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AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR adds pause/rewind live TV feature on multiroom extenders
Spring is usually the time we see AT&T refresh the features on its U-Verse Total Home DVR and the latest update gives users the ability to pause and rewind live TV no matter which TV they're watching. Previously, this was only available if you were watching on a TV connected to a DVR, but now users can control playback from any room even if the DVR is somewhere else. According to the press release it's only up and running in a couple of cities (Grand Rapids, MI and Mobile, AL) right now, but should roll out everywhere over the next few months. Check after the break for the press release with more details or on the UverseUsers.com forum thread about the Phase 3 rollout.
Xbox 360 IPTV rumors ride again with 'Project Orapa'
Just because Microsoft's Mediaroom IPTV service is finally supported on the Xbox 360 after years and years of expectations (as seen above) doesn't mean the rumor mill stops, with rumors surfacing of a "Project Orapa" that reportedly combines Xbox Live, Kinect and IPTV service all in one. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley has heard from tipsters that it's related to the previously rumored Ventura multimedia project and will let subscribers to Mediaroom powered IPTV services like U-Verse use Kinect's gesture and voice recognition like ESPN3 already does to control their TV experience while Xbox users would get "more content." We should find out how much of this is reality and how it ties into previous rumors pretty quickly, since it's apparently going to be in testing this month, and available by the upcoming holiday season.
Mediaroom rumors could put Microsoft IPTV on the fast track to success
We're hearing rumors today that Microsoft's already hardworking Mediaroom could be putting in overtime in the near future. According to ZDNet, not only is Microsoft working on a Mediaroom client for Windows Phone (aka Rome), but it's also got a Silverlight-for-Mediaroom project (aka Taos) in the pipeline, with a possible Silverlight-for-Mediaroom STB (aka Santa Fe) also on the way. As if it didn't already have a heavy workload, the platform is also up for a possible tie-in with Windows Media Center (aka Monaco). All this comes on the heels of chatter that the software giant is considering a new Xbox 360 TV service, incorporating Mediaroom, and news of a Silverlight SOC that could be worked into an STB like Santa Fe. All code names and acronyms aside, it looks like Microsoft is gearing up to give Apple and Google some serious internet TV competition, which means Mediaroom's going to have say goodbye to happy hour and hello to some serious all-nighters.
Surewest adds Online DVR access, Caller ID on TV for IPTV customers in Sacramento
SureWest announced it would migrate its platform to Microsoft Mediaroom late last year starting with its Sacramento customers, and now its added a few more "advanced digital TV" features to go along with the Whole Home DVR and four tuner DVR features (not to mention lightning fast channel change times) launched in January. Now subscribers can log into the website and schedule edit, or delete recordings just like they were at home, while Caller ID on TV resolves that minor annoyance of having to actually see the phone to know who's calling. It's far from the first provider to add such features, but we're figuring Kevin Johnson and Tyreke Evans appreciate the effort. Now SureWest, let's talk about some Windows Media Center and Xbox 360 integration, ok?
Telus switching Canadian IPTV customers over to Microsoft Mediaroom
That $600 million investment appears to be going to good use, as Telus is ready to offer a new version of its Telus TV service to customers powered by Microsoft Mediaroom. No word on which version of Microsoft's IPTV offering they'll be utilizing, but customers in British Columbia and Alberta will be enjoying very U-verseish features like a whole home DVR solution capable of recording up to three shows at once. They'll also enjoy the more than 40 HD channels plus VOD and PPV up to six TVs in each home (no word on how many HDTV streams are available at once, only "multiple.") The switch from the old Minerva platform mirrors the move SureWest made last year, lets hope the long wait means they can jump directly to version 2.0 with Media Center and Xbox support included. [Thanks, Eric]
