LG unveils mobile phone with TV receiver

Korea's LG Electronics this week unveiled what it claims is the first mobile phone that can receive and play terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) television signals.

A recent spate of mobile phones are able to stream television broadcasts transmitted over the internet.

However, LG says it has put a tiny DMB television receiver in its phone. That means the phone can receive over-the-air television signals, although not sources such as cable and satellite broadcasts.

The system enables users to speak on the phone at the same time they are watching television, according to a statement released by the company. It said it used a team of 130 researchers to develop the technology over the last two years and has filed 150 patents related to the device.

For good measure, the phone also supports MP3 playback and has a built-in 1.3 megapixel cameraphone. The company also insists the device has long battery life. The device has a 2.4-inch high-definition LCD screen.

LG provided no details about when it will start to sell the device or what the price will be.