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ABC iPad App Syncs With Your TV, Offers Interactive 'My Generation' Content

by Caleb Johnson on September 17, 2010 at 11:35 AM

abc ipad app People no longer sit and passively watch TV; they browse the Web, text message friends and play smartphone games, all while watching the latest episode of 'Mad Men.' Hoping to capitalize on that, ABC has launched an interactive iPad app that's compatible with 'My Generation,' a fake documentary series premiering later this fall. The 'My Generation Sync' app syncs with the action onscreen by listening to the show (with the iPad's built-in mic), and provides the viewer with social-networking features and interactive content. For example, the app might ask the viewer what he or she thought of a specific character's decision, or offer behind-the-scenes content for certain parts of the show. Viewers could also complain about or praise an episode together, since the app works whether you're watching 'My Generation' in real-time or using a DVR.

While this is a novel approach to wedding social media with television, the success of this app will depend heavily on the popularity of an unproven TV series. We'd love to see ABC try out this idea with shows we actually enjoy -- like 'Modern Family' -- and for other networks to give it a shot, too.

Tags: abc, app, Apple, apps, interactive, ipad, IpadApp, media, MyGeneration, MyGenerationSync, television, top, tv, web

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