TiVo, Microsoft and Intel Join Forces, Giving Summer Travelers the Freedom to Take Their Favorite TV Shows with Them Wherever They Go
DALLAS – For TV-loving road warriors, leaving home often means leaving their favorite shows behind. But just in time for the busy summer travel season – the Travel Industry Association (TIA) predicts a record-breaking 328 million trips will be taken from June to August – millions of people will now be able to hit the road, rails or friendly skies with their favorite TV shows in tow. TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Intel Corp. today announced a nationwide upgrade to the TiVoToGo service, enabling people for the first time to move TiVo content stored on a Microsoft Windows XP-based PC onto Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers powered by Intel Mobile Media Technology as well as newer Windows Mobile-based Smartphones and Pocket PCs.
Select American Airlines (NYSE: AMR) customers will be among the first to try out the latest summer travel technology with free Portable Media Centers – which they’ll be able to keep – loaded with TiVo content via a chartered flight on June 8, 2005, hosted by American Airlines, TiVo, Microsoft and Intel. Additionally, Microsoft and TiVo are launching the “Summer of Mobility” program, and as part of this program TiVo will give one lucky person each day a mobile entertainment package consisting of one Portable Media Center and one TiVo set-top box. For complete details and to register, go to www.tivo.com/TVtogo, beginning June 8, 2005. One winner will be selected at random each day, beginning on the first official day of summer – June 21 – through Labor Day 2005.
Sitting in the Driver Seat
According to the TIA, air travel is expected to increase four percent over last summer. Further, The Independent Traveler magazine anticipates this Fourth of July weekend to be one of the biggest travel weekends in at least five years. With the latest mobile entertainment options now available, the dreaded “Are we there yet?” syndrome is sure to take a much-needed hiatus.
For the first time, travelers will have the ability to transfer their favorite shows stored on their TiVo Series2 digital video recorders to a Windows XP-based PC for transfer to and playback on Windows Mobile-based devices such as Portable Media Centers and newer Smartphones and Pocket PCs. This extension of the TiVoToGo service will provide travelers with the flexibility to watch their favorite shows whenever and wherever they want, with more options for enjoying entertainment on a variety of mobile devices.
“TiVo has always been at the forefront of putting consumers in charge of their entertainment experience,” said Matt Wisk, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, TiVo. “Now, by extending the TiVoToGo service to support multiple Windows Mobile-based devices, TiVo is enabling our subscribers to watch their favorite TV shows whenever and wherever they want. TiVo and its valued business associates will continue to deliver an entertainment experience unmatched by generic cable or satellite DVRs (digital video recorders).”
“It’s exciting to see our vision of enabling digital entertainment anywhere come to life in working with TiVo and Intel,” said John Pollard, senior director of Windows Mobile Applications and Services Marketing at Microsoft Corp. “With the launch of TiVoToGo, we are able to help deliver even more content options on more Windows Mobile-based devices such as Portable Media Centers and newer Smartphones and Pocket PCs, making this summer more enjoyable for people wherever their travels take them.”
“Intel Mobile Media Technology, which powers Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers, helps put a rich mobile entertainment experience in the palm of the traveler’s hand to enjoy in a plane, car, commuter train or waiting room,” said Tad Hetu, director, Consumer Electronic Platforms, Cellular and Handheld Group, Intel.
American Airlines’ Customers Get Early Taste of Latest Portable Entertainment
Some of American Airlines’ most frequent travelers will be attending the TiVoToGo premier on a two-hour chartered flight out of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on June 8. These customers will be able to enjoy their favorite TV shows on Portable Media Centers, loaded with TiVo content via the expanded TiVoToGo service.
“American Airlines is proud to play host to this significant technology announcement from TiVo, Microsoft and Intel,” said Billy Sanez, corporate communications manager, American Airlines. “These companies are leaders in their respective fields, so it only makes sense that the world’s largest airline would serve as the backdrop to this new mobile entertainment announcement.”
According to Sanez, American Airlines is in the business of mobility and understands the needs of today’s tech-savvy customers. “With services such as Wi-Fi hot spots, e-ticketing, online and cell phone check-in, flight status notification, self-service check-in and more, American is dedicated to providing customers the tools and technologies to simplify their lives and make today’s flight experience easier than ever,” he said.
The Sky’s the Limit
In addition to the expanded TiVoToGo services on the various portable devices, TiVo subscribers may also take advantage of the new Humax 40-hour DVD recorder, which is now available at retail stores nationwide, as well as MyDVD Studio 6.1 software from Sonic. Both products enable consumers to securely burn TV shows recorded on a TiVo DVR to DVD for playback on any of the millions of DVD players and DVD-equipped PCs worldwide.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile software for Pocket PCs, Smartphones and Portable Media Centers reduces the complexity and constraints that hobble the flow of personal and business communications while also enabling people to enjoy rich media experiences. With Windows Mobile, individuals and organizations are empowered to achieve their productivity goals and also realize the excitement of the digital lifestyle – from music and memories to TV, movies, gaming and communication. More information can be found at http://www.windowsmobile.com.
About Intel
Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world’s largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection regional airlines serve more than 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,800 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American’s award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworldsm Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR – News). Additional information about American Airlines is available at www.aa.com.
About TiVo Inc.
Founded in 1997, TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO), a pioneer in home entertainment, created a brand new category of products with the development of the first digital video recorder (DVR). Today, the Company continues to revolutionize the way consumers watch and access home entertainment by making TiVo the focal point of the digital living room, a center for sharing and experiencing television, music, photos and other content. TiVo connects consumers to the digital entertainment they want, where and when they want it. The Company is based in Alviso, Calif.
