Sure, you can check into TV shows with GetGlue, Miso, TunerFish and IntoNow — but soon, Europe’s Orange will be debuting a new app called “TV Check.” Just like the other guys, it lets you see what your friends are watching, what shows are popular, and you can accrue points and win badges (and become the “master” of a show or TV channel) by checking in. But there are a couple new features.
First, you’ll be able to check into a show by simply taking a picture of the TV screen. Like IntoNow, which accomplishes the same feat by listening to the TV’s audio, this “automatic check-in” feature helps lower the barrier to checking into a show.
And second, users who top the charts will apparently win some very tangible awards. “People can expect that they will be featured in the show they like,” said Orange VP Patrice Slupowski, speaking at the MIPTV show in Cannes. He didn’t elaborate, but underlined that the Facebook-enabled app is all about connecting people with their friends. “Everyone wants to have a shared experience,” he said.
You can see a quick demo of the app about 10 minutes into this clip.