Touching this nifty new device - a separate, light-weight, actual little TV screen that's portable and on which you can watch the DStv Mobile TV channels - gave me the same kind of feeling as when you hold an iPad or other flattish-paddish device: you kind of feel so ''content-controlling''. You really feel that you have ''TV on the go'' with a thin, light-weight and compact square of television you can carry around on your pocket.
The DStv Walka is very light, nice and compact, the screen could be bigger but there's probably reasons for it, and the screen nice and bright. I only had a minute with it, but my first impressions of the DStv Walka device was that it's very, very cool. Also it's plug and play so no installations and stuffs are necessary. I can see this device doing very well and probably surpassing DStv Drifta sales.
You can put the thing in your pocket like a cellphone and take it to the wedding, or the shopping mall, watch while you're waiting for your food at the reataurant, or have kids watch it in the car while you drive - if you're in a city and DStv Mobile's reception and coverage area the DStv Walka is definitely now the best of the DStv Mobile devices to have with you if you want to make sure you get the sport or the news or something you can see on one of the available channels but have to leave your house.
I asked a few questions about the DStv Walka. The DStv Walka is produced by the same place making the DStv Drifta devices for MultiChoice and DStv Mobile - Valups in South Korea (did I mention how remarkably light-weight the thing feels?).
With a full charge the battery of the DStv Walka will last you 3,5 hours - of course chargeable by USB as well.
''The Walka is unique in that no connection is required to other devices to view,'' DStv Mobile tells me. ''We hope it will increase usability of DStv Mobile as the Walka is a dedicated device. Its an easy to use device, it can fit into anybody's lifestyle, it appeals to a wider range of people because of no additional device being required. With the Drifta and Drifta USB other devices are required to view and this may pose as a limitation to certain potential customers. With the Walka TV, this is not the case, once the device is activated, viewing can begin right away.
I also asked about the screen size and how that was decided upon. ''A 3.5'' screen is large enough for a an enhanced mobile TV viewing experience and comfortable enough to be portable,'' says DStv Mobile, telling me that the company decided on this version because its easiest to use.
