Alright superfans of A Christmas Story, I've got news for you. You can win a trip to the real A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio, with a VIP Chinese dinner included. The contest, available at www.AChristmasStoryScene.com calls for you to recreate a scene from the film (see an example below).

You don't want to miss your chance here, because I've been there, and it's fantastic. I even met Ian Petrella while I was there, and he's going to be the celebrity judge of the contest. Check out more info below, and get those creative juices flowing.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, invites everyone to get into the holiday spirit by recreating their favorite scene from the classic holiday comedy, A Christmas Story, with the “A Christmas Story: I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU! Video Contest.” The contest features celebrity judge Ian Petrella, who starred as the lovable and hilarious Randy Parker, Ralphie’s younger brother, in the film and will give fans the chance to win the ultimate A Christmas Story experience.

Fans can enter at www.AChristmasStoryScene.com. Contestants must recreate and film their favorite scenes from A Christmas Story for a chance to win a trip to the real A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio, with a VIP Chinese dinner included! Fans can upload their creations onto YouTube and submit the links to the contest site.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

If you're a fan of Parks and Recreation, you know well that one of the things that really makes the show is the full force of the entire ensemble. It's a show, oddball as it may be, that truly calls into question the notion of "supporting actors."

Whether it's Aziz Ansari rolling out ludicrous monologues, Aubrey Plaza's perfectly dark and disinterested attitude, or Nick Offerman's mere presence, everyone on the show stands out, and with a different group the show likely wouldn't have made it past the first three episodes.

Well, if you can't get enough, you can now check out the new webseries, April and Andy's Road Trip. If you watched the show last night, you know that the happy couple were inspired to take a road trip, and now you can see highlights from their grand adventure.

You can see the in-universe site as well here http://www.nbc.com/parks-and-recreation/exclusives/road-trip/, which has even MORE content to share including:

1.  Road Trip Scrap Book : Photos and hilarious captions from the trip
2.  Interactive Road Map: Lets fans track April and Andy’s road trip
3.  Photo Submission: Want to be part of the fun? Fans can take a picture of their local P&R dept. and stake their own place on the interactive map!

Check out more info below, and watch webisodes right here.

Volkswagen Partners with "Parks and Recreation" to Send April (Aubrey Plaza) and Andy (Chris Pratt) on a Cross-Country Road Trip

Volkswagen of America, Inc., has partnered with NBC's "Parks and Recreation" to bring fans the show's first web series. On Thursday, November 3 the five-episode, online-only series will feature Andy (Chris Pratt) and April (Aubrey Plaza) embarking on a road trip across America.

Viewers tuning in to the November 3 episode of "Parks and Recreation" on NBC will see Andy sharing his bucket list with April, inspiring the couple to take a road trip out west. Volkswagen will help bridge the on-air story to the online story as the two "borrow" April's dad's Passat and begin their adventure.

The web series picks up where the show leaves off, following the happy couple on their 60-hour journey across America. Watch as they battle spiders, scope out real estate opportunities, and visit the famous "Four Corners" (or, what Andy thinks is the Four Corners).

In addition to the web series, NBC.com will debut "Road Trip" digital features, including an interactive map of April and Andy's journey, and user-submitted photos of parks and recreation departments from across the country and an extended producer's cut of that night's episode with never before seen moments.

Spider

See April's intense - and hilarious - bout of arachnophobia.

4 Corners

Watch Andy show April the magical point where four states connect.

Calling Leslie

Hear Leslie's hilarious travel tips for April and Andy.

Building A Home

Watch lovebirds April and Andy discuss the pros and cons of building a house right next to the Grand Canyon.

Behind the “Road Trip”

Watch Chris Pratt give you the inside scoop on the NBC.com exclusive web series, “Road Trip.”

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

There's a bit of a treat in store for Scorsese fans, and it will be hitting newsstands October 25th. The November issue of Harper's Bazaar features photos of some big stars re-envisioning Scorsese classics, and discussing the man himself.

Take a quick peek below, and get a glimpse of a few of the images.

Harper’s Bazaar collaborated with famed director Martin Scorsese on a portfolio recasting some of his most memorable scenes, featuring stars including Christina Hendricks, Kate Bosworth, Emily Blunt, Michael Pitt, Sir Ben Kingsley, Chloe Moretz and Keanu Reeves in the magazine's November issue, on newsstands October 25.

Keanu Reeves and Chloe Moretz recreate an iconic scene from Taxi Driver, with Moretz channeling Jodie Foster in her classic, controversial role.

Emily Blunt is the star of Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.

Vincent Piazza, Michael Pitt and Sir Ben Kingsley are Goodfellas.

Christina Hendricks and Jack Huston are recast in a scene from The Gangs of New York.

Plus, celebrated actors and Scorsese collaborators, including Jodie Foster, Tom Cruise, Sir Ben Kingsley, Winona Ryder, Sharon Stone, and more, tell their own tales about one of the world’s greatest storytellers.

Jodie Foster: “When we were shooting Taxi Driver, I think Marty was really uncomfortable with the fact that I was so young. The memory I have is of him and Robert De Niro trying to tell me how to unzip [De Niro’s] pants. And Marty keeps bursting out laughing. He can’t get a word out, and he tries to act serious, you know? He keeps smoothing down his face on both sides, but he just keeps laughing. And then De Niro decides he’s going to take over because he can do it.”

Chloe Moretz: "There's an aura about him. He knows how to get that thing that makes it a Scorsese film; it's completely unspoken. But I haven't seen Taxi Driver yet. My mom won't let me watch it."

Tom Cruise: "I met Marty a few years before I worked with him, in '82 in L.A. Then I was shooting Top Gun and he offered me The Color of Money to do with [Paul] Newman. When we started working together, Marty would just giggle. And it was wonderful because sometimes in the more violent scenes, like when I got pissed and was going down the stairs and throwing down the briefcase, you could just hear him giggle."

"At night, I'd go down to Marty's parents' room and have a family dinner. His mom Catherine's lemon chicken, the pasta—incredible. Even after we stopped filming, I'd go over to his parents' house and have Italian food any time I'd want. I'd call ahead, and they'd make my favorite dishes, and I'd stay with them for a night."

FULL STORY: http://www.harpersbazaar.com/magazine/feature-articles/best-martin-scorsese-film-scenes-1111

Photo credit: Jason Schmidt for Harper's Bazaar

Photo credit: Jason Schmidt for Harper's Bazaar

Photo credit: Jason Schmidt for Harper's Bazaar

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

So, in case you were waiting for the day that you could say that you'd really heard everything... today's the day. A new "show" is coming your way via Facebook, and you could see parts of "yourself" in the show... sort of. Check this one out.

Frankly, I don't get it, but what do you think?

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT BECOMES FIRST HOLLYWOOD STUDIO TO LAUNCH A “SOCIAL SERIES” ON FACEBOOK

VIEWERS CAN BECOME PART OF A SHOW BY TAPPING INTO THEIR PROFILE TO CREATE A UNIQUE, SEAMLESS SOCIAL VIEWING EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR PHOTOS, TEXT AND FRIENDS INTEGRATED INTO EACH EPISODE

“AIM HIGH” PREMIERES AS FIRST 'SOCIAL SERIES' OCTOBER 18

Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) today announced the first-ever “social series” from a Hollywood studio will debut on Facebook starting October 18. Consumers can now become part of the show by seamlessly integrating their profile information - including photos, text and friends – by simply opting into the application on the show’s Facebook page. The action comedy series "Aim High" produced by Warner Premiere and Dolphin Entertainment, staring Jackson Rathbone (“Twilight”), Aimee Teegarden (“Friday Night Lights”), and Greg Germann (“Ally McBeal”) will debut as the first "social series" October 18 through Facebook (www.facebook.com/aimhighseries) and Cambio.com.

By choosing to watch “Aim High” in a personalized viewing mode through the show’s Facebook page, viewers will be able to see themselves or their friends integrated into select scenes throughout the series - from their photo appearing on a student body election poster, to having their name seen as graffiti on the bathroom wall. This video application not only allows consumers to have an immersive and engaging viewing experience, but also a social one where they can share comments, scenes and Tweets about their favorite moments from the show.

“Facebook is an increasingly influential destination for discovering and acquiring movie and television content,” said Thomas Gewecke, President of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “This effort takes video distribution to a whole new level by making the actual viewing experience personal and social in a truly innovative and entertaining way.”

“The ability for fans to become part of a production by simply watching a show is truly revolutionary,” said McG, Producer of “Aim High.” “I’m delighted that Aim High is the first to embrace this technology and I’m looking forward to including this in future productions.”

To learn more about “Aim High,” visit www.facebook.com/aimhighseries.

About “Aim High”

“Aim High” is the story of a young man leading a double life - juggling his studies by day and serving as a government operative by night. This series chronicles the life of Nick Green, a junior who's just starting a new school year as one of the country's 64 highly trained teenage operatives.

When he's not handling international spies, Nick is dreaming of Amanda Miles, the most popular girl in school who's cool, intelligent and very alluring. Amanda mercilessly flirts with Nick, but before he can enjoy her advances he has to avoid Derek - her overly protective boyfriend who threatens him for even looking at her.

“Aim High,” a Warner Premiere and Dolphin Entertainment series, comes from Director/Producer McG ("Chuck," "Charlie's Angels"), Wonderland Sound and Vision. Peter Murrieta (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) is Executive Producer. Mary Viola, Andy Shapiro, Jackson Rathbone, Bill O'Dowd, Jim Henrie and Philip von Alvensleben also serve as Executive Producers. The series is written and created by Heath Corson and Richie Keen who also serve as Executive Producers, directed by Thor Freudenthal (“Hotel for Dogs,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”) and produced by Lance Sloane and McG.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

This post brought to you by Untitled Jersey City Project. All opinions are 100% mine.

We've all seen online "television" efforts from a variety of sources, and as time goes on these are growing not only in popularity, but in the effort behind them. There's a very cool video production out there right now, and I want to make sure you get a glimpse of it.

Untitled Jersey City Project is a "webshow" about two guys who have been trying to get their small architecture company off the ground, and they've managed to pull in a dream job: designing a new stadium. Nothing is every easy though, and from the developer, to the investors, everyone has a lot to gain, and this much money often spells trouble.

Things kick off with Frank getting a strange call from Ray just before Ray falls from the construction site. Now Frank has to figure out what he's gotten himself into, and keep from getting swallowed up himself.

The production is by Studio Progress Films in association with FX, and it's a whole new level in web-based, short-form entertainment.

It looks very slick, and there's something about the conceptual theory that is intriguing. As things play out, according to the show's description, a lot of the threads won't be resolved. It's more about the intrigue itself, and asking questions, than wrapping things up, or providing answers, and I think that makes it a lot more fun.

There's only so much available so far, but it's already a lot of fun. Like I said, the production value, acting, etc., is a clear step up from most similar content, and the story is wild enough that it sucks you in. Check out a sneak peak below, and let me know what you think.

Untitled Jersey City Project is a unique experiment in the development of an entertainment concept: it's a work-in-progress television drama.

The eight short-form episodes of Untitled Jersey City Project are fragments from a larger story, with many of the story threads left unresolved. But from these eight episodes, this much is clear:

The story is set amidst the fast-developing Jersey City waterfront, just across the river from Manhattan. A shining new city is being built on the edge of this gritty town. But while the glass office towers and condos are sleek and new, the rules of the game haven't changed one bit.

Everyone here has something to gain - money, fame, power. Or they can lose big. Or they could end up dead.

Frank George and his partner Ray Rahne have worked hard to get their small, progressive architecture office in New York City to the next level. Then they land the commission of a lifetime: to design a new stadium complex across the Hudson in rough and tumble Jersey City. They might be just across the river from Wall Street, but Frank and Ray are a long way from home.

Their client is notorious developer Larry Tyerman. Tyerman is a bare-knuckle negotiator lurking inside a bespoke suit, with connections to everyone - and anyone - with the power to push his projects through. Union bosses, politicians, even the local cops - everybody owes him a favor. And nobody wants to be the guy standing in his way, not with this much money on the line. Rumor has it that the stadium project is truly make or break for Tyerman. Desperation hasn't made him a more patient man.

Tyerman's major investors in the stadium project, a couple of rich young fashion victims from Taiwan, have a conflict of interest that could bring the entire project down -- literally. Jersey City's progressive, hybrid-driving young city councilman, Philip Haney, is possibly on Tyerman's payroll. And his driver, a hulking figure named Tony Hello, harbors a secret of his own -- a secret that might be Frank's only salvation.

Then there's Jane Kaplan, a staff writer at The Ledger whose femme fatale looks are second only to her naked ambition. Does she know more than she's willing to tell Frank? And whose side is she on, anyway?

Things come to a head when Frank gets a cryptic message from Ray, moments before Ray's fatal plunge from the 39th floor of the construction site. Did he jump? Or was he pushed?

It will be up to Frank to piece the mystery together -- and try to stay alive.

Untitled Jersey City Project is a production of Studio Progress Films in association with FX.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

This post brought to you by ampm. All opinions are 100% mine.

ampm has an incredible giveaway going on where you can take a shot at an assortment of screens, and a lot of other great prizes. The ampm Too Much Good Stuff giveaway is run through their Facebook page, and you have the chance to win an Apple MacBook Air 11-inch 64GB, iPads, iPod Touches, iPod Nanos, and the Grand Prize, a trip to Las Vegas.

All you have to do is head over to http://www.facebook.com/ampm, go to the Too Much Good Stuff giveaway link, register with your email address, and then give the virtual slot machine a spin for a chance to instantly win one of 15,000 bottles of Pepsi Max, or 10,000 corn dogs, and you are automatically entered for the Periodic Sweepstakes and the Grand Prize Drawing.

Besides this great stuff, their Facebook page gives you the chance to get great coupons, and even voice your opinion on what coupons you'd like them to offer in the future.

You already know about the Thirst Oasis, with up to 24 varieties of fountain drinks and, my favorite, the choice of crushed ice along with the cubes, and you know about their fresh condiment bar, but at the ampm Facebook page they have a Secret Menu option. That's worth checking out on its own, because it's filled with recipes of all kinds of wild concoctions you can put together with their selection of condiments. OMG BBQ Burger with chili, BBQ chips, and BBQ sauce anyone?

You're going to be at ampm anyway, you might as well get some coupons, and try out some new twists with their recipes. And, you've got a chance to win some great stuff.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Star Trek fans now have a unique way to geek out, and it comes in the form of a way for them to learn anything they might not already know about the franchise (or at least, don't have memorized). Star Trek PADD (Personal Access Display Device) is an iPad App that recreates the LCARS computer interface from Star Trek, and includes a database of just about everything that has ever happened in the Star Trek television universe.

The interface comes complete with a wide variety of vocal responses that will be familiar to fans, and the look and "feel" of the PADD, as you move around is just as you'd hope from seeing it in the various versions of the franchise shows. Whether it's info on the ships, characters, or so much more, it's all at your fingertips.

The only question about the App might be in terms of the number of images available, with a large variety of items not being represented graphically, and some that really seem as though they ought to be, but one has to balance the need for a picture with everything against the size of App they really want eating up their iPad resources. That, I suppose, and the real use one will get out of an encyclopedia of everything Star Trek.

It's certainly a must have for fans, and it showcases some avenues of possibility when it comes to creating Apps, but for most people this is probably something fun to show off for a while, and ultimately the kind of App you forget you have. Still, it's a lot of fun just to move around in the thing, and there is absolutely no shortage of information. Even items that are only referenced in the show as a kind of drink Quark once told someone to get more of are listed.

For the right fan, there are hours of entertainment here, and getting the rundown on all the characters is rather cool. Given the $4.99 price tag, I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of updates roll out that gave you a bit more interactivity and/or additional features, but if this is something you'd think about getting, you're likely to find it's worth it.

The STAR TREK PADD (Personal Access Display Device) app provides fans with the ultimate mobile "Trekker" experience. The app features an authentic reproduction of the LCARS interface—the fictional computer operating system depicted in the STAR TREK television series—as well as a rich, interactive database of STAR TREK television series information, including images and an episode guide. The STAR TREK PADD app is now available for $4.99 in the App Store.

Developed in conjunction with CBS Mobile by app development studio ArcTouch, the STAR TREK PADD app transports fans back through the extensive 40-year history of the STAR TREK television franchise, including its amazing universe of characters, planets and technology spanning from STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES all the way to STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE. The app also includes a recognizable computer voice as well as familiar STAR TREK-related sounds.

"STAR TREK fans are passionately involved with all things STAR TREK. The STAR TREK PADD app lets die-hard fans and casual enthusiasts use the authentic LCARS interface to access the extensive official STAR TREK database, and easily connect with other Trekkers. We expect that the app will also introduce the show to a new generation of fans, leveraging 21st century technology to provide a glimpse into the 24th century," said Rob Gelick, Senior Vice President and General Manager, CBS Mobile.

The app includes the following features:

• A rich LCARS graphical interface that provides an authentic and immersive experience, complete with STAR TREK-related sound effects and prompts from a recognizable computer voice.
• An official database of STAR TREK information, including aliens, ships, places, and technologies as depicted in the STAR TREK television series, plus a detailed episode guide.
• The official STAR TREK Facebook fan page and Twitter feed integrated into the app to let fans catch up on the latest news and connect with other Trekkers.

"Back when the PADD first appeared on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, none of us imagined that today we'd be able to hold the real thing in our hands. But the STAR TREK PADD app, running on your iPad, is an actual miniature, handheld, touch-sensitive, 24th-century-style computer screen," said Michael Okuda, who was in charge of computer interface design for the Starships Enterprise from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION through STAR TREK ENTERPRISE, and co-author of the STAR TREK ENCYCLOPEDIA along with wife Denise.

STAR TREK PADD app - promo video from ArcTouch on Vimeo.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

The market for board games on the iPad has really taken off lately, and one of the latest contenders is Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition. The move, though one that may cause some to raise their eyebrows, is one that I think is rather brilliant, even if only for the added exposure to world class titles like Carcassone and Ticket to Ride.

While a lot of these board game titles are great Apps, and wonderfully blur the line between "screening" and "not screening"... if you follow me, the new Monopoly title raises the bar even further, and raises serious questions about the future existence of "real" board games.

It's the classic everyone knows and loves, but brought to the next level in just about every conceivable way. With a slick presentation, house rules, and a variety of ways to play multi-player (single-player vs AI Monopoly is a concept that eludes me actually, but it's obviously an option), the arguments for owning the traditional version are hard to imagine.

The iPhone version of the game has been out for quite a while, but this is an entirely new beast, and the App savvy should not think of this as simply zapping an App game that is a couple of years old to the new platform.

For those unfamiliar, the general gameplay is the same, but this edition features cities from around the world. Instead of Boardwalk and Marvin Gardens, you'll be buying up Montreal, Paris, London, New York, and a random assortment of others. Also, the monetary denominations have several extra zeros at the end, so passing Go now nets you $2 million, and the prices of properties are adjusted accordingly.

Going through the motions of Monopoly hardly seems relevant, except that in this case it actually is. Sure, you have the game down pat, but there are more complexities than there seem to be, and how they are handled matters. Auctions, mortgages, trades, and how you're going to handle Free Parking, are the sort of things that come up, and they are all given to you through a fantastic interface that makes everything as simple as can be. It's extremely customizable, even offering up the potential for a strange cheating option presented as "Sleight of Hand," which I'd never heard of before, and you even get some trivia popping up once in a while.

Roll the dice, and move forward. Buy a property, or kick off an auction. Or, turn auctions off. Your properties are marked with your color, money is handled automatically, and you can start up a trade at any time. The AI even initiates trades, and for the most part, they are actually sensible ones.

It looks great, and runs very smoothly. I've heard some complaints in the form of performance on iPads vs iPad2s, but I didn't notice any problems with it, other than perhaps that it took a little bit to load initially.

All the fanciness you get, and it really is impressive, still only adds up to something along the lines of, "Woohoo, I can play Monopoly on my iPad." There's a varying degree of oomph behind that Woohoo, depending on who you are, but, it is what it is.

The real keys to the purchase, including the fairly hefty AppStore price tag of $9.99, comes down to the tabletop mode, and the customization. There are options App Game regulars will be familiar with when it comes to playing against real people, like a Bluetooth option so that everyone can play using their own device, but in tabletop mode, you just sit your iPad down, and there's the board. Everyone sits around, just as you would really play, only with the game handling all the money, property cards, and other thingsthat normally slow you down.

I've already gone over the customization a bit, but the amount of freedom available here can't be given too much credit. Choosing what you get for Free Parking, whether or not there are auctions, whether or not there are unlimited houses to buy, even how many houses are required for a hotel, and many others, are things that change the game, and make Monopoly unique to everyone.

The cute animations, and options like being able to play your own music during the game, add a bit of fun, but the focus on making sure the game itself is all it can be makes this one a no-brainer, even for those who generally can't get past such a price tag. It's as solid an App Game as I've seen, and one that will get a lot of use, legitimately taking over for your "real" Monopoly game.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

The wait is over –MONOPOLY® HERE & NOW™: The World Edition has finally arrived on the iPad! Enjoy a truly HD and interactive experience with enhanced graphics, amazing animations, and customizable house rules. It’s ‘GO’ time!

FOUR PLAY MODES!

· Play Now – Play a game against the AI or your friends, with 4 levels of difficulty and a variety of House Rules

· Tabletop Mode – Play against up to 3 of your friends in the immersive digital equivalent of the classic board game experience

· Teacher Mode – Play a single player game against a new more realistic AI, and learn the basics of MONOPOLY through helpful hints and tips that appear throughout the game.

· Local Network Play – Play your friends with over WiFi or Bluetooth, up to 4 players total. Yes, it’s backwards compatible with iPhone/iPod touch!

NEW DICE STATS CHART

See how often each number is rolled, in an individual game or over life of play on your device.

STUNNING VISUALS

Completely redesigned for iPad, with Elegant UI and Menu System, and Stunning HD Graphics!

ROCK YOUR iPAD

Listen & control your iTunes® Library while with friends and family.

ROLL WITH NEW MOVERS

Travel the world with international movers like the Nesting Doll or the Sumo Wrestler, or keep it green and

“GO” with the new Toyota Prius mover!

PLAY WITH OTHER iOS FRIENDS

Jump into a local multiplayer game with other iOS friends who have MONOPOLY® HERE & NOW™: The World Edition-

play from your iPad and connect with friends who have the iPhone or iPod Touch versions of the game.

MONOPOLIZE FRIENDS & FAMILY IN TABLETOP MODE – AN iPAD EXCLUSIVE!

Play up to 3 other players in an immersive interactive equivalent of the classic board game. For example, the

board stays put while the interface automatically rotates to face the current player – and that’s just for starters!

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

As the AppStore overloads with options, and consumers battle with the competing ideas that, on the one hand, there really is an App for that (productivity, education, information, news), and on the other hand, there really is an App for that (fart noises, lighters, electronic bubble wrap, putting big boobs on your images), some things about the entire world of Apps never cease to amaze me. Frankly, things on both ends of the spectrum never cease to amaze me, but for the moment I'm referring to the incredible number of questions you never thought you would have to wrestle with that pop into existence.

Like, how do you review something that takes four years to experience?

Already a well-worn feature of the AppStore, HISTORY™ has released The Civil War Today App, and a couple of months in, it has already created a new vision, and taken possibilities to new heights, and all by throwing imagination at what people actually do with their iPads. That's genius.

Sure, if you shell out for some of the coolest Apps around, and actually take the time, and put in the energy, you can do the most amazing things with your iPad. But, what do people actually do? Surf the web. Read news. Hit Facebook and Twitter. Keep up on the gossip column.

Well, thinks some clever fish, what if we take doing those things, and kick things up a notch?

The Civil War Today App takes... well, today, and turns it into the same day, just back in time during The Civil War. The App began running content on April 12th, 2011, and will continue to update with daily information until April 26th, 2015. Assuming you get any value out of that at all, you're guaranteed to get your money's worth.

The App opens something like a one-sheet paper, with the big news of the day up front. This featured article details a big event, or a timely article of note. You can also read full historic newspapers from each day of the conflict, and from the front page you get a quote of the day, photo gallery of the day, casualty count, battle maps, and more.

Possibly most interesting, you get the daily updates of journal entries and letters from 15 people who lived through the war, from President Lincoln himself, to a variety of soldiers, the daughter of a Senator, and Horatio Nelson Taft - whose diary you get to read just as he wrote it, from images of the book itself.

It's actually quite hard to describe the power of this App, and it's even more difficult to explain its ability to suck you in. It's history brought to you in a way that was never possible before, and made thoroughly engaging, even for those who aren't remotely history buffs. The historic newspapers alone are enough to get lost in, even just to wander the ads (including the countless remedies for ague available), or to find yourself walking a mile in the generalities of life outside the war.

The App pulls together information and archival reference that is simply staggering, but what stands out is the slick, yet simple, way it is all delivered to you. With the look of a minimalist blog, each day offers up more than seems to be there, and takes full advantage of the iPad presentation, with swipes and two-finger zooms leading you around.

For all that I can describe the features, and put my particular sell on them, it will never live up to the actual experience, because it isn't a question of the information and insight that is available, no matter how conveniently collected it is. It isn't that you can learn about the war, but that you actually will. It isn't even about the learning exactly, because even those who are exceedingly well-versed already will find themselves returning to the App day after day.

Beyond the learning, it's just plain fun. As I mentioned at the beginning, there was some disconnect at the outset when it came to the idea of reviewing the App. It's four years of content, and I can't get to it all now. The idea brings up a lot of questions, and teaching possibilities boggle the mind (I'd love to be able to spotlight a teacher somewhere who was making use of this), but what's most interesting so far is that once you get a few weeks into this App, something different seems to be going on in terms of accessing the information. You really are pulled in somehow. You become invested. Get a few months in, and don't surprised if you start fidgeting without your daily report.

The price tag on the App may make some a little gun shy, but I think this App delivers a value that is unusual, and not so easy to judge. You get an amazing amount of content with this, but even if another App had ten times the overall content, it wouldn't have nearly the same value. What would you really do with it?

The App also has a lot of little touches that add to the overall experience, at least for many, like integrating with Game Center and offering up achievements you can unlock for various interactions with the App, and the ability to connect with Twitter and Facebook to share your favorite bits and pieces. You can even send a Tweet in Morse Code... sort of.

Hundreds of Apps are released daily (probably), but very few of them really change the game, and this is definitely one of them. It will take you over, and spill into your life. Don't be surprised if you start talking Civil War at the water cooler.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

One hundred fifty years after the American Civil War began, HISTORY™ presents The Civil War Today, a groundbreaking app created exclusively for the iPad. Explore every phase and aspect of America’s bloodiest conflict with daily updates that unveil the events in real time over the course of four years.

The Civil War Today leverages the iPad multi-touch interface, enabling subscribers to delve into thousands of original documents, photos, maps, diary entries, quotes and newspaper broadsheets like never before.

 App Includes-

• This Day in Civil War History

Get daily Civil War updates from April 12, 2011 through April 26, 2015.

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Related articles

• The Civil War Today: An elegant interactive trip into American history via iPad (tuaw.com)
• Follow Along as The Civil War Today Recaps the War in Real Time (wired.com)
• iPad App Shows Off Historic Civil War Images In 3D (huffingtonpost.com)

© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Are you ready to get nuts and destroy Decepticons? Well... yeah, anyhoo... something new is obviously going to be showing its face on the mobile game market, and here comes your look at what it is.

On the plus side, depending on your view as to whether or not there needs to be any plus side beyond the fact that there is a Transformers mobile game, the action is coming to you from EA, and their mobile games have been very strong.

The trailer actually doesn't look that bad.

Unfortunately, there isn't all that much info to give you, but I'm sure things pretty well speak for themselves.

Save Earth from the Decepticons! EA celebrates the upcoming launch of TRANSFORMERS: Dark of the Moon with a newly unveiled trailer that showcases all of the explosive action and fierce robotic combat of the official mobile game.

Fans can get the only official TRANSFORMERS: Dark of the Moon game when it launches on the App Store this Tuesday, June 28th.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

This post brought to you by Sunbelt Software. All opinions are 100% mine.

One of the things we all come to know all too quickly, when trying to take advantage of screening opportunities on the internet, is that anti-virus protection is an absolute must. One of the things that drives me crazy about anti-virus software is that you just don't know what it's doing, and you forget about it, and the amount of computer resources it takes up.

Most of us have our computers doing a lot of things at the same time, and we want to be able to watch videos, play games, etc., but few of us are savvy enough to even begin to pay attention to what's really going on in the background of our systems. Not long ago, I finally got to the point where my computer seemed miles slower than it used to be, and I had to find out what was going on.

It turned out, that as soon as I got rid of my anti-virus, it was like getting a whole new computer. Of course, other things that run in the background play their part, but what made the most difference to me was the anti-virus I was using.

I know I've heard a lot of people with a similar complaint about a variety of anti-virus products, and that's where VIPRE Antivirus software comes in. Vipre is not only designed to be low on system resource use, it also adds anti-spyware into the mix.

For me, the biggest test usually turns out to be the experience of watching movies and/or TV shows online, and if things are running slowly on your own computer, I encourage you to try out the Vipre product. 

I also have a special opportunity for one lucky reader, the chance to win a one-year subscription. Just leave a comment below, and you are automatically entered. 

User surveys show the biggest frustration with existing antivirus programs is bloat and high resource usage. VIPRE Antivirus Premium runs seamlessly without significantly impairing system performance and is designed for an unobtrusive user experience, keeping notification pop-ups and warnings to a minimum.

At VIPRE's core is an antivirus and antispyware engine that merges the detection of all types of malware into a single efficient and powerful system. The new technology was developed exclusively by Sunbelt, without building on older generation antivirus engines. VIPRE Premium uses next-generation technologies making it the future of antivirus programs!

© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Google TV has been out for a while now, and the initial press has been a mix so varied that it's hard to tell what to make of it. The general theory of Google TV was certainly quick to have fans, but many have found reasons to shoot down the system, the way it has been released, and the suspect future.

One the techy-er, newsy-er side of things, there is much debate about how Google TV is going to move forward, but on the side of wondering if something specific, the Logitech Revue and/or Google TV, is worth the money, I find things to be pretty clear.

For a lot of people, I imagine, trying to work through a review and determine what is Logitech Revue vs. Google TV will cause no end of needless frustration and confusion. The Logitech Revue is the thing you buy at the store, hook up to your TV, and thus make use of Google TV. More detail than that is probably useless, and trying to distinguish them, insofar as putting out ideas here, makes either of them difficult to talk about.

The Logitech Revue comes to you as a two-piece system, a box that connects to your TV, and a wireless keyboard controller. I use Tivo, and hooking up the Revue is as easy as plugging in a couple of HDMI cables. I assume it is just as easy no matter what configuration you have going, but you might want to check your cable box or DVR to see how you are going to set things up.

In a nutshell, the Revue, and/or Google TV, connects your TV to the internet, and gives you an all-in-one solution to getting everything that's available to watch. It doesn't matter if you are just searching the web for videos, or using a service like Netflix, you can find anything available, quickly and easily. You can also connect to things like Twitter and Facebook, which are available through other systems on your TV, but generally not with a keyboard.

The keyboard acts as your universal remote, controlling not only the Revue itself, and all the options for watching you get there, but also controlling your Tivo, or other DVR, or cable box, as well as your television. Controlling everything is a snap, and the keyboard is put together with ease of use in mind. A couple of minutes getting acquainted with it, and you'll know how to do anything. That's a lot more than I can say for a lot of other universal remotes.

The trackpad and arrowpad give you a lot of control for navigating around, whether you're on a website, or working through menus on your DVR, and hotkeys and the ability to customize the keyboard controls mean it's easy to do anything.

Once you go through the initial steps for setting up your Revue, such as letting it know what channels you get through your cable provider, you can search for any show, or anything you want to watch, and you'll get results from the web, Netflix, Amazon, TV, and more. Plus, you have several other apps within the Revue framework that let you get such things as Pandora radio, and even check out the photos on your home computer.

The possibilities are just about endless, and certain expansion options make things even more impressive, like the available TV camera that gives you the ability to make video calls.

So, you've got the internet at your fingertips, available to you in the comfort of your living room, and can get to anything available to watch, no matter where it's available - but, the question still on everyone's mind is, "Am I really going to get anything out of this?"

The "anti-sell" of Google TV is the idea that you have to watch a lot of internet video for it to be worth anything to you. It's hard to argue with that idea, especially when it's hard to explain what you get out of it without saying that you can watch internet video, but it nevertheless isn't really the case. First off, there is a lot that comes to you with the Revue package, even if you never watch anything beyond what you watch already (let's assume you stream Netflix with something). Even without that, you get the ease of use, and the system for searching what's available. Plus, I've watch Netflix streaming videos using everything that offers the function, and the Revue gives you the best experience with it.

But, the question isn't really how much internet video do you watch now, but how much would you watch if you really had any idea what was out there, or if you could get it on your TV instead of your desktop or laptop?

A lot of people probably don't think the difference is all that great, but it is. From the shows that the networks make available on their websites, to the extra content they have for fans, to everything on YouTube, Hulu, and many more, the world is a much bigger place than a lot of people realize. It's still a difficult technology to explain effectively, and to be honest, I feel for people in stores who are trying to deliver a meaningful sales pitch to those who come in, but it is worth exploring, and the Revue delivers. I'll leave a little more clarification to some videos, but the system is very fast, and will absolutely change the way you watch television forever.

As a final note, iPhone users can also download an App that takes over control, and turns your iPhone into a remote that can run your Revue. It works fine enough, but it could do with a bit of tweaking. There is a lot of moving around to do within the App to run things, but it's certainly a great option.

Key Features

• Endless entertainment choices mean you can enjoy the full Web — including YouTube, Facebook® and Twitter™, apps such as Netflix and Logitech Vid™ HD, plus music, photos and games — right alongside your favorite TV programming.

• Intuitive control with the keyboard controller makes finding what you want to watch on your HDTV as easy as searching online. The controller includes:

• Touchpad that offers mousing controls
• Access to your cable guide, DVR content or live TV, volume controls
• Access to dual view mode
• DVR controls such as record, forward, back and pause
• Home button to get back to the Google TV main menu at one touch

• Embedded Logitech Harmony® Link technology lets you control your IR entertainment devices in your entertainment system from your keyboard controller.

• Simple HDMI setup turns your TV into a smart TV in just minutes. Just connect Logitech Revue to your TV and get ready to enjoy TV, the full Web, apps, movies and more all from the comfort of your couch.

• Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity gives you the flexibility to connect to your high-speed Internet wirelessly or with a cable.

• Logitech® Unifying wireless technology lets you connect other compatible wireless devices without filling up the USB ports on the Logitech Revue companion box.

• Works with other Logitech accessories, such as a Logitech TV Cam for HD video calling.

System Requirements

• HDTV with HDMI port

• Cable, satellite or telco box with HDMI out

• High-speed Internet access (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)

• HDMI cable

Consumers today have access to an enormous amount of content, delivered by a range of sources and increasingly complex devices. To bring this content together through a single interface on the best screen in the house – the TV screen – Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) has worked with Google on a line of products designed to create the best Google TV experience for the millions of U.S. households with an HDMI-ready TV. Google TV brings traditional TV programming together with the entire Internet, with the ability to search across them both.

Logitech today unveiled Logitech Revue™ with Google TV™, a compact, plug-and-play companion box with its Logitech® Keyboard Controller, which together provide seamless control over the Google TV experience and home-entertainment devices. The company’s portfolio of products for Google TV also includes the Logitech® TV Cam and Vid™ HD service for HD video calling from the comfort of one’s sofa. In addition, Logitech is offering the Logitech® Mini Controller for Logitech Revue as well as other applications designed for the Google TV platform.

With a broadband Internet connection available, connecting the Logitech Revue to your home entertainment system is easy. Use the included HDMI cable to connect the Logitech Revue to the port on your HDTV, and then connect another HDMI cable between the Logitech Revue and your cable or satellite provider box with HDMI out. Then plug in the system to power up your Logitech Revue and follow the directions on the TV screen to complete the brief software setup. In minutes, the content available on your TV will expand beyond the day’s programming to include virtually limitless Web content, as well as a host of preloaded Google TV and Logitech applications.

Once set up, you can use the included Logitech Keyboard Controller to navigate and interact with the new world of content available on the biggest and best screen in the house – the TV screen. Watching your favorite videos online on your HDTV is just the start. Pick up the controller, and type in anything you want to find. Watching the big game on live TV and want to know the latest stats on your favorite player? Simply use the dual-view mode to see the stats on the Web while still watching the game.

The Logitech Keyboard Controller includes everything you need to control Google TV and features a familiar keyboard layout so anyone can start searching without a learning curve. It includes a touch pad with scroll functionality for control in addition to back and home buttons for easy Web page navigation. And to give you a reliable connection, the Keyboard Controller uses Logitech Unifying wireless technology.

Because Harmony Link technology is embedded in Logitech Revue – the same technology that powers Logitech’s award-winning family of Harmony universal remotes – you will enjoy seamless control over how you experience Google TV. So when you search for something and then click on it, your selection will come up at the touch of one button – no manual switching of inputs required.

In addition to the familiar typing and mouse experience, Logitech provides buttons to control your TV, A/V receiver and DVR. These let you power on your TV, turn up the volume on your speakers or access your DVR content without needing to use an additional remote. In addition, you can use the setup software to customize buttons of your controller and map commands for your devices.

Product supplied by Direct Choice Satellite, an authorized retailer of DIRECTV--the industry leader of satellite television service providing top quality satellite TV programming to over 19 million households across the United States. DIRECTV HD is now FREE to all new DIRECTV subscribers.

Subscribers with a DIRECTV HD DVR can also access DIRECTV Cinema with the Logitech Revue, which features over 400 new releases and a video library of over 6,000 shows and movies.

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Related articles

• Google TV "Fishtank" program leaks Android 3.1 smart TV details (slashgear.com)
• Re-imagined Google TV detailed (9to5google.com)
• Google Acquires SageTV for GoogleTV Reinvigoration (searchenginewatch.com)

© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Expanding on your screening possibilities is the Veebeam. An ultra-sleek and simple way for you to get more great content on your big screen, the Veebeam boasts that if it will play on your PC, you can watch it on your TV.  The list of viewing opportunities online is growing daily, whether it's Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, network websites, or a host of others. The trouble is, few people are set up to really take advantage of this, and not many are ever going to be. Let's face it, I have two TVs with PC in capabilities, but I'm never going to do anything with them.

Now, to be perfectly honest, there are plenty of ways for most people to get their Netflix streaming or access Hulu. In fact, for a lot of things, I'm completely happy to watch on the laptop screen. But, not everyone has an XBOX, and there aren't a lot of options out there that will get you everything the internet (and your laptop) has to offer. Besides, who wants to watch a streaming movie on the smallest screen possible?

Enter Veebeam.

Exceptionally simple to use, the base unit connects to your TV with either an HDMI cable or analog hookup (depending on your capability, and whether or not you have the Veebeam HD model). The base stays by your TV, and you simply download and install software to your laptop, then plug in the USB connector to your laptop. You're done. Whatever you can watch on your laptop can show up on your TV.

Where the Veebeam really delivers the value is in the fact that it is truly all-in-one. You might get your Netflix elsewhere, but with the Play-To mode, you can stream downloaded files (or whatever you might have on your laptop) to your TV while using your laptop for anything else you might want to multi-task as you watch.

I ran it through a lot of situations (using both the HDMI and analog connections), and the only problems I encountered were when Netflix acted up, and didn't quite deliver consistent video. In fairness, I should say that I occasionally run into that when streaming Netflix through my Tivo as well. Everything else played perfectly through multiple tests, no matter where the video was coming from. Whether it was Hulu, network television websites, or even just surfing around the internet and finding movie trailers, sports, or webseries, everything played brilliantly.

However, you don't want to shrug off the system requirements. Their website lists a CPU requirement of - 2.2 GHz or greater Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel i3, i5, and i7 - and they aren't kidding. If you don't have the muscle, don't bother. Their website also has a system checker, if you visit the Veebeam HD product page, a quick download will check your computer and give you the green light.

Possibly one of the biggest positives of the unit is that there isn't much more to say about it. It's a slick-looking, unobtrusive box that you won't mind having next to your other equipment, it's as simple as could be, and it works great. 

There is so much content out there now, but much of it gets ignored by most people. You've got your big screen television, and the fact that the networks have episodes of your favorite show available on the internet doesn't mean much to you. How interesting is it really that there are a multitude of sporting events you could be watching, when you have to watch them on a 15" screen?

Veebeam also offers a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee, and a 1-Year Warranty.

I highly recommend that everyone try this out. Surf around, and I'll think you'll be amazed just how much this could change your screening habits.

Buy it now

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

This post brought to you by FRESCHETTA®. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you haven't tried FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™  pizzas yet, I've got a great opportunity for you to do so. It may come as no surprise to you that the "pizza movie night" is a rather popular happening in my household, and I've gone through every sort of take-home pizza you can imagine. The FRESCHETTA® SIMPLY...INSPIRED™ line managed to impress me.

You might not expect the first thing I mention to be the packaging, but it is something of a pet peeve of mine, so it's going to stand out for me. The folks at FRESCHETTA® have their own ideas about their FRESCH-TASTE SEAL™, and they are legitimate ideas - 30% less packaging is good for the environment, it locks in the flavor, etc. - but the only thing I actually care that much about is the fact that I can get the thing open and don't have a giant box (or 4) that I have to do something with.

More importantly for most people, the crust and toppings are brilliant. It's a thin and crispy crust, and it's the only crust I've ever been able to say that I actually like. Take-home pizzas, for me, all have at best a serviceable crust (especially if we're talking thin crusts), but none of them are actually good, and I'm rather a crust guy.

As far as the toppings go, offerings like Classic Bruschetta, Tuscan Farmhouse, and Chicken Bianco may lead some people to think of these as "fancy" pizzas that they aren't especially interested in, but once you get this home, you'll realize these are just "actual" pizzas, with real ingredients, that manage to give you something that looks like the picture on the box. Of course, they also have - Rustic Pepperoni Pomodoro, Southern BBQ Recipe Chicken, Harvest Supreme, Farmers Market Veggie, and Hawaiian Style - to give everyone something to suit their tastes.

We all know that new pizzas come along all the time, but if you ask me there hasn't really been anything that raised the game in quite a while, and I think these really make for a new level in your pizza night experience.

That said, I have a chance for you to find out if I know what I'm talking about.

All you have to do is leave a comment below, and tell me the movie/pizza combination you want for your movie night.

One winner will get a coupon for a free FRESCHETTA® SIMPLY...INSPIRED™ pizza, and a very cool FRESCHETTA® cutting board. Plus, I'll buy your movie and send that along as well, so choose your combination carefully.

U.S. only. Winner will be randomly chosen on June 1st.

Follow FreschettaSI on Twitter and check out their Facebook page.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

The future may well be right now, and you may just find it at GabCast.TV. You have now officially been invited to create your own show on the internet, and Fred Silverman and Paul Wagner want to see what you've got.

Whether you want to go internet shopping with a friend, interview someone live, or create the next webseries sensation (well, if it's a talk show, I guess), you have everything you need.

Check out all the details below, including a video explanation of the service.

GabCast.TV is the brainchild of TV powerhouse Fred Silverman and interactive guru and producer Paul Wagner. They have created an unprecedented, live technology platform that transforms video chats into live shows.

The advent of GabCast.TV signals the further democratization of content and creates a movement bringing the audience and content closer together. The result is an unparalleled interactive broadcast experience infused with significantly higher levels of engagement with viewers.

Unlike the plethora of online video predecessors, GabCast.TV is the first to bring like-minded people together utilizing thematic live channels and offering engagement tools where anyone can do a solo show, two-person show, multi-person show, or desktop sharing - with a live classroom in development - all with unparalleled interactivity. All it takes is a webcam.

The GabCast.TV founding members consist of an experienced, successful and renowned team, including Fred Silverman, Chairman and co-founder of GabCast.TV, who was the former President/CEO of NBC, and the only executive in history to run programming at all three major television networks (CBS, ABC, and NBC).

“While I may be best known for pushing the boundaries in television, I’m truly excited now to be pioneering its future at such a transformative period in history,” said Fred Silverman, Chairman. “What Paul Wagner and our group have accomplished here is to redefine interactive television, further evolving it into a streamlined and personalized experience that I believe will become the world’s biggest live video get-together.”

Paul Wagner, CEO and co-founder of GabCast.TV, is an Emmy-winning executive with deep roots in digital media and interactive. Wagner, the originator of the technology concept, developed the tools with a carefully hand-picked team from around the globe.

GabCast.TV has elements of web conferencing, except it is aimed at consumers for entertainment purposes, empowering everyone from budding social media stars to charities and corporations alike to broadcast themselves or their causes in an entertaining and engaging manner by utilizing the proprietary GabCast.TV platform.

A sampling of scrollable GabCast.TV channels include:

• Dating Fun: Live Dating Games, Funny Shows & Dating Experts
• Pets: Live Pet Adoptions & Experts
• Live Shows & Auditions: Music, Comedy & Emerging Reality Stars
• Celebrations: Live Weddings, Birthdays & Other Big Events
• Shop With Me: Shop With Your Friends Live
• Sports & Fitness: Live Workouts, Fantasy Sports Talk & Team Chatter
• College Fun: Live College Party
• Hey Abigail Teen Channel

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Here's the next effort in making TV more hip for you, NBC now has "an App for that." NBC Live is available in the App Store now, and it provides a host of new ways to "interact" with fans, and to a certain extent the show in general, when you're watching NBC.

If you're noticing a trend, you aren't the only one, as creators of all sorts of content are trying to get everyone they can to have more than one screen in front of them at a time. NBC Live, at least for now, focuses mainly on creating a discussion while the show airs (well, similar to a certain other App that works for any show), with the addition of trivia, polls, and other little doodads.

I haven't tried it out yet, but if nothing else, there certainly seems to be a market for the thing. Let's see what NBC does with it, how much effort they put in, and how people take to it.

Will you be using? If you try it out, let me know what you think.

NBC.com has introduced the next innovation in network fan engagement: NBC Live (www.nbc.com/Live). The new companion viewing tool provides a place for fans to interact in a moderated social stream and provides exclusive content synced to the on-air broadcast.

NBC Live rolls out with weekly live events for "The Office," "The Celebrity Apprentice," "The Biggest Loser" and the upcoming "The Voice" (premiering Thursday, April 26, 9-11 p.m. ET). Fans can access NBC Live through the Web on their personal computers or on their iPads.

The announcement was made today by Vivi Zigler, President, NBCUniversal Digital Entertainment.

"NBC.com is dedicated to engaging fans, and NBC Live is all about connecting with your favorite show and others who love that show as much as you do," said Zigler, "We want to provide a place for fans to gather and provide them with unique insider information about each episode as it airs. It creates a live viewing experience that they can't get anywhere else."

The special attractions of NBC Live include:

Fans interact with fellow fans and the NBC Live staff in a moderated social stream. Fans can share their comments across Facebook and Twitter and follow other users.

Content that features polls, trivia, insider commentary, fun facts and character quotes that run synced to the broadcast.

Actors, writers, and other insiders will host special events.

Users will be able to vote for their favorite contestants on "The Voice"

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

I remember attending an EA press event that showcased a lot of their sports titles, and while most people were getting into the newest soccer, basketball, and boxing titles for XBOX and PS3, or even trying their luck with EA Sports Active, which was coming out soon, I spent most of my time with an iPhone in my hand.

I got to play with the Tiger Woods PGA TOUR App Game several months before it was released, and I couldn't put it down. It was, for me anyway, one of the first truly impressive App games.

Now we have a new version, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12, and it's available for the iPad as well as an iPhone App.

It's the same basic gameplay, though after messing with it a bit, I like the responsiveness of the swing a lot better, and putting is clearly less annoying, with a somewhat updated theory working behind it. Of course, that may have more to do with playing the game on the iPad than anything (I really don't know how much rework went into the actual gameplay aspects, apart from putting anyway), but it seems quite a bit easier to get the hook you're looking for, as opposed to your options coming down to straight vs. massive curve.

The real sell, as an update from a game you already have (which as a general rule makes less sense for an App vs. a standard console game), is that there is a lot more going on in the game now, and you have a much broader variety in your options. This obviously makes a "review" a tricky thing, because you know where you are on the gaming side of things already. I will say, however, that there seems to be a bigger curve insofar as upgrading your player. If you jump right into the PGA Tour, without playing any other modes in order to earn more money, and purchase upgrades, you won't even be able to reach the fairway on a lot of holes, and you'll have very little chance at any sort of control via the spin. Thus, since it will be outrageously difficult to make the cut, much less earn money, you're throwing away the entry fee.

The game looks amazing, especially given the difficulties and possibilities behind following a ball in flight, and the courses themselves are put together pretty spectacularly. I think that's all par for the course when it comes to this series though.

There are some new courses, including the Predator fantasy course, which makes for some pretty crazy golf, especially if you're playing multi-player. There are also a selection of new golfers, and a "Closest to the Pin" Facebook Challenge, which doesn't do a lot for me, but is a pretty cool addition for those who want to show off to the friends.

Also new is "Tiger Challenge" mode, with 20+ mini-game challenges which give you a chance to get the money for those upgrades. A couple of these are a little weird, but overall these are great for putting together some money, and trying out your skills.

Overall, this is just as much an essential iPad App as the original game was a must have for the iPhone. With a variety of game modes, multi-player with Bluetooth or wifi, the new mini-games, and even better graphics, this is a game that not only delivers endless entertainment, but is a clear show off App for your iPad.

Absolutely worth the price, you will return to this one frequently, and for as long as you own your iPad.

Check out all the info below, including a video.

“CLOSEST TO THE PIN” FACEBOOK CHALLENGE

Twice a week a new Par-3 hole will be chosen for the “Closest to the Pin” Facebook Challenge. Tee off and see how close you can get to the pin and where you rank amongst all your Facebook friends on the leaderboards.

TIGER CHALLENGE

Try the new “Tiger Challenge” mode that consist of over 20 mini-game challenges to earn money that can be used to participate in the PGA TOUR events or upgrade your custom golfer’s attributes.

STUNNING GRAPHICS

All the courses and golfers have been dramatically enhanced to take full advantage of the larger iPad screen, and the iPhone/iPod touch retina display.

PLAY FOR FREE

A FREE version of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® will be available for the iPhone and iPod touch. This version will give you full functionality to the “Closest to the Pin” Facebook Challenge, and also let you play 3 holes on the famous TPC Sawgrass course.

MULTIPLAYER

Challenge your friends to a round of golf using local wifi or Bluetooth. Play with different rules like skins, match play and more.

THERE’S MORE

Play with new golfers Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Paul Casey, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson and Paula Creamer. Or see how you fare on the new courses - the fan-favorite Predator fantasy course, or the Old White Course at Greenbrier, home of the Greenbrier Classic.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

PBS Kids Go!, the online destination for all your child's favorite PBS shows, has added two new web series to its growing list of great content. One showcases music, while the other teaches Spanish through fun exploration, and both of them offer up some great entertainment through games, videos, and interactive experiences.

With these new shows, you'll meet Chuck Vanderchuck, which kicks off with an introduction to Salsa music. You get impressive information, and a lot of fun. You'll also meet Noah, a 9-year-old boy trying to learn Spanish, who kicks off some cool adventures.

Check out more info below, and be sure to give these a look.

Chuck Vanderchuck’s “Something Something” Explosion, produced by Scholastic Media and Soup2Nuts, is an interactive online web series  aimed at  helping kids understand music and music composition through online episodes and integrated games and activities on the web.

In each webisode, kids get to be a member of the band, interacting with Chuck, the lead singer and main creative force behind the band who dreams BIG, and Ramona, Chuck’s band mate who helps make his big ideas into reality.

Chuck and Ramona present five different musical genres:  Salsa, Jazz, Rock, Country, and Reggae.

Children will learn about different instruments used for each musical style, and play games through which they will have the chance to identify instruments, write lyrics, compose melodies, create costumes, and play in a virtual concert with Chuck and Ramona.  The site contains additional content such as videos, printable posters, MP3’s, maps and facts that allow children to further explore each genre.  Specific areas explored include basic rhythmic and melodic patterns, as well as geography and cultural lessons related to music genres.

NOAH COMPRENDE, a production of THIRTEEN for WNET, is a web-original series about a 9-year-old boy visiting his grandmother in a community where no one speaks English.  Noah is trying to learn Spanish, but sometimes gets it wrong. In each animated video, a misunderstanding launches a comic adventure for Noah and his pet mouse Pequeño.

With Pequeño’s help, Noah always manages to solve the problems he’s created, learning Spanish in the process.  Although kids – like Noah –may not understand the Spanish dialogue, they can comprehend the story told through rich visual storytelling. Each video features opportunities for kids to roll their cursor over objects on the screen to hear the Spanish translation.

Three different vocabulary-driven, arcade-style games also reinforce learning, as leveling and racing against the clock encourage multiple plays and repeated exposure to vocabulary.  Another game, “How Do You Say…?,” helps kids learn common expressions in Spanish, such as greetings and phrases to say in a restaurant. Focused on Spanish language acquisition, Noah Comprende is based on the educational concept that kids learn language most effectively when they can put it into meaningful context.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Just when you thought everything had an App, here comes Tapper. Yes, Tapper, though now it will be going by the name Tapper World Tour.

Many will sadly have no idea what Tapper is, but I can tell you that a fair number of my quarters found their way into these machines back in the day. The general idea is the same, but the game has gotten a massive makeover, and it may well be just the sort of thing that works brilliantly for an App game.

When you need to kill a few minutes, a reinvented classic is just the thing, and there's a lot more to this one than just the basics you remember. Check out some more info below, as well as a trailer for the game.

Remember the 80’s arcade classic Tapper (i.e. Root Beer Tapper)? Well, you’d better be ready to pour yourself a glass, because the game is making its triumphant return via the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch! The format of the game remains the same… you’re the bartender making sure the demanding patrons are happy by keeping their mugs full, and collecting away the old ones.

With advanced graphics and gameplay for 2011, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution is working with famous animator Don Bluth and developer Square One to create new watering holes based on locations from all around the world. Don is the creative force behind movie classics like An American Tale and The Land Before Time – and another arcade classic, Dragon’s Lair.

Tapper World Tour will be available in the coming months.

Check the Facebook page http://www.Facebook.com/tapperworldtour for more details.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

I'm not quite sure where exactly this falls on the general awesomeness scale, but Warner Bros. Digital Distribution is opening the door for film releases as Apps, and they're launching the idea with Inception and The Dark Knight.

These look awfully cool, and provide you with a lot of possibilities and content, though the iPad version seems the one that makes the most sense to me. Whatever you might think initially, check out all the info on the releases below. If such editions catch on, we may be in store for some very interesting bonuses with our future film purchases.

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Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD), a market leader in video-on-demand and electronic sell-through, today announced the groundbreaking launch of the “App Editions” of feature films “Inception” and “The Dark Knight,” giving consumers around the world an entirely new way to own special edition movies with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.  The “Inception: App Edition” and “The Dark Knight: App Edition” are now available on the App Store.

App Editions provide a fully-loaded, connected viewing experience that gives consumers the first five minutes of a feature film and a portion of bonus content that can include games, trivia, soundtracks and soundboards.  The entire feature film can be unlocked via an in-app purchase, which enables downloading and unlimited streaming, as well as access to the entire array of bonus content available within the App.

The “Inception” and “The Dark Knight” App Editions are available in over 30 territories, including some which previously did not have access to films through iTunes including China, Brazil and the Netherlands.  They contain fully customized menus in 16 languages including Japanese, Greek and Russian and also provide consumers movie subtitles in 34 languages ranging from Arabic to Ukrainian (streamed via WiFi). While watching the film, fans can also connect with friends by sharing their favorite movie quotes through Facebook and Twitter and watch a feed of social networking chatter directly related to the movie in real-time.

“Warner Bros. is bringing more than 100 million Apple device owners a highly innovative new way to experience their favorite films,” said Thomas Gewecke, President of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “For many, watching a movie is a social activity and App Editions are the first mobile product to deliver this capability on a global scale. They offer a fully connected experience, allowing viewers to engage with others around the world in real-time through Facebook and Twitter.  In 2011, Warner Bros. will release a full slate of App Editions including new release and catalog films.”

“Inception: App Edition”
Nominated for eight Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “Inception” stars Leonardo DiCapiro as “Dom Cobb,” who’s a skilled thief in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception.

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, “Inception” stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Dileep Rao, and Michael Caine.  Nolan also produced the film with Emma Thomas.

“Inception: App Edition” will not only allow fans to download or stream the blockbuster film, they can also enjoy exclusive bonus materials including three never-before-released tracks from the Academy Award® nominated score composed by Hans Zimmer that can be streamed via Airplay.  The App also includes concept art, productions stills, movie poster artwork, bonus video showing a behind-the-scenes look at how Christopher Nolan’s unique vision was brought to life, and copies of “The PASIV Device Instruction Manual” and “The Cobol Job” comic.

The “Inception: App Edition” is available for free through the App Store on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore.  The entire feature film and bonus materials can be purchased through an In-App Purchase at an introductory price of $11.99 (US).

“The Dark Knight: App Edition”

The follow-up to “Batman Begins,” Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Dark Knight” reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of “Batman/Bruce Wayne” in his continuing war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves effective, but soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces Batman closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.

The film also stars Michael Caine as “Alfred”; Heath Ledger as “The Joker”; Gary Oldman as “Jim Gordon”; Aaron Eckhart as “Harvey Dent”; Maggie Gyllenhaal as “Rachel Dawes”; and Morgan Freeman as “Lucius Fox.”  Nolan directed the film from a screenplay written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer.  The producers are Charles Roven, Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan.

“The Dark Knight: App Edition,” protected by Widevine, allows consumers to download a permanent copy of the film to their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, or stream it through the App.  They can watch over three hours of bonus clips; explore a rich gallery of photos and trailers; test their film knowledge with interactive video trivia; listen to memorable one-liners and export them as ringtones; post Twitter and Facebook updates; and monitor relevant movie buzz in real time.

“The Dark Knight: App Edition” is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, or at www.itunes.com/appstore.  The entire feature film and bonus materials can be purchased for $9.99 (US) through an In-App Purchase.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

One of the biggest television surprises in a long time is What I Like About You. Putting Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth together in a sit-com was not the sort of thing that sent me running to set a Season Pass on my Tivo. But, I have to admit that the show about opposite sisters sucked me in.

Possibly, and you have to take this in the right way, in much the way that iCarly has sucked me in over the years. Both shows are firmly entrenched in their gimmick, and have a target demographic that doesn't allow for much crossover, but neither are content to just throw out what will "probably work well enough." They take chances, stick with their characters, and balance the requisite goofiness with some pretty fantastic writing.

What I Like About You's First Season is now available for digital download - catch it at iTunes here  http://bit.ly/ays_ILike - and to help celebrate the fact, I'm giving away a download of the entire First Season. Leave a comment below, and you are automatically entered. Winner will be randomly selected on February 20th.

(comment must be on original article at www.areyouscreening.com)

"You are my sister. You're supposed to drive me crazy." Twenty-eight-year-old organization freak Valerie Tyler loves her 16-year-old sister Holly. Even if Holly is rambunctious. Spontaneous. Impulsive. Disconcerting. And definitely disorganized. Then Holly moves in with Val, and the sisters discover they may make better siblings than roomies.

Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth star as the Tylers and Simon Rex and Wesley Jonathan star as two of the men in their lives in this bright, giddy comedy set in Manhattan - and in the hearts of sisters everywhere. Pop some corn and plop on your fuzzy slippers for all 22 Season One Episodes, plus funtastic bonuses. Romance, laughs, family: That's What I Like About You.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

When you have an iPhone or iPad, you're bound to spend a certain amount of time looking for new and interesting things to pop up in the App store. Hopefully, something with a bit more punch than the next 99 cent time-waster. Once in a while, you run into something that makes you appreciate the fact that some people are actually trying to do something with the abilities inherent in these devices.

I recently ran into the Shakespeare in Bits - Macbeth iPad App in the new release list on my iPad, and I was instantly intrigued. As both a self-proclaimed entertainment critic, and an English teacher, I couldn't wait to test out an App that made strong claims on being a study aid for one of my favorite plays.

First, the App contains the full text of the play, as well as a full performance of the play which is an animated affair with some solid voice talents at work. That alone is worthwhile, but you get a great deal more for your $14.99 (iPad) or $7.99 (iPhone). The text and the "play" sit side-by-side, and the text highlights as it is spoken. Also, inherent in the name Shakespeare in Bits, the play is presented in "bits," meaning that it runs through one bit at a time, with certain analyses, summaries, and so on, for each bit.

Beyond this general presentation of the text, there are several key features within the reading. Certain words and phrases are highlighted, and a tap will change these, in text, into a definition, or modern translation. Next, beside paragraphs you will frequently find "bubbles" with a letter in them. Tapping these will bring up a variety of additional information on the specific paragraph, often with some analysis of the connection to the scene, or events on a larger scale. These range from thematic points, to language use, to questions for you to think about relating to the specific action or event.

That is all just what you get in the "text" portion of the App, and that alone is well worth the price in my opinion. Having gone through this App, and many study guides for Macbeth over the years, I think it's safe to say that you are already putting your money in the right place buying this over many other choices that cost the same or more. The "living" text options alone are a great value, and the animated performance is quite solid. Sound effects, and settings are put together well to give a vision of the mood, and overall it's a surprisingly rich viewing of the play. That's before you even get to the ghostly dagger, and a variety of other points specific to the play that are a bit more difficult for those on stage to deliver quite so clearly.

Finally, before you move away from the text tab itself, you can get analysis and summary for each of these "bits", and these are very well done. With thematic and tonal notes, as well as character exploration and points to keep in mind for the future, these additional information nuggets are going to be of tremendous value to those studying the play.

Beyond the text, the App features a variety of other tabs for you to explore. Each character has their own summary, with nice details on their connection to the themes, and there is a character map, which is essentially a sort of flow chart of the relations between characters. For new students to the play, these will both be of great use, especially when you can so easily pop back and forth.

You also get an overall analysis covering the themes, imagery, language, often quoted sections, and an overall plot summary. All of these sections are nicely done as well, and give the reader a good point of connection to see how the entire play moves, as well as a reference for where any particular part may fit into things.

Put this all together, and you have an impressive package. I can't say that this is really the only Macbeth study guide/aid you'll ever need, especially considering all the wheres, whens, and whys involved in your reading it, but it's pretty close. If I could make High Schools provide access to this, I would, and I would really be hard-pressed to think what else could be in here (within reason) that would make me rate it any higher.

Check out the Shakespeare in Bits homepage for more information. Below, check out a video which details how things work (it's Romeo & Juliet, they're other current offering).

Features

• The unabridged original play text, broken into easily digested ‘bits’.
• Complete notes, summaries, and analyses for each section.
• A unique in-line translation system for obscure words and phrases.
• Nearly two and a half hours of animation, featuring the voices of Stephen Dillane and Fiona Shaw. (Audio provided by Naxos Audiobooks).
• Biographies for each character, accessed from the main play or through the cast browser.
• A character relationship map, demonstrating key relationships in the play.
• A side-by-side main play view that presents the animations and the text at the same time.
• High-resolution animations.
• A text highlight feature, that highlights the current line of text being spoken in the animation.
• And all of the standard Shakespeare In Bits features.

Check out the App Store page below.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

We all know there's an App for everything, but if you've tried out the Apps available in the area of travel in general and/or booking hotels, you know that things are pretty limited. In fact, they're even more limited than they appear, because some of the "big guns" of travel have Apps that don't work as wonderfully as we might expect.

Well, there's a new game in town in the hotel booking department, and HotelTonight is a pretty cool option. It's a niche idea, you have to be looking for a hotel right now, and be in one of the cities they cover, but it's a handy App, and hopefully their coverage will expand. When you open the App (if you're in the right place), you get three possible deals, which the App lists under Hip, Elegant, and Basic. Booking a room is only a few taps away, and if you find yourself in the position to take advantage of such a theory, you can get (theoretically) some good, last minute deals.

The App also provides a lot of extra info on the hotel, including why they like it, and how to get there. Plus, the App is not only free (a given for such a thing), but they are offering a $25 credit for your first booking.

If you find yourself in need of a room at the last minute, or are looking for a spontaneous stay, it's unlikely that you'll ever find a better way to go than an App built for exactly that circumstance.

It's the only made-for-mobile travel tool for booking truly last minute, same-day hotel deals on-the-go, and solving a real problem in the travel industry and for consumers.

All other travel sites have adapted their website for mobile and the experience is clunky at best. They also typically shut down at Midnight – you can book until 2am using Hotel Tonight. Second, its changing the way people perceive situations when they need a hotel....tonight! It used to be daunting to try and find a decent deal – much less a decent hotel – when you’re stuck an extra day on business or taking a quick last minute trip.

Now its OK to be spontaneous and there’s a choice for every style and budget. The app has a sleek design and offers 3 hotel options every day per city – hip, basic and elegant – in LA, NYC, San Francisco, Boston, DC and Chicago - at discounted deals that are often lower than any other bookable rate. How do they get those deals you ask? They have street cred and really good connects in the hotel biz!

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Related articles

• HotelTonight brings last-minute deals to iPhone (reviews.cnet.com)

© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Upcoming film Rio, and super hit App game Angry Birds announced a partnership App to be released in March. We all knew it was coming... maybe, and the crossover arrangement is sure to be beneficial for both parties.

Check out some videos below, including the press event of the announcement.

ANGRY BIRDS, Rovio’s blockbuster smart phone and tablet game that has become a global cultural sensation, and RIO, one of the year’s most anticipated motion picture events, are joining forces to create a new game, ANGRY BIRDS RIO – representing a first-of-its-kind game development partnership between Rovio and Twentieth Century Fox. The announcement was made today by Mikael Hed, CEO at Rovio Mobile, which created ANGRY BIRDS, and Peter Levinsohn, president of new media and digital distribution for Twentieth Century Fox, which releases RIO in theaters worldwide on April 15.

This unique spin-off of ANGRY BIRDS will take flight around the world in March, coinciding with RIO’s gala world premiere event.

"ANGRY BIRDS RIO is a match made in heaven for a mobile application and a major motion picture, and this collaboration with Fox is definitely one the most exciting partnerships we have entered into with the ANGRY BIRDS brand to date," said Mr. Hed. "In addition to expanding the horizons of two fantastic entertainment brands and creating a great new gaming experience, we have also taken the concept of combining a mobile application and motion picture promotion to an entirely new level."

“In partnering with Rovio, we are combining the world’s hottest application developer with one of the motion picture industry’s premier creative forces to introduce the millions of fans of ANGRY BIRDS to the exciting world of RIO,” said Mr. Levinsohn. “Our relationship with Rovio is another great example of Fox Digital Entertainment’s continuing work to extend our content to a variety of digital platforms.”

In ANGRY BIRDS RIO, the original Angry Birds are kidnapped and taken to the magical city of Rio, where they eventually escape their captors and set out to to save their friends, Blu and Jewel – two rare macaws and the stars of the upcoming Fox motion picture, RIO. Like the incredibly-popular original edition, ANGRY BIRDS RIO will feature hours of gameplay, physics-based demolition challenges and loads of replay value – all with unique twists based on the highly-anticipated film.

ANGRY BIRDS RIO will launch with 45 dedicated levels and will regularly add new levels via app updates. The game will be available for download on smart phones and tablets worldwide.

Jamie Foxx, Anne Hathaway, Director Carlos Saldanha, George Lopez and SŽrgio Mendes attend Fox's 'Rio' Press Day at 20th Century Fox Studios January 28, 2011 Los Angeles, CA (Alex J. Berliner/abimages)

Rio Trailer

App Trailer

Announcement Event

Anne Hathaway

George Lopez

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Sometimes we have to admit our biases, and I have to come right out and say that I've been a TiVo subscriber/owner for very nearly as long as it has been possible to be. There are other options out there, but there is no sense in which I can recommend them as long as TiVo is available. You may think that because TiVo is called a DVR, and the cable company tells you the thing it gives you is also a DVR, that they are interchangeable, but nothing could be further from the truth.

My preference fully accounted for, TiVo has now upped the game yet again with the release of the TiVo iPad App. Giving you full control over your TiVo Premiere (sadly it doesn't work with other models at this point, and my second TiVo is not a Premiere), the App doesn't simply turn your iPad into a remote (though it does that too), it turns your iPad into a total screening access device.

In their own words -

The TiVo® App for iPad is a fun and FREE new companion for your TiVo Premiere box that lets you search, browse, discover and share without ever interrupting what you're watching.

Now you can quickly surface new content, view guides, schedule and manage recordings, get recommendations, or investigate a particular actor's entire resume—all using intuitive, gesture-based iPad interaction. It even enables you to post comments about a specific show or movie on your Twitter or Facebook page. It's an innovative new way of interacting with your TiVo while you're kicking back on the couch, or on the road.

It’s command central for your Premiere

• Browse full-screen program guide without interrupting playback
• Schedule one-time recordings and Season Pass® recordings
• Start watching a show with the flick of a finger
• Browse your recorded shows and quickly launch a video on your TiVo Premiere
• Search across broadcast TV and TiVo's premium broadband providers—like Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand—and see integrated results
• Explore cast and crew while watching a show
• Post about what you're watching on your Facebook page or Twitter account
• Intuitive-gesture based remote control or classic TiVo remote interface
• Manage Season Pass recordings and the To-Do List

It's quick access to everything going on with your TiVo, which is a bonus for me, because I like to check the ToDo list to make sure the things I want to record aren't accidentally being trumped by Dora the Explorer.

Of course, saying it does all these things is great, but it really works great. The full remote works beautifully, managing any function of the regular remote, and browsing around the features, setting up recordings, and searching for shows are all fast and easy.

For those who already have a TiVo Premiere and an iPad, this is a complete no-brainer, but more importantly, I consider this a major addition to the selling points of the TiVo. Even after only a few days of using the App, this pushes things to a new level. This kind of ease and control is almost unbelievable, and when it comes to you as a free addition to what you get out of your TiVo, it makes it a lot harder to think of it as just a DVR.

Don't miss the video below.

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© 2011, Are You Screening?. All rights reserved. Reprinting without express permission of the author is prohibited.