TiVo (News - Alert) Inc., the creator of television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), and Research In Motion (RIM) are partnering to bring customized TiVo services to the BlackBerry (News - Alert) wireless platform.

 

The new relationship brings TiVo and RIM – a provider of wireless innovation – together to develop a variety of mobile entertainment services that marry RIM’s BlackBerry smartphones with the content delivered to consumers through the TiVo service.

 

“TiVo subscribers will soon be able to wirelessly control their TiVo DVRs using a BlackBerry smartphone – anytime, anywhere – and that is a powerful example of how our respective technologies can complement each other to serve our mutual customers,” said Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of RIM. “As the BlackBerry smartphone continues its evolution as a modern lifestyle device, the importance of home entertainment integration will continue to grow and TiVo will be the key in providing consumers with greater flexibility in accessing television content.”

 

Initially, BlackBerry smartphone users will gain the convenience of being able to discover what shows are on and schedule television recordings while away from the living room. Future collaboration between the companies will focus on software applications that further simplify mobile access to video content.

 

“TiVo continues to transform and revolutionize the way people control and watch television and broadband video,” said Tom Rogers (News - Alert), CEO and president of TiVo. “RIM and TiVo share a commitment to great user experiences, which cause our products to become seamlessly integrated into the consumer’s lifestyle. We also share a vision for the future of mobile entertainment services and we look forward to a variety of future innovations as a result of this relationship.”

 

The first software application from RIM and TiVo is expected to be available later this year.

 

Research In Motion is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for access to e-mail, phone, SMS message and Internet. RIM’s portfolio of products and services are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include BlackBerry wireless platform. For more information, visit http://www.rim.com or http://www.blackberry.com

 

Founded in 1997, TiVo pioneered a brand new category of products with the development of the first commercially available DVR. Sold through leading consumer electronic retailers, TiVo has developed a brand which resonates with consumers as providing a superior television experience.

 

Through agreements with leading satellite and cable providers, TiVo also integrates its full set of DVR service features into the set-top boxes of mass distributors. TiVo’s DVR functionality and ease of use, with such features as Season Pass recordings, WishList searches and TiVo KidZone, have elevated its popularity among consumers and have created a whole new way for viewers to watch television.