RIM Brings TiVo Services to BlackBerry Smartphones

Canada's Research in Motion has just announced having entered an agreement with TiVo Inc. in order to bring a set of unique TiVo features to its BlackBerry handsets.

Reportedly, RIM will work together with TiVo to allow BlackBerry users to enjoy the latter company's Emmy-winning television services. For the beginning, owners of BB smartphones will be able to see, directly from their devices, what shows are on their TV and schedule recordings while on the go. Other upcoming services will bring applications that should provide quick and easy access to a wide range of video content.

Talking about the new collaboration with TiVo, Jim Balsillie, Research In Motion's co-CEO, said, "TiVo subscribers will soon be able to wirelessly control their TiVo DVRs using a BlackBerry smartphone - anytime, anywhere - and that is a powerful example of how our respective technologies can complement each other to serve our mutual customers. As the BlackBerry smartphone continues its evolution as a modern lifestyle device, the importance of home entertainment integration will continue to grow and TiVo will be the key in providing consumers with greater flexibility in accessing television content".

Tom Rogers, Chief Executive Officer and President of TiVo Inc., continued, “TiVo continues to transform and revolutionize the way people control and watch television and broadband video. RIM and TiVo share a commitment to great user experiences, which cause our products to become seamlessly integrated into the consumer's lifestyle. We also share a vision for the future of mobile entertainment services and we look forward to a variety of future innovations as a result of this relationship”.

No word yet whether the TiVo BlackBerry services will be free or not, but I guess users should expect them not to be offered free of charge. RIM mentioned that the first TiVo-related software application would be available for consumers before the end of 2008.