TiVo Teases The TiVo Platform SDK

Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012 by MegaZone

TiVo Logo No, I don’t mean the old HME SDK. Or the network remote control protocol. Part of the new TiVo Premiere software platform is support for apps written in Adobe Air as well as additional hooks for 3rd party apps for mobile devices and web apps that hook into the TiVo. To date the API for these new interfaces have only been used internally and shared with limited partners, but it looks like TiVo is preparing to make them more widely available.

TiVo Platform SDK There is now a TiVo Platform SDK page up on TiVo’s site where prospective developers can sign up to receive more information. As the page states:“The TiVo Platform SDK enables third-party developers to build applications for TiVo devices, and for websites, mobile and tablet applications that need to interact with TiVo devices and services.”

I’ve signed up for more information. We’ll have to see if they give me a peek since I’m a blogger and not really a developer (I’ve done software development professionally, but not for several years). But I presume that at some point they’ll want to get the word out if they’re serious about attracting 3rd party developers to the TiVo platform. I’ve been saying for years now that TiVo really needs to create an ecosystem around TiVo to make it ‘stickier’ for existing users and to give prospective customers more reasons to make the jump. I had high hopes for HME (Home Media Engine) back in the day, and it got off to a good start. But then TiVo pulled back from supporting the public API for HME and the updates stopped. HME became an internal-only development tool for TiVo and their partners. A lot has changed in the intervening years, within and without TiVo, so I’m hopeful this time things will be different.

About MegaZone

MegaZone is the Editor of Gizmo Lovers and the chief contributor. He's been online since 1989 and active in several generations of 'social media' - mailing lists, USENet groups, web forums, and since 2003, blogging.    MegaZone has a presence on several social platforms: Google+ / Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / LiveJournal / Web.    You can also follow Gizmo Lovers on other sites: Blog / Google+ / Facebook / Twitter.
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  • michael

    Sigh. “AIR” what an awful environment to have to write for.

  • michael

    Sigh. “AIR” what an awful environment to have to write for.

  • michael

    Sigh. “AIR” what an awful environment to have to write for.

  • Anonymous

    So pardon my ignorance here, not being on the developer side.  Is this TiVo’s attempt to make their box be more like a “smart TV”?

    I was never sold on the idea that’s how people would want to use their TVs.  But then that might be a generational thing.  Maybe the “app generation” would want to have apps on all connected devices.

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      Well, that’s one possibility.    We don’t really know the full extent of the capabilities of the SDK until TiVo reveals more info.  And it seems like there are multiple components.  The Adobe Air apps which run on the box itself could allow for ‘Smart TV’ type apps.  TiVo already has apps like that – Amazon, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Blockbuster, YouTube, Pandora, Rhapsody, etc.  Apps that access Over-The-Top (OTT) content are in the realm of what is offered by smart TVs.

      What will be more interesting is if the SDK allows for apps that interact with the content you’re viewing, especially if it allows for a UI overlayed on the content.  Like having a twitter feed scroll on screen.  Or being able to post about the show you’re watching to Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc.  Or check in to a show with GetGlue.  To really tie things together.

      The other pieces – apps and web – are something else.  Tying TiVo into other devices.  Hopefully it includes the ability to send audio/video content to the TiVo.  If so, web-based content services could integrate with TiVo.  3rd party apps like kmttg, pyTiVo, and Streambaby could use the official SDK.

      Of course, this is all speculation until they release more info.

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      Well, that’s one possibility.    We don’t really know the full extent of the capabilities of the SDK until TiVo reveals more info.  And it seems like there are multiple components.  The Adobe Air apps which run on the box itself could allow for ‘Smart TV’ type apps.  TiVo already has apps like that – Amazon, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Blockbuster, YouTube, Pandora, Rhapsody, etc.  Apps that access Over-The-Top (OTT) content are in the realm of what is offered by smart TVs.

      What will be more interesting is if the SDK allows for apps that interact with the content you’re viewing, especially if it allows for a UI overlayed on the content.  Like having a twitter feed scroll on screen.  Or being able to post about the show you’re watching to Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc.  Or check in to a show with GetGlue.  To really tie things together.

      The other pieces – apps and web – are something else.  Tying TiVo into other devices.  Hopefully it includes the ability to send audio/video content to the TiVo.  If so, web-based content services could integrate with TiVo.  3rd party apps like kmttg, pyTiVo, and Streambaby could use the official SDK.

      Of course, this is all speculation until they release more info.

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      Well, that’s one possibility.    We don’t really know the full extent of the capabilities of the SDK until TiVo reveals more info.  And it seems like there are multiple components.  The Adobe Air apps which run on the box itself could allow for ‘Smart TV’ type apps.  TiVo already has apps like that – Amazon, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Blockbuster, YouTube, Pandora, Rhapsody, etc.  Apps that access Over-The-Top (OTT) content are in the realm of what is offered by smart TVs.

      What will be more interesting is if the SDK allows for apps that interact with the content you’re viewing, especially if it allows for a UI overlayed on the content.  Like having a twitter feed scroll on screen.  Or being able to post about the show you’re watching to Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc.  Or check in to a show with GetGlue.  To really tie things together.

      The other pieces – apps and web – are something else.  Tying TiVo into other devices.  Hopefully it includes the ability to send audio/video content to the TiVo.  If so, web-based content services could integrate with TiVo.  3rd party apps like kmttg, pyTiVo, and Streambaby could use the official SDK.

      Of course, this is all speculation until they release more info.

  • Cassidy Napoli

    Thanks for the heads up, Mega.  Just signed up, hope I get a response.

  • Cassidy Napoli

    Thanks for the heads up, Mega.  Just signed up, hope I get a response.

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XAEMKSC6GPW6HE4IVHYRKFBSZ4 yahoo-XAEMKSC6GPW6HE4IVHYRKFBSZ4

    Rhetorical for now since you don’t know:  Will the third party apps allow access to the Now Playing list?  (And hopefully, user-initiated deletion of shows or any other guide/show-related functions.)

    Basically, a “better Now Playing” would be great.

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      Well, like you said, I don’t know. :-)  TiVo won’t give me any details on the SDK until they unveil it.  And that is slated for ‘this fall’ as I posted last night.