Tunity app lets appraisers tune in when audio is turned off.

On a recent trip through Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, I visited an airline lounge that had a large banner hanging at the entrance promoting the Tunity app. I had never seen banner ads in an airline lounge, so this one piqued my curiosity. Within a few minutes, I had the Tunity app downloaded to my iPhone. (Don't feel left out, Android users: Tunity also is available on Google Play.)

What is Tunity?

Tunity is, in my opinion, a brilliantly conceived app that allows users to hear live audio output from any muted TV. It's helpful in situations where users might want to listen to a broadcast but are unable to do so (such as in airports, bars, gyms, universities, waiting areas and hospitals), or situations where users want to tune in but do not want to disturb others. Users can listen privately using headphones or less privately through Bluetooth-enabled speakers.

Tunity probably won't help valuation professionals tackle real estate-related business, but the app adds value during business travel and other situations where users might wish to hear a live television broadcast when it otherwise wouldn't be possible.

How does Tunity work?

Simply point a smartphone or tablet at the muted TV, and the Tunity app scans it to locate the channel and then syncs and streams audio to the device. The scanning is relatively fast, but it can take 10 to 20 seconds for the audio to begin playing.

The app only supports live broadcasts, not recorded programs. It works with...