Straying beyond its DVR STB for the first time, TiVo has unveiled its first streaming media hardware, the TiVo Stream, an Android-powered HDMI dongle. But instead of presenting an interface grid of varying streaming app icons, TiVo Stream will aggregate all content from the varying independent streaming providers—like as Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, and Hulu—under a single, content-centric user interface to make it easier for consumers to find what they want to watch.
The TiVo Stream, targeted at non-TiVo STB, non-smart TV owners, as a competitor to Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV streamer STBs, will go on sale in April at a promotional $49.99 launch price. Following the promotion, the price will rise to a standard $69.99 MSRP.
“With all the existing and new streaming services, there are too many front doors, too many silos,” noted TiVo’s VP of product management Chris Thun, “which presents a barrier to entry. How do you efficiently find what you want to watch?”
After initially signing into individual services and answering a number of content this-or-that A-B viewing desire choices, consumers will be presented with rows of content options, regardless of the streaming source they are available though, arranged to match a consumer’s viewing habits and subscriptions.
Also included is a Sling TV option, which means a variety of live TV options also will be available in the aggregated interface, as well as reminder alerts when a favorite show is about to air live.
TiVo is still determining if or how to bring this aggregated, content-centric interface to existing TiVo DVR STBs such as Bolt or Roamio.
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