TiVo Plans RFID-Aware PVR

Dotnaught writes "New Scientist has spotted a patent application from TiVo that suggests the company is "working on a PVR that will recognise one of several individual users, and respond to their personal preferences." The patent application describes the invention as "a multimedia mobile personalization system provides a remote control that detects a user's electronic tag, e.g. an RFID tag." It also promises personalized viewing at a variety of locations, detailing how TiVo might forward stored shows from home to a TV in a hotel room, for example. It remains to be seen whether hotels will be eager to help TiVo undermine their pay-per-view video revenue."

Comments

I want an RFID tag

[LilGuy]

Embed me please! I want never again to have to manually pay for anything, prove my identity, or set my TiVo to my preferences. Thanks.

Re:I want an RFID tag

[kfg]

Embed me please!

I'm flattered, but you're not my type.

KFG

Re:I want an RFID tag

[nizo]

Actually a bracelet or necklace with an RFID tag to wear around the house would be nice. Maybe a few for visitors too. Or even better I could embed one in my "lazy pants" (i.e. house-only sweat pants) and one into my SO's engagement ring. Having my machine boot into linux when it detects my lazy pants nearby and start beeping when my SO's engagement ring is approaching would be nice too :-)

Re:Business case

[mandreko]

but will this work if i go to the hotel with my rfid card wrapped in foil, and handing foil to everyone else?

Quick

[flipper65]

Someone send one of these to Stallman

Ordering food

[nizo]

Actually if they can have one that broadcasts food preferences (I hate onions and pickles) we might be on to something here. I wonder if it is worth some of my privacy to not have to pick off the onions and pickles because I always forget to ask the Wendy's cashier not to put them on? Pretty much applies to all my other food too; just forget adding onions or pickles please.

Re:Ordering food

[carlos_benj]

I wonder if it is worth some of my privacy to not have to pick off the onions and pickles because I always forget to ask the Wendy's cashier not to put them on? Pretty much applies to all my other food too; just forget adding onions or pickles please.

Have some T-shirts printed up. Vary the colors so you'll have a well-rounded wardrobe - or just keep eating at fast food joints and let them round naturally......

Re:Oh noes, teh RFID!11!!one

[pilgrim23]

The previous poster (FF123-AA-000000-1412.3) has been removed to a secure location for his own well being. There is absolutley no problem with RFID and no danger at all of this technology being used in a manner harmful or dangerous to your freedoms..

Does this mean that pr0n will just start popping

[digitaldc]

...up in all different locations at the most inappropriate times?

Re:How many of these things are we going to have?

[Rob the Bold]

The toaster that adjusts to your desired level of toast,
The fridge that remembers that you like crushed ice instead of cubed
The Tivo that remembers your choices (I know...mentioned in the article)
The Car that remembers your seating positions
The stereo that remembers your station and desired volume
The computer that logs you on as soon as you sit down

I was thinking . . . I don't need any of these things. My stereo is always set to my station, my ice is the way I like it, the car seat is adjusted for me, because I live alone! you RFID-enabled insensitive clod. It seriously took me a moment to realize why anyone would need this sort of functionality. Sigh.