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- Combining live TV, video-on-demand and its Club Illico subscription service is the big advantage to the new app.
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- A pop-up side menu allows quick access to the various types of shows, the channel guide and saved programs.
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- Live TV controls allow app users to pause, rewind or record a TV program, or even turn the set-top box on and off. Commands are sent via the Internet, but are very fast. Multiple STBs can be controlled independently.
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- PVR controls are improved in the new app, allowing users to see, edit and delete programs at a distance. But actually having the PVR stream them to the iPad is beyond its capability.
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- The channel listings, allowing favourites-only list or just those subscribed. Grouping SD and HD versions of the same channel is one of those nice touches.
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- The search feature searches live channel listings and on-demand programs.
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- Filters allow users to list all programming of a certain type, or a certain length, or a certain year.
Version 2.0 of Videotron’s illico iPad app was finally published on the Apple App Store on Wednesday, almost two weeks after it was announced in a big press conference at Quebecor HQ in which it was described as a revolutionary thing that would change TV forever.
As I explain in stories for The Gazette and Cartt.ca, the app doesn’t have any specific features that are particularly revolutionary, but it does bring everything together into one package. Using one interface, people can stream 70 live TV channels (assuming they’re subscribed to them), check out various free video-on-demand titles or watch programs from the Club Illico subscription video service. You don’t have to remember which program is available using which service. Just search for it and the application will find it.