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

Who Cares

[abricko]

Who cares about that technology... They can't even get a HD DVR out!

This is a step in the right direction...

[Alphi1]

I am very glad to hear of this. I've said for a long while, that while I absolutely love my Tivo, it has a few drawbacks (that can be remedied):

1) Lack of dual (or more) tuners on standalone models
2) Lack of support for digital channels (a la CableCard)
3) Personalizing "suggestions" on a person basis, instead of a Tivo box basis.

And from what I hear, #1 and #2 are in the works (rumored to come out mid-2006). And this (it sounds like) could be the third.

I've known for awhile that my Tivo will (if "suggestions" are turned on) record shows it thinks I will like. The problem, is if I record my shows, and my wife records her shows, the machine doesn't differentiate between the two, and tries to find "suggestions" that match both hers and my preferences.

And it rarely turns up anything useful.

Re:I want an RFID tag

[Fulcrum of Evil]

Actually a bracelet or necklace with an RFID tag to wear around the house would be nice.

It'd be creepy, actually - Bill Gates did something like this with his house, where you get an ID tag that the house can track and customize music and whatnot. What it did was serve to underscore that you were being tracked.