Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
Fandango finally on the iPhone
They've gone and done it. Fandango [App Store link] is out for the iPhone/iPod touch as a free download. There are a lot of movie apps for the iPhone with showtimes and trailers -- Now Playing, Hot Popcorn, and i.TV also link to the MovieTickets.com site for ticket buying -- but Fandango is the 800 pound gorilla for the US market's online movie info and ticket purchasing. It links to more than 16,000 domestic screens.Now, right from the comfort of wherever you and your iPhone are, you can find the nearest theater, get showtimes, see a trailer, and buy a ticket. You can also get an idea what others thought of the movies that are playing.
I use the web version of Fandango a lot, just because I hate to stand in line letting sticky candy and soft drink residue cover my shoes. But now, you can shorten your time in the lobby and maximize your time in the theater, while still getting candy and soft drinks on your shoes.
To make purchasing easy, you can enter your credit card details in the app. Fandango says it is securely stored, and it hides all but the last 4 digits of your credit card. On the other hand, if your iPhone is stolen somebody can see a lot of movies, as there is no password protection on the 'buy' button.
Still, it's a very good way to get tickets in a hurry if you are out and about. Fandango usually charges about a buck for each ticket, but when the lines are long it's worth it. Note: According to the Fandango site: "Convenience charges currently range from $0.75 to $1.50 per ticket depending on geographic location. IMAX screening and some special events have a $2.00 convenience charge."
Since you can't print your ticket from the iPhone, Fandango sends you a pick up code in an email, or you can show your credit card at the theater, and in some cases you can go to an automated kiosk at the theater. Fandango knows what redemption method is used at the theater you're attending, so the email will advise you.
For a lot of iPhone owners, getting this app is huge. For others, it may just be a yawn. If you're into movies, however, the Fandango app is literally, the ticket.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bandido said 11:07PM on 3-16-2009
I'm receiving an error that the fandango app cannot be installed because "it's not compatible with this iphone." Anybody else getting this message?
I have the 16GB 3G phone jailbroken running firmware 2.2
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Bloobie said 12:33AM on 3-17-2009
It requires 2.2.1
John said 11:11PM on 3-16-2009
I'll be curious to see if the barcode on the email works on the scanner at the theatre. Unless there's much glare (which could be), I'd reason that you'd have a decent shot at getting a good read right off the phone.
Of course, if that worked decently then you'd wonder why the good folks at Fandango didn't build into the app already...
/just curious
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mannymix said 11:16PM on 3-16-2009
Nope, the display reflects the light and will not scan, we got a sample ticket to try at the theater i work at and it does not work, the kiosks are still the quickest way to pick up tickets if you dont have the Print at Home ones.
nbidgood said 11:51PM on 3-16-2009
hmm, must be the scanner. i scanned my blockbuster card and put the image of it onto my iphone and now use that at blockbuster. it usually scans with no problem.
Bloobie said 12:34AM on 3-17-2009
Definitely the scanner. I used a paperless boarding pass on my iPhone to board a Continental flight with no problem.
john said 11:17PM on 3-16-2009
Thanks, mannymix... appreciate the heads up!
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docnilay said 12:11AM on 3-17-2009
Yup, must be the scanner. I had a barcode on my e-ticket from Continental and used it on my iPhone screen to get through security all the way to board a flight to India a few months ago.
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Chazz Busby said 3:13AM on 3-17-2009
Too little too late? This app is decent, but has half the functionality of the others. Movies by Flixster with Facebook connect where I can rate movies and see my friends reviews is much more compelling.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=284235722&mt=8
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vandil said 10:18AM on 3-17-2009
I like Movies, too. However, as a frequent Fandango customer, a Fandango app is exactly what I've been looking for. (I don't Facebook.)
It certainly beats using the Fandango site via MobileSafari.
Luna Lovegood said 9:18AM on 3-17-2009
"I use the web version of Fandango a lot, just because I hate to stand in line letting sticky candy and soft drink residue cover my shoes."
Exaggerating to make a point works only when it's funny. But do let us know when you plan to play the Poconos, all right?
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LarryInAz said 10:29AM on 3-17-2009
I would consider using it if I had to enter a pin number to validate credit card. Afterall we have to enter password for app store.
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Allan Clark said 1:02PM on 3-17-2009
I would actually prefer buying tickets through the iTMS. I know I'm an oddball, but I appreciate having very few Ivory Towers (Amazon, Apple) know my credit information. It allows me to quickly update few places if I lose a card, or when I get them re-issued (seems to happen every two years, they never get a chance to expire)
...buy hey, that's me.
Besides, I'd rather pay "convenience fees" (ie "fees to let us not hire staff") to Apple than theatres -- they already charge a bit too much for degrading content-quality
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