It’s always seemed strange to me that such a useful website like IMDB can be so completely clueless when it comes to mobile devices. IMDB has no mobile viewing option, so smartphone users need to navigate through the large version of the site to perform a simple search. Couple that with the fact that they’ve ignored mobile applications for so long, and it’s almost as if they think mobile computing is just a passing fad.

That is, until now. IMDB has finally released a free iPhone app (download it from the App Store) that offers quick access to their search engine, as well as a few other nifty mobile features.

The search functionality is the app’s main draw, and it works like a dream. Results pop up at a fraction of the time it takes to search IMDB via mobile web browser. Navigating the results is also significantly improved since the app offers a native iPhone user-interface. Basically, navigating search results works very similarly to navigating your settings on the iPhone. Search results are clear, organized, and perfect for one-handed usage while you’re on the go.

The IMDB app also uses location services to determine movie showtimes near you (nothing new here), and offers a quick glimpse at upcoming movies, current US box office results, and IMDB’s top 250 movies. Also of note is the MOVIEmeter, which keeps track of the most-searched titles on IDMB.

And as if they were throwing a bone to TV fans, the app also offers prime-time TV listings for the major networks, as well as short recaps for episodes you may have recently missed.

It’s not the snazziest iPhone app around, but it’s a good first step for a site that hasn’t paid much attention to mobile computing thus far.