As we announced last week, the second release of Comcast Mobile app on the iPhone is now available on the App Store [App Store link]. This release is packed with some real meaty features, most of them based on feedback from you, our users!
One of the most requested features – remote DVR – is now part of our mobile app, so DVR users in select markets can schedule recordings of their favorite shows directly through their iPhone or iPod touch. With our remote DVR service, known as myDVR Manager, you have the option of recording a single program, an entire series, and anything in between (one or more episodes of a series, only new episodes or old ones too, save until you delete or until the DVR is full, etc). Couple this with the myDVR Manager feature on comcast.net, you’ll never miss your favorite show!
Right now we’re in the process of rolling out our remote DVR service across the country. As the service is introduced, you’ll automatically be able to use this feature with Comcast Mobile 2.0. The myDVR Manager icon (which is shaped like an eye) appears at the bottom bar of the Guide in the app. If you don’t see the icon, it means that our remote DVR service isn’t available in your area just yet – but it’s on its way to you soon. Once your market gets remote DVR service, the app will display a notification message when you log in (we’ll also send an email to your comcast.net email address).
Now in terms of other new enhancements, the second most requested feature for this app has been Push Notifications for new voicemail and email. Every time there is a new voicemail on your home phone, you have the option of getting a notification on your iPhone. The badge count on the app icon will show how many new emails you have received since the last time you accessed your email (note: this is different from the standard behavior of the iPhone email client which shows you the number of unread messages). We think this is more intuitive, you let us know if you agree. You can also set TV reminders so there is an alert 15 mins before a show begins. If you want to turn off all chimes from the app, use the iPhone Settings (Settings → Notifications → Comcast → Sounds).
Also check out the TV Guide… we’ve tried to improve the user experience. The channel jump bar makes it so you don’t have to keep scrolling to get to channel number 250. You can also filter by Movies, Sports, Kids and HD. Plus, take a look at the little calendar in the Guide that lets you choose Prime Time (so you can jump straight to prime time programs).
And there’s even more… email users will love that you can access your secondary and external email accounts (if you’ve set up SmartZone to access Gmail, Yahoo or other Comcast.net accounts). You can mark an email as Spam. You can forward your voicemail as an attachment within an email. And there is a one-click action to empty your Trash.
For those of you who don’t have a comcast.net user account and haven’t been able to log into the app, we now offer a feature where you can access some of the features of the app like the Guide and the VOD module. Look for the link at the bottom of the login page that says "Comcast TV only subscriber" and follow that link.
Let us know what you think. We are listening and would love to get more of your feedback into the next release.
To see the app in action, check out Scott’s video.