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TiVo Mobile in the USA Today

The USA Today carries an article on TiVo Mobile today, which sounds like a WAP interface to TiVo Online, but only for Verizon customers. If you forgot to record something while you're away from your home, it can be useful to send off a recording request via your phone, but cellphone interfaces tend to be slow and tedious, so doing something like record the academy awards while you're eating lunch that afternoon could take a while. Other services such as BeyondTV's online scheduler offers WAP connections as well, so it's not exactly new.

TechDirt has more on this announcement, including the point that it costs $5 per month, which sounds like a terrible idea and a way to marginalize the service to very few users.

TiVo's own press release also mentions that it won't roll out until this summer.

by Matt Haughey March 7, 2006 in News

Comments

I understand it's Java not WAP. The WSJ says the deal is exclusive for only the first 60 days, so other cell carriers can make deals to provide it as well. I believe the news actually says it *may* cost *up to* $5 a month...

Posted by: Dave Zatz at Mar 7, 2006 12:38:15 PM

If Verizon is involved you knew it was going to cost you, they already disable features of their phones (like data transfers) so the only way you are getting that blurry 320x200 camera phone picture off of your phone, or getting a new ringtone onto your phone is to pay Verizon for the privelidge.

First TiVo partners with the PTC then they partner with Verizon, I'm almost afraid to find out who the next parnership is with.

Also, it seems that if your mobile device has a suitably capable browser you should be able to accomplish the same thing using TiVo Central Online or maybe the Yahoo! dealie.

Posted by: Robert Aitchison at Mar 7, 2006 12:49:32 PM

Nowhere does it say that it will cost $5 dollars....According the only pricing discussion I found is in The Wall Street Journal where Verizon execs are quoted as saying It will be priced at LESS than $5 a month...

Posted by: KB at Mar 7, 2006 3:01:17 PM

I was real excited about this. I have Verizon and can't use Google Maps on it and other things. I was happy to see this, but then saw the last sentence "Verizon's pricing for the service will be announced then, TiVo said." LOL, I don't know why I was surprised, as Verizon loves to charge everyone for everything. Oh well, I rarely use the Yahoo feature, so I wouldn't be willing to pay for this at all.

Posted by: Michael at Mar 7, 2006 3:26:54 PM

Get It Now applications from Verizon are all on the BREW platform - so not Java or WAP.

Posted by: Dan Entin at Mar 7, 2006 9:58:09 PM

The real wireless question is what company is making this service for TiVo? This certianly wasn't developed in-house. Anyone heard any good rumors?

Posted by: GadgetFreak at Mar 9, 2006 4:30:07 PM

Why do you say it wasn't developed in house? BREW isn't that complicated to develop in. TiVo obviously has a bunch of programmers on staff. Maybe making the mobile app is why Series 3 is taking so long... Ha.

Posted by: Jon Gales at Mar 9, 2006 6:36:53 PM