AppleInsider Staff
In a surprise move that answers a longstanding request from many end users, TiVo at CES 2019 announced plans to release a tvOS app that will allow Apple TV users to watch live and recorded content without investing in multiple TiVo set-top boxes.
TiVo demonstrated the app, which will also debut for Roku and Amazon's Fire TV, at its booth ahead of an anticipated launch in the second or third quarter of 2019, reports Zats Not Funny.
The app enables access to TiVo accounts from third-party hardware, meaning users can watch live programming and content stored through TiVo's DVR system. This added flexibility will allow users to run the service on multiple televisions without purchasing a first-party device like the TiVo Mini VOX. A software client solution also makes portability possible through third-party streaming sticks.
Currently, the only option to transport TiVo services to a second or third TV is through TiVo's own devices. The aforementioned TiVo Mini is the cheapest offering, but at $180 the solution is hardly ideal for houses with TVs in every room.
According to the report, the forthcoming TiVo apps will be free, with no monthly fees or charges added to TiVo's usual rates.
Users who elect to go the app route will have to cede a few features like 5.1 surround sound audio output and "SkipMode," which fast forwards through commercials. For many, however, the potential savings outweighs those creature comforts.
TiVo did not provide a firm launch date and instead provided an estimate between the second and third quarters of this year. A Fire TV app will arrive first, followed by a version for Roku and finally Apple TV, the company said.
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10 Comments
This TiVo app also looks very nice.
Between DirecTV Now, Spectrum, TiVo, Google TV, Hulu TV, Sling, PlayStation Vue, cord cutters rejoice with lots of options.
This will put pressure on all major cable companies to provide Streaming Apps.
Time will tell.
I’m not sure how this will work. TiVo just loves you to push lots of buttons to navigate their box. It takes 6 clicks, just to put it asleep & with that AppleTV remote, that’s gonna be real fun.
Day late and a dollar short?
But will the tvOS app support out-of-home streaming like the iOS app does? (The TabloTV app for tvOS doesn't support out-of-home streaming, to its detriment.)