Around the start of the Holiday gift buying season (which is what these days, August?) commercials for FLO TV started popping up all over the place.  In 30 seconds, we were told we could buy yet another little black hand held device to carry around in the seemingly bottomless pockets of today’s Levis and watch “live” television in the comfort of our favorite subway seat.  Seriously, the most important invention to the 21st century has to be the pocket.  I don’t think I’ve got a pair of shorts with less than six.

FLO offers full length TV shows which seems like an odd marketing statement, but okay.  Other odd pitches include “fast channel switching” and “simple program guide.”  Um, yippee?

  They also tout parental controls in case the kid pinches your FLO to take to school and the devices themselves come hand held or installed in you car ranging from $200 on up.  So, basically it is TV on the go just like they say, only smaller and without a comfy sofa.  FLO also stands for one of the worst acronyms ever, “Forward Link Only.”

My first question upon seeing FLO in advertisements was what makes this so different than my iPod or iPhone?  You know, I’m doubtful of tech that doesn’t start with “i”!  What?  Twitter account!!  Well, they must be cool then!  What can I watch on it!?

Programming, like software for DVD players or games for an Xbox, is where the real depth of FLO TV’s worth will be measured.  Shows from NBC, CBS, Comedy Central, ESPN, Nickelodeon, and more are offered, however most come with the tag “mobile” attached.  This means that while some live programming is available, a lot of what you’ll find is what FLO’s website calls “time shifted.”  Looking at EPSN, because live sports is probably the most appealing idea on the go or say, sitting at another game, they seem to offer only a handful of live events limited to the WNBA, MLS, and Sunday night baseball.  Not exactly the cream of the popularity crop.

You can also hook up the FLO TV service through your AT&T or Verizon phone.  Do I need to be 11 years old to find that exciting?  And if you have AT& T these days, chances are you’re already wasting your daily smart phone time with an iPhone anyway.

Pricing is still what I deem prohibitive.  I’ve got way too many bills coming into the house already, and while adding some bucks onto the iTunes account for my proven favorite shows and episodes is one thing, inviting a brand new company to suckle at my barren finances is not that appealing.  Maybe if they could hook up with my existing cable company for a couple extra duckets (like $10 or less), so that the device really felt like I was taking my TV on the go, then I’d be more inclined to give it a try.  Of course, once more, there are like a dozen other devices on the market that do the same thing as well as some upstart calling themselves the iPad coming in April.

In the end, FLO TV feels like satellite radio only with even less of an opportunity to use it.  I can’t see why I wouldn’t be better off with a good laptop and some free Hulu.  Is it interesting?  Sure, in the same way the Sega Saturn was interesting but overall FLO TV is akin to selling snow to a Polar Bear.  So, now that I’ve said “FLO” more times than the first season of Alice, I’m gonna go turn on my more traditional TV set and enjoy television without my glasses.