By Graham K. Rogers

I have just seen the first episode of a new NBC series of Hannibal on the AXN channel here. The series is based on the books about the infamous Doctor Lecter by Thomas Harris. It had a slow start and was a little confusing in the first episode, which was to an extent setting the scene. However, the development of an iOS app that adds to the information and allows users to communicate with each other, via Twitter and Facebook, adds considerably to the potential for the use of such media.

In some ways the TV program is spoiled because most people will know the story from the movies (some may have read the books), even if this new version tries to add to the detailed information: a series can do this far better than a 90-minute movie. For many, however, the series is defined by the characters as played by Anthony Hopkins, Jody Foster and Scott Glenn as Jack Crawford (here payed by Laurence J. Fishburne III).

For me, Hannibal was not as sartorially dressed as I would have expected and the plot buildup was a little disjointed, but this may work better for other viewers. TV programs are as much a personal choice as many other pastimes.

A major difference however, was the availability of the Hannibal app that synchronises with the specific episode being watched (whether on live TV or pre-recorded) and provides extra information for the viewer. The developer of the app is shown as Sony Pictures.

After a start screen and a country selector, there are a number of information links within the app. The user is required to "Sync" with the TV program. I was dubious initially that this was to use sound input, but when it failed a couple of times, I increased the volume of the TV and a connection was made. With the way Twitter comments were displayed onscreen (these may be hidden) it also uses live wifi to synchronise data.

The app had too many advertisements from Samsung, interfering at times with the information being displayed. Once or twice, a screen advertising a Samsung television appeared obscuring the display. It is a good advertisement: it looks to be a good TV; but while we may be used to banner ads top or bottom that ease the cost burden, this was too much. It was an easy job, however, to close the panel.

The extra information while viewing is rather useful. Examples were background to characters and information about the actor playing Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen, the Danish actor who played Le Chiffre in Casino Royale). We were also told about the design of Dr. Lecter's office and there was unusual information concerning some of the peripheral events.

However, despite the faults that the app and the program have there is an important advance here in the way that the hand held device (in my case iPad or iPhone) can complement the basic TV program and expand on the viewing experience while the program is running (live or recorded). Of course, advertising could also be tailored to the user although it might have to be a little more subtle than that provided thus far.

The potential here is enormous on a number of levels, enabling the program creators to focus information that users would enjoy. Perhaps in the fields of science, technology (and education) programming and app could be provided to give far deeper insights. Extra data and links to sites would be of great value so that those watching may be stimulated towards looking further outside the basic TV program.

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.