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Freeview, which is the Terrestrial Digital TV (DTT) service in the UK, has announced the launch of a newly developed app for the iPhone and iPod touch, designed to help viewers plan their TV viewing whilst on the go.
The Freeview iPhone app gives instant access to the Freeview programme guide, including HD channels and over 50 other Freeview channels. Features including a ‘now and next’ view and ‘Top 10’ channel list will make it easier to plan TV viewing and keeping up to date with the most popular channels. Users can reorder channels so favourites appear first and customise listing to a viewer’s local region.
As for the HD channels: currently the BBC HD channel is available on the app. ITV1 HD listings will be available shortly and Channel 4 HD listings will be added when the channel becomes available on Freeview HD.
The new app will also offer the ability to filter listings by category, search by text entry, or follow viewing suggestions via Freeview’s Twitter feed. Recommendations are also automatically provided for all programmes to help introduce users to related programmes based on their selections.
There are a couple of limitations here though – first of all, you need to ensure that you can receive Freeview – not everyone can due to the the restrictions that terrestrial broadcasts have with topography. Secondly, there’s no actual link between the app and your Freeview receiver, which is a shame. Nonetheless, as an app, it sounds pretty complete – so hop on over to the App Store if you want to take a look.
Freeview HD TV Guide (£free) [iTunes link]
About The Author
Ben Robinson
Ben is a 10+ year veteran of the Mobile industry – starting his career when SMS was a still a relatively new concept for most people (!), he has now consulted on everything from bleeding-edge Mobile content, to the next-gen accessories you might view it on. As a result he has a broad and deep knowledge in numerous areas of Mobile – from network operators to device vendors, to infrastructure and middleware vendors (not to mention content delivery) – and has worked for companies in all of these areas! He is based in the UK, a hotbed of activity for mobile, and recently became a father for the second time – as oppose to in his younger years when he was happy spend time tweaking all manner of mobile devices to 'nth' degree, he now looks for services and hardware that provide the most efficient, compact, and reliable improvements to his already manic life! It’s his opinion that Mobile solutions should be there to help to make your life better – if a particular solution (be it service or device) isn’t doing this, he believes you need to ask the very important question of why you continue to use it... His focus at IntoMobile is mainly on Mobile content, services, and infrastructure, particularly as regards the UK market – and with the occasional look at devices. Additionally, using his extensive experience in the industry, he will provide commentary on the industry at large, with regular (and hopefully thought-provoking) articles.
