TiVo is beefing up its retail product line with new versions of the 4K-capable Bolt DVR and Mini client device that support voice-based search and navigation and carry the company’s new “Vox” branding.
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The new Bolt Vox and Mini Vox work in tandem with TiVo’s first voice-powered remote control, called the Vox Remote.
The updated video platform, the first major retail refresh since TiVo and Rovi completed their merger last September, enables voice search across live TV, recorded DVR content, VOD titles and integrated OTT services such as Netflix and Hulu. It also supports a new interface that that bakes in personalized recommendations (what TiVo calls a “SmartBar”) and “intelligent predictions” based on prior viewing behavior. Also new is QuickView, an element that lets viewers see shows playing on different tuners built into the DVR, and a one-line channel guide.
In addition to enabling conversational-style voice searching (i.e. “Show me movies with Tom Cruise"), the new voice component is also tied to other TiVo features such as SkipMode and OnePass (i.e. “Create a OnePass for Modern Family).
The baseline TiVo Bolt Vox bakes in four tuners and 500 GB of storage, works with digital cable systems or programming that is delivered over-the-air, and starts at $199.99.
A beefier version of the Bolt Vox, only for use with digital cable systems, comes with 1 terabyte of storage and six tuners.
The TiVo Mini Vox, which works in tandem with the Bolt Vox and is tailored for whole-home set-ups, fetches $179.99.
Notably, existing TiVo Bolt, TiVo Roamio and first-gen TiVo Mini customers can upgrade to voice control by purchasing a separate TiVo Vox Remote. The Vox Remote for BOLT (in black or white) sells for $39.99, while the Vox Remote for Roamio products (OTA, Pro and Plus) and the first-generation TiVo Mini is available only in black, includes a separate Bluetooth adapter, and is priced at $44.99.
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TiVo said its new suite of Vox-powered products will become available on October 29 at TiVo’s web site, Amazon.com, and at Best Buy stores nationwide.
