A business writer from the AP has put together an unfavorable review of some of TiVo’s newest features. I don’t normally cover unfavorable reviews but, I felt like I should cover this one since it brings up a couple of good points. Are some of the new features that TiVo has introduced better suited for the computer? For example, is it necessary to be able to order movie tickets from the comfort of your couch?

I’m not sure where I stand on this issue. Being the geek that I am, I like having all of these new features. However, when it comes down to it, does the average user (i.e.: my Mom) really need this functionality?

Apps.tv has added a couple new applications to their growing list of TiVo HME apps. The two new apps are: Web-a-Tune for TiVo & Web-a-photo for TiVo. They both look like neat apps especially if you’re already a user of web-a-photo.com.

Follow these instructions if you would like to access any of apps.tv’s software:

1) Press the TiVo button on your remote to go to the TiVo Central screen, then select the “Music, Photos & More” entry.

2) Scroll down to near the bottom and select “Manually add a server…”

3) Using the keypad on your remote enter the ip address for apps.tv: 209.97.196.52

4) Press LEFT to go back to the Music, Photos & More screen and you should now see the Subscription Manager Entry. Select that entry to run the Subscription Manager.

Is it just me or does it seem like TiVo HME development has come to a grinding halt?. Remember back in June ‘05 how TiVo sponsered a developer challenge? Well, ever since then it seems like HME development has slowed down considerably. Even the developer of Galleon? has said that he is discouraged with the lack of support and updates TiVo is providing. What’s going on with HME? TiVo hasn’t released an update to the API since 10/31/2005!

I personally would like to see new HME apps. In my opinion, it’s one of the best features that TiVo has to offer.

Is anybody willing to offer up some prizes for a competition? How about a new car or a 50 inch plasma :)? No seriously, is anybody interested in sponsoring a developer challenge to get TiVo HME application development started back up?

Have you ever wanted to play your iTunes playlists using your TiVo? Prior to TiViTunes, the only way that I knew how to do this was to install AudioFaucet or Galleon. Now with TiViTunes you have another option.

If you have your TiVo connected to your home wireless (or wired) network, you probably already know that TiVo can stream and play your MP3 files. Just point the TiVo Desktop software at your main music folder. But there’s only one problem: if you’re using iTunes on your PC, TiVo will not be able to see your iTunes playlists!

TiViTunes solves this problem by exporting your iTunes playlists to a folder on your Windows computer so that TiVo can play them!

TiViTunes is free for you to try however, until you register the software, it will only publish the first five songs. The cost of the software is $5.00 which seems reasonable to me.

If you’re too cheap to drop $5.00, you could always try out Galleon or AudioFaucet. Both Galleon and AudioFaucet are great TiVo applications. The only reason why I’ve mentioned TiViTunes is because it is a good option for somebody who doesn’t have a fast enough machine to run either Galleon or AudioFaucet (I’m not really sure on the required specs for AudioFaucet).

I guess Leon hasn’t stopped developing Galleon just yet. Yesterday he released version 2.3.

Here are the release notes straight from Galleon’s website:

Version 2.3.0:
———————-

• Native version for Windows
• Resync ToGo video files if moved
• Fixed ToGo stats doubling
• Fixed GoBack subfolders
• Fixed ToGo sorting by TiVo name in GUI
• Fixed movie posters
• Fixed upcoming dates

If you’re at all like me, then you are a little disappointed from last week’s news that the development of Galleon is going to slow down. One of the great things about Galleon is that it is open source so if somebody wants to step up and continue development they can. I’d hate to see all the hard work that Leon put into Galleon go to waste.

Is anybody willing to take over the project? This is a good opportunity for somebody who would like to take part in the development of a somewhat high profile software application. Feel free to jump in….

Today is a sad day for anybody who uses Galleon. Leon Nicholls (the developer of Galleon) has put together a post on his blog which talks about the state of HME and why he has decided to reduce his development time on Galleon!

…So, I’m sad to announce that I’ve decided to reduce my development efforts on the project. I might still release some bug fixes, but these won’t be as frequent as the releases in the past. I also don’t have any plans on adding any additional functionality to Galleon. I’ve decided to rather spend my time on other interesting technologies and open source projects.

This is definitely a sad day for all you Galleon fans. Maybe we could put together some kind of fundraiser or paypal tip jar in order to encourage Leon to continue developing Galleon at the rate he has?

Apps.tv has added several new TiVo HME applications since I last reported on their service back in October of ‘05. The service now hosts thirteen TiVo HME apps that you can use for free!

If you haven’t setup apps.tv’s applications, you really should. To do this, follow the instructions on their website. In order for you to be able to use the applications, you need to have a Series 2 TiVo that is connected to your broadband connection.

The nice thing about this service is that you don’t have to install any software on your PC. Apps.tv hosts the applications on their server and you access them over the Internet. If you’d like to stay up to date on new apps that apps.tv releases, you could always subscribe to their RSS feed.

Leon has released version 2.2.0 of his award winning HME app server.  Galleon 2.2.0 contains a number of new features as well as some bug fixes.  Here are the release notes:

Version 2.2.0:
———————-
Galleon menu sorting
Internet app support for larger images
TiVo space available in configuration GUI
ToGo recordings show TiVo name in configuration GUI
Added TiVo criteria to ToGo rules
Improved database error handling
ToGo sorting
Jabber app
Fixed iTunes date support
Shoutcast configurable download limits

Head on over to Galleon’s website to download a copy.

Hat Tip: TiVoLovers

Leon has released Galleon 2.1.0. Here are the release notes:

Release Name: Galleon 2.1.0

Version 2.1.0:
———————-
Shoutcast app now supports all stations
Shoutcast app supports station alternates
Shoutcast favorites
ToGo downloaded recordings can now be downloaded repeatedly
Added sorting to internet, RSS apps
Jukebox random play
Support parental controls for ToGo downloads
Fixed Galleon menu duplicate app name bug
Fixed network interface binding bug
Fixed GoBack recording details
Fixed video filename formats
Fixed GoBack videocasting support

Head on over to Galleon’s website to download a copy.

Thanks Dave!