If you have been looking for a way to manage all the information that goes along with TV, movies, iTunes, Netflix and other media that you watch, then i.TV is the app you need. i.TV (pronounced eye-dot-TV) is a free application for the iPhone and iPod touch that helps people discover, share and consume media.
With i.TV, you can browse up-to-date local TV and movie listings, as well as a catalog of hundreds of thousands of TV and movie titles available for download and DVD rental. i.TV also includes community features and allows you to write reviews, rate shows and recommend shows to friends via an e-mail alert. i.TV also lets you watch movie trailers and television previews, manage your Netflix queue, and use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control.
The main i.TV screen has a clean and simple interface. The i.TV app is simple to control, just choose one of the icons at the bottom of the screen either TV, Movies, Favorites, Search or More.
Choosing the TV icon moves you to a screen that gives you the option to view a listing of shows on at the current time, a listing of channels, a list of program categories or a grid version of tvlistings. Picking a program entry from any of the listings gives a separate screen with channel, air date and time, synopsis and cast, and the ability to even watch a preview of some shows. The new addition of alerts to the iPhone allows you to set an alert to be notified when a new episode, or even a specific repeat of your favorite show airs.
Selecting the Movies icon, you can receive information on Coming (Movies), Released (Movies) or Theaters. Individual movies listings are similar to television programs with synopsis information, and the ability to view a trailer. Picking an entry from the list of theaters gives map, direction and contact information, as well as a list of all the movies playing at that location.
The Search option allows you to…wait for it…TADA Search! You can enter the name of a favorite show or celebrity and get up to date information and news.
The More selection on the main screen hides some useful and convenient features. You can access News from a variety of sources including CNN and E! Television, manage your Netflix queue, adjust settings for the application and any remotes and view information specific to your cable provider.
Being Netfilx users we jumped right on in to try the Netflix integration and found that is was pretty great. Once you have gone through the short validation process you can manage both your DVD and Instant queues, adding or deleting items and the changes are reflected instantly.
Along with the other program listing and information, the new version of i.TV also come equipped with iTunes integration. You can access show detail screens, discover and instantly download relevant television episodes, movies, and podcast content from iTunes. All watchable content related to a movie or show can be viewed from inside the application itself.
Also built into i.TV i.TV Remote Control Framework that gives third parties the ability to develop solutions to control external devices such as a television, an AV receiver or DVR via i.TV. The Tivo remote is the first integrated remote control on i.TV for TiVo subscribers with a broadband-connected TiVo DVR. The framework gives developers the ability to create completely custom remote control experiences for almost any device. The TiVo Remote has easy to use buttons can be customized via the i.TV menu for the different TiVo devices that are supported.
i.TV is the first device to use the that gives third parties the ability to develop solutions to control external devices such as a television, an AV receiver or DVR via i.TV on the iPhone and iPod touch. The Tivo remote is the first integrated remotecontrol on i.TV for TiVo subscribers with a broadband-connected TiVo DVR.
“With i.TV, you can now use your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control for televisions, DVRs and other home entertainment devices,” said i.TV CEO, Brad Pelo. “By bringing together the television guide and remote control on a mobile device you carry in your pocket, i.TV will change how people discover and watch television shows and movies. We are pleased that TiVo is the first of our partners to introduce remote control capabilities for their customers who use i.TV.”
The Verdict
i.TV is one of those handy applications that you might not have known you were missing, but will wonder how you did without it. It aggregates pretty much all the information you need about any screen you might want to watch. The TV listings and Netflix queue management are the bits we found to be especially useful. The technology for creating remotes for different devices will be a big win with enough developer/manufacturer adoption and we look forward to seeing more remotes available within the app in the future. There are many apps out there that will help you do all of these things individually, but i.TV puts them all together in a convenient easy to use package, on your iPhone, literally at your fingertips.
More information about i.TV is available at http://i.tv/
PROS: Easy to Use, Lots of Information, Netflix Queue Management,
CONS: Remote Available Only for TiVo
Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars 
