TiVo just announced an update to their iPhone and iPad apps to include additional integration with Facebook to help users discover new programs through the recommendations of their Facebook friends. The deeper Facebook integration layers friends’ Likes with real-time viewing activity to improve TiVo’s Smart Search, Browse and Suggestion features.
TiVo users will be able to discover programs their Facebook friends endorse with the Like feature, or view what shows their friends are currently enjoying with the Watch feature and immediately schedule a recording or watch live based on those recommendations. And because the TiVo iPad and iPhone apps are linked to the TiVo DVR, TiVo users can feature the program they’re watching to their friends and subscribers on Facebook with a flick of their finger.
The TiVo App retains its unique and easy-to-use interface and lets people peruse TiVo’s hallmark search, browse and recommendation functions, without disrupting what they are watching on the big screen. As people connect and interact with the Social TV features on the TiVo app, they will have more robust access to suggested programming provided by their networks on Facebook.
The improved integrations will launch on the TiVo app later this year. The TiVo App is available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
What’s unclear at this time is how privacy and security will be handled. Do you want every friend knowing everything you watch? Likes are one thing and are easy for user to comprehend, but Facebooks new Watch feature will tell your friends what you’re watching at the moment you start watching. Though the status update obsessed will be able to save some key strokes.
