Function (X) Inc. launched the first loyalty program for television last week called Viggle. What seems like technology similar to Shazam, the fourth most downloaded app of all time, Viggle automatically identifies the show the user is watching by listening to what the characters are saying. After users launch the app and check in to their show the app awards them with points that can be redeemed later at places such as Best Buy, Burger King, Fandango and Old Navy.

Extra bonus points can be earned by watching featured shows such as “American Idol” and in-app commercials. Currently, the app awards two points per every minute watched. Most $5 gift cards to places such as Starbucks and Burger King cost 7,500 points, but right now the company is running a limited time only special for a $5 gift card to Amazon for only 4,000 points. Users can also set reminders and read detailed information on their favorite shows from within the app as well as share their check-in on Facebook and Twitter.

FREE!

Viggle

iPhone App - Designed for the iPhone, compatible with the iPad
Released: 2012-01-25 :: Category: Entertainment

Remember Sprinkle? That super-awesome water physics puzzle game about aliens defending their homes from meteoric garbage? Well it’s just been topped-off with more content.

Mediocre Games has just released an update with 14 new levels. That’s probably about 3 lifetimes worth of gameplay, assuming one plans to aim for the maximum rating in each one. Seriously, getting the highest rating for the later stages in this game is hard.

But the real reason I wanted to talk about this has to do with Sprinkle‘s “controversial” in-app purchase option to unlock later worlds. Essentially it wasn’t necessary, as metalcasket mentioned in our review‘s comments. The feature has since been removed, but Mediocre has been gracious enough to offer up 6 new levels (in addition to the previously mentioned 14) to these early in-app purchasers. How cool is that?

Sprinkle is still just $0.99, and now features 36 levels (42 for the in-app folks). And there’s no time like the present to strap on that adorable little extra terrestrial firefighter’s helmet.

$1.99

Sprinkle: Water splashing fire fighting fun!

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Released: 2011-08-25 :: Category: Games

We all know that recycling is great for the planet but how often do we actually remember to recycle? I know I’m pretty terrible for it especially when in the midst of a busy week. So how about a way of being rewarded for doing so? There’s a new app on the horizon that promises to do exactly that.

It’s called RecyclePix and it allows users to snap and share their photos of their recycling actions at any time and anywhere. Once taken, such photos can then be used to earn Greenopolis Rewards Points which can then be redeemed for real rewards such as discounts at places like Domino’s Pizza and exclusive deals with Marriott Hotels. More offers are planned such as discount cinema tickets once the app is launched next week.

It looks like a pretty neat idea, offering a genuine reason to recycle as well as being a fun and social way of saving the planet. There’s even a form of community set with users able to vote on photos submitted by others thus gaining extra points.

RecyclePix is set to be released August 4th. It’ll be interesting to see how it takes off. I for one will certainly be checking it out.

Well, this is certainly a neat idea. Navizon, a global positioning software development company, needs to gather data on WiFi access points and cell towers. Guess what? Plenty of iPhone users drive past such spots every day. And now Navizon has an iPhone app…as well as a rewards program.

Here’s how it works: you open the iPhone app, and you get points for driving past WiFi access points and cell towers. Cell towers net you 15 or 2 points (you get more points if you’re the first to discover them) and WiFi access points get you 3 or 1 point(s). Once you accumulate 10,000 points, Navizon pays you $15. Cyril Houri, CEO of Navizon Inc, claims that some of their users make as much as $15-$100 per week. Now, that’s probably a little high for most of us, but for cab drivers, truck drivers, or those who simply have long commutes, it could be plausible.

There are a few downsides that become apparent when you dig a little deeper. For one, the app is free…sorta. The lite version only allows you to get one $15 reward, so for an “unlimited” number of rewards, you’ll need to get the $10 app.

Also, the app needs to be running in order for you to earn points. That means leaving it open, constantly—so if you like to listen to Pandora or use a GPS app, well, tough luck. This isn’t Navizon’s fault, but just one irritating result of Apple’s ban on background processes. Apparently jailbroken iPhones can download an app that runs in the background from Cydia, the so-called alternative app store.

Those few caveats aside, it’s still an intriguing idea, especially if you spend a lot of your day in a car. 10,000 points is an awful lot, though, so don’t expect to become rich off of this app. Let us know if you’ve tried it!

FREE!

Navizon Lite

Released: 2008-12-06 :: Category: Utilities