TiVo’s soliciting feedback on the various ways they might implement sound within their next generation remote control. Of course, the obvious usage scenario is being able trigger an audible alarm when you’ve misplaced that iconic peanut under a couch cushion. But TiVo’s applied for some pretty crazy patents over the years, including the one for a RFID-capable remote that distinguishes family members… that could tie in nicely with those rumored user profiles.
While the FCC has granted TiVo (and others) an extension in defining and implementing an open IP-based set-top standard to move content around the home, it’s probably safe to assume they haven’t been sitting still and new DVR hardware has been under development. My TiVo Premiere was manufactured three years ago (12/09) and I’d say odds are good that we’ll see something new prior to the 6/14 deadline. But what I can’t tell you is if they’ll stick with their sluggish Flash-based platform or ever complete the HDUI. Some on the forums pine for a 6-tuner TiVo, but I’m not sure the retail market is large enough to support that. And, frankly, I’d be satisfied with what I consider requisite features on integrated WiFi and Bluetooth – to power this new remote (as the TiVo Slide is no more). Given prior allusions, it’s also probably safe to assume any new retail hardware would incorporate TiVo Stream capabilities. Of course, the TiVo interface needs tons more speed and stability as I’m sure I’m not the only one who moves to Roku and Apple TV for OTT content, like Netflix or YouTube, given TiVo’s poor performance and limited selection of apps. It’s also high time TiVo revamped their archaic photo and music sharing features and implement what my $50 Roku or standard Verizon FiOS HD STB offer in effectively beaming multimedia from smartphone to television… assuming full fledged DLNA is still too liberal an approach.
What else might we want from a new TiVo?
(Thanks Rajiv!)