IMDb has always been a great resource for movie buffs and entertainment lovers, and its ability to parse through data is what makes IMDb such a useful tool.  With its mobile apps, IMDb has been able to expand on its data renderings, providing more personalized features based on its learned behavior and user interaction.  A major update to its iOS mobile apps highlights IMDb’s dedication to its data and its users.

One new feature is Watchlist, which allows IMDb to keep track of what users want to watch.  It’s akin to checking in, but not gamified.  IMDb infers certain preferences based on trailers viewed, social interaction and saved favorites, improving its recommendations all the while.  There’s also enhanced showtimes listings, ratings history, and the ability to purchase movie tickets directly through the app.  This feature is already available in the US, UK, Canada and Spain.

There are a few mobile-specific perks that caught my eye, starting with magic search.  This lets users see results as they type, helping to not only jog one’s memory, but saving valuable time while thumbing away on a mobile keyboard.  It’s a feature that’s been readily applied to web searches, especially on portals like Google or Bing.  But it’s not widespread on mobile devices, and it’s a complex feature IMDb had been working on for some time.

“We’re most proud to launch this,” says Kintan Brahmbhatt, IMDb head of mobile.  “A key part of this release is the live search results.  On mobile devices, we know typing is something users don’t want to do because of smaller keys and screen sizes.  We want to create a solid search experience.”

Another mobile-specific feature upgrade is the AirPlay integration, which Brahmbhatt calls phenomenal.  You can stream trailers from your iPhone to your television, just by clicking it from the mobile application.

When it comes to data analysis, IMDb is leveraging the intimacy of a mobile app to develop a more useful decision-making tool, that you can reference when you’re picking a movie or a television program to watch.  Moving beyond a search aid for trivia gamers, IMDb is turning its data into consumer-driven information, feeding it back to end users in a way that’s most practical for them.  As big data trends grow, mobile apps will continue to be at the center of consumer interaction, and IMDb’s got the goods on movie purchases, preferences, and even search behavior.  Who know where they’ll be able to go from here?