Since this is Android based, any app available on Android should be able to work with this. (Hopefully they worked out a deal with Google to have the native Google apps as well). As long as Android continues to be a thing, that means the apps should stay updated as well.
This definitely plays to Tivo's strength of being able to curate content from all sources, and makes good on the promise of the Tivo Roamio. Since it is Android based, app support isn't an issue, it's simply now about writing the software to use the API's to determine where given content is. I particularly like that you can set up a "season pass" of sorts to be alerted when something shows up down the line on one of the streaming services, which is something nobody else is doing today. If they can support all of the streaming service providers, including DVR'ed content by them, this could be a win.
That being said, what does the business model look like? Is Tivo+ the ONLY way they make money on this, or will there be a subscription cost for the Tivo software? A $50 stick that curates all OTT services isn't a hard sell against Roku, Apple TV, Amazon, etc. But a $50 stick that also costs even $5 a month is a non-starter for me, since Roku, AppleTV, and Amazon all offer "good enough" versions of this with no monthly fee. Apple does it with no advertising, while Roku and Amazon do it with advertising for other apps/channels on the respective platforms.
But a $50 stick that also costs even $5 a month is a non-starter for me, since Roku, AppleTV, and Amazon all offer "good enough" versions of this with no monthly fee. Apple does it with no advertising, while Roku and Amazon do it with advertising for other apps/channels on the respective platforms.
But AFAICT, the lack of Netflix integration is Netflix's choice. I'm not sure why they would choose differently for TiVo, and that appears to be merely supposition on his part ("... very likely including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime at launch.").
(Apple TV does find content within Netflix, it just doesn't let you track it in "Up Next", as it does with other services. (Actually, maybe it works now? I just tried an Apple TV search for "House of Cards", and got an "Add to Up Next" button. Or maybe it's just the automatic tracking that doesn't work (i.e. start watching from the Hulu app, for example, and Apple TV already knows about it -- this didn't work with Netflix). Hmm...))
According to CNET, no Tivo hardware compatibility at the start, as this was built "from the ground up" but it's on the roadmap. So who knows if that will mean months or years.
Wonder if this will allow you to stream TO the device? ie: Downloaded Netflix/Amazon content onto iPhone/iPad, you can share/send to a Roku/Fire TV stick currently)
If the promise holds true, yeah. Having all your streaming providers integrated into a single TiVo interface, including live TV and live grid guide functionality courtesy of Sling TV.
This promises to be a good transition tool for those who are currently cable or satellite subscribers, who have been put off by the state of streaming providers as they are now.
And so, TiVo now is trying to play catch-up with Roku, Amazon/Fire TV, Apple TV, etc., and to be better than them.
A good deal of this seems to turn on (from the various articles):
Unlike nearly every other streaming player on the market, TiVo has come up with a single, cohesive menu for browsing across streaming services, starting with Sling TV and very likely including Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and Amazon Prime at launch.
"With TiVo Stream 4K, we have created a dramatically better experience for viewers who are tired of hunting through apps and interfaces to find the amazing content available through online content providers," Shull said in announcing the product.
Unfortunately, the precursor to this, TiVo+, has been less than successful and seemingly far from the organized, cohesive experience Shull evangelizes. And, if I'm understanding correctly, this all comes with a further subscription cost, for Sling TV, the only confirmed partner in this, as of now.
If successful, it could be superb. But the proof is in the pudding and execution. Certainly, TiVo+ hasn't been a good and promising starting point.
Hopefully, this leads to improvements in that area. I would need to see it work reliably on a current DVR before I would believe that it would work any differently on the new streamer.
"With TiVo Stream 4K, we have created a dramatically better experience for viewers who are tired of hunting through apps and interfaces to find the amazing content available through online content providers," Shull said in announcing the product.
Suspected it would be a licensed platform. If true, then it should be capable of native mpeg2 playback and wouldn't have to require transcoding to function as a Mini -- IF/When they eventually get around to it.
I might get one of these. I sold my Tivo system. I switched to YTTV. I see the Google Voice button. And it's AndroidTV. I'm thinking this will work really with YTTV ....assuming it supports it. AT least I would like to see if it does. And it's only $50 with a Tivo remote even.
Not that I need it. I have 2 appletvs and Roku built-in to a 3rd tv.
It's strange to see the media fawning over a Tivo product since it's been so long since they have released anything decent. The last worthwhile device was the Tivo Mini after that everything went to sh-t IMHO.
All the folks reviewing this product seem to be suffering from acute malignant optimism, thanks to Rex Stout for the phrase . Have none of them examined the TiVo track record?
Because they dont want to force people into paying for local channels they already get with an antenna. Like me. And I use a airtv/dvr with sling so its all there in one guide.
The way it should be. Sling is the least bundled service out there.
In addition to my 2 Bolts and 3 minis, I've also been planning for a post-cable future by subscribing to AT&T TV Now.
Please Tivo, also support AT&T.
With that aside, I sure also hope they allow it to stream stuff as if it was a Tivo Mini... seems like a great way to capitalize on your existing retail customers (shrinking yes, but we still exist).
That's probably more in AT&T's hands. They have yet to offer their AT&T TV app for Android TV in the Google Play Store. Instead, they've done something kinda sorta similar to TiVo here by producing their own customized Android TV streaming device specifically for use with AT&T TV. You never know with AT&T but my hunch is that's all they plan to do for Android TV. They really want their customers to use their own streaming device but they're also relenting to market realities by supporting the popular Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku platforms too. Android TV devices sold at retail (such as the Nvidia Shield TV, Mi Box, and TiVo Stream 4K) haven't proven very popular so far.
Has Chromecast support. Wonder if it will also have Google Stadia support (currently supported by Chromecast Ultra and rumoured to be supported in upcoming Android TV v 11 -- may need HDMI 2.1 support for Stadia).
As a prior poster said, it'd be so cool if they could get HDHomeRun integration too... heck for that matter (since they already have the slingTV "in") why not also support the AirTV hardware as a way to feed it live-tv?
This device has potential. If it is a re-badged AirTV Mini with new software, that may be good thing. I have that device and it is a good little performer. Which providers are going to be cooperating with this venture? That is the key. If the majors all hop in, this could be the most exciting $50 device we've ever seen!
Yeah, I'm wondering whether or not TiVo has actually nailed down agreements with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO, etc. to participate in TiVo's UI on this device that integrates all those sources for easy tracking, browsing and searching of content across providers. Maybe they're just showing at CES what they *hope* it will look like at launch if all those key apps opt-in?
So far, I don't think any of the major players has achieved that on any streaming device. Apple has come closest with their TV app but Netflix refuses to fully participate.
It's too bad they choose Sling TV as their preferred subscription TV partner for streaming live TV. Sling doesn't have any local channels! YouTube TV and Hulu Live much better services, hopefully you'll also have the option to access them.
You can download the YouTube TV and Hulu apps from the Google Play Store on the TiVo Stream 4K. It's just that your use of those live streaming TV services will be contained inside their own apps (just the same as if you used those apps on a Roku).
With Sling, the service feeds into TiVo's own UI, so you can access Sling's live channels as well as the TiVo+ free channels from TiVo's own grid guide.
So, the ability to use Youtube TV and access Disney+ will be available from the start (albeit just as an individual "app")...the real point is on "integration" within the TiVo UI & Search. Given that the voice integration is using Google Assistant with API tie-ins into the TiVO UI, I assume the same voice assistance may be able to discover and access content from any standard play-store "apps" that tie into Google Assistant and Android TV api's already on their own?
For $50, I'll be glad to play. And the fact they plan to raise the price to $69, I'll get it upon release.
The only real disappointment is that it won't pull from existing TiVo DVRs and provide "Mini" like functionality. The only thing that is noted in the article is that functionality is "in the roadmap". I assume they wanted to focus first and foremost on cloud live tv and cloud dvr with a partner that likely is going to give them money for every subscriber.
Hilarious. So it can't access their own products, but if this is right we can install HD HomeRun and Channels DVR apps to stream from HD HomeRun boxes instead.
Sad. And way late. I waited and waited, and tried and tried to get TiVo working well with streaming. At this point I've installed Fire TV throughout the house, including Fire TV integrated TV sets, and that's all we'll need here for years.
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