Time Warner Cable Comes To Android Tablet, Without Live TV Streaming
Free App Provides DVR Programming, Channel Listings and Remote-Control Functions
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 11/30/2011 6:18:47 AM
Time Warner Cable debuted a free app for tablets running Google's Android operating system to let subscribers program their DVR and check TV listings -- but for now, it doesn't provide access to live TV channels, a service that some programmers have objected to.
The TWC TV app for Android tablets became available Tuesday through the Android Market. The app lets Time Warner Cable digital TV subscriber program their DVR, add favorite channels and use their Android tablet as a remote control. The app is available to all customers with set-top boxes or DVRs running the Time Warner Cable "Navigator" interactive program guide.
The MSO said the app has been certified to run on Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Motorola Mobility's Xoom but is designed to run on any tablet based on Honeycomb (Android version 3.x).
The app for Android follows Time Warner Cable's initial tablet app for Apple's iPad, first launched in April and which currently provides more than 100 live channels.
The live-streaming feature of Time Warner Cable's TWCable TV iPad app prompted objections from several programmers -- including Viacom, which sued TWC -- arguing that the services were outside the scope of existing distribution deals.
Time Warner Cable said that because the service was delivered securely over its own network, for use only within customers' homes, the tablet TV app is permitted under current carriage agreements. Viacom and TWC agreed to halt their litigation while they try to hammer out a deal, but the parties have kept up the legal jockeying in the meantime.
No related content found.
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
