Independent developer Shihab Mehboob has launched Binge, a new movie and television tracking app that provides users with real-time warnings before jump scares occur in horror films. The feature leverages Apple’s 'Live Activities,' sending notifications directly to the device’s Lock Screen or Dynamic Island as a movie plays.
To activate the warning system, users select the clock icon on a film’s detail page before starting the movie. The app allows for customization, offering users the choice to receive alerts for every jump scare or to filter for only 'major' frights.
A crowded streaming assistant market
Binge enters a competitive market already dominated by established platforms like Letterboxd, TV Time, and JustWatch. To stand out, the app integrates deeply with Apple’s ecosystem, utilizing iCloud synchronization alongside unique features such as detailed post-credit scene information and awards breakdown timelines.
According to Mehboob, the goal is to build an all-in-one hub for media consumption. Binge tracks not only individual titles but also broader collections, specific actors, streaming networks, and production companies.
Beyond its jump scare alerts, the app provides standard tracking functionality. Users can access release dates, cast information, trailers, and genre descriptions. The interface also supports private notes, episode rating graphs, and integration with other existing tracking services.
Mehboob previously gained recognition for building Mammoth, a social app for Mastodon, and Bulletin, an AI-driven news reader. Binge represents his latest effort to apply specific iOS technical capabilities to the entertainment tracking space.
