Flavor of the Week: DirecTV Nomad

THE HYPE: The satellite operator’s set-top add-on will let
subscribers with HD digital video recorders “side-load”
content on up to five mobile devices
or computers for taking DVR programs
to go. Nomad, manufactured by
Morega Systems, currently works with Windows-based
PCs, iPhones and iPod touch devices, with Mac, iPad
and Android support slated for the future.

WHAT IT MEANS: While Nomad doesn’t provide live streaming
of content to mobile devices — as Dish Network’s
Slingbox does — DirecTV’s test is another milestone on
the road toward pay TV’s multiscreen future.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY: $149; currently available to
DirecTV subscribers.