FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog
March 11, 2005
TiVo + Apple: Match Made in Heaven?
Good commentary and debate taking place all over the web about whether Apple should purchase TiVo. What do you think? Would it be two cults joining forces to be a slightly bigger cult? Would it create the future of entertainment? Or would it be far less momentous and interesting than either extreme view?
Posted by David Lidsky at March 11, 2005 5:26 PM | Category: news + current events |
9 Comments
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I own both a G4 PowerBook and a Humax Tivo/DVDR. The Tivo is new this Christmas but I've used Apples since day one. I would love to see this marriage come off. Apple's digital hub concept would be greatly enhanced with this video option. Tivo would be great with an iTMS like video option. Just imagine. However, while I do think Apple could put together a superior product to the Tivo(think Apple mini-Tivo or iTivo), Tivo's got a built in base. The synergy, man. Also, Tivo's been actively perserving many patents for it's technologies. And particularly after today's stock drop (now on sale for $3.78) Tivo is a bargain.
Disclosure: I own a modest amount of both Apple & Tivo stock. (I buy stock in what I use and enjoy)
I think it would be a disaster for Apple to get involved with Tivo. That ship has sailed, due to the fact that almost all of the major Cable providers are now offering DVRs in their converter boxes, and that will take the lion's share of that business. Steer clear Apple!!
Tivo is not the better product between ReplayTv and Tivo.
But the best will come with Comcast's offer.
It is not good for Tivo,as comsumers know better.
I think that it is a wonderful idea. Tivo is a great tool that has a GREAT name. This would be the "Tipping Point" for Apple to get into the average household. Just think about the integration with iPod and iTunes with the Tivo. Stream music, video etc. with your iTivo and iTunes. Tivo to go on your ipod photo...i mean iPod video right! Go for it Steve, you can turn Tivo around.
This needs to be done. In order to bridge the last marketing mile, businesses need to get into a person's daily tasks:
1. Multimedia
2. Portable multimedia
3. Portable communication
What if...? - While listening to my future ipod, I pause a song and ask mypod, "Where is the cheapest pepperoni pizza in my neighborhood?"
What if...? - While watching tivo, it only advertised items that were relevant to my demographics?
I think it would be a great move for Apple to buy Tivo. Sure there is competition with cable providers. That is inevitable. Tivo is a strong brand. Two strong brands are better than one. Apple could capitalize on that.
I think it would be a great move for Apple to buy Tivo. Sure there is competition with cable providers. That is inevitable. Tivo is a strong brand. Two strong brands are better than one. Apple could capitalize on that.
Tivo has teamed up with Comcast to offer integrate with their DVR's. This was a brilliant move on the part of Tivo. Comcast is offering the set top boxes now and could easily eat into Tivo market share. Comcast gets to use the Tivo brand to sell more boxes. It's a win/win situation, but Tivo get's the better deal in this one.
Let's really think out of the box for a moment. What if we bought TV without advertising over the web....just like i-tunes. We dump comcast tv and download and pay for the episodes and watch them when we like. If we add up what cable costs a $1 an hour is not that much to ask. If this business model could work, forget tivo....i-TV by apple. Do we even need to purchase the episodes? How about renting them for a few viewings...Tivo is undermining the old model by allowing users to skip the commercials. Perhaps, Jobs will save the day again by paying the producers with i-TV revenue.