TiVo adds Opera SDK support to Roamio platform, wants more HTML5 apps
The TiVo Roamio platform is still extremely young, what with it only having been launched earlier this month and all. Still, the DVR maker isn't wasting any time and is now finding ways to bring as many features as possible to its new set-top boxes. With this in mind, TiVo let it be known today that it's adding support for Opera's Devices SDK and TV Store to its lineup of Roamio DVRs, providing developers an opportunity to create a variety of HTML5-based applications. TiVo's hoping the partnership with Opera can introduce a slew of apps in different categories to the platform, including entertainment, fashion, sports, business, gaming news and more. As for Opera, we can imagine it's rather pleased to get its app-creating tools used by yet another company.
Show full PR text
TiVo Adds Opera Software to Roamio
Newly Launched TiVo Roamio(TM) Platform Includes Opera TV Solution to Enable HTML5 Apps Including Business, Entertainment, Fashion, Sports and Gaming News, Content and More; Opera SDK on TiVo Provides Playground for App Developers in Upcoming Opera TV Store Launch
SAN MATEO, CA and SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 29, 2013) - Opera Software (OSEBX: OPERA) and TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), a leader in advanced television entertainment, today announced a technology integration to enhance the power of web technologies on TiVo devices with the Opera Devices SDK, as well as open up the world of HTML5 TV apps through the Opera TV Store. This partnership will enable TiVo to bring the latest and greatest of the web and HTML5 content to cable operator customers and consumers, including business, entertainment, fashion, sports and gaming news, content and more, as well as provide developers with an SDK to create new apps for the TiVo platform for the App Store that TiVo is planning to launch later this year.
TiVo's operator customers who are shipping TiVo devices based on the Roamio platform will be able to offer popular apps and content to their consumers through the Opera TV Store. This combination will prove powerful for Opera and TiVo who both have ambitions to empower the pay-TV operator market with over-the-top (OTT) web content currently available on retail devices.
"Not only is Opera's Devices SDK best-in-class, but its standards-compliant HTML5 engine will enable a household name like TiVo and its cable operator customers to bring the best and latest of OTT web content quickly to the end user. We are looking forward to working with TiVo on further enhancing its operator solutions," said Aneesh Rajaram, Senior Vice President for TV and Devices, Opera Software. "In addition, app and content developers will have another avenue to reach many active and loyal TiVo users through their apps in the Opera TV Store."
Opera Software is the global leader in supplying web technology to makers of set-top boxes and connected TVs. In 2012, over 25 million connected TVs and devices shipped with the Opera Devices SDK, and the Opera TV Store has shipped on tens of millions of devices globally.
By early next year, TiVo plans to deploy the Opera TV Store, the world's leading HTML5-based TV app store, currently showcasing hundreds of applications. This number is predicted to grow rapidly with Opera innovations such as Opera TV Snap, a tool to convert online videos into connected TV apps, as well as the developer SDK.
In addition to the applications available in the store, Opera works closely with popular content providers that are moving to HTML5, allowing TiVo to quickly adopt applications such as YouTube. This also gives opportunities for brands and agencies to reach millions of new subscribers on TiVo through this alliance with Opera.
"Consumers want to watch what they want, when they want it and it's important to offer an easy-to-use interface capturing all the content possible, whether it be from cable TV or the web," said Jim Denney, VP of Product Marketing at TiVo. "We have selected Opera as a partner in this mission because it enables users in both the operator and retail segments a completely customized experience, along with a wide variety of local, national and global long-tail content and other applications from the Opera TV Store."
TiVo, the pioneer of DVR technology, has shipped more than 3.4 million devices in the United States through retailers and premium cable operators such as RCN and Suddenlink. The company is also a major player outside the United States, working with Virgin in the United Kingdom and Ono in Spain. Opera has shipped on tens of millions of devices through connected TV and device makers such as Sony, Toshiba, Phillips, TCL, Humax and Boxee.
