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TiVo Mobile... A Lot Less Than You Might Think

Overhype

from the that's-it?!? dept

Tue, Mar 7th 2006 2:08am — Mike Masnick
TiVo is getting a bunch of attention in the news right now for announcing something called TiVo Mobile. This probably conjures up a variety of ideas about what the company could be offering, from a better version of the weak TiVoToGo offering to something more in the place shifting space, to go along with the time shifting concept popularized by TiVo in the first place. Instead... it's just a little app that will let you program your TiVo from your mobile phone -- if, and only if, you're a Verizon Wireless customer. Sure, it's nice that they're letting people connect to their TiVo from mobile devices -- but it hardly seems worth the attention it's getting. Most people don't often need to reprogram their TiVos on the go, so it's not clear how often this will actually get used. Also, the fact that this is just with one single mobile operator again demonstrates one of the problems of the mobile industry. Absolutely no one is going to decide to buy Verizon Wireless service over a competitor solely because they can access their TiVo remotely. Why limit it to just that one mobile operator? Meanwhile, since mobile devices can increasingly access the full web, and TiVo already lets people access their devices via the web, this really seems like a minor deal that's being hyped up as much more than it really is. Update: MocoNews highlights another big problem with this offering. They want to charge $5/month for it. How often do you program your DVR remotely? And is that worth paying an extra $5/month?
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25 Comments

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  • identicon
    Espresso Master, 7 Mar 2006 @ 6:29am

    Dumb. they already have this!

    I'm a long time Tivo fan but this is a dumb move. They've had their online scheduling up and running for at least a year now. Use a browser (Opera comes to mind) on any phone and one can navigate to Tivo's online site and setup their Tivo recording from anywhere already. I do it all the time. Any phone, laptop, pda, or internet-enabled toaster that has a web browser can do it. Oh yeah, and it's free.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Randy Roach, 7 Mar 2006 @ 7:34am

      Re: Dumb. they already have this!

      I can't believe they want $5/m for this. Are they nuts?

      By the way, they'll soon be another option that will not only let you you program Tivo from your mobile device, but WATCH it too. Slingbox is coming out with some clients for Smartphones.

      The combination of TiVo and Slingbox is a match made in heaven, combining time-shifting and place-shifting, so I can watch shows both when and where I want (including mobile devices soon).

      Tivo with a lifetime subscription plus a Slingbox, and I get all this with no monthly fees.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Brian, 7 Mar 2006 @ 6:30am

    No Subject Given

    I have Tivo.. Aand I think I have programmed it from the web only once in the year and a half that I have had it... I would never pay $5 a month for it

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    C. C. Carpenter II, 7 Mar 2006 @ 6:46am

    Tivo-To-Go-Nowhere

    I'm a TiVo subscriber. And I have a mobile phone. I really can't see how TiVo's new offering could make a bit of difference to me. It's one of those "because we can" inventions.
    Incidentally, I also have an HP laptop with XP Media Center Edition... It does everything TiVo does for free.
    The "TiVo to go" app crashes every computer I have installed it on, and mysteriously stops serving, apparently, whenever it feels like it.
    Anybody want to buy a TiVo box?

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Ric, 7 Mar 2006 @ 7:33am

      Re: Tivo-To-Go-Nowhere

      ReplayTV has had "MyReplayTV" where you could log on and program/delete/schedule recordings on your ReplayTV for years. ReplayTV has stopped making ReplayTV boxes and is switching to a "PC-Based" program that will do everything a Tivo/ReplayTV can on your PC because of the merging technologies. The media PC is the way of the future. Tivo should get on board.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    IT GUY, 7 Mar 2006 @ 7:46am

    Dumb Idea

    I Have had a DVR for a couple years now, and not once have I ever had a spontanious urge to reprogram it while I was out. Any intelligent person would set the device to record their favorite shows by recording the entire series.
    For example, MY favorite show is "That 70's Show" when I first got my DVR I set it to record every instance of the show on any channel. If I desired i could set it to record only certain channels or times. One day I sat down and set all my shows to record how I wanted. Honestly I dont remember the last time I had to go in and change ANYTHING.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    gold one, 7 Mar 2006 @ 8:16am

    Are they kidding

    They have to be joking! It might be a nice addition to TIVO and might pull some people to TIVO, but if they charge $5 it will only make the company look bad and desperate for money. I would go pay twice as much for a new sony dvr

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Robert, 7 Mar 2006 @ 8:20am

    Yahoo!

    You can do the same from the TV listings on Yahoo!, and it's a LOT easier to navigate than on the tivo.com site.

    From my cell phone?? no way, not even free...

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Devil, 7 Mar 2006 @ 8:31am

    No Subject Given

    A couple clarifications, according to the journal it is exclusive for only 60 days. Thereafter tivo can announce a deal with anyone else and have another joint marketing campaign which I feel is the only real value add out of this whole deal.

    The pricing said LESS than $5. However you all make a good point about being able to do it for free by just using the browser on the phone to go to TIVO.com or Yahoo.com. Not sure what that fee from Verizon will get you. I guess it is just going to be alot easier than browsing.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ::CORY::, 7 Mar 2006 @ 8:43am

    Price

    And the price is subject to the carrier and not set by Tivo.

    I like this move, I would use it if it were free and it would be one selling point for me if I were shopping for a new cell phone carrier.

    I like the idea that I Tivo is trying new things and trying to be different.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Adam Sessler, 7 Mar 2006 @ 9:13am

    who is the "less than $5" paid to?




    When you sign up for this service, who is that "less than $5" being paid to? Is it going to TiVo, the company offering this same service that they give away FREE for anyone with a web browser and internet connection... or is your "less than $5" fee going to Verizon for providing the bandwidth/portal to make make this available to their customers as an incentive to buy their cell phones instead of the competition's...



    I cannot see that this would sway my choice either way when deciding on which PVR to purchase - but by reviewing how competitive cell phone companies have been with their offerings, this seems to be just one more notch Verizon can add to their belt.


    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 7 Mar 2006 @ 9:20am

    No Subject Given

    I believe that one of the decision makers at Verizon just got a tivo for Christmas and happened to be so excited about "how great" it is, compared to their basic cable; so they thought up this "great idea" of adding it to their cell phone. they made a few calls and within a couple of weeks, not just a java phone application was made, but contracts were signed and this press release was issued. what would make tivo charge money for such a small app, when they give-away/include for no additional charge, much more extensive apps with all their standard tivo plans.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jeff, 7 Mar 2006 @ 11:57am

    Check out orb - trust me.

    orb.com. simple as that. Check it out.

    I have a tivo, and i have been experimenting with media center and various software pvrs. Havent stabilized media center yet, but orb will be installed on whatever box i choose.

    Orb basically streams all your media to any web browser. free and stable as hell. quality is quite good as well.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    :HAn., 7 Mar 2006 @ 2:42pm

    Nickle-and-Diming costs the companies more than th

    This is exactly the problem with the corporate world today (ok, one of many problems, but still...) They insist on patting themselves on the back for coming up with new ways to nickle and dime their customers. Meanwhile, the reality of the effect is that it just pisses off the consumer and leaves a bitter taste tacked onto all that branding they've been trying so long to keep in the public eye. It's counter-productive. The TiVo Mobile is case-in-point. Its a simple technology now, but instead of TiVo using it across the board, it chooses to take some blood-money from Verizon and nobody wins. If TiVo was more interested in keeping their brand alive, they would make this tech available to as many people as they can. Im sure the money they got from Verizon for this isnt worth half as much as the long-term benefits TiVo would reap if they let every consumer utilize the service.

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 7 Mar 2006 @ 3:25pm

      Re: Nickle-and-Diming costs the companies more tha

      They already do ...and for FREE.

      11/07/2005 - http://www.tivo.com/cms_static/press_64.html

      TIVO AND YAHOO! COLLABORATE TO OFFER ONLINE SCHEDULING THROUGH YAHOO! TV

      TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO ), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVR), and Yahoo! Inc., (NASDAQ:YHOO), a leading global Internet company, today announced that they will collaborate to offer TiVo's online scheduling features on Yahoo! TV (http://tv.yahoo.com).

      This offering from the two companies enables Yahoo! TV users to request, via TiVo's scheduling technology, recordings of their favorite TV shows on their TiVo® Series2™ devices from anywhere they access Yahoo!. Subscribers with a TiVo Series2 box and a standard Yahoo! user ID may use the service starting today.

      "Working with Yahoo! is another way for us to deliver the best way to watch television and give viewers control of the television experience," said Tom Rogers , CEO of TiVo Inc. "Beginning today, we're giving Yahoo! users — whether they're at the office or away from home — the ability to easily schedule recordings for later viewing."

      "Yahoo! is the leading entertainment destination on the Internet with millions of monthly visitors seeking relevant information about their favorite television programs," said David Katz, head of sports and entertainment for Yahoo!. "We are excited to further our mission of delivering what consumers want, when, how and where they want it."

      Yahoo! TV offers a variety of entertainment information, such as show times, program descriptions and cast photographs, as well as exclusive content from partners like "Entertainment Tonight" and Mark Burnett Productions, which produces "The Apprentice," all in one convenient location. Now, consumers using Yahoo! TV can easily program their TiVo devices remotely to record that new show they read about or catch their favorite show they discovered is being re-aired. In the coming months, TiVo and Yahoo! will also make some Yahoo! services, including photos, traffic, and weather available as part of the TiVo service.

      About Yahoo!
      Yahoo! Inc. is the No. 1 Internet brand globally and the most trafficked Internet destination worldwide. Yahoo! provides online products and services essential to consumers' lives, and offers a full range of tools and marketing solutions for businesses to connect with Internet users around the world. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale , Calif.

      About TiVo Inc.
      Founded in 1997, TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO) pioneered a brand new category of products with the development of the first commercially available digital video recorder (DVR). Sold through leading consumer electronic retailers, TiVo has developed a brand which resonates boldly with consumers as providing a superior television experience. Through agreements with leading satellite and cable providers, TiVo also integrates its full set of DVR service features into the set-top boxes of mass distributors. TiVo's DVR functionality and ease of use, with such features as Season Pass™ recordings and WishList® searches, has elevated its popularity among consumers and has created a whole new way for viewers to watch television. With a continued investment in its patented technologies, TiVo is revolutionizing the way consumers watch and access home entertainment. Rapidly becoming the focal point of the digital living room, TiVo's DVR is at the center of experiencing new forms of content on the TV, such as broadband delivered video, music and photos. With innovative features such as, TiVoToGo™ and online scheduling, TiVo is expanding the notion of consumers experiencing "TiVo, TV your way." The TiVo® service is also at the forefront of providing innovative marketing solutions for the television industry, including a unique platform for advertisers and audience measurement research. The company is based in Alviso, Calif.

      [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 7 Mar 2006 @ 3:32pm

        Re: Nickle-and-Diming costs the companies more tha

        but, you DO NOT HAVE TO BE a Yahoo! member; you could just log into TiVo.com and schedule your shows for free...
        http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-tco/index.do

        Basically, no one is forcing you to do anything you don't want to do - and if you do decide to do it, you will not be charged either... unless you are using Verizon as your medium. So to sum things up; TiVo provides it's offerings to everyone for free, except ofcourse if you are a Verizon customer trying to access the information through your Cell Phone (not to be confused with a PocketPC - which in this case, the service is still FREE of charge).

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          :HAn., 7 Mar 2006 @ 3:37pm

          Re: Nickle-and-Diming costs the companies more tha

          I understand you dont HAVE to pay for it. The whole point is that there is technology that is semi-interesting, but of course verizon wants you to pay for it. TiVo allowed Verizon this exclusivity for a price. Its a cool gimmick and may come in handy 3x a year, but it is in no way worth $5 a month. Hence, for the convenience of a simple technologic advantage, Verizon wants to nickle and dime you. Verizon should be growing to offer the public more with the premiums they already pay, not adding tons of features and expect consumers to pay for this and that.

          [ link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        :HAn., 7 Mar 2006 @ 3:32pm

        Re: Nickle-and-Diming costs the companies more tha

        Yes, this is old news. We're talking about the technology that allows you to access yoru TiVo via a cell phone.

        [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    salope, 20 Feb 2007 @ 4:44am

    salope

    salope, colette, choisez, salope...
    cette mère de famille employée à la gestion immmobilière tournaisienne ne se contente pas de son petit mari.
    Posant pour de la lingerie à une époque de part son corps parfait, elle fit quelque intrusions souvent remarquées mais sans y faire une réelle carrière dans le underground porn star, colette choisez porn star ! Ou star du porno pendant quelques années, aujourd'hui oubliée sauf pour les puriste du genre, réserve dès lors ses talents pour son petit mari et, comme elle aime ca, pour des clients qu'elle veut séduire plus que simplement pour les faire signer ses contrats :) Là tout lui est permi, que ce soit du vip costard cravate au chauffeur routier en passant par le maçon ou l'agriculteur, jeunes, vieux, voir même très vieux elle sait y faire.....
    Elle aime aussi poure le fun les plaisir exotiques, non pas le "pipi caca" ou lea zoo ni la pédo quoique pour ce dernier elle aime être "découverte" par de jeunes enfants. Là il s'agit plus de plaisir personnel car les enfants restent habillé et c'est elle qui se laisse mettre nue, une sotre de "Oscar" la chair en plus :)
    Adepte de l'exhibitionisme en public elle aime se prêter à des abus sur sa personne devant des gens et plus il y en a mieux c'est ! Dans le train, le métro, partout ou il y a des gens qui la regarde se faire déculotter, elle aime le regard de bon père de famille regardant 2 ou 3 types la ploter etc........

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    michel steuve, 16 Mar 2007 @ 5:40pm

    Enculée

    viens ma grosse salope de colette choisez viens te faire encluler te faire bourrer le cul devant ton connard de mari débile qui aime te voir sodomisée, le michel steuve fils de pute, il est pédé ou il encule la femme de ménage pour aimer voir sa femme colette choisez violée sous son gros pif d'obsédé, ca l'excite ce mec de regarder sa poufiasse se faire abuser, mais bon on va pas se priver de sa pute surtout qu'elle est bonnasse la radasse, la colette choisez elle doit avoir des kilomètres de bites dans le cul, mais quel cul la pute

    [ link to this | view in chronology ]


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