RemoteScheduling
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Comcast Xfinity iPad remote app changes channels and invites friends to watch RHONY
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts just hit the stage at The Cable Show and displayed the company's prototype iPad app, the Xfinity Remote. At least so far it doesn't appear to let you stream television programs directly to Apple's media consumption device, but it does let you turn it into a TV guide browser and remote for your set-top box that outpaces even its already released iPhone prog. They pulled in G4's Kevin Pereira for the quick video demo (embedded after the break) highlighting not only the remote DVR scheduling but also a social feature that lets you invite friends to watch live TV with you -- as long as they have Comcast, and the app, and an iPad. Of course, the innovation we'd like to see is a new UI for our cable boxes like the one shown on the iPad... or the one we saw a few years ago. So far the reaction to Facebook and Twitter chat on the screen via widgets has been mild at best, but social tie-ins to another screen could be just what our Real Housewives of New York viewing parties need.
DirecTV DVR Scheduler app celebrates 1 million iPhone downloads, new features on the way
DirecTV's DVR Scheduler app may have just arrived on Android and WebOS devices but it's been around on iPhone for nearly a year and has now been downloaded by over 1 million users. Next up? The ability to order PPV without a home phone line, recommendations and ratings, and even direct to mobile video trailer streaming. Unfortunately not mentioned? When we'll see the promised Blackberry edition. Still, congratulations DirecTV.
FiOS Mobile app comes to Android
Every decent DVR today supports remote scheduling via the web -- well except Windows 7 Media Center -- and Verizon's FiOS TV DVR is no different. But of course web apps don't compare to real apps like this new one for Android users. The new FiOS Mobile app features a guide for remote scheduling as well as VOD browsing so you can mark what you want to watch later, as well as parental controls and a free space indicator -- something TiVo doesn't even offer on the DVR itself. Of course there's no way to actually watch content from your DVR, and we're not surprised. Now before you get too jealous of Android users with Verizon's FiOS TV DVR, we'd like to remind you that the FiOS DVR has a measly 160GB hard drive and no external disk support, and as you can see from the screen shot, FiOS users don't have any free space left for new recordings anyway.
TV.com adds Record to TiVo scheduling
In a move that hopefully goes over better than the jittery mess that was 1080p Flash streaming, TV.com will now allow users to schedule recordings directly to their TiVo. They're not the first or only third party site with support, Zap2it.com is another but combined with the existing community features and streaming video this might be a better option. It should work with any Series2, Series3 or TiVo HD box, just look for the Record to TiVo button on TV.com show pages.
New Total Home DVR, remote scheduling & guide features coming to U-verse
C'mon now, you knew as well as we did that AT&T couldn't just...stop after rolling out Total Home DVR to its entire U-verse service area, today it's announced a few new tweaks that it plans to roll out over the next few weeks and months. Look forward to the ability to schedule and manage recordings from any U-verse receiver, not just the DVR itself, a newly enhanced remote scheduling website and an On Demand top picks app to find movies viewers might like based on their past recommendations. If that's not enough, Starz is free for July, plus a speed bump to 12 Mbps for Internet Max subs and a slightly streamlined program guide that should make the Enter button a bit more useful while browsing or watching TV. Check out the PR for the full details as most of these will be rolling out in different markets over the next few weeks, or check out the video embedded after the break.
TiVo's Cable Show '09 presence reveals online scheduling, plans to expand distribution
We didn't make it down to D.C. for Cable Show '09 and most likely neither did you, but luckily Dave Zatz was on the scene and has grabbed a few snaps of the TiVo booth. Most notable for what wasn't there -- any new hardware, tru2way or otherwise -- there was a demo of upcoming online scheduling capabilities for the Comcast TiVo via Fancast.com. No word when we can expect them to be available, but while you chew on that info and pore over the other booth pics beyond the read link, Multichannel News brings word that other cable subs may be close to reaping the benefits of that investment as the company is ready and hoping to bring its software to set-top boxes beyond those from Comcast, Cox & DirecTV.Read - TiVo at The Cable ShowRead - DVR Maker Pitches Hardware-Portable Set-Top Software
DirecTV iPhone app now available
All those eagerly anticipating the DirecTV iPhone application, and all its remote scheduling, program browsing capability can download it right now from the App Store. All that's required is iPhone software 2.2.1 or higher; anyone can pick it up to check out channel listings, but you'll need a DirecTV subscription and DirecTV Plus DVR (models R15, R16, R22), DirecTV Plus HD DVR (models HR20, HR21, HR23) or TiVo Series 2 receivers with 6.4a software registered to DirecTV.com to take advantage of the remote scheduling over WiFi, EDGE or 3G. And did we mention that it's free?
Verizon Home wares show up on mobile portal
We knew Verizon was planning remote scheduling for its Home Media DVR, and its Hub is evidence of its willingness to dabble in whole-home devices, but this... this, is interesting. A tipster over at ZatzNotFunny has pointed out that Verizon already has a mobile portal up for its Home products, and given that it's accessible via mobile web, it's completely platform agnostic. We're also told (and shown, after the break) that the portal works despite its "beta" label, as the user was able to schedule a recording on his FiOS TV set-top-box from his handset. We're not sure when Verizon plans on making this more public than it has already become, but why not fire it up on your cellphone and see how it goes?[Via ZatzNotFunny]
Mysterious DirecTV iPhone app appears, imaginations run wild
You can already control your VUDU queue, home automation system and Netflix account with your iPhone, so really, why not your DirecTV set-top-box? As recent commercials have shown, the satcaster is pretty big on remote scheduling, and while this mysterious DirecTV iPhone app doesn't yet have a public purpose, it doesn't take much thought to conjure up a good guess. Word on the street is that this limited beta hasn't officially opened up for testers yet, but the image above shows otherwise. A staggeringly great Q4, an iPhone app on the horizon -- man, life's good at DirecTV. [Warning: Free subscription required for read link][Thanks, Anonymous]
Verizon to add remote scheduling to Home Media DVR
Word on the Vegas strip is that Verizon is just moments away from announcing that Home Media DVR customers will soon have remote scheduling access. In essence, the company is just now catching up with AT&T, being that remote DVR features have been available for all U-verse tiers via the web and cell at no charge. This service, however, will only be gratis for Home Media DVR users, and it will enable remote control service via the FiOS TV website or by using downloadable software on select Verizon Wireless handsets, including the LG enV2, LG Voyager and LG Chocolate 2 handsets. We'll keep our ear to the ground for a go-live date.
TiVo Mobile enables remote scheduling, program searches
Remote scheduling has been possible on TiVo boxes for years now, and Verizon Wireless users in particular have been able to do so on their mobiles since last March. Now, however, TiVo Mobile is making handset scheduling for Series2 / Series3 owners a cinch by opening up compatibility with all platforms, browsers and carriers. Slated to go live right about now, the m.tivo.com site will also let subscribers and non-subscribers alike "browse, search and discover television shows on the go," and while the current iteration is in "beta form," the final site should be rolled out within a few weeks. Give it a go -- just don't break anything in there, alright? Full release after the break.
