TV Forecast HD App Looks Nice, But Is Lacking Key Feature
July 13, 2011
An interesting new app makes finding the times your favorite TV shows next air simpler. TV Forecast HD recently joined the App Store. Is it any good? Not yet and here's why.
Created by Big Bucket Software, the app is advertised as “your personal TV Guide for iPad.” For the most part, this is correct. Unfortunately, it does have one limitation that we’ll address.
After downloading the app, you are presented with some sample programming, which we’d suggest you delete immediately. Unless, of course, you enjoy the programs the app includes. This is done by clicking on the “Edit” button at the bottom left of the iPad screen.
Next, you’ll want to add programming.
This is accomplished by clicking on the “+” button and then typing in the name of your program and selecting it from a list of suggestions.
Each program includes the name of the series, including the upcoming episode’s name and count, and a description of the program.
For example, I’m a True Blood fan. As such, I see that the next episode of the HBO series airs this Sunday and it is Episode 4 of Season 4.
Turning your iPad to portrait view shows you information on each episode of the selected series, which is a great tool.
Again, using True Blood as the example, I can scroll back and forth between all episodes of the series that have already aired, going back to Episode 1.
Unfortunately, the app is missing one important feature. TV Forecast TV only lists the first time a particular episode airs and not when it repeats.
Again, back to True Blood. Although the latest episode aired last Sunday night, the app does not mention when that same episode will be repeated. In other words, if you missed an episode's first airing, you're out of luck on knowing when the same episode airs again. In this case, I know the current episode of True Blood airs at many times between now and when the next episode airs this weekend. But, I didn't find out that information using this app.
This limitation is especially noticeable given that we are in the middle of summer when network programs are repeated and new episodes are still a few months away.
For example, even though ABC is airing repeat episodes of Modern Family on a weekly basis, you wouldn’t know that by using the TV Forecast HD app.
Instead, you’ll see that the next original episode is scheduled to air on September 21. Missed an episode? Nope, the app can't help you with that.
Other features include:
Overall, the TV Forecast HD app has great potential. However, given its current limitations, it is essentially a nice looking app with limited appeal. Hopefully the folks behind it will make necessary improvements. When they do, the app could come highly recommended. As it stands now, you’d be better off downloading and using the free TV Guide for iPad app and save yourself some money. What do you think? Leave your comments below.
- A calendar just for your TV shows.
- Ability to bookmark your last watched episode.
- Timeline view for knowing exactly when and for how long each episode will be airing.
- Ability to automatically adjust air times to your local time zone.
- Ability to be notified before, after, or as soon as an episode goes to air.