TiVo Offers SDK to Extend Service

Digital video recorder maker TiVo invited developers Monday to create applications and services to extend TiVo's capabilities.

TiVo released an SDK, or software development kit, which opens up its set-top boxes to developers for the first time. The company said it expects a variety of new programs from multiplayer games, to sports and weather information services.

"This is a unique opportunity for software developers and companies to extend the TiVo experience which millions of people already love," said Arthur van Hoff, principal engineer at TiVo. "TiVo's open platform is the quickest way to deliver a TV experience around broadband applications, making TiVo much more than a basic DVR."

The SDK is based on the Java platform, and to kick off its release, TiVo has announced a contest for the best application created using it. The winner will receive a Segway HT P series, valued at about $3,700.

The concept behind the SDK's release is based on the premise of "Tahiti," originally announced at CES 2005. Tahiti focuses on bringing together online and traditional video content for users, as well as giving customers more options on where they can view their recorded material.