PHILO: Twitter + Foursquare + TV

July 20, 2010 in Internet,Philadelphia with 7 Comments

A new app and web platform just reinvented the TV-watching experience. Released early last month, PHILO is turning TV watching into an interactive experience like never before. Think of it this way, it’s Twitter + Foursquare + TV. Yes history buffs, it’s named in honor of the inventor of television itself, Philo T. Farnsworth.

Avid lovers of social media and television might already be accustomed tweeting/updating FB statuses to mention their favorite TV shows, especially on the airing night of new episodes. However now, thanks to PHILO you can unlock awards and score points for watching buzz-worthy shows. As any good, social app should have these days, there’s also options to post to Twitter and Facebook.

Just like Foursquare, users get awards for accomplishing set achievements, such as checking in the same TV show. Unfortunate for most, it appears as though timing won’t be allowing us to unlock the Swarm badge-equivalent on PHILO while watching Lost.

Unlock cool awards such as this one, “Freedom”

However, paying homage to our awesome city, as all three founders are Penn graduates, they’ve included a “Freedom” award, which can be unlocked by watching a secret combination of Philadelphia-related programming. I, personally, would enjoy the “Art Vandelay” award, which I can almost surely bet is unlocked by watching Seinfeld.

Whether it be sports, reality TV, or a beloved network primetime drama, people can discover new shows, check out what’s trending or simply engage in your fun, commentary-filled, group watching experience akin to “Mystery Science Theater 3000.”

PHILO screenshots from the iPhone app

Getting started is dead simple, right now there’s a free iPhone app with Android and BlackBerry apps on the way. Find friends via scanning your address book, Twitter, Facebook and email contacts or do a look up using name or phone number. Enter your zip code and you can pull up the listings from local cable/dish providers, effectively serving as a handy channel guide as well. No smartphone? Not a problem, as you can still join the fun on their website.

Get PHILO onto your compatible iDevice from the iTunes App Store [FREE].

Learn more at PlayPhilo.com

About Mikey Il: Mikey (Michaelangelo Ilagan) is an interactive designer and lifelong Philadelphian. He enjoys fast cars, fatty food but generally has an appetite for all things creative and tech. He's got a love of all-things-new and an inclination toward spontaneity. His humor is as often inappropriate as his attempts at maintaining social media omnipresence is vain.

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7 Responses to “PHILO: Twitter + Foursquare + TV”

geekadelphia July 20, 2010 at 2:55 pm #

We’re psyched about Philo. Twitter + Foursquare + TV? Sounds awesome. Read about the new app, here. http://geekadelphia.com/2010/07/20/philo... cc @technicallyphl
TechnicallyPHL July 20, 2010 at 3:52 pm #

Our buds at @geekadelphia review Philo: Twitter + Foursquare + TV http://geekadelphia.com/2010/07/20/philo...
Paul Clarkson July 20, 2010 at 12:42 pm #

Cool app! A couple of Philly guys done good. Now how about a cheesesteak badge?
scotty P July 20, 2010 at 1:47 pm #

Cheesesteak badge – Great idea! How about you watch some shows and get a free cheesesteak – what say you Philo people? (PS just downloaded it – pretty awesome!)
Rob Sandie July 30, 2010 at 10:49 am #

Great idea.

I initially thought “why would I share what I watch with anyone” “I am in lean back mode”.

But if it’s a seperate friend list, and people that I am fine sharing with what I watch and want to have TV conversations with. Good stuff.

How about integration with NetFlix, TiVo?