TiVo Delivers Domino’s

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Late last night, broadband-connected TiVo Series2/3/HD owners may have stumbled upon the new Domino’s widget. While we first caught wind of this in regards to the Austrailian TiVo service, US TiVo subscribers are first to tap into Domino’s online ordering system – requesting pizza from the comfort of their couch. However, I imagine online ordering via a web browser will still be more efficient. And my laptop is usually with me on the couch. (Not to mention, we haven’t ordered Domino’s in years. Though their new subs got my attention.) In a vacuum, this functionality isn’t so compelling. However, as part of the larger picture these sorts of practical (?) interactive experiences expand TiVo’s value prop and competitive differentiation. When giving the app a spin this morning, I discovered one of the first areas in need of improvement… Where’s the scheduled delivery option?

24 thoughts on “TiVo Delivers Domino’s”

  1. When we stumbled onto this last night, my kids immediate reaction was “that’s so cool”. I agree that it’s cool, but since we don’t usually order pizza from Dominos I doubt if we will try it out anytime soon.

    I was more curious about whether any other deals like this are in the works, either in direct partnership with Tivo, Inc or through a third party (such as apps.tv).

  2. I think apps.tv and other independent third party development is pretty much dead – TiVo’s focusing the “real” HME development with partners these days. And I assume they’ll continue working deals like these. My beef is the speed of the UI – a lot of these Java add-on widgets are slow to load and slow to operate as they pull network data.

  3. My immediate impulse is to ask if this is a collusionary, semi evil thing – if Papa John’s wanted in on this action would they be “locked out”?

    If I, the long suffering Consumer, have zero choice and I am at the mercy of whoever bribes TiVo with the most amount of cash to lock out the competition, then I see little or no value in it.

    Also, when ordering the pizza through TiVo does it prompt me to enter my address, even through TiVo already has that. If so ( and yes this is a big pet peeve of mine ) the feature is beyond useless and is to be classified as an “EPIC FAIL”.

  4. i think this would be great if it was anything other than Dominos. the Dominos near my house is quite shady. if it was pizza hut i would be allll over this, esp since you can save pizza configurations on their site. you could make your pizza once, save it, and re-order via tivo.

    and i still don’t have netflix on my tivo, that is more important anyways.

  6. Todd, you can create a Domino’s account online so you don’t have to enter the address via TiVo – just your login. And, no you’re not at the mercy of TiVo. Pick up your phone and call the local pizza joint.

  7. I think this has been the default app that people have always talked about with interactive TV, “you can order a pizza on your TV!”. This has a neat factor that shouldn’t be understated, but in the long run this doesn’t seem very practical. Why not order on the pizza place’s website instead?

  8. In most households, the TV can be powered on and in use in a matter of seconds, so using it to order a pizza is fairly efficient. Does anyone know if most non-techies still power down their computers when not in use? It would be very inefficient to order pizza via a web site of the computer has to be booted up first.

    Of course, how likely is it that a household that powers down their computer has a Tivo?

  9. The idea is cool, but I like Pizza Hut much better…I would be willing to try it if it were Pizza Hut, but I do not seem me using this to buy Domino’s

  10. I agree that TiVo’s fancy apps are darn slow. Haven’t tried this one though.

    At any rate, Pizza Hut makes ordering way easier — just create & nickname orders on their site and then any time later you can order by just texting them nickname of your order.

  12. In the name of science, I went ahead and placed an order. YouTube video above.) I set up my account via web browser to be efficient. Once you log in on the TiVo, it remembers you. And you can periodically check the in-progress status of your order via the app.

    First off, this is one of the most visually appealing HME apps I can recall. Second off, I was bummed they don’t offer subs – I guarantee we’d put this to use if they did. As we normally get our pizza from two local chains (Ledo’s, Armand’s). Third, we wanted a liter of Coke Zero but ended up stuck with two 20oz. bottles. Fourth, I just emailed TiVo and asked for a 3 month supply of Lippitor.

    Update That’ll be the first and last time I order Domino’s from my TiVo. The driver couldn’t find my building and the apartment number didn’t make it onto his label. The point of delivery is so *I* don’t have to hike up and down four flights of stairs and bundle up to brave the cold rain. But that’s exactly what I did for ten minutes trying to find the driver who was turned around in my neighborhood. Pizza was cold too. Bleah.

  14. This was available in South Africa in 2001 on DSTV(Satellite) and a phone line modem.
    With Debonairs(Pizzas), Nandos(Grilled Chicken) and Woolworths(Groceries)

  16. First- Ledo’s and Armand’s takes me right back to high school.

    Second- I find it hilarious that the fabled “order tv from your pc” app from the nineties is finally out there. I find it even funnier that it could actually get some traction now instead of being the butt of iTV jokes. At least it could if they get the delivery kinks worked out…

  17. Dave, that isnt a fair judge of the TiVo app…You would have had those same address/finding of your house problems ordering from dominos.com. That is just a problem in there online ordering system in general. The only fair complaint is the lack of subs and soda choices from the menu IHMO….But still I understand what your saying.

  18. Ben, I completely agree my delivery complaints are specific to Domino’s, not the TiVo app. However, the end result is the same for me – no more Domino’s. I’ll reconsider TiVo ordering if they add Pizza Hut. ;)

  23. 1) Wish it was Pizza Hut, 2) Wish Comcrap would get on board and do some fancy ITV stuff like this. Oh how I hate ComCRAP and their shitty guide.

  24. Ben, I completely agree my delivery complaints are specific to Domino’s, not the TiVo app. However, the end result is the same for me – no more Domino’s. I’ll reconsider TiVo ordering if they add Pizza Hut. I find it hilarious that the fabled “order tv from your pc” app from the nineties is finally out there. I find it even funnier that it could actually get some traction now instead of being the butt of iTV jokes. At least it could if they get the delivery kinks worked out…
    =======================================
    neeraj kuamr , lucknow
    hallucinating sapience

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