TiVo, Microsoft and Intel Join Forces, Giving Summer Travelers the Freedom to Take Their TV with Them Wherever They Go
ALVISO, Calif. – June 8, 2005 – 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 (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Intel Corporation today
announced that the TiVoToGo™ feature is now available nationwide for
the first time on Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers, powered
by Intel® Mobile Media Technology, and select Windows Mobile-based
Smartphones and PocketPCs.
Select American Airlines (NYSE: AMR) customers will be among the
first to try out the latest summer travel technology with free Portable
Media Centers 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, in which one lucky person each day will win a mobile
entertainment package consisting of one Portable Media Center and one
TiVo set top box. The giveaways will begin on the first official day of
summer – June 21– through Labor Day 2005. Participants can register on www.TiVo.com beginning June 21, and TiVo will select a winner randomly each day.
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 among the millions of travelers this summer is sure to take a
much-needed hiatus.
In addition to any Windows XP laptop, 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 PC for playback
on Windows Mobile devices such as Portable Media Centers and newer
Smartphones and PocketPCs. This extension of the TiVoToGo service will
provide travelers 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 and
more, TiVo is enabling our subscribers to watch their favorite TV shows
whenever and wherever they want. TiVo and its valued partners 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 digital entertainment anywhere
come to life in partnership 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 deliver even more content options on more Windows
Mobile-based devices such as Portable Media Centers and newer
Smartphones and PocketPCs, making this summer more enjoyable for people
wherever their travels may take them."
“Intel Mobile Media Technology, which provides the brains for most
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 Entertainment Devices
Select
American Airlines customers will be among the first to take their TVs
into flight by trying out the latest summer travel technology via a
chartered flight on June 8, hosted by American Airlines, TiVo,
Microsoft and Intel. 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.
Want It, Need It, Gotta Have It
These new
mobile entertainment offerings are based on the consumers' desire to
take the TV out of the living room and enjoy it on the go. Consider the
following statistics:
- According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 4.3 million households intend to purchase a mobile video system this year.
- IDC projects worldwide growth of the portable multimedia player market for 2006 at 200 percent.
- In-Stat/MDR says video on mobile phones will become a $5.4 billion market by 2009.
- When it comes to enjoying entertainment in automobiles, Edmunds.com
– a leading automotive Web site – reports that 26 percent of cars on
the market will offer DVD players as an option in 2005, and 40 percent
will include DVD players by 2010.
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 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.
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 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.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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