App Review: Viggle

Viggle

Price: Free

Located: iOS, Android

Overview: Viggle is an app which offers you gift cards, coupons, electronics, and more for watching TV and/or clicking in-app ads.  Simply download the app, register an account, and check in to a featured show using a simple check-in button.  Your device's mic will automatically detect that you are watching the show and begin to give you points.

Pros:
Unlike most rewards programs, Viggle actually pays out quickly.  During the two weeks of the Olympics I was able to earn over $20 off various video game downloads as well as gift cards for restaurants. 

Once you check in, you can ignore your device completely and Viggle will assume you have watched the entire show; If you check into a different show, Viggle will prorate your earnings.  If the show you're watching happens to be a featured show for Viggle Live, you can earn points for participating in surveys, answering questions about ads, or correctly answering trivia about the show you are watching.

One of the best features of Viggle is that it recognizes and credits you for watching DVR'ed or recorded content up to one day after the show to earn the bonus points and 1pt/minute.  Note: I have been able to check in to shows roughly two days later and it still works.

Cons:
Some of the shows Viggle wants you to watch aren't necessarily shows you'll always want to watch. I'm not jumping at the opportunity to watch Project Runway or the Democratic National Convention, but I can always check in quickly tonight and turn to something I would rather be watching.

During periods of heavy use, Viggle can get bogged down and not show you your point updates for several hours to a day.  There is also a point limit, and a general consensus that you shouldn't check in to more than 12 hours of shows per day or you risk Viggle banning you for unusual activity.

Average User Rating: 4 out of 5

Blog Rating: 5 out of 5

For the effort this app requires (next to none), the rewards are simply too good to pass up for regular TV-watchers.  Viggle is quick to use and rewards you for essentially doing what you're already going to do anyway.  Allowing you to earn additional points for interacting with your favorite show or ads can actually be a lot of fun.

The rewards are amazing.  I've earned over $100 on iTunes, $50 on Amazon, restaurant coupons, free video games, and enough Red Box rentals to last me until I graduate.  You're leaving money on the table if you don't use Viggle.

Viggle.com


-Doug