StarHub launches TV app on major smartphone platforms

StarHub's new mobile app demonstrated on an Android-based Acer Liquid.
(Credit: John Chan/CNET Asia)

Singapore operator StarHub today announced its new mobile TV application that runs natively on all the major smartphone operating systems. The operator's mobile TV service has been operational for about a year, but up till now, this required the user to access streaming video through a mobile browser. Starting today, StarHub customers will be able to download an application to their Android, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile (WM) device to view the 24 cable TV channels available through this service. The iPhone and Symbian platforms will also be supported before the end of Q1 2010.

The application was jointly developed with Spb software. Long-time smartphone users will recognize Spb as an active developer of WM software which branched out to all the other smartphone platforms in the past two years.

We had a quick hands-on with the app on a WM-based HTC HD2. It launched smoothly and video quality was good. To switch channels, you tap an icon at the bottom of the screen to first see a preview image of what's on the other channel. If you decide to watch that channel, tapping on the preview will cause it to start buffering. The application is simple with all important settings easily accessible via large buttons. There's even an option to switch to low-quality mode in case you are experiencing poor network quality.

There's no change to the price of this service which is available for S$1 a day for unlimited 24-hour access to all channels. Those who use it frequently can also opt to subscribe at a monthly rate of S$25 for unlimited access. This service is available to all StarHub mobile customers and is not restricted to just subscribers of the company's cable service. Check the StarHub Web page for more details.