I just caught this post over at TiVo Blog. Alex stumbled across a package called SeasonPassGetter, which is a free application for Mac OS that will transfer shows from a TiVo (via TiVoToGo), transcode them for an iPod, add them into iTunes, and even initiate an iPod sync as required.

SeasonPassGetter joins TiVoDecode Manager as a free alternative to the official commercial solutions Popcorn 3 and Toast 8 Titanium from Roxio.

See TiVo Blog’s post for some screen shots and Alex’s take on the software, since he has a Mac and I don’t.

Hot on the heels of the 2.5.0 release, Galleon has been bumped to 2.5.1. It is mainly a bug fix update. From the release notes:

Version 2.5.1:
———————-
* Fixed a screen saver bug–it would consume all your CPU time on the PC
* Updated Linux install Makefile to work in more cases/on more distributions

Known problems:
* not all galleon skins in HD cover the screen–use tivo skins
* still some layout glitches in HD
* still some HD menu highlights are too big for text

Download it here.

Thanks to TiVo Blog for the heads up.

After the early morning early release of Sprint’s Centro website, the official announcement came later in the day. The Centro will have a 90-day exclusive with Sprint. The Centro is Palm’s smallest, lightest, and least expensive smartphone ever - yet it is still very capable, with the features of a larger, more expensive Treo. The Cetro is 4.22″ x 2.11″ x .73″ and weighs only 4.2oz. It has a 320×320 color (16-bit/65K colors) touchscreen, a 1.3 megapixel camera with 2x zoom, 64MB of available storage, BlueTooth v1.2, microSD slot (up to 4GB cards), and runs Palm OS 5.4.9 (Garnet). You can have any color you want - as long as you want Ruby (red) or Onyx (black). As it runs on Sprint’s network, it is a CDMA2000 EvDO phone which should make web browsing fairly speedy.

It also comes with a lot of pre-loaded software including Documents to Go Professional Edition 10, Google Mobile Maps, Instant Messaging, Nuance Voice Control, PocketTunes Deluxe, Sprint Mobile Email, Sprint Store, Sprint TV, Sudoku, and VersaMail 4.0.

The best part? The price. It is only $99.99 after a $100 rebate and a 2-year service commitment with Sprint. That’s a great deal for a very capable smartphone. You get all of the features you’d get from a more expensive model, such as the Treo 755p for much less. Actually, you get more features as they’ve bundled entertainment software, IM clients, etc. And it supports thousands of third party Palm OS applications - like SlingPlayer Mobile.

You can pre-order it now and get free shipping and a free vehicle power charger (a $29.99 value).

Thank you for the TiVo Rewards Referral Matthew, it is appreciated.

The E-Commerce Times is running an article on the growth of DVR use in the US. According to Leichtman Research Group (LRG), just two years ago DVRs were in only 1 of 13 US homes, today 1 in 5 homes have a DVR, and by 2011 they predict that 50% of homes, or 60 million, will have a DVR. This is due largely to the proliferation from cable and satellite providers who are shifting DVRs from options to nearly standard equipment.

LRG also reported a couple of things that were a little surprising to me. They determined that 45% of DVR households record only five or fewer programs a week, and that 95% of TV viewing in the US is still live TV. I would’ve expected homes with DVRs to record more content, and even with DVRs in just 20% of homes I expected more time-shifting - 100% of my viewing is time-shifted with TiVo. And they look forward to potential future developments such as a network-based DVR.

There is a little more on plans for TiVo in Australia from Saturday’s Sydney Morning Herald. They reiterate that Seven Network plans to launch the TiVo in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics, which Seven will air in Australia. Seven is also negotiating with other networks to bring them into the TiVo platform.

The service will start out with basic functions, allowing subscribers to record programs, download content from websites selected by Seven and its digital partner, Yahoo!, play music and show photos as well as use a feature that will select programs based on a customer’s viewing history and favourite shows. Users will also be able to pause viewing, watch extended ads, and order brochures.

[Seven's director of TiVo, Mark] Hughes said more features would be added over time, with the initial offering just a “toe in the water compared to where we will be in 12 to 18 months”. They could include video on demand, more interactive services and the ability to move recorded programs onto portable devices such as an iPod. The launch date “will be sometime before the end of next year, but obviously the Olympics is a key event for us [Seven has the broadcasting rights] and we are very focused … on getting the platform out there”.

Seven plans to sell the TiVo HD-based unit for AUD$500 to $600 with subscriptions handled through Engin. Hughes said the hope is for TiVo to garner 25% of the expected 2 million unit Australian DVR market over the next five years. And I like the sound of this:

Seven is talking to other networks about allowing them to add various features such as extra program material or interactive features, with the possibility of sharing revenue. For example, Channel Ten viewers could vote for their favourite Australian Idol stars through the TiVo box.

I’d love to see some of that Interactive TV-style functionality added to the US TiVos as well.

The 99-cent rentals this week from Amazon Unbox are Zodiac, Superman: Doomsday, Lucky You, The Contract, I Think I Love My Wife, and Lonely Hearts.

They also have another round of free season and series premiers. Currently episodes of Bones, Rules of Engagement, Til Death, House, Big Bang Theory, Gossip Girl, Kitchen Nightmares, Back to You, K-Ville, and Prison Break are free to download. You can also download Conan O’Brien’s Pale Force for free.