By Richard M. Sherwin
 

Tivo’s back. Well I hope. Claiming it’s a combination of consumers’ favorite streaming products like Roku, Apple TV, Slingbox and your home DVR, TiVo announced a bevy of new products based on its proprietary digital video patents.

Dubbed Roamio, the new TiVo line replaces its’ disappointing Premier line of products that while slightly ahead of its time when launched a few years ago, never lived up to expectations.

Led by Roamio Pro DVR ($599.99, the flagship of the totally new TiVo line, the new DVR offers more programming than most set top boxes and includes a Wi-Fi based streaming service to enable your programs to be viewed anytime and anywhere.

Our big complaint about the previous streaming products from TiVo was that they were modem based and not WiFi  and since most people don’t have modems near their TVs, these old streaming devices were useless to many people.

“Our consumer responses indicated that we needed to make that type of change so we did,” said a TiVo spokeswoman.

But a TiVo senior executive also noted that the whole line needed some upgrading and they really worked hard the last few years preparing these new products.

“TiVo is offering unprecedented access to television content at home or on the go with home streaming. In addition, through integrations with the top content providers including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube, our extra Apps meet the criteria of even the most sophisticated consumer; “ said TiVo vice president Jim Denney.

“We have deals with more than 13 cable companies, and a redesigned search interface and we are making an unprecedented investment in the launch of this new product because the company believes it is the most significant development since our  original DVR revolutionized TV viewing.”

TiVo, which has been on the brink of being sold, closed down and merged in its 16 year history, tried to revive the company a few years ago with a product called

Premier which was the first DVR to allow recording of up to four channels at one time, but it was hampered by very slow channel switching, sluggish programming and other anomalies because if its disappointing cloud based and cable card operations.

Outside of a few cable deals with RCN, Comcast and Cablevision, the company has never really caught on with the cable providers.

However, Roamio becomes the first DVR to offer six channel recording, 450 hours of HD recording using a special 3 terabytes of storage. TiVo claims to have also improved on its search channel and spotlighting techniques and record functions making it easier to find a program, record, download or stream it all in one maneuver.

TiVo will launch this product at selected retailers with smaller recording capacity units too. The entry level non streaming TiVo Roamio DVR costs $199.99. The TiVo Roamio Plus DVR ($399.99). The Plus  and Pro models have integrated TiVo Streaming capability.

For video demo please go to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vlkr7x7t5wa6vzb/MnGUg5wlkk/B%20Roll

Bytes and Pieces:

• Demonstrating what is possible when breakthrough technology meets breathtaking design, Samsung announced the availability of its first-ever Curved OLED TV in the United States. An unprecedented leap forward for picture quality, sharp contrast and a whole new way to experience television, the KN55S9C is also the first TV to feature MultiView capabilities with Full HD and stereo sound.
  • Driving an RV or towing a recreational vehicle of any size can be very challenging on today’s crowded roadways. It is important to give RVers the best navigational tools and features for the safest journey.

The All New 7-inch Magellan® RoadMate RV 9365T-LMB Navigator, provides Magellan’s leading safety, convenience and trip-planning features to drivers of RVs and towing vehicles. The ideal travel companion for drivers of motorhome class vehicles and those who tow other recreational vehicles such as fifth-wheel or boats, it helps plan trips and promotes safety while on the road.

• LG Electronics’ SHO SYNC, a new app developed in partnership with SHOWTIME Networks, is available on LG Smart TVs via LG’s new Live Plus synchronous interactive platform. It gives broadcasters, cable networks and other program providers the ability to enhance viewers’ TV experience with interactive content tailored to each SHOWTIME series.

• Redbox Instant by Verizon, now available on late model Roku set top boxes, brings together the best of both worlds… new releases at the box plus instant access to streaming movies. Subscribers get 4 DVD credits every month plus an online library of hit movies for just $8 a month.
  • Reacting to Wal-Mart’s ever growing line of affordable and downright cheap but good Android Tablets, and the back to school, back from vacation rush to retail, Hisense announced that it is offering the new Sero 7 LT for $79 (was $99) and the Sero 7 Pro for an impressive $129 (was $149) – becoming the most affordable, high-performance companion on the market for students of all ages.

• Sony is raising the status of its VAIO^® Duo, Pro and Fit notebook models by releasing a limited number of rich and exotic VAIO^®  red edition PCs that provide users a premium experience from color and design to performance and support.

•  LG Electronics unveiled its latest flagship smartphone LG G2, the first smartphone introduced under LG’s new “G” Series for premium devices. The G2 is the Korean giant’s attempt to thwart arch rival Samsung’s Galaxy Note and upcoming even larger Galaxy Hybrid.

The LG G2 shifts the paradigm in smartphone design by placing all the buttons on the rear of the device, making this the first smartphone to be completely devoid of side buttons. The unique Rear Key concept came from the realization when studying users that the larger the phone became, the more difficult it was to properly access the side keys. Moving the main buttons to the back of the phone gave users more control since this place was where individuals’ index fingers are naturally located. Researchers found that moving the buttons also resulted in fewer dropped phones when adjusting the volume while talking.  Long-pressing on the rear-mounted volume keys allows users to launch QuickMemo and the camera, making note taking and photo capturing even easier than before. And if the LG G2 is lying on a surface face up, there’s no need to lift the phone to access the power button on the back. With KnockON, the LG G2 can be powered on simply by tapping twice on the display.

• Samsung ATIV S Neo, the second Windows Phone 8 smartphone from Sprint, is available now at Sprint Stores, Business Sales, Web Salesand Telesales at 1-800-SPRINT1, for $149.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade, two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate via reward card.
  • Canon’s new EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM telephoto zoom lens is the perfect companion lens for the EOS 70D, EOS Rebel SL1 and EOS Rebel T5i Digital SLR cameras. The EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens expands Canon’s line of Stepping Motor (STM) lenses to six models – the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, EF-M 22mm f/2.0 and the new EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens.  Canon’s Stepping Motor lenses allow for the capture of high-quality still and video images and reduce motor noise from the lens so cameras, such as the new EOS 70D, will capture the sound of the video scene being recorded without the interruption of noise by the focusing motors.

Canon also introduced its PIXMA Wireless Inkjet Photo All-in-One Printers, the MG7120 and MG5520, equipped with AirPrint* wireless printing. This built-in feature enhances allows users to print wirelessly from an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Ideal for a variety of at-home or office-related tasks, AirPrint provides the convenience to wirelessly print photos, email messages, documents and more without the need to download software or install additional device drivers. AirPrint is available on the iPad (all models), iPhone (3GS and later), and iPod touch mobile digital devices (3rd generation and later) and requires iOS 4.2 (or later).

(*) Richard Sherwin’s last corporate position was with the original Philips-TiVo team that developed TiVo in the late 1990s.