We were sent a gadget to review that’s so sleek and sexy I almost wolf-whistled after undressing it from its packaging. Designed by Equinux, the tizi (pronounced teasy) is far from just a pretty face.
This pocket rocket creates a mobile wi-fi hotspot for Apple devices allowing you to watch Freeview TV on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch (IOS 3.2 or above).
I was curious to know what made this gizmo so different from TV Catchup or even FilmOn Player, two apps I use to watch telly on my iPad. Basically the digital signal is streamed via tizi directly to your IOS device, rather than over the web, so the viewing’s clearer and you get a lot more range.
Simply charge it up, switch it on, download the free tizi app from iTunes and you’re good to go. On first use at home, tizi picked up 67 channels including Freeview radio and within minutes I was at my kitchen table watching an Italian cookery show on the Food Network.
And what gives tizi extra zing is that you can record live TV onto your iPad or iPhone!
You can’t schedule recordings so this won’t replace your Tivo just yet and playback is only via the tizi app but you can copy programmes to your Mac or PC via iTunes for watching later.
Tizi’s also set up for multi-tasking so that when ads come on, I just visit other apps or catch up on my email (if you have 3G, you can even surf the web).
Since tizi creates its own wifi hotspot, theoretically you can watch TV anywhere, even on a train. But I’ve had less luck out and about, sometimes barely calling up a few channels while stopping at a cafe.
Apparently this is down to how strong the digital TV signal is in your area, and there are tips like sitting near a window, manipulating the incredibly bendy arial – or in my case, just switching the damn thing off before you take out your frustration on either tizi or iPad.
So I’ve not done much flossing around town with my tizi just yet, but it’s given us an extra TV at home. No more remote control rows when Match of the Day starts? Result!
The price might make you gulp but for the gadget freak in your life, or your favourite iGeek, tizi is sure to be a Christmas hit.
Quick Specs
Retail price: £149.95
Power source: Battery (3.5 hours) and USB
Availability: UK, France, Spain, Germany and other European countries with DVB-T stations
Visit www.tizi.tv for more info
