Jazz Odyssey

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Tivo has launched an open source development initiative for its DVR. Tivo has made an SDK (Software Development Kit) available as a free download at the Sourceforge Open Source software website. This allows applications to be developed and collaborated upon by users with ideas and Java programming skills.

By creating a platform that allows for user initiated, collaborative development, Tivo has given their hardware the opportunity to become maximally useful. While there is some risk that there will be some software developed that defeats or provides workarounds to the various Tivo DRM schemes, it’s much more likely that a series of applications will be developed that take an already useful device/service and add or alter functionality that turns it from useful into essential. Users that aren’t in the Tivo R&D lab will be thinking of applications that have the manifest function of being most useful to them–a different headspace than trying to invent functionality to sell more units. But the latent function of these applications is that they will sell more units….after all, a well designed piece of software that makes a device even more useful and/or compelling only adds to the list of reasons to own that device. A rising tide lifts all boats. The collaborative nature of Open Source development means that good ideas can become great ideas, and those ideas that fall short of the mark either get improved by the community or fall by the wayside. And those applications that are very narrow is appeal have an opportunity to find their niche.

This is a highly significant and positive step for Tivo to take. If you own a Tivo, you already are aware (and likely enamored) of the freedom and flexibility that time shifting your television programs provides. If you don’t, I highly recommend giving it a try….like the Ipod, Tivo is a life-changing device.