PVRBlog: Here’s the rumor: Apple will be licensing TiVo patented technology for iTV. Last summer TiVo was hiring Mac programmers, but I figured that was just for TiVo Desktop support. People won’t pay a couple hundred bucks just to have a device that plays iTunes Store purchases on their TV — it has to do other stuff, but will it be TiVo recording TV for you? I’d wager it’s got about a 25% chance of being true but hey, I’d love to be wrong on it and see what launches next month at Macworld SF.
Davis Freeberg: While this is only in phase one rumor status right now, it certainly would make a lot of sense and could benefit both companies. If this rumor does turn out to be true, it would certainly create a lot of buzz for the product. Few brands carry as dedicated a fanbase as Apple or TiVo and by combining their technologies, it would undoubtably create an internet superpower when it came to the coverage. While we’ll likely need to wait until Macworld to find out if there is any truth behind this, if it turns out to be true, it would certainly represent a key breakthrough for TiVo and would create a compelling reason for people to use their standalone DMR product over the generic cable boxes.
TiVo Community: This could make some sense though. I have said all along that Apple has no desire to be in the DVR business as they would rather open up more business for the iTunes download business model with the iTV. So why not just contract to someone with obvious expertise in DVRs to add that function and let the Apple developers stick to their core competence as well, which includes making and selling the hardware.
Dave: Hahahohohoheheha. No. Not gonna happen. 0% chance Apple’s iTV sports a TiVo interface. In the unlikely scenario of iTV venturing into DVR functionality, it’s entirely possible Apple would license various TiVo time shifting related patents to avoid the mess Echostar finds themselves in. But no TiVo interface. Never. At this point, Apple does not need higher profile technology partners… why dilute their own brand?