Here’s a link to a NYTimes podcast in which David Pogue grades many of the internet features which are available on the Series 2 & Series 3 TiVo.

Remember back in Sept ‘06 when I reported that TiVo and Amazon might be partnering up on a new video download service? Well, when I woke up this morning I was kind of surprised to find out that both the blogosphere and traditional media were reporting that this rumor is in fact true.

Just today, TiVo and Amazon announced that they are going to allow Amazon Unbox users to download and watch Unbox videos on their TiVo. According to both Amazon and TiVo.com, this new service is still in beta testing however, we can expect to see available to the general public soon. If you’d like to be notified when the service becomes available, you can sign up for notification on TiVo.com.

This service definitely looks promising and I can’t wait to try it out. I’ll make sure stay on top of this partnership and let you know when I get more details. In the mean time, all you can do is make sure that your TiVo is connected to your broadband connection and wait it out…

According to Stephen Mack (Director of TiVoCast Operations), TiVo has added GolfSpan and LX.TV to their growing lineup of online content that you can download and watch directly on your TiVo.

GolfSpan is the world leader in online video golf instruction with 600+ videos from the likes of Jim McLean, Hank Haney & Jimmy Ballard. Update frequency is twice per week (Tuesday and Thursday). The first episode of GolfSpan is “X Factor Power Set Up” (6 minutes).

LX.TV is your exclusive destination for original lifestyle and cultural programming. They will publish the following two programs:

• Drinks W/LX (Tuesday and Thursday)
• LX/101 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

For those of you who aren’t familiar with TiVoCast, here’s a description taken directly off of TiVo’s website:

TiVoCast is an exciting new feature from TiVo that lets you easily download TV programming to your TiVo DVR via your broadband Internet connection. The programs will appear in your Now Playing List, just like regular television recordings.

While I’m not particularly excited about either of these shows, I’m happy to see that TiVo is adding more content. By far my most favorite show to watch via TiVoCast is c|net. What’s your favorite show?

Forbes.com has posted an interesting editorial in which the author brings up the point that most people don’t care about CNet or NY Times on their TiVo. Instead, the author believes that most people would like to get YouTube or Google Video content downloaded directly to their PVR.

Note to TiVo General Manager of Programming Tara Maitra: While it’s great that you’re pushing video content from The New York Times and CNet out to DVRs, that’s not exactly the kind of content people dream about watching on their TVs. We want YouTube vids, movies and TV shows on demand through TiVo.

What do you think? Are you happy with the video content that TiVo has provided thus far via TiVoCast? I really like the CNET content but I may be in the minority….

In case you haven’t heard already, TiVo recently announced that they are going to offer additional downloadable video content to your TiVo. Currently TiVo offers CNET and Rocketboom as a download however, TiVoCast promises a lot more content.

As part of the launch, TiVo announced that it has reached new agreements with leading video content providers including the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), The New York Times, Heavy, iVillage and CNET among others. The broadband video content will include:
* NBA and WNBA — As the first professional sports leagues to team up with TiVo, fans will have access to NBA and WNBA video showcases during the season that will be available to all TiVo subscribers. During The Finals, which tip off on Thursday, June 8 on ABC, a special “Finals Showcase” video package highlighting the greatest Finals moments in NBA History will be available for fans to view on TiVo.
* The New York Times — The New York Times will offer a selection of original video segments on a variety of topics including A.O. Scott’s signature Movie Minute film reviews, news analysis from the Times’ Washington DC bureau, David Pogue’s technology product reviews and many more.
* Heavy.com — Heavy.com is the Number 1 digital entertainment brand for 18 — 34 year old guys with more than 12 million unique viewers monthly (Nielsen) and a viral reach of 65 million taste-challenged pop culture junkies. Its programming staples include “Behind the Music that Sucks,” “American Suck Countdown” and “The Massive Mating Game.”
* iVillage — Featuring original video clips from one of the strongest and most widely recognized brands on the Internet for women. Informative and entertaining segments will include real stories and how-to advice covering beauty, parenting, fashion, home & food and relationships, among other topics.
* CNET — ( www.cnet.com ), the place consumers go to understand and compare consumer electronics, computers, and software to find the right choice and a property of CNET Networks, Inc., will provide viewers buying advice and how-to segments that help them get the most out of their technology products. Content will include video from CNET TV’s popular franchises such as Insider Secrets, Weekend Project, and First Look from the Labs, and feature popular CNET editorial personalities Brian Cooley, Molly Wood, and Tom Merritt.
* Danger Rangers — These animated characters will deliver exciting, action-adventure series that empowers children to make smart safety decisions. Content will be premium, quality entertainment to improve children’s safety awareness, making them less likely to be injured, disabled or even killed in a preventable accident.
* H2O: HipHop on Demand — Provided content will focus on delivering viewers’ world and television premieres of HipHop/Urban themed programming targeting the large and growing multiracial Urban TV consumer market.
* Union on Demand — USA’s first on demand action sports film network will provide premium Surf, Snow, Skate, BMX and Motocross content to the consumers and enthusiasts.
* Rocketboom — Currently one of the most popular videoblogs on the Internet. As early pioneers of online video, Rocketboom brings creative news and political commentary in 3 to 4 minute bites of internet culture, daily.
* Here! : Offers a wide variety of original movies and series appealing to the broad based and diverse gay and lesbian audience.