TiVo Unveils New Interface (before completing existing)

From a European tradeshow, TiVo has dropped a brand-spanking-new user interface. And personalization features prominently in this dramatic, dual-axis, re-envisioning of the TiVo experience. From a user-customizable quick menu in the upper left to an expanded Discovery Bar that surfaces relevant content, TiVo “designed this UX so the viewer spends less time searching channel guides and opening apps and more time enjoying their favorite shows.”

Some highlights:

• Predictions – Beyond traditional recommendations, TiVo’s innovative new Prediction technology takes a user’s actual viewing habits and predicts the shows they most likely want to watch at that moment.
• Customizable shortcuts – Users now have more control over their viewing experience with customizable shortcuts on the Home screen and the ability to favorite the apps they most frequently visit, giving them quick access to their content across platforms and providers.

Sadly, TiVo is light on details on when or even if US retail customers will experience this new presentation. Although change is hard … and not all the feedback has been positive. Having said that, anything they push out is sure to improve app accessibility – something I’ve been harping on for years. And few usability test more than TiVo, so I chose to remain optimistic. Stay tuned?