By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-02-08 04:23:53 | Word Count: 664
Just when we thought that the iPhone was capable of doing it all it goes and does just a little bit more. Now, it hears you. Well, not you exactly, but your television (if that makes it any more comprehensible). Here’s the scoop: You’re probably familiar with Shazam (the iPhone app that enables music lovers to identify tunes anywhere using their mobile phone) well picture much of the same concept but with television. Enters IntoNow. IntoNow is an application that listens to what you’re watching on the television or the internet and in about 4 to 12 seconds can identify the exact episode you’re watching whether the program is airing live or if it’s a rebroadcast on the original network or a syndicate.
IntoNow is slightly different from the iPhone’s Shazam in that instead of simply looking to identify the name of the show or title episode, IntoNow looks to unite fans of shows in a social forum where they can discuss their favorite shows via Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. Not only does the IntoNow application share what you’re watching for discussion purposes, it also collects the data that of what your IntoNow friends are watching so that you may join in their discussion as well.
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How does this work, you wonder? Well, that’s a great question and the bulk of the answer seems to be top secret but here is the little that I know. Soundprint, a current technology, monitors 130 channels of live cable and network TV which converts the “soundprint” of a given episode into ones and zeros. The software then matches the audio to a soundbit captured by your iPhone/iPad and the television program is detected. A new episode may take longer to detect (about 12 seconds) as IntoNow may be indexing it on the apps back end and this can take it longer to show up on the front end. Reruns can also be identified through the apps back catalogue.
This sounds cool, but how well does this work, you’re wondering? According to MG Siegler at TechCrunch the technology is amazing and almost flawless. “I put on one show, hit the button on the IntoNow app, boom: 4 seconds later, it got it. I flipped the channel, same result. I tried it with a show I had DVR’d. Worked like a charm” states Siegler.
My take? I’d admittedly impressed. If you’re an avid tweeter, like myself, you may engage in the most entertaining raves and rants about your favorite shows with your followers while you watch these shows live. This social commentary and interaction definitely adds to the overall viewing experience. IntoNow is making the interaction even more interesting by connecting users with like interest who may otherwise remain disconnected. I’d love to chat about the latest episode of The Office, if you’re up for it. Grey’s Anatomy your thing? I’m your girl! “IntoNow me,” if you will. Not even sure if that’s the lingo but you get my drift. For television lovers who sit with their laptops open, logged into social networks while watching their favorite shows, this is the app for us; I standby eager to chat with you. So tell me, what are you watching?
