TiVo’s new Roamio line of DVRs will feature a range of HTML5-based apps thanks to a new partnership with Opera Software.
With the partnership, TiVo’s Roamio users can blend in HTML5 apps from the Opera TV Store while reaping the fruits of developers that take part in Opera’s SDK effort.
When TiVo announced the six-tuner Roamio last week, the DVR pioneer said it would initially take a retail approach with the company’s fifth-generation DVR lineup. Cable operators will be in the Roamio mix at some point, and TiVo made a point of mentioning in today’s release that its MSO partners would be able to offer HTML5-based apps through the Opera TV Store.
As opposed to the long development cycles of traditional set-top box based services, the main benefit of HTML5, which is a key element of the cable’s Reference Design Kit, is faster rate of innovation.
“Consumers want to watch what they want, when they want it and it’s important to offer an easy-to-use interface capturing all the content possible, whether it be from cable TV or the Web,” said Jim Denney, vice president of product marketing at TiVo. “We have selected Opera as a partner in this mission because it enables users in both the operator and retail segments a completely customized experience, along with a wide variety of local, national and global long-tail content and other applications from the Opera TV Store.”
TiVo users will have access to the Opera TV Store by early next year. The partnership gives TiVo access to a platorm that is already resonating in the market while TiVo’s MSO subscribers will have there own app store for their devices.
Last year, over 25 million connected TVs and devices shipped with the Opera Devices SDK, and the Opera TV Store has shipped on tens of millions of devices globally.
“Not only is Opera’s Devices SDK best-in-class, but its standards-compliant HTML5 engine will enable a household name like TiVo and its cable operator customers to bring the best and latest of OTT web content quickly to the end user. We are looking forward to working with TiVo on further enhancing its operator solutions,” said Aneesh Rajaram, senior vice president for TV and devices, Opera Software. “In addition, app and content developers will have another avenue to reach many active and loyal TiVo users through their apps in the Opera TV Store.”
TiVo’s roster of MSO customers includes GCI, Suddenlink Communications, Grande Communications and RCN among its North American cable operator customers and Virgin Media over in the United Kingdom.