Review: The New Rovi TV Program Guide App

Rovi’s electronic program guide app “What’s on TV” receives a negative review in this evaluation from Appolicious, although the problems seem to be in the functionality, not the concept.

By entering a zip code and service provider information, users can access program guide information in addition to news and related information regarding television, movies, and celebrities. The app also enables social interaction with other TV fans via Twitter.

According to Appolicious, the downside of this simple app is evident in its navigation flaws. What’s on TV displays listings in a horizontal three-frame format (based on time, program and channel) — which sounds like a good approach — but the reviewer suggests that the “slide-able” navigation is unfortunately problematic: “If I only had channels 1 through 10, Rovi’s aesthetic design would work nicely. But, of course, I have many, many more channels, and this is where Rovi’s lack of user-friendliness is rooted. The only way to get to a particular channel is by scrolling to it. Although my basic standard-def channels are in the single digits, my extended SD programming starts on channel 101. Want to see what’s on HD? I’ll be scrolling to channel 602 for that. That’s a lot of swiping.”

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4 Comments

  1. Here’s a first in the internet press…
    An EPG reviewed…

  2. Here’s a first in the internet press…
    An EPG reviewed…

  3. If the EPG is coming from a 3rd party, can it be as appealing as an EPG made by the cable company? I tried the new DirecTV app, that’s an EPG, and I liked the fact that I could tune and record programs via the app.

  4. If the EPG is coming from a 3rd party, can it be as appealing as an EPG made by the cable company? I tried the new DirecTV app, that’s an EPG, and I liked the fact that I could tune and record programs via the app.

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