Last week we saw the new Moto Q running TiVo through a Slingbox, and now Vodafone, historically the biggest offender when it comes to walled-gardens, has launched an experimental service in Germany using software from Orb Networks. Orb, Sling's next-biggest rival, will enable Vodafone Germany's 3G customers to access pictures and MP3 files that reside on their PCs. What's more, Vodafone MeinPC will allow customers to watch TV that is being captured on their own PCs and transmitted across the mobile network.

A lot of operators in Europe--and the U.S., for that matter--have already learned their lessons about walled-garden approaches to data services: They don't work. So why not embrace it early when it comes to mobile TV and control it before customers try it themselves through the back door? Of course, everyone in this industry is still nervous about the impact that this will have on mobile TV service subscriptions. But, I don't think there is a way to stop this place-shifting phenomenon. That's why Vodafone Germany is smart in controlling it now.

For more on Vodafone Germany's Orb trial:
- see this article [1] from The Register