AT&T Homezone customers will able to…
use their mobile handsets to remotely view listings and schedule or delete recordings from their DVR set-top boxes. All that is needed is a WAP 2.0-enabled handset that lets subscribers access the AT&T-Yahoo portal.
As soon as I read that, my immediate thought was: Where’s the TiVo Verizon Java scheduling widget? Well, PVRWire reports something may be announced shortly:
Next week Verizon and Vodafone will launch a service allowing customers to program TiVo units by phone. Sprint plans to enter the remote recording market later this year.
I don’t see a whole lot of value in this feature, especially if TiVo partners follow through with the original proposed $5/mo fee. Scheduling by computer (or even DVR!) is sufficient for my needs. Besides, as a Slingbox owner (I’m a Sling Media employee), I already have total control of my DVRs (or Xbox 360) by phone.
I’ve received a tip that the Verizon/TiVo scheduling will cost $1.99/mo. Which is more reasonable than 5 bucks, but I wonder if there is a paying market out there for this service? I also wonder what the $2 split is between TiVo and Verizon?
Don’t forget that Beyond TV has had this functionality for a long time. You can view the TV Guide and schedule recordings with your web-enabled phone or a full-size version for the internet.
http://brentevans.blogspot.com/2007/03/schedule-beyondtv-recordings-from-your.html
tivo should just set up a WAP site for remote scheduling