Nokia has announced that its Lumia series of Windows Phone handsets will come with a TV app.
The news actually came from a Russian mobile phone forum as opposed to Nokia directly. It is not known whether the handsets will be pre-installed before shipping or if the user will have to download it from a Windows Phone app store.

Whichever way the application arrives, it is nevertheless an interesting concept as you will be able to watch TV for free on your smartphone. Users will also be able to search for listed programmes via categories. It will also be possible to search for what are called featured or favourite programmes, which are based on previous viewings.

Reports suggest that the new application will be available in Finland initially. However, it is believed that the app will be rolled out across Europe at some point, although there is no date pencilled in as yet for a UK-wide launch.

In related news, Apple is said to be launching its own internet TV set in the near future, which is set to revolutionise the traditional TV business model. However, this news has been denied by Anthony DiClemente, an analyst from Barclays, who claims that Apple doesn’t in this case have the resources to do so. Not yet anyway.

An expert from All Things D commented: “DiClemente argues, convincingly, that TV programmers don’t have any incentive to stop selling the bundles they’re already selling for big dollars (in seven- and 10-year deals).”