For TV die-hards, and cord-cutters to a certain extent, TiVo remains the industry standard for capturing and consuming content. That’s not to say the competition hasn’t caught up as nearly every provider offers similar DVR features in an in-house package. But TiVo still shines with its powerful search, fun interface and iconic sound effects.
TiVo is today announcing the latest iteration of its popular Bolt set-top boxes, bringing voice-controlled functionality, full 4K support across the entire lineup and a new remote. Those sticking with the previous generation models will also be receiving an update as a part of today’s announcement as well.
Officially, TiVo is revealing its Bolt Vox DVR alongside the new Vox Mini. The biggest change that users will notice right off the bat is a refreshed remote with a glowing blue button. That’s where the integrated microphone comes to life, allowing users to call up shows, recordings and even fast forward with a simple voice command.
TiVo is also banking on new intelligent learning features that will offer personalized recommendations based on past voice searches. At this time, TiVo has not offered any comment on potential privacy concerns that come with an always-on remote.
The Bolt Vox will be available in three different sizes, starting with a 500GB model that stores upwards of 75 hours worth of HD content. It will sport four integrated tuners like the 1TB model that can handle up to 150 hours. Jumping up to the 3TB model delivers six tuners and enough room for 450 hours worth of entertainment. The largest capacity only supports digital cable, dumping the over-the-air tuner. Prices start at $200, with the higher-end models going for $299 and $499, respectively. TiVo’s smaller Mini Vox sells for $180.
Along with today’s new hardware, TiVo is introducing a fresh user interface that focuses on larger graphics that Apple TV users will find familiar. Larger poster art, sports team logos and more “help viewers find content faster than ever.” A new QuickView feature lets users see what is playing on different tuners and favorite channels while still viewing their current content of choice.
The good news for some existing customers is that voice control will be available as an upgrade on select models. TiVo’s new Vox remote with voice control can be purchased separately for $39.99 allowing previous generation Bolt, Roamio and some Mini customers the ability to add this functionality.
TiVo’s latest Bolt Vox is available for pre-order today at Amazon.
[9to5-press-release]
TiVo Unveils VOX Lineup with Voice-powered Next Generation TiVo Experience
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– TiVo Corporation (NASDAQ: TIVO), a global leader in consumer TV entertainment technology and viewer experiences, today introduced several exciting additions to the TiVo® consumer product family – the TiVo BOLT VOX™ and TiVo Mini VOX™. The latest device lineup includes TiVo’s first voice control remote – the TiVo VOX Remote™, with which viewers can use their voice to search for programs across live TV, DVR, video-on-demand and online streaming services. The new TiVo products also include access to the latest visually rich, on-screen TiVo user experience, complete with built-in personalized recommendations and intelligent predictions.
The TiVo BOLT VOX provides the most personalized and unified entertainment experience ever, combining the features of TiVo’s most powerful DVR with the most popular online streaming services, all controlled by a single voice-powered remote control. The new TiVo Mini VOX allows viewers to expand this great experience to other rooms in the house with up to 4K Ultra HD picture quality, faster performance, and no additional service fees.
“Consumers today have access to more TV content than ever before, but finding it requires multiple devices, remotes and confusing user experiences,” said Ted Malone, vice president of Consumer Products and Services, TiVo. “The new TiVo BOLT VOX lets consumers easily find the shows they want to watch without having to know whether the program is on live TV, DVR, video-on-demand or streaming from an online service – all by simply speaking into their remote.”
“What’s on TV Tonight?”
With the included TiVo VOX Remote, TiVo BOLT VOX viewers can use their voice to search across live TV, DVR recordings, video-on-demand and various online streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, VUDU, Amazon Prime Video and more. Searches also deliver personalized entertainment recommendations based on viewing habits. And, unlike many other TV platforms, TiVo lets users refine their voice searches in a natural way. For example, simply say “Show me movies with Tom Cruise,” then refine the query by saying, “Only the comedies” or “The one where he says, ‘Show me the money.’”
Popular TiVo features like SkipMode™ and OnePass™ have also been enhanced to work with voice control. When watching recorded programs from popular broadcast and cable networks, just say “skip it” to jump over entire commercial breaks. Or, say “Create a OnePass for Modern Family” and TiVo’s universal search feature will assemble episodes of Modern Family from multiple online sources and upcoming live broadcasts all into one, easy-to-navigate view.
Search and Select Your Entertainment with a User Experience That’s Uniquely TiVo
In addition to voice, the TiVo BOLT VOX and TiVo Mini VOX feature the latest TiVo on-screen user experience. Combining visually rich design elements with enhanced usability, TiVo’s next-generation user experience delivers spot-on personalized program predictions influenced by actual viewing habits. Poster art, actor and director biographies, sports team logos and more help viewers quickly cut through the clutter to find the shows they want and skip the ones they don’t.
TiVo’s new QuickView™ feature allows viewers to see shows playing on different built-in tuners, favorite channels, a one-line channel guide, and TiVo’s new SmartBar™, a personalized prediction of shows to watch at that time influenced by prior viewing behavior – all without leaving the TV viewing experience.
“With our new on-screen experience and VOX Remote, scrolling through endless TV guides and painstakingly entering search terms is finally a thing of the past,” said Malone. “BOLT VOX is the only platform that combines the complete pay TV experience with major OTT services into a single user experience, on one input, controlled by one remote, with unified voice search across multiple sources.”
Availability & Pricing
The TiVo BOLT VOX includes four integrated tuners, allowing viewers to watch or record up to 75 HD hours (500GB model), or 150 HD hours (1TB model) of digital cable or over-the-air (antenna) programming. A 450-hour (3TB) version of the TiVo BOLT VOX includes six integrated tuners and is for use only with digital cable systems. The TiVo Mini VOX enables BOLT owners to expand their voice-powered 4K Ultra HD experience to additional rooms without needing to pay additional fees. The TiVo BOLT VOX is priced starting at $199.991 for the 500GB model and the TiVo Mini VOX is available for $179.99.
Existing TiVo BOLT, TiVo Roamio and first-generation TiVo Mini customers can upgrade to voice control by purchasing a separate TiVo VOX Remote2. The VOX Remote for BOLT is available in either black or white and is priced at $39.99. The VOX Remote for Roamio products (OTA, Pro and Plus) and first-generation TiVo Mini is available in black, includes a separate Bluetooth adapter, and is priced at $44.99.
The VOX suite of products will be available on October 29, 2017 online at www.tivo.com and Amazon.com, as well as Best Buy retail stores nationwide.
About TiVo
TiVo Corporation (NASDAQ: TIVO) is a global leader in entertainment technology and audience insights. From the interactive program guide to the DVR, TiVo delivers innovative products and licensable technologies that revolutionize how people find content across a changing media landscape. TiVo enables the world’s leading media and entertainment providers to deliver the ultimate entertainment experience. Explore the next generation of entertainment at tivo.com, forward.tivo.com or follow us on Twitter @tivo or @tivoforbusiness.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to TiVo’s periodic and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a description of such risks and uncertainties. TiVo undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
TiVo and the TiVo logo are registered trademarks of TiVo Corporation and its subsidiaries worldwide.
1 Plus any applicable taxes. In addition, a TiVo service plan is required and priced separately.
2 Upgrade to the latest TiVo experience is required for existing customers to access voice services. Access to this upgrade is included as part of the customers TiVo service plan (sold separately).
[/9to5-press-release]
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