High-tech television fans have a new electronic ally that takes the "couch potato" out of watching their favorites shows.

The Apple iPhone and iPod touch, with their 3.5-inch viewing screens capable of streaming video over the Internet, have become useful gadgets for people who want to enjoy "Star Trek," "Frasier" or even the live NCAA basketball championships on the go.

Several iPhone and touch applications are available through the iTunes Application Store that can turn the wildly popular cellphone and MP3 player into mini-TVs. Here's a look at some of the better offerings.

TV.com » CBS television recently released this application that allows iPhone and iPod touch users to watch full episodes of their favorite programs from CBS, the CW, Showtime and others.

Full episodes are available of series like "CSI: Miami," "CSI: NY," "The Tudors," even "The Young and the Restless." There are also clips from other sources such as CBS News, "Entertainment Tonight," video game Web site Gamespot, and tech site CNet.

But it's not the perfect application. The video quality could be a lot better, even on a high-speed Wi-Fi connection, and there are only a handful of episodes for each show. It does, however, work with AT&T's slower 3G Internet connection so you don't have to be at a Wi-Fi hotspot for it to work. (Free)

vSnax » This is a well-made and easy-to-use application that connects users to videos from 15 different channels, including AMC, We, Comedy Central, Discovery, Animal Planet and G4.

The downside is it only shows clips and not whole episodes. It would be nice to get complete installments of TV series, such as "American Chopper," "Mad Men" or "Breaking Bad."

It also works with 3G so users can stream video virtually anywhere. (Free)

NCAA March Madness on Demand » This is an outstanding application for the basketball nut. Every game of the NCAA basketball championship is available live.

You can choose to view any game, even if several are being played simultaneously, if you're at a Wi-Fi hotspot. Only the audio of games are available through 3G or AT&T's slower EDGE cellular networks.

But games are not the only content here. There also are sports news shows, video highlights of the day, instant stat tracking, and if basketball gets too much, links to CW shows (who doesn't yearn for a "Gossip Girl" episode after watching a hard-fought basketball game?)

Be warned, however, there is a limited life to the app because it becomes mostly useless when the tournament ends. ($4.99.)

American Idol » Can't get enough of Season 8 favorites like Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert or Lil Rounds? This mobile application allows you to take the "Idol's" final 10 on the road for never-before-seen interviews with the contestants, news and blog postings.

Sadly, what it doesn't deliver, as one might expect, are the week's performances. Instead, it leads you to iTunes links to buy MP3 versions of the songs for 99 cents. That shouldn't be the case since this is a paid application.

It does work with 3G, but the user interface seems to run slow. ($1.99)

i.TV » This app for the TV lover by Utah entrepreneur and movie producer Brad Pelo is the best available. Not only does it provide an onscreen television grid for listings, but it also has movie listings for local theaters, movie trailers, previews for TV series, episode clips, entertainment news and connectivity to Netflix so users can instantly add DVDs to their rental queue while on the go.

Best of all, there are full episodes of many series, including "Star Trek," "Desperate Housewives," "All in the Family" and scores more. And in some cases, there are dozens of episodes of a single series available for streaming. It also works with 3G.

It's an app that does a lot of things and most of them well. (Free)