TV.com (Android App Review)

RATING:
3 out of 5

PRICE:
FREE

TASTY:
Watch short clips of several popular TV shows from several networks right on your DROID. A small number of full-length shows are also offered, but are sparse.

BUMMER:
Works best over wifi; some videos refuse to stream over 3G. This is no Hulu or Netflix. Most videos run about 1 to 2 minutes each, with small collections of full episodes thrown in as a starting point.

COOL:
This is a clean video app that has tons of potential. The menu system is simple and stylish, cache times are tight via wifi, and as more content makes it way into the app it’ll be a solid 5-star, must-have download.

REVIEW:

TV.com (free) is your gateway to tons of video clips along with a small collection of full TV shows right to your phone. Despite the lack of content, I won’t be deleting this app anytime soon. Amazing days are ahead for this welcome addition to the Android Marketplace!

I’m a huge fan of Netflix, and I’ve come to enjoy Hulu as well. Right on my desktop I have access to tens of thousands of full-length TV shows and movies, making my monthly cable bill an annoyance I live with to get high-speed Internet access.

Ok, that and 3-5 high definition views of several top TV shows.

Which is why when I first read that CBS had launched an Android all to allow for streaming of current and classic TV shows to my handset, I had to check it out. After skipping over short clips of CBS properties like Cold Case, Rules of Engagement, Big Brother, Medium, and some soap operas, I stumbled into some classic gems.

Several full-length episodes of classic Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, MacGuyver, Melrose Place, Perry Mason, and Twin Peaks are just a few click away. Larger stories from 60 Minutes are here, too, and the full Victoria’s Secret 2009 Fashion Show. (Look out, CBS, here comes an avalanche of downloads!)

Scanning across the top of app, click on each content source to access a pull-down menu of all available programs. From left to right, you’ll find shows and clips coming out of CBS, CW, Showtime, CNet, CBS Sports, CBS News, Gamespot, Classic TV, Stupid Videos.com, Movie Trailers, ET, the Insider, Web Shows, and Show.

This may very well be your very first TV-on-a-phone experience, and for free, every DROID owner should take a peek. And come back for more in the weeks and months ahead as this notable little app surely gains more full-length shows.