Following the launch of the iPhone application, Kinepolis Group is now launching an international mobile cinema application for Google Android. The initiative is a new step in the provision of mobile services for cinema goers. Insodoing, the Group answers to the burgeoning growth of Google's mobile operating system.
Kinepolis launched its iPhone application in May 2010. The Kinepolis app proved to be a huge success, amassing 90 000 downloads in total, of which 65 000 in Belgium alone. Since then, Android has been gaining ground at rapid pace. The open source platform is used by several device manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson and Motorola as the operating system for a variety of their smartphones.
The application was the work of In the Pocket, one of Belgium's leading mobile developers. In terms of interface and functionality, the app is very much in line with the existing iPhone application developed by the Leuven-based Boondoggle. The app is supported by Android devices running OS 1.6 or higher.
However, this is far from the last chapter in Kinepolis' mobile ambitions. The Group is currently investigating the possibilities of expanding the application to include ticketing features. In addition, Kinepolis and In the Pocket are also busy developing a Kinepolis iPad app. This tablet app is built very differently to the smartphone applications and has a much stronger focus on entertainment and experience.
Kinepolis is the first cinema group in Belgium to release these apps on the market.
Contact
Kinepolis Group
Suan Nguyen
snguyen@kinepolis.com
0478 88 89 98
www.kinepolis.com
In the Pocket
Jeroen Lemaire
jeroen@inthepocket.mobi
0475 514 764
www.inthepocket.mobi
Screenshots below
About the Kinepolis apps
As of today, the first Android application can be downloaded free of charge via the Android Market. The iPhone app is available for download from the iTunes App Store at http://itunes.com/app/kinepolis.
Both the iPhone and Android apps allow users to look up info on recent Kinepolis movies and watch the latest movie trailers. Both applications can also locate the nearest cinema via a handy positioning function. Users can also browse movies by release date or rating or view all movies showing during the current week. More impulsive cinemagoers can also make a quick selection via the app. The applications, namely, compile all movies about to start in an easy-to-view list. A handy search function also lets users find movies by title, cast, director, genre, etc. Users can also view all these details per individual movie, including the movie poster, a short synopsis and the movie duration. Another powerful feature is the ability to watch the official trailer for almost every movie via the Android device or iPhone. Users can also compile a personal 'watch list' with their favourite movies. To invite friends to watch a movie with them, users can also share all content via Facebook, Twitter or e-mail. Once saved, all content can also be viewed offline, catering to moviegoers without a mobile data subscription or with an iPod touch.