NOW ET CAN PHONE TIVO HOME!

NOW ET CAN PHONE TIVO HOME .....the headline in "The Wall Street Journal" online reads," TiVo to Allow Verizon Customers To Program DVRs Via Cellphones".

According to the the press release on TIVO.com, TiVo Mobile, a new downloadable application that lets TiVo® service subscribers schedule TV program recordings on their TiVo device directly from their specially equipped Verizon Wireless handset.

The system goes into effect this summer and is exclusive between TIVO and Verizon Wireless users. According the Journal story, "The service works with a small software program Verizon Wireless customers can download to their handsets that will communicate back to their TiVo digital-video recorders." In the TIVO press release they appear to call this software program the Verizon, "GET IT NOW". No mention is made in the TIVO release about whether the "GET IT NOW" service will be included in all basic Verizon mobile service contracts or if it must be a paid upgrade.  The Journal story reports, " Verizon Wireless executives said the service, to begin this summer, is expected to cost less than $5 a month, in addition to normal cellphone-service charges and TiVo subscriber fees, which are $12.95 a month." So basically that means in addition to my $50 basic service, I'll need to pay $5.00 extra to use my cell phone as a remote control for my TIVO and if I don't have TIVO (or you don't) then you'll have to pony up another $12.95 per month. Boy that phone bill is going to hit $100 very soon isn't it? Once upon a time, I talked about how basic phone service would drop in price, but every day it seems the mobile companies are dreaming up new ways to up that bill...I think it's called ARPU (average rate per user) in their world...hmmmmmmmm Well the good news at the TIVO site is in the pix in this blog-- the box price is down to $69 after rebate..Guess if I wait long enough they'll pay me to get a box???