Sinclair to Debut Android Tablet Supporting New ATSC 3.0 Standard at APCO 2025 Conference
In a significant stride for the broadcasting industry, Sinclair has showcased production samples of the Mark One NextGen TV-enabled smartphone in October 2020, highlighting the potential for broadcasters to reach viewers wherever they are. This development was demonstrated at APCO 2025, where Sinclair also unveiled a NextGen TV-enabled Android tablet.
These NextGen TV-enabled devices, equipped with integrated ATSC 3.0 receivers and antennas, are poised to revolutionise emergency communications. They can receive over-the-air (OTA) emergency alert messages and advanced emergency information directly, even when cellular networks fail. This capability provides a reliable public-facing communication channel during crises when traditional cellular networks might be compromised.
Patrick McFadden, senior vice president for global public policy and communications at Sinclair, emphasised the importance of ATSC 3.0 for emergency messaging, especially in situations where cellular networks may fail. He highlighted the resilience and reliability of TV broadcasts as a significant public safety benefit, especially for those who are away from home during emergencies or have been evacuated.
During extreme events and natural disasters, the broadcast-based system's resilience has been evident. For instance, during hurricanes in North Carolina, many cellular sites failed while television broadcast towers remained operational, ensuring continued dissemination of emergency alerts via broadcast technologies like ATSC 3.0. Broadcast towers have demonstrated high uptime even in severe weather, underscoring their reliability compared to cellular infrastructure during emergencies.
Sinclair's demonstration at APCO 2025 emphasised the value of broadcasters using ATSC 3.0 to communicate emergency alerts and information to the public. The tablet shown is beyond the proof-of-concept stage, as Sinclair has ordered a large number of these devices. Having the ability to receive an over-the-air TV signal on a tablet beyond emergency alerting and information is significant for both the public and broadcasters.
The demonstration at APCO 2025 will focus on the consumer-facing side of emergency communications with the NextGen TV-enabled tablet and phone. Sinclair will also showcase the Mark Two 3.0-enabled smartphone and NextGen TV dongles at the event. The company has been working with multiple manufacturers to develop 3.0 mobile devices, including tablets and phones.
Sinclair is exhibiting with the AWARN Alliance and Digital Alert Systems in booth 3065 at the Baltimore Convention Center, where the demonstration will take place from July 27-30. The NextGen TV-enabled tablet unveiled at APCO 2025 is not available for purchase, but it underscores Sinclair's commitment to enhancing public safety communications through ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology.
- The media has been abuzz about Sinclair's showcase of the NextGen TV-enabled smartphone at APCO 2020, spotlighting the potential of digital broadcast for content distribution regardless of location.
- At APCO 2025, Sinclair further demonstrated the potential of NextGen TV by unveiling an Android tablet, emphasizing its role in revolutionizing emergency communications.
- Armed with integrated ATSC 3.0 receivers and antennas, these NextGen TV devices can deliver over-the-air (OTA) emergency alerts and advanced information directly, making them essential during network failures.
- Patrick McFadden, senior vice president of Sinclair, underlined the crucial role of ATSC 3.0 in emergency messaging situations, where traditional cellular networks may be compromised.
- In times of extreme events like hurricanes, the resilience of broadcast towers has been evident, as they remain operational while numerous cellular sites fail.
- The tablet showcased by Sinclair at APCO 2025 has progressed beyond the proof-of-concept stage, with a large number of these devices ordered by the company.
- Beyond emergency alerting and information, the ability to receive over-the-air TV signals on a tablet is a significant step forward for both the public and broadcasters, thanks to ATSC 3.0 technology.
- Sinclair, along with the AWARN Alliance and Digital Alert Systems, will be exhibiting at booth 3065 at the Baltimore Convention Center from July 27-30, showcasing the NextGen TV-enabled tablet, smartphone, and dongles, signifying their commitment to enhancing policy-and-legislation and technology in the field of data-and-cloud-computing, politics, general-news, and emergency communications.
