything to go by, though, then mobile TV just might have a future, and a big one at that.

[Source: Gearlog, Engadget]