Apple licenses tech from TV guide maker Rovi
updated 01:00 pm EDT, Mon September 20, 2010
Apple in deal with Rovi for likely Apple TV tech
Apple in an SEC filing today revealed that it has struck a "multi-year agreement" with Rovi in what may be a strategy to support the new Apple TV. The terms are considered secret but will let Apple license Rovi's technology over the course of the deal. Neither company has commented on the plans.
The nature of Rovi's business makes it difficult to determine what Apple would use. At its core, the company makes interactive program guide material that taps into TV channel lineups. However, it also makes software for set-top boxes to access and share media stored both on the Internet and the local network.
It also provides copy protection both for strictly digital media as well as to help obey the CSS system used for DVDs. The company's ACP system is built to help device-to-device support.
Apple already has some form of each of the features Rovi can bring. An Apple TV will already stream protected video from iTunes on another computer, for example. It could potentially be used for rumored and still unconfirmed device-to-device syncing that eliminates the computer entirely.
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2001
and...
Again, maybe just licensing technology they're bringing to the AppleTV to avoid one of those lame patent disputes over this, that, or the other thing (it's usually the other thing that gets you).