Usually when I watch a Formula 1 races on TV, I open an internet browser to check live stats and extra information F1.com provide as the race progresses. The experience of having inside and interactive information about what is happening now on TV is great. In this case, the connecttion was made manually by me, I turned the proper TV channel and launched the proper web page in a computer. Internet connected TVs linked to tablet apps can go well beyond this. However, based on Gartner research connected TV has only has a 1% to 5% market penetration so far. Enabling this interactive experience on the existing massive TV market with the growing tablets penetration it is a great idea. Yahoo came up with this by making the link between the old fashioned current TV and the iPad trough a simple mechanism: audio. They just upgraded their app to include not only social media features after the TV program has been detected (similar to what Shazam does with music) but aggregates content, news and social media turning the iPad into a second screen with contextual interactive source of companion information for the live TV. I tried it and it quickly recognize TV series, new shows and for ads it shows a kind of funny message with no content related, it merges program information with social media and useful information. This article describes the idea: http://www.fastcompany.com/1792364/how-yahoo-s-intonow-will-revolutionize-the-way-we-watch-tv and this is the itunes app page http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/intonow/id406436404?mt=8
So, will you be switching between the TV remote control and your iPad while watching TV?
