AT&T recently released the U-verse app for iPhone 4. It’s an app that allows customers to browse the TV guide, set favorite shows for quick viewing, set up DVR recordings, and view SELECT recorded shows. IPhone 4 users can use the app when connected to a 2G, 3G or Wi-Fi network. There have been mixed reviews of the product, as indicated by a two-and-a-half-out-of-5-star rating on the Apple app store. For most, what the app can do to connect to the DVR and its U-verse package is acceptable; It’s what the app doesn’t do that generates the most negative comments. The question is, will AT&T take any action to move the app toward the 4-5 star rating?
First, let’s go over some good things about the AT&T U-verse mobile app. From almost all accounts, the application does exactly what it says it will do. Through a 2G or 3G network, iPhone4 users can access the TV Guide and configure and manage their home DVR, which is great. There have been some who have said that a recording they set did not work, but since the recent update of the application, it seems to be something unusual. Also, people are excited about the downloadable content of the AT&T U-verse app. On the iPhone 4, the quality of the videos is impeccable and they don’t take too long to download with a Wi-Fi connection. So the app delivers as promised, but why is the rating down?
There are some major complaints about the app that are universal to users. While the app itself is free, to access the downloadable content, an iPhone 4 user must also be registered for a U300 U-verse package or better. The U300 package retails for $ 82 a month without HD channels. If a customer has a lower package than the U300, they will not be able to download any programs on their iPhone. Additionally, programs that are available for download are AT & T’s choice. It is not live TV broadcast, not even shows that have been recorded on users’ home DVR. Many are upset that they cannot watch the shows they recorded and insist that this is the main problem AT&T must address. Finally, the recorded shows are only available for download over a Wi-Fi network. Like FaceTime, iPhone 4 users cannot use what would be a popular app because it is connected to Wi-Fi. The bandwidth requirements are understandable, but are they enough to keep the ratings low?
The AT&T U-verse mobile app seems to be a good mobile app, but not a great one. The app does what is expected of it, but it doesn’t exactly deliver what people are looking for. It is useful for managing your home DVR from iPhone. However, if someone is looking to watch live TV or the shows they have recorded, this is not the app to do it. Perhaps some members of the iPhone 4 tester army are tweaking a full-featured app right now?