The Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G features a built-in antenna and comes preloaded with an app called Dyle mobile TV that lets you watch live local TV broadcasts.
Now, Dyle is free and doesn't require a cellular or Wi-Fi connection to watch TV. Instead, the app uses airwaves specifically reserved for mobile TV, so it won’t eat away at your wireless data plan.
However, you will need a data connection to register for the service and to allow the app to update the local program guides. Currently, Dyle is limited to just 35 markets, including Atlanta, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C, and only offers access to Fox, NBC, Qubo, Telemundo and Univision.
There have been a number of attempts to bring live TV to mobile devices, with such services as MobiTV and FLO TV. But most have not done well (FLO TV discontinued service in March 2011), so it remains to be seen whether Dyle will take off.
As for the phone itself, the Galaxy S Lightray 4G offers a 4.3-inch touchscreen and runs on the older Android 2.3 operating system. It has a eight-megapixel camera on the back, as well as a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video calls. It is 4G LTE capable and can be used as a mobile hotspot.
The Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G is available now for a pricey $459 without contract. MetroPCS’s 4G LTE plans start at $40 per month for unlimited voice, text and data, but the carrier will slow down your data connection speed after you hit a certain monthly limit.
