DIRECTV adds live TV to iPad app

While DIRECTV might be the most popular satellite TV provider in the country, they had one issues that held them back. While many cable companies, and even their satellite competitor, DISH Network, provided live TV solutions for their tablet apps, DIRECTV did not. That is, until recently. New to their iPad app is a feature that allows users to stream live TV to their devices. This catches them up with many other providers and keeps them atop the TV game.

As with most providers, the DIRECTV app allows you to stream only while within your home. That is, it only works on your home WiFi network. The app itself still works on outside WiFi and cellular networks, but the live TV streaming is not available. Cable companies have caught some flak from content providers about the live streaming to tablets feature, but limiting it to in-home use lets cable and satellite providers offer the service without charging customers extra.

DIRECTV includes 38 channels with its streaming service, so not every one will be available. But many popular channels, such as CNN, Food Network, TBS, Discovery, and NFL Network, are included. The video window pops up separately, allowing users to resize and drag across the screen. If you can stand a small viewing area, you can browse around the DIRECTV app while watching something in a smaller window. Additionally, there is an option to watch the current station on your TV. That’s an especially nice feature when you’re back and forth between, say, the TV and the kitchen.

In one way, the DIRECTV app still falls short of the DISH Network offering. Since DISH powers its tablet app with Slingbox, users can get a true TV anywhere experience. That is, they can stream over their home WiFi network, as well as a friend’s WiFi or a 3G/4G cellular network. The drawback is that DISH Network requires a Slingbox-equipped receiver, or else an actual Slingbox unit. That costs a little extra for the user. The DIRECTV app and live streaming service, on the other hand, remains free.

If there’s any downside to the DIRECTV upgrade, it’s that only iPad users experience it. Many Android tablets have hit the market in recent months, and those do not yet have the live streaming capability — though they do have the other features in the DirecTV app. Users of the new, powerful Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will have to wait a little bit before they can get this feature. Presumably they will in time. Furthermore, it’s likely that DIRECTV will offer more channels in its live TV package. That will truly bring it to the level of many cable apps.