The iPhone DVR Remote Scheduling Apps

While TiVo may have been the first to offer remote scheduling, a number of television service providers have functionally leap-frogged them by offering dedicated iPhone DVR apps. Most of which take it to the next level with two-way communication, allowing one to view a list of previously recorded programming, view upcoming recordings, and delete recordings right from an iPhone.

Comcast mobile App
Comcast mobile App

Experience the best features of Comcast Digital Voice®, Digital Cable and High Speed Internet services on the go-right on your iPhone and iPod touch. Watch trailers for the latest movies available On Demand. Schedule programs to record on your DVR from your iPhone and iPod touch and view your upcoming recordings so you never miss a show again. (expected to be available to most markets by summer 2010)

Verizon FIOS DVR Manager
Verizon FiOS DVR Manager

FiOS is making its DVRs even more accessible by giving customers the ability to program them remotely through their mobile devices. That means that Verizon FiOS customers never have to worry about missing anything they want to watch, as they’ll always be able to set their DVRs to record from virtually anywhere they happen to be. It also means that customers can set parental controls, set bookmarks, browse and search TV programming, set a series recording, view the DVR status and see how much space is left for recording, browse and search VOD listings, and see their lists of scheduled and recorded programs.

DISH Remote Access
DISH Remote Access

Introducing DISH Remote Access – a whole new way to manage your DVR and record your favorite shows – anytime, anywhere with your iPhone™ or iPod touch®. With the touch of a fingertip you can easily browse the program guide, schedule DVR recordings and manage your DVR library as if you were at home. Manage recording conflicts, delete shows you’ve already watched, view and adjust your recording schedule.

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Virgin Media Launches Online Movie Rentals (UK)

Virgin Media has launched a browser-based movie streaming service, available to anybody in the UK — not just the cable provider’s own subscribers. It’s a pretty standard VOD affair: movies are available for rental-only, with prices for new releases set at £3.99 for 48 hours access once you press play. Content-wise, we presume it’s the same catalog as … Read more

Windows Home Server “Vail” Public Beta Available

The latest version of Microsoft’s Windows Home Server, dubbed “Vail”, was unveiled as a public beta. We Got Served has several nice write-ups going over the new features and providing walkthrough. Feature-wise I’m not shocked, but definitely dissapointed that Microsoft again left out Media Center functionality. Here’s what WeGotServed had to say about this omission: Let’s get one … Read more

SlingCommunity Shutting Down

Today marks the end of an era as the SlingCommunity shutters its doors. I assume this isn’t entirely voluntary on their part, given Sling Media’s recently launched Slingbox tech support-oriented forum. In fact, years of SlingCommunity content (215,000 posts) will vanish later today when their URL will begin redirecting all traffic to answers.slingbox.com.

As a very early Slingbox owner and, later, as a Sling Media employee, I have a pretty good handle on Sling’s forum arc.

The Slingbox was a hot topic of discussion on AVS Forum at launch in 2005. It’s where I got to know founder and CEO Blake Krikorian. And convinced him the office workers of the world needed a Windows 2000 client. And they turned one around in 48 hours. As the conversation grew, Sling approached the owners of AVS about cordoning off a dedicated Sling area. But they wouldn’t play ball. In fact, I got the sense they didn’t appreciate the company’s public contributions for whatever reason. So Sling took their cash elsewhere and partnered with Capable Networks, who launched the SlingCommunity.

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TiVo’s 802.11n Adapter Now Available ($90)

While it’s not exactly the first TiVo Premiere accessory on the market (that’d be the USB modem or any keyboard), TiVo’s 802.11n wireless adapter is now shipping. Order it online today from TiVo.com and Amazon for $90, or pick it up in person from Best Buy later this week. It should maximize, or at least enhance, the Premiere’s … Read more

Quest for the Perfect Netbook Upgrade

I’ve been hunting for a new netbook for about two months, and have come to the conclusion that my perfect model does not exist. My requirements don’t seem out of line to me, but apparently netbook makers don’t agree. I need a model with: a 10″ screen, 2GB RAM, a Pine Trail processor (or equivalent … Read more

iPhone Rhapsody Takes The Music Offline

Rhapsody’s iPhone app has been updated to more closely resemble their original mobile service by enabling offline listening. Music caching, originally alluded to in October, is limited to only playlists at the moment. While the service won’t truly be feature complete until album downloads are made available and Apple provides that multitasking this summer, at a lowered $10/mo, … Read more

Sirius XM Developing Android App

Sirus XM radio intends to launch a Google Android application, letting subscribers tune into 120 channels of commercial-free music and talk programming. The satellite radio network offers several subscription options for mobile users: An internet only plan or a discount on mobile service for existing satellite radio subscribers. Sirius XM offers 7 day free trial memberships so … Read more