If you want to watch a video, it’s pretty easy to dig up old movies.  Before Google Video was retired, you could find full versions of all of the Marx Brothers’ movies (Horse Feathers is my favorite), and you can download the ABC app on the iPad to catch some full episodes of shows with limited commercials.  Even YouTube has begun featuring full movies.  Hulu also fulfills this, and if you are like me, you can cut the cord without a problem because you have your computer tower running on your television.

If you do not have a powerful computer, you probably have a pretty capable mobile device.  There are more and more options every day for watching television on your device!

Sprint Live TV

Sprint has been offering Live TV since at least 2008, and while the channels are nothing too fancy, at least your device can stream an NFL Game in an airport terminal if you’re stuck on a Sunday.  I use the HTC Evo 4G, which has a massive screen, perfect for viewing videos.  The problem is that the battery life is weak.

Sports fans get ESPN, which is live, and ABC is not live but features a robust lineup of shows. 

Assuming you can find an outlet to plug your phone into, and a decent 4G connection, this is a viable option.

Time Warner Cable

The biggest Cable provider in the US also has an app, but they are only for the iPad.  The apps add to the services already robust features, like controlling DVR from anywhere and browsing through program listings, but the app also contains a handful of live TV channels like Bravo and Food Network. 

Except that the iPad app has already come under legal scrutiny as content providers like Viacom clamor to shut down streaming if they aren’t paid extra for the privilege. 

Aereo | Live TV

Aereo is a new service that offers live TV to your mobile device, not just limited to iOS.  Aereo can also stream via your Apple TV and Roku Box. Once you join up, you’re assigned a miniaturized, private antenna and DVR.  Aereo offers 20 major channels, but they don’t offer a list of what those channels are (they do say that Aereo will be able to receive local programming).  They even offer Spanish and children channels, all in beautiful HD. 

Aereo essentially funnels your programming through a mini antenna, and you receive it through an Aereo compatible device.  The page is built in HTML 5, so mobile browser users should be able to access it sometime in the future (access is limited right now). 

Unfortunately, Aereo is only available in New York at the moment. 

Final Thoughts

At the moment, Live TV on your mobile device is quite limited.  If you’re looking to catch a live Football match, your best bet might be your television or your laptop.  Even then, very few sites will stream live sports due to licensing and pricing concerns. 

If public demand exceeds current levels, we can expect to see some new technology bringing live TV to our devices.  Until then, we are stuck with a choice of very few options. 

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