In my last post I mentioned how the iPad might be the future of television and slowly, this seems to be coming true, at least for local television.

ELGATO

Elgato recently launched the EyeTV Mobile that allows you to watch live network television on your iPad without using your data plan. You connect a compact tuner and use the EyeTV app on your device. It's that simple. This is only available in certain markets currently, so check coverage before you buy. 

DYLE

The signal is provided by Dyle.tv who also recently partnered with Samsung to build a phone with the tuner directly built-in allowing for live TV anywhere. Check out the video here to see it in action.

WHAT NEXT - CABLE TV

The compact tuner is getting smaller and as more markets are covered, mobile devices will all begin to have this built-in. That leaves only the cable television frontier to be captured on a mobile device and this is where I see the current mobile wireless companies at an advantage.

Imagine Verizon and AT&T providing a mobile plan that allows you to stream certain cable TV channels directly to your mobile device over their LTE networks that doesn't count against your data cap if you are also a subscriber to their cable TV service. If LTE really improves streaming performance, how many people would pay extra to have access to what they have at home while on the go? Or at least to their certain favorite channels or shows.

This is already happening in some ways with channels providing apps that require authentication in the app like WatchESPN or HBO GO. However, these count against your data cap reducing the amount of times you actually use it.

The future is mobile and the mobile companies need to find ways to take advantage of the need for television on the go.