New generation of video entertainment apps

While many of us are familiar with watching YouTube clips on our smartphones and tablet computers, there is a whole new generation of video and entertainment applications to explore. Whether you are looking for videos that your friends and contacts share, or you want to see summarized clips from the major networks, or even if you are interested in getting rewarded for sitting on your couch and watching the boob tube, we have some must-see recommendations for you.

Showyou

(iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad; free)

One of our favorite apps, Flipboard, beautifully showcases news and magazine articles shared by your friends and contacts from leading social networks. Showyou does the same thing for video entertainment, curating a personalized stream of videos based on your interests. The free app is divided into a series of grids, which segment videos by overall popularity, individuals and broadcasters you choose to follow, and videos shared by your Facebook and Twitter contacts. You will likely be exposed to videos that you might overlook on other channels. Note to Android users: Showyou currently can only run on Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet computer.

Touchtv

(iPad; free)

To get a great glimpse of how the major broadcasters are experimenting with distributing content on mobile devices, check out this wonderfully organized iPad application. Touchtv pulls short video clips from about 40 media partners in the news, sports and entertainment arenas, ranging from ESPN to CBS to the Travel Channel. One of the knocks of the app is that it does not provide live programming from all the networks all the time -- that would be a nice trick for a free app that has few or no ads. Also, you get the feeling that this app is just scratching the surface and will soon offer a lot more content.

IntoNow

(iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad,

Using sound/voice-recognition technology that is similar to that of apps like Shazam and SoundHound, IntoNow recognizes what television programs you are watching, displays background information of the program, and shares your viewing status with friends who also have the app installed. Yahoo acquired IntoNow last year, and Apple named it one of the iPad's best social networking apps of 2011.

Fanhattan

(iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad; free)

Another app that combines video entertainment with social networking, Fanhattan is an app-based search engine for television shows and movies. It also recommends films and programs based on what you say you like and what your friends are watching. Users can also watch previews and rent or purchase content from iTunes and VUDU.

Viggle

(iPhone, iPod Touch; free)

The app for couch potatoes: Viggle uses technology similar to IntoNow's to identify what shows you are watching at any given time. Users who "check in" to their favorite shows over time will get rewarded with coupons from the likes of Amazon, Starbucks and Fandango. -- Appolicious.com,

Tribune Media Services

RELATED LINKS

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad -- http://www.appolicious.com/tech/apps/648601-showyou-remixation-inc

iPad -- http://www.appolicious.com/omg/apps/1036706-touchtv-skygrid

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad -- http://www.appolicious.com/tech/apps/555456-intonow-intonow

iPhone, iPod Touch -- http://www.appolicious.com/omg/apps/928531-fanhattan-for-iphone-fanhattan

iPad -- http://www.appolicious.com/omg/apps/688899-fanhattan-for-ipad-fanhattan

iPhone, iPod Touch -- http://www.appolicious.com/omg/apps/1044358-viggle-function-x-inc

TECH BYTES

Call of Duty: Black Ops has the best ending of any video game ever, according to a poll by Guinness World Records. The game, released in 2010, features an alternate account of President John F. Kennedy's assassination as part of its conclusion. While many of the entries on the top-50 list are recent action shooters or role-playing adventure games, there are classic -- and quieter -- titles, including 1985's Super Mario Bros (No. 11) and 1991's Sonic the Hedgehog (No. 28). To see the list, go to: bit.ly/wV1fF4.