Launched just in time for Discovery Channel to premiere a new batch of episodes of the popular science show, the iPhone app ($3.99) is billed as the “ultimate mobile fan app.” More accurately, MythBusters is the ultimate fan mobile app, because its likely only diehards will pay the $4 download price.
Sadly, the MythBusters iPhone app is way overpriced and I’d guess even those mega-fans will be frustrated with what the app actually delivers. The iPhone app is packed with video—more than 300 minutes—that streams well via 3G. The clips are ad-free and content includes outtakes, cult favorites and behind the scenes. Although it’s nice to have such a wide selection to choose from, the iPhone app is primarily a clip viewer—most of which are available elsewhere.
Keeping in touch with hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, as well as other MythBusters’ fans, is easier with the iPhone app’s Facebook and Twitter integration. Fans should like the built-in Tweet Chat room, which makes discussing episodes with other users easy. Users can also see the schedule of upcoming episodes, read cast bios, shop for MythBusters merchandise or purchase old episodes through the iTunes store.
My favorite parts of the iPhone app are the three myth-based games: Soda Bomb, Seesaw Saga and Matchstick Cannon. All of the games were surprisingly tough and the only part of the iPhone app I thought was actually worth purchasing — at a lower price anyway.
