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TiVo issues 30 for 30 interactive ad challenge to shift how brands buy advertising
The way TiVo sees things, advertisers shouldn't foolishly pay for ads no one is watching thanks to their DVRs, when they could use the same money to pay TiVo -- a DVR company -- for special ads DVR users are more likely to see. At least that's what we're getting from their recently announced 30 for 30 interactive ad challenge, which involves asking advertisers to move money from poorly performing prime-time 30-second TV spots and instead put it towards buying 30 days of ad exposure on TiVo. For those unfamiliar with TiVo's ad offerings, this exposure appears as clever advertisements shown in places such as the pause menu and home screen, or via special placements through fast-forward billboards and interactive tags that appear during regular commercials. While this may be bad news for TiVo's commercial-hating users who bought the device to avoid ads in the first place, depending on the trial's success, we're hoping TiVo could earn enough dough to drop the monthly subscription fee -- that is as long as VOD doesn't make the discussion moot. Sure the concept is crazy enough to make even Joseph Heller proud, but thankfully whatever happens, there's still HBO.
TiVo Premiere Pandora app now available
TiVo mentioned it would have Pandora streaming when the TiVo Premiere was originally launched, and today it's issued a press release say it's finally available. Official announcement or not, actually accessing it on one of the boxes has been hit or miss this AM, as ZatzNotFunny mentions along with word that it will eventually arrive of the Series3/HD boxes at some point as well. Check them out for a few more screens, if you haven't already run to the living room and tuned in to your carefully crafted Kings of Leon custom station -- we won't judge.
TiVo tries a 'limited test' of free-on-contract DVRs
Our keen eyed friend Dave Zatz spotted an offer that popped up on TiVo's homepage over the weekend, offering customers the opportunity to obtain a TiVo Premiere DVR for zero dollars down, with the caveat that they would be locked into paying $19.99 a month for service for the next two years. That's a slight bump over the regular $12.95 per month (currently offered at $9.95) service fee, but nothing unreasonable if you do the math. Getting a $299 box for an extended $240 payment over two years sounds nice there is one gotcha here -- after the two years, customers are automatically resubscribed at the $19.99 rate, not the standard $12.95 fee. Once you've figured out the amortized rates and break even points (cancellation means paying $300 for the DVR minus $7 for each month that's already gone by) move fast if interested, as TiVo's PR team told Yahoo! News the deal was a "test" that would end within a week, but it still presents an interesting question. Does the possibility of buying a DVR like we buy our cellphones make TiVo's hardware more or less attractive in your eyes?
Cox to offer retail TiVo Premiere DVRs next year, first with cable VOD & Amazon, Netflix access
TiVo users, even with boxes provided by their cable company in the case of RCN and Comcast, have so far had to make a compromise: Choose their cable company's video on-demand offerings, or bring their own DVR and access online video from sources like Amazon and Netflix -- but that's no longer the case. Cox and TiVo have reached an agreement -- sound familiar? -- that will see allow retail CableCARD equipped TiVo Premiere DVRs to access Cox's VOD, as well as all that over the top internet video we've come to love. The SeaChange powered VOD will work similarly to RCN's, but we're waiting to see if this can give the new universal search an extra source to pull from as well. The deal also means Cox will cross promote the TiVo in its own marketing, and provide free installs for units purchased at Best Buy and other outlets including the TiVo website. The only bad news here? While TiVo plans to start testing later this year, it won't see a wide rollout (in "all major markets") until 2011. Check out the press release for all the details before calling your cable company, why should Cox customers get to choose between two different modernized, integrated set-top box platforms while the rest of us are stuck with interfaces and access rules that have been around since before the X-Games?
RCN launches TiVo in Chicago, credits positive customer response for accelerated rollout
Completing a process that began in April, RCN now offers the TiVo Premiere in all of its markets. Following up D.C., New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Lehigh Valley, PA, Chicago's launch includes some demo time at the RCN Booth during Northalsted Market Days this weekend. Of course, this unit still differs from retail models like the one we reviewed because it adds RCN VOD access and subtracts internet offerings from Amazon and Netflix, plus it doesn't yet run the new Flash based UI -- which may be a good thing. While we wonder what the pair will pull out of their bag next, interested customers can hop over to RCN's website and get to ordering, the pricing should be very familiar by now.
Two notes on the rumors that Apple and TiVo are working together on the next-gen Apple TV
So there's a random rumor floating around Wall Street today that TiVo and Apple are working in concert on the next-gen Apple TV -- it's gotten enough traction to boost TiVo stock by around seven percent as of this writing. Of course, it's not the first time TiVo / Apple rumors have gotten some traction, but two things make the whispers particularly suspect this go-around: TiVo's entire UI is now based on Flash. Here is a link to our TiVo Premiere review. Nothing has changed. Of course, anything's possible -- Apple just bought Lala, which used a Flash-based music player, and TiVo is licensing its software to third parties like Best Buy now -- but it's hard to ignore those two facts and Steve Jobs putting down TiVo's entire business model at D8 by saying "no one wants to buy a box," no matter how much we want to be in love with love. We're thinking Apple's got something rather bigger than just another DVR in mind for the next-gen Apple TV, but we'll see -- heaven knows TiVo needs all the help it can get right now.
RCN offers TiVo Premiere in Boston; Philadelphia, Chicago are next
For your daily TiVo update, those RCN distributed Premiere units have found their way up to Boston after first being unleashed in Washington D.C. and New York City. The blog post mentions Chicago, Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania will be next, and a bit of URL finagling on RCN's website easily reveals promotional pages for those areas. The 12 month promo deals vary by location, but if you're just adding the box to current service, the $19.95 fee is consistent, as is the classic TiVo menu. Of course, over the top video options are still limited to YouTube and cable VOD, but we're wondering if RCN will get the same multiroom tweaks Suddenlink has promised.
TiVo Premiere to receive yet another performance and stability update
Tweets by TiVo's VP of user experience hinting that the TiVo Premiere would receive its third software update to improve stability and performance have been officially confirmed by TiVo. This should be good news to users still frustrated by the Premiere's sluggish menu performance and tendency to lock up -- although we can't blame skeptics for remaining stoic considering these issues were supposed to be fixed in the last update. Unfortunately there's also no official word on when to expect the release, or whether it'll roll out in waves like other TiVo updates. While we're normally all for improved performance via software tweaks, we can't help but scratch our heads at TiVo's previous attempts to bring the Premiere up to a reliable and glitch free user experience. -- TiVo's hesitancy to advance the product through additions like the long awaited Pandora integration is also troubling. Here's hoping the trend gets bucked on both counts in this upcoming release.
Suddenlink to lean on TiVo for DVRs, non-DVR set tops and multiroom
There's no news on the DirecTiVo, Cox or Comcast TiVo fronts, but it appears Suddenlink is following RCN as the latest domestic provider to offer the company's DVRs to its customers, complete with access to its video on-demand offerings. TiVo Premiere DVRs (with the Flash-based new UI instead of the old one currently on RCN boxes) should roll out at some point in "certain markets" in the fourth quarter with multi-room features, with expanded deployments in 2011, including the development of a "whole home solution" next year. Of course, a retail box may still be in your future if you prefer Amazon and Netflix movie access to cable VOD (including Blockbuster) since the press release only mentions interactive apps from YouTube, Pandora, Rhapsody and Fandango. No word on price either, but frankly we're more interested in that whole home setup -- even with this, overseas dealings and link up with Best Buy's Insignia brand we're just not ready for the idea of TiVo moving beyond DVRs.
Comcast adds TiVo Series 3, Premiere boxes to the 3D compatible list
Last week ESPN 3D launched, and Comcast's information indicated many users with older cable boxes wouldn't be able to get on the action without an upgrade. The good news for TiVo owners is that information has since been updated and now TiVo Series 3 / HD and TiVo Premiere units are on the approved list for 3DTV broadcasts. We're not sure exactly what the hangup might have been and how it was resolved, but if you've got one of those DVRs hooked up to a 3DTV and Comcast service, it's definitely time to get on the phone and have the channel activated so you can watch the World Cup properly.
TiVo Desktop Software hits version 2.8.1, adds folder view from PC, export for iPad, Pre & more
The latest version (2.8.1) of the TiVo Desktop software is official, and it's added a few new features in both its free edition and the upgraded Plus package. The basic software has added a few additional settings, but the most notable is the ability to view folders on a PC from the DVR itself. Those paying $24.95 for TiVo Desktop Plus should notice increased video quality on PSP TiVoToGo exports, plus new profiles for the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, DROID, Pre and several Blackberry models. Dave Zatz has already gotten his hands on the latest version, reporting some issues connecting to a TiVo Premiere; hit the download page for your own copy and let us know how it works.
TiVo Slide QWERTY Bluetooth remote appears on the FCC test bench
The TiVo Premiere experienced a rough introduction to the world earlier this year, as its early software revisions exposed some rough edges and performance issues, but we hope that's not the case for the yet-to-debut TiVo Slide remote. Since we got our hands on one at CES it's only appeared in glossy press pics but the road to store shelves and easy video on-demand browsing means a pit stop on the FCC's test bench where its manual and insides have been pulled apart for the world to see. It can work as a standard and learning remote over IR but that keyboard is only operational over Bluetooth (you can, of course, bring your own in the meantime.) Dig through the gallery for all the information available -- the only thing we didn't find was a shipping date or a price tag. %Gallery-94905% %Gallery-94908%
RCN starts offering TiVo Premieres in NYC
RCN's Netflix, Amazon VOD and HD UI-lacking TiVo Premiere boxes are now available to Empire State customers, the first region outside of Washington D.C. to get access. It looks like the bundle packages vary from D.C.'s slightly based on internet speed, but adding a Premiere on is still a $19.95 per month charge. So New York City TiVo fans, the choice is yours: RCN's VOD or everyone else's, which do you prefer? [Thanks, Dave Zatz]
TiVo Premiere patched to version 14.4 for better performance
Say hello to another software update for the TiVo Premiere, now up to version 14.4. TiVo reps tell ZatzNotFunny that it's still only running on one processor core, but reports indicate speed has been noticeably improved on the new HD menu system. Considering that's likely one of the main reasons for people to purchase the new boxes it's a very good sign for this "performance and stability" update, but don't get too excited, it could take a while before the phased rollout reaches your box. Anyone out there already living the 14.4 lifestyle want to report in on what it's like?
TiVo's $90 Wireless N Network Adapter now available
Took you long enough, eh TiVo? Just under five months after the AN0100 802.11n WiFi adapter splashed down in the FCC's database, the company responsible for the Premiere has finally decided to ship this here dongle. The newly christened TiVo Wireless N Network Adapter is designed to function with all dual-tuner TiVo boxes (though it won't play nice with the DirecTV DVR with TiVo), enabling those who'd rather not run a 50 foot Ethernet drop to still access web features. Fortunately, it's available now for those who've waited; unfortunately, it'll cost you a staggering $89.99. Check it out now from TiVo's website or pick it up later this week at your local Best Buy.
How would you change the TiVo Premiere?
TiVo loyalists have waited a long, long time for this. The Premiere is marketed as the DVR to end all DVRs, and unlike those plain-jane boxes served up at your local pay-TV provider, there's actually a decent amount of ingenuity within TiVo's freshest set-top box. Unfortunately, those good intentions didn't really lead to a beautiful implementation, and we found quite a few bones to pick during our time with it. Make no mistake -- TiVo's still charging a small fortune for the privilege of using its user interface and hearing its bloops and beeps, and frankly, we expected more for the premium. Are you in the same boat? Couldn't disagree more? We're anxious to see how you'd retool the Premiere if given the opportunity, and what you'd do differently now that you've been relying on it for the past couple of months. Go on, comments are waiting for you.
RCN ready to ship TiVo Premiere DVRs in D.C.
Washington D.C. residents who want TiVo and their cable company's video on-demand are in luck -- our friends at ZatzNotFunny gave us the heads up they're the first to get access to RCN's Premiere box. Of course, you don't get the slick new HD interface (yet) but all in all that could be a good thing. The pricing breakdown is above with a $5 premium for existing customers to ditch the old Motorola box -- don't hurt your fingers clicking through too fast, please.
TiVo Premiere's RCN VOD menu is based on the classic interface
Oh TiVo we'd really beat you up about this one if the new HDUI wasn't so painfully slow. We'd love to go on and on about how lame it is to be upconverting a UI even though HD has been around for years and how sick we are of that 10 year old TiVo interface. But no, instead we're just happy that at least some cable viewers will have access to VOD on a 3rd party device, and no matter how bad it looks, we wish every provider made the effort that RCN did to bring all of its services to every device on its network. We're also happy to read that no matter how bad it looks to us, it is an upgrade from the existing RCN VOD interface and is much more responsive than the TiVo Premiere's HDUI -- RCN does expect to roll out a version with the new UI in the 3rd quarter of this year.
TiVo Premiere is updated and expanded, but is it ready?
It's not streaking through downtown Dallas remaking Matt & Kim videos just yet but after an uneven start the TiVo Premiere continues to evolve, this time towards something with even more capacity and (hopefully) less lockups. ZatzNotFunny mentions a new software update to version 14.1c has gone live this weekend which is intended to fix lockups some customers are experiencing with more revisions promised over the coming weeks and months to address various performance and stability issues. Forum reactions are mixed, with some dropping back to the old UI for more stability and speed but if you're living the Premiere lifestyle let us know how things are going for you. Those still on the outside looking in who haven't been scared off by the growing pains can also consider a few new larger capacity options courtesy of longtime modder/reseller WeaKnees, now ready to deliver units with up to 2TB of storage internally or even externally for those who like it like that -- you know who you are.
TiVo Premiere unearths hidden power: USB keyboard functionality
One of our bigger gripes with the TiVo Premiere was the lack of an included QWERTY remote and how cumbersome it was to use search with the directional pad. Fortunately, while we wait for the official peripheral, it seems our old friend Dave Zatz has been snooping around the internet searching for alternatives -- and best of all, he's found 'em. Turns out even a wireless keyboard will do the trick, with the directional pad and alphanumeric keys working as expected and the function keys serving as shortcuts. Some other hidden functionality should pave the way for Android and iPhone apps to do the trick, but in the meantime, our run-of-the-mill USB keyboard worked just fine. Watch Zatz's proof of concept with an off-the-shelf Arc Keyboard after the break.
