Gizmodo: History Of The TiVo Remote
In case you missed it, Gizmodo.com has posted a great article which talks about the history of the TiVo remote and how the remote that we all know and love has come about. The article was produced in cooperation with TiVo and Paul Newby (the individual who helped create our beloved “peanut” remote).
In my opinion, the most interesting part of the article was when Gizmodo asked Paul what the possibility was of TiVo adding a QWERTY keyboard to the remote.
With the next generation TiVo remote on the drawing board, I wondered what the possible additions could be.
When I asked if adding a small QWERTY keyboard was a possibility for the next generation, I was surprised by Newby’s answer.
Based on Paul’s reply, it looks as though TiVo is considering adding a keyboard to a future generation remote!
“We’ve either given it thought or were in the process of prototyping it. I’d say it’s a healthy combination of both never been done, done before and what’s been done well elsewhere.”
If you follow this blog at all, you probably already know my opinion on this. On at least one occasion I’ve mentioned that TiVo should offer a keyboard which would allow you to control your TiVo from the comfort of your couch. Just think about the possiblities a keyboard would offer. Wouldn’t it be great if you could browse the web using your TiVo and your HDTV? Wouldn’t it be great if you could type in a SeasonPass search?
What do you think? Does a QWERTY keyboard remote have you interested?
Continue reading: Story of a Peanut: The TiVo Remote’s Untold Past, Present and Future
June 21st, 2008 at 11:18 pm |
Back in October, I blogged about how much I’d like to use a VNC connection to use my laptop’s keyboard with my Tivo. I think it would be very helpful.
http://rbiii.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/tivo-idea/
June 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm |
Oh dear god, yes. I was just thinking to myself today, as I painstakingly entered a word with the remote, that even if they at least added the same alpha capability that a phone’s numeric keypad had it would be a vast improvement. An actual QWERTY keyboard would be awesome.
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 am |
I’d definitely be interested - I use the podcasting feature a lot on my Tivo and it takes absolutely forever to type in some of those long web addresses for a podcast.
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 am |
I’d LOVE to be able to enter long show titles and URLs with a keyboard…but leave it off the remote. The Tivo has USB ports, just let me plug in a USB keyboard on those rare occasions I need it. I do the same thing with our Nintendo Wii.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:32 pm |
While typing would be nice it isn’t worth screwing up the remote for. The TiVo remote needs to stay pretty much like it is. My fingers fall exactly where they need to be.
June 24th, 2008 at 11:40 pm |
GigG,
I agree. I’d like to see a bluetooth keyboard that I could use with my TiVo in addition to the remote that we all love. Wouldn’t that be cool?
June 25th, 2008 at 7:56 am |
Even just a basic alpha capability where 1=ABC 2=DEF etc. would be an improvement and people are used to doing that with their cell phones anyway, right?
June 25th, 2008 at 8:16 am |
SamH, I agree that would be a decent compromise.
September 28th, 2008 at 3:54 am |
It should be fairly simple for them to add support for a USB keyboard, which would be a godsend for finding YouTube videos. And since there are numerouse wireless keyboards out there for PCs (and HTPCs), so we wouldn’t necessarliy be tethered to our Tivos or have to replace our remotes.