It’s Not TV, It’s the HBO iPhone App

DIGITAL: Users can view clips, use program guide, share on social networking sites DIGITAL: HBO has launched an iPhone app aimed at existing and potential new customers, offering clips from its TV lineup and an interactive program guide.

No full-length episodes are available, but the app enables users to easily buy episodes of HBO shows from iTunes and Amazon with a “Buy Episode” button.

The app offers plenty of other video, however. Users can view clips of HBO shows True Blood, Entourage and others, watch behind-the-scenes featurettes and access cast photos. The app also boasts an interactive episode guide that lets users check on upcoming programs for their area. Fans can sign up for alerts for favorite programs and add those shows to their “favorites” to easily find info on them.

The app also connects to Facebook and Twitter so users can share info on HBO programs with friends on the social networking sites.

Rival Showtime launched its own iPhone app in October. Unlike HBO, Showtime is streaming some episodes of Dexter, Californication, Nurse Jackie and other shows for free with its app.

Both the HBO and Showtime apps are free and require users to confirm they are 17 or older to download them.

http://www.hbo.com/events/iphoneapp/index.html

http://mashable.com/2009/12/24/hbo-iphone/