Reuters is reporting on speculation (as if that represents news) that Apple is targetting Tivo for aquisition.
Personally, I think this is a natural play for Apple. There has been rampant speculation that the Mac Mini is positioned as a Media Center Device (DVD-Player/Writer, HDI interface); add Tivo software to the Mac Mini and you have the next “Insanely Great Thing” in the home.
The pairing is particularly brilliant since the vast majority of the development for moving the Tivo to the Mac is already done. The Tivo already runs on a Unix platform (Linux in this case), and even uses a modified Macintosh File System and PowerPC CPU (same as the Mac) in it’s exisiting hardware. Tivo brings to the table: the software, user base, back-end data distribution agreements with cable companies, and existing content agreements with select networks and vendors. Apple brings world-class hardware design (let’s face the Tivo hardware isn’t that great beyond the cool remote), marketing expertise, and a successful online media store (iTunes Music Store). The pairing seems to be Sony and Microsoft‘s worst nightmare.
Imagine forgetting to setup a show to record on your Mini/Tivo, and going to the Apple iMedia Store and ordering the show you missed (and it’s soundtrack) downloaded straight to your TV in hi-definition. Or getting trailers for upcoming movies or the next season’s shows based on your Tivo ratings. Two shows on at once? Just order one for download from the iMedia Store, and setup the other on the Mini/Tivo.
Think Different, think of Apple as the next big media comany.