bundler.tv
Bundler is a search engine that is designed to find titles of television shows and movies. It does not have a long history, and it is difficult to track down information about it. The only information about the company that is available are on social media platforms. There are limited articles on the internet about them, and it seems the company was formed in 2018 as a start-up.
The search engine provides a centralized watch list for shows and movies. Users add shows to their lists and make searches containing a synopsis, streaming services that provide the title, other details, and an option to personalize the home page. Bundler incorporates information from a multitude of providers in one location.
Website Design
The website design is impressive. It gives off a clean and fresh aesthetic with a crisp white and light blue color scheme. The layout is inviting and simple. All of the content is well organized and easy to find, making it easy to find what you're looking for. The search bar is in clear view for quick and easy access.
The clean design and well-utilized graphics on the title pages provide a good translation to the search and result pages. The header features a prominent featured image from the show, which is easy to see and understand. The summary is concise without leaving out important details, making it easy for quick viewing. The on-demand section is well organized by source or by episode, making it easy to find what you're looking for.
Content
Bundler's main attraction is the search engine and watchlist feature. The search engine is easy to use and includes a watchlist. The watchlist is uncomplicated, but other websites do the same thing better in comparison.
The search results on the website are summaries, synopsis, on-demand options, per episode options, cast, genre, release dates, and cast. The information is easy to digest and is perfect for creating watchlists. The watchlist is another tool that is not complex on the website and it works perfectly. However, it is nothing special.
The television guides on the website are unique in that they do not feature this feature on competing websites. Live tv and sports guides are incredibly helpful because they take data from a multitude of providers to compile a comprehensive list. There is a color key that helps users filter the content they would like to find. At first, the website outputs a generic lineup, but users can customize it by changing settings. After changing my own setting, the results were much better. Settings allow users to choose television service providers and streaming platforms used.
Desktop & Mobile Accessibility
The desktop browser version of the website design is excellent. It has a well-designed,fresh, and inviting appearance. It is easy to use and navigate in all aspects. The design aesthetic is vibrant and eye-catching. The text is easily legible, with few glitches or technical issues noticeable on the website. I have very few complaints about the website's design, overall.
The mobile browser looks promising. The home page is different than the desktop version. More information is available on the mobile browsing page. Promises of a new service coming to Bundler soon are mentioned. Centralized management for streaming subscriptions that promises 20% savings is supposed to launch in the Spring of 2020 is also mentioned. The idea of a tool like that is nifty, but as for now, Bundler does not offer it. There is also no mobile app yet.
Positives
Some of the positives about Bundler are that they promise to deliver a unique service which will combine multiple streaming services for a lower fee in the future. A lot of the features they offer currently are offered by other websites but are accomplished better. Some of those features would be the centralized watchlist and the ability to search titles across multiple platforms.
The way the information is presented is nice. I like that the details are summarized and not drawn out too long. This makes adding to watchlists easier and quicker. The information is also compiled in a visually appealing manner.
Another great feature of Bundler is that they are active on social media. The company has a Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Unfortunately, their social links on the website did not work so I had to track them down myself. Their Facebook presence is small, but I found some information about them I would not have otherwise known. The Twitter account has more followers than its Facebook. The company posts regularly to Twitter but has a smaller following on Instagram.
Negatives
One of the first issues I encountered was that the website lacked detailed information about the company. In particular, there was no About Us section, which is important for potential customers to be able to learn more about a company. Additionally, there were few details about mission statements or slogans on either the website or Facebook pages. The only consistent statement I found was "TV Made Simple?" on both of those pages-although this line was only consistent on the Facebook page and not the website page. On Twitter, however, the company has a different statement: "Bringing quality television programming to your fingertips."
According to Bundler's social media, they plan to release a subscription plan which includes all platforms. However, it appears on some of their social media that this feature has already been released. The mobile browser states it will not be available until Spring 2020. This would save users around 20% by bundling platforms and saving on their subscription prices.
The registration portion of the website is a mess. The sign-up form seemed straight forward at first, but the forms began glitching. After entering my email address the form prompted me to choose my tv and streaming providers so it could personalize my feed. Unfortunately, the form glitched and made the logos and text too large and did not allow me to make my selection. It did the same thing on the genre portion of the form. After I completed the registration to the best of my ability, however, the website went blank.
Improvements Needed
Secondly, Bundler needs to be more accessible and user-friendly. It can be difficult to find what you're looking for, and there are too many menus and buttons. Thirdly, Bundler should make creating your own gem easier by supplying more templates or tutorials.
There are a few areas in which Bundler could be improved. First, it would be beneficial to develop a mobile app in order to increase user engagement. Additionally, Bundler should be more user-friendly and provide clear information with fewer menus and buttons. Thirdly, Bundler may benefit from additional templates or tutorials that would make creation of gems easier for users.
The website's mission statement does not seem to be specific about what the website is for or how to use it. A how-to guide could help make the website more user friendly.
Last, the glitch from the registration form needs to be fixed. If it is not addressed swiftly, potential users will likely decline to sign up. Another small glitch that should be fixed is the social media links. When clicked, they result in no change. They need to be properly formatted with their corresponding links.
Summary
The world of cord-cutters is constantly evolving and with streaming services popping up like wildflowers, finding the website you are looking for can be difficult. Bundlr provides a simple way to search for streaming websites by service provider or episode. The summaries and details are listed in a highly readable format, making it easy to find what you are looking for. Watchlists are easy to complete and navigation on the website is easy. So whether you want to watch your favorite show on Netflix or Hulu, Bundlr has everything you need right at your fingertips!
The website design is refreshing. It has a clean, fresh look that is inviting to users. The layout is flawless and the advanced search works phenomenally. However, when compared to competitors, Bundler still comes up short. The website works perfectly well for what it sets out to do but is not incredibly unique. The website promises to deliver a new service soon. If the company does come up with a way to combine streaming service platforms for a lower fee, then it will be a force to be reckoned with. Until then, it remains plain but ultimately a useful tool.