The X Factor’s second week of live shows just ended, and throughout the episodes one couldn’t get away from Mr. Cowell espousing the greatness of the Xtra Factor app for Android tablets during the commercial break. Considering show-sponsor Verizon is known more for its Android support than iPhone, I was surprised to see Xtra Factor for iPad available in the App Store.
Xtra Factor syncs with your television, so I used the app while watching the performance show on TiVo delay and again while watching the results show live. I’ve reviewed episode-syncing apps in the past, so I know how they can properly complement a viewing experience.
I didn’t see this from Xtra Factor for iPad.
For one, the app had difficulty hearing my television (even at 20 notches above normal listening level) so getting it to sync up was a challenge in itself. Xtra Factor hated the episode I watched on TiVo, continually displaying a contestant who performed several spots earlier. The app performed better while I watched the elimination episode live, but even without sync kinks the content in the app is extremely barebones.
During the three hours I spent with Xtra Factor the only live interactivity the app displayed was updating the live show start count and the “on now” box. Thanks, I’m watching the show, so I don’t really need an app to tell me that Melanie Amaro is currently singing (and if I did, the lag time made it pointless anyway). A few additional items popped up in the sidebar during the episode, but the content wasn’t worth a tap — example: a list of ways to vote. Again, if you’re watching the show, you don’t need to turn to the app for the answer.
According to Cowell’s commercials, the Android tablet app offers behind-the-scenes live footage and the ability to cast your vote in-app. You won’t find these features in Xtra Factor for iPad. The app also advertises “real-time social feeds.” These aren’t currently operational.
If you’re an “X Factor” fan, skip Xtra Factor.
Download the free Appolicious iPhone app
