App: VEVO

Available for: iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad

Cost: Free

Rating: 5/5 Downloads

Category: Music

We’re all guilty of losing focus in class. When I’m in front of my laptop, spaced out and not paying attention to the lecture going on in front of me, I wander toward YouTube and its VEVO page, home to thousands of music videos visitors can watch for free. Now that extensive database can go wherever you go with the VEVO application for the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad.

One of the best features of VEVO comes up when the app opens. On the home screen, VEVO highlights some of the newest content it has. Some are videos of newly released singles, such as the premiere of the new song ‘I Need a Doctor’ by Jay-Z and Eminem. Other highlighted videos are exclusives, only available to VEVO visitors. Right now, users can view exclusive performances by Pitbull.

Looking for some of the more popular videos is easily done with VEVO. Under the ‘Videos’ tab, users can view a listing of the videos that have had the most views. From Britney Spears to Diddy Dirty Money to Shakira, all the popular videos are listed on one screen. Tapping on the picture of the video automatically plays it. Also under the ‘Videos’ tab, the ‘Premieres’ listing posts the newest content.

As for viewing the video itself, the quality is top-notch. As long as you have at least a Wi-Fi connection, the videos play crystal clear and the sound is stereo quality. VEVO videos on both the YouTube page and its website are clear and in high definition. Despite the tiny screen that comes with an iPod, VEVO does an excellent job of creating a great video experience.

The video experience gets even better while watching. Tapping the content while it plays brings up a series of options that enhance the experience even further. The ‘Info’ tab lists the artist, genre, subgenre, producer and record label. Tapping the ‘Buy’ tab takes the user directly to the iTunes Music Store. If the store has the song or video available for purchase, it’ll take the user directly there. Then there’s the ability to use social media. The ‘Share’ tab allows the user to connect straight to Facebook and Twitter and tell others about what he or she is watching.

The options don’t end there. The ‘Search’ feature is easily the best part of VEVO. Tapping on the magnifying glass icon in the corner in any menu brings up the iPod’s on-screen keyboard. Type in an artist and you’ll get any video VEVO has available for that artist right on the screen. For example, Eminem has been making classic music videos for more than a decade. Typing in his name brings up 39 videos, ranging all the way from ‘My Name Is’ to his most recent hits, including ‘Not Afraid’ and ‘No Love.’

VEVO brings an amazing amount of content to the user’s fingertips. There are music videos, behind-the-scenes features and performances from artists all over the music scene. There’s enough to satisfy any music fan from any genre. And while all those features make the app attractive to download, the best part is the price because there isn’t one. Thousands of free videos from all sorts of artists make VEVO a great download.

nerivera@syr.edu

Published on March 1, 2011 at 12:00 pm