ABC Digital has introduced ABC’s My Generation Sync for iPad. Users can now experience interactive TV in a whole new way. Interact with exclusive content pushed to your iPad while you watch ABC’s My Generation on your TV.
The app’s sync technology connects your iPad to your TV allowing you to participate in real time with the show. Take polls and quizzes, get behind the scenes info. All in real time. No additional equipment required. Turn on your TV, tune into My Generation, launch the app and hit the sync button to get started. You can use the ABC’s My Generation Sync for iPad app while watching recorded episodes of My Generation as well.
MacDailyNews Note: Here’s the video that the geniuses at ABC offer on their site to explain the app. The video requires Flash. Which means iPad users can’t see it. Memo to ABC: Promoting an iPad app with a video that doesn’t play on iPad is beyond stupid. Use HTML5 video next time, morons.
ABC’s My Generation Sync for iPad FAQ:
Q: How does it work?
A: This application uses Media-Sync Technology to identify what episode you are watching as well as where you are within the show to deliver additional content and interaction with the show on your TV.
Q: Will it work with my DVR?
A: Yes, this app will work while watching outside of the original broadcast time slot. Using Media-Sync technology, this app can even tell when you fast forward or rewind for a seamless experience.
Q: Are you recording me?
A: NO, while the app relies on being able to “hear” your TV to remain synched with the show, it is only “listening” to a limited range of frequencies.
Q: How long should I wait to sync with an episode?
A: Under normal home conditions the app should only need to listen for 10-15 seconds to sync with an episode.
Q: I am having trouble syncing with an episode is there anything I can do to make it easier for me to connect?
A: The easiest way to quickly sync with the show is to make sure that the microphone is uncovered and positioned where it can “hear” your TV. The microphone on the iPad is located on the top next to the headphone jack so ensure that this is not covered by your hand or pressed into your couch. External noise can impact the sync process so try and minimize noise while viewing.
More info and download link via Apple’s iTunes App Store: ABC’s My Generation Sync for iPad
Source: ABC.com
Q: Do you give a rip?
A: Not even remotely.
Can anyone say “information overload”? Why would anyone want to have that much going on in their brain at one time, especially for a TV show?
Frankly my dear, I don’t give a cab, bac or abc!
ABC is a broadcast TV network. They make money by selling their viewers to advertisers. Anything that binds the viewer to the content they broadcast, and hence to the ads that are any which way embedded in this content, improves their business model.
That’s all there is to it. As long as the viewer thinks it’s worthwhile to him/her. (The latter is the big killer for broadcast TV. Viewers don’t find bearing advertisement worthwhile to enjoy content, when they get the same content for free without advertisement. The savior may be that getting the content for free is sorta kinda troublesome, so that selling the content cheaper with a better user experience [iTunes] could save the networks.)
Whoopee! ABC that distributor of lib trash. Suuuure! That’s just what we need. Can’t wait for the PBS app.
I wouldn’t mind the PBS app, but I don’t see why I should still have to own a TV. I guess I misunderstood (again).
@ ron,
You and I appear to have a lot in common. How about we do lunch sometime? We can sit around trashing everyone who isn’t a conservative while having a few brewskis. Who knows, there might be a position for you in my office. I can always use a clever fellow such as you to rub tanning oil all over my buff bod. Sound appealing ronnie?
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Not sure how useful this is for My Generation, but it could be great with sports.
@ ron,
Don’t let the sexually confused get you down.
I don’t know anything about “m-m-m-my generation”, but the concept of audio syncing to a recorded tv show seems ingenious. Patentable, even. Potential is enormous.
@ Big Al
No sex, no problem I guess.
I might actually vote for some of the contestants on American Idol. (yeah, I know, I should be ashamed, but it’s a guilty pleasure.)
On another note, VH-1 has a show running called Top 100 Artists of All Time. (of course it is really only the past 50 years) They had 200 people voting on them. What if you had 2 million? I think I might enjoy a show where they show clips of performances from artists considered in the top 100 and then vote on them to create a more “popular” list of Top Artists. That’s interactive… to a degree.
MDN is also a morton for including a video that we can’t see… Even though they like to to blame others.