On Feb 17th 2009 analog TV will be switched off and digital broadcasting will rule all. What is interesting is that it will become possible for cell phones to receive local digital signals with a chip that will cost less than $50. So while you are shopping, at a game or just out and about, your can stay up-to-date with the latest news. Best of all it will be completely free. The chip itself will be the only cost to the consumer or hopefully the manufacturer (but lets be honest the consumer always ends up with the bill).

If you like to travel you will be able to view all the local news stations in the area for weather updates, news updates and yes even traffic updates. This will bring in more viewers and also more exposure for advertisers on a local setting, so this may help out the small to medium enterprises.

It is thanks to media processor developers such as Imageon (previously known as ATI Imageon) that this technology will come about. This isn’t the first step they have taken, it is thanks to companies such as Imageon that we all have cameras in our phone and video capabilities.

Cell phone companies will have much to think about until February 17th, 2009 as to whether or not they decide to implement these digital broadcast receiver chips, as they will not want to lose their menial profits from current “video-casting” services. Either way be expecting much more in the future when it comes to cell phones and I’m not just talking iPhone either.