TiVo : TiVo Commander Android App

[Skie]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

As far as I understand it, it was found that the unofficial apps were causing issues with the stability of the TiVo boxes

Not having a go at you Ben, but that sounds like a line from the same team that said the VMNG300 can only manage 92meg on the network.

If I was a betting man, I'd wager its entirely down to copyright. I have a distant memory of VM mentioning having to make changes to tivos network sharing functionality because of concerns for copyright (ie, they didn't want people taking recorded content off the boxes and playing it on other devices or uploading it). So I can see them locking down access to only their own very limited apps.

But of course that is silly and removes a useful feature (content shifting). And of course, they could at least be honest about it. Would be interesting to see The Register take them to task for their claims about being open with the platform (100 apps?) and then doing this.

[andy_m]

I'd be inclined to bet the same way, were it not for the fact that it's also taking them so long to release their own apps. My money at the moment is genuinely on there still being no sight of this app appearing by the end of the year, or even at all. I just get the feeling that, not only do they not want us controlling Tivo with a third party app, they're not very keen on us doing it with their own app either. But I still don't know why that would be.

I hope I'm wrong, it's a fantastic selling point.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by denphone

You have to remember Tivo are very protective of their copyright as we have seen in the recent court cases.

They were patents, not copyright which I think is different

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Skie

If I was a betting man, I'd wager its entirely down to copyright. I have a distant memory of VM mentioning having to make changes to tivos network sharing functionality because of concerns for copyright (ie, they didn't want people taking recorded content off the boxes and playing it on other devices or uploading it). So I can see them locking down access to only their own very limited apps.

To be fair mate VM have to show concern over copyright after all they buy there content from the likes of Scripps , Sky , Disney Discovery , what do you think would happen if one of those content providers found out people were downloading shows to other devices without an agreement with VM ? I can assure you it wouldn't be you they'd take to court.

---------- Post added at 19:13 ---------- Previous post was at 19:10 ----------

Originally Posted by andy_m

I'd be inclined to bet the same way, were it not for the fact that it's also taking them so long to release their own apps. My money at the moment is genuinely on there still being no sight of this app appearing by the end of the year, or even at all. I just get the feeling that, not only do they not want us controlling Tivo with a third party app, they're not very keen on us doing it with their own app either. But I still don't know why that would be.

I hope I'm wrong, it's a fantastic selling point.

To be fair Andy it's not just VM , look at the complaints on the Sky help forum about the length of time it's taking them to release Sky Go on Android with the last update just saying it would be ready in the winter , I understand it's frustrating but unfortunately these things take time.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

To be fair Andy it's not just VM , look at the complaints on the Sky help forum about the length of time it's taking them to release Sky Go on Android with the last update just saying it would be ready in the winter , I understand it's frustrating but unfortunately these things take time.

Fair enough if it takes time, but don't screw up the workaround in the meantime.

This gets worse if when it is released its just going to be on Apple devices. It does indeed have all the signs of what Sky have done with Sky Go. They have no intention of ever releasing an Android app, just stringing the punters along with 'coming soon'. VM look to be going down the same road. Apple have friends/investors in very high places, this might have nothing to do with 'TiVo inc.' at all.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

To be fair Andy it's not just VM , look at the complaints on the Sky help forum about the length of time it's taking them to release Sky Go on Android with the last update just saying it would be ready in the winter , I understand it's frustrating but unfortunately these things take time.

Lets not be fair-how can I continue to tell you that Sky are rubbish and you should really be getting yourself a Tivo if Virgin aren't supporting it properly

Being fair, I do know that things take time. However, if you announce your intention to launch a product then I really think you should either be in a position to do so, or at least be close to it. Frustration doesn't come into it, it actually IS taking too long. What IS frustrating is the fact that they've reduced functionality for users not only before they've released their own app, but before they're even in a position to tell us when it might arrive.

Pretty poor however you look at it.

[Doz007]

At least Sky have managed to actually released 4 very high quality iPhone and iPad apps in the last year.....

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by andy_m

Lets not be fair-how can I continue to tell you that Sky are rubbish and you should really be getting yourself a Tivo if Virgin aren't supporting it properly

LOL may take more than a STB

[BenMcr]

BTW, it looks like the 'Net Remote' app still works (as does the iOS Peanut app) as they us a different method - not the undocumented MindRPC protocol

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...2&postcount=56

Has anyone who has had the update tried my Net Remote? I do not use the same protocol as TiVo Commander, I am using the interface on port 31339 which needs no authentication

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...0&postcount=57

Net Remote is still working with the new update

Also this post seems quite balanced and informative about things http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/.../983611#M41989

To me it seems to indicate that the update justed fixed SSL security on TiVo for the apps, more than anything else

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

BTW, it looks like the 'Net Remote' app still works (as does the iOS Peanut app) as they us a different method - not the undocumented MindRPC protocol

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...2&postcount=56

Has anyone who has had the update tried my Net Remote? I do not use the same protocol as TiVo Commander, I am using the interface on port 31339 which needs no authentication

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showp...0&postcount=57

Net Remote is still working with the new update

Also this post seems quite balanced and informative about things http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/.../983611#M41989

To me it seems to indicate that the update justed fixed SSL security on TiVo for the apps, more than anything else

Ben any idea whether the zeebox app works with TIVO as the iPad app appears to claim it does so long as you set your TV service to VM.

[BenMcr]

I don't have an iOS device so can't check

[ToonEll]

Zeebox works on the iPad with TiVo, only seems to change channel. Just checked it to my wife's annoyance.

[BenMcr]

Sounds like it's using the older protocol that doesn't require an SSL certificate then

[Doz007]

I've just downloaded the Zeebox app and it does indeed control the TiVo nicely whilst being a very slick and smooth app in it's own right!

I've made a little video to show the interface and box control.

http://youtu.be/tIgDiKpKtVc

[denphone]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

They were patents, not copyright which I think is different

Thanks Ben for pointing thicko in the right direction.