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TiVo reportedly lays off industrial design team, sees its future in DVR software (update)
According to a rumor from Wired, the network DVR prototype TiVo showed off at CES is much more than a dream, and could be a big part of its future. The unnamed internal sources claim TiVo laid off 5 employees that make up most of its hardware team (which just celebrated its four Emmy awards), leaving just two engineers to handle support for its current devices, and those yet to come from third parties. We contacted TiVo and received the same response as Wired (available in full after the break), saying it's going to "allocate resources where strategic growth opportunities exist...we expect growth in the cloud-based delivery aspects of TiVo's business." TiVo has talked up the possibility of delivering a cloud-based DVR experience since last fall. After releasing the highly-regarded Roamio line, it's possible the company feels there's little growth left in set-top box DVRs, especially considering the current state of FCC regulations and CableCARD. Microsoft's Media Center project appears to be over, and very few new third-party devices have shipped recently. We pinged investor Sam Biller for ideas on what other plans TiVo might have, and he pointed to a lack of detailed forecasts for the company's nearly $1 billion in cash, seeing the possibility it could acquire another company to build hardware. Whatever TiVo does from here, it's finally delivered on the promise of a capable do-it-all box with the Roamio -- hopefully that essence remains in future products. Update: In a phone conversation, VP of PR Steve Wymer told us the company remains "fully committed" to Roamio, and called it the crown jewel of TiVo. In his view, it's not accurate to say that TiVo is exiting the hardware business as it continues to expand current products and plan future ones, but that it is reallocating resources with an eye towards the future -- a future that hopefully includes both the sweet nDVR prototype, and even better set-top boxes for those that want or already have them.
TiVo prototype DVR recordings stay in the cloud, watch them anywhere on any screen
All of our favorite TV shows, accessible anywhere, anytime? That's what we can expect if the prototype DVR TiVo is showing off at CES ever actually launches. Intended as a service that your local cable operator could offer, the TiVo Network DVR project brings the Roamio experience we already enjoyed on its latest DVRs to the cloud, letting them push recordings out over the internet. Dubbed NDVR for short, the preview images show how viewers could get their TiVo on an iPad or via Roku, manage program recordings, see what's on and, if necessary, buy more storage space in the cloud. That last bit is key, because this isn't just for consumers -- TiVo needs to convince cable operators (the smaller ones; we figure Comcast and the rest will probably stick with their custom solutions) they can make more money and have a simpler setup with its product. One other cable company-friendly feature is the ability to target advertising within the recordings, as we've seen TV companies start doing with video on-demand. We'll stop by TiVo's booth once the show floor opens in a few hours to get some hands-on time with its prototype and see what else is new, and hopefully see what the next generation of TV is like.
