TV Guide offers mobile listings

Mobile TV is still a work in progress. But TV listing and show programming information will soon be available on mobile phones, thanks to a deal between TV Guide and 4Info. The two have partnered to let mobile users search for TV information by time, program or channel in a direct-to-consumer play. The service can be accessed via SMS or WAP.

The offer illustrates the challenges of D2C services, particularly usability issues. Working without the carrier generally requires some kind of standard user interface (read: lowest common dominator), as it is more difficult to customize an app for multiple phones without carrier involvement. In this case, TV Guide listings must be accessed via 4Info's "syntax," which, in the press release anyway, looks like a nightmare of input headaches.

For more about the TV Guide offer and user instructions:
- read the company release