New Technology Reviews!.: Virgin

Virgin Mobile won’t start throttling customers until 2012

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<img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="199" mce_src="http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/6052/mobileusa540x331.jpg" src="http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/6052/mobileusa540x331.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" width="324" />While Virgin Mobile is technically unlimited (and aren’t they proud of it) their parent company had intended to begin throttling its data-hungry users some time in October. Today the company issued a statement saying that while they still intend to slow down the connection of their most active customers, the change won’t happen until an unspecified date in 2012.The information was released as Virgin Mobile confirmed that it’s offering the LG Optimus Slider and HTC Wildfire.</div>
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Previously, the company stated that their customers would begin to see intentionally reduced speeds after they used 2.5GB of data. They didn’t say when they would actually put the policy in place, just that they would let customers know. Accrding to Virgin Mobile, that’s less than 3% of their customer base – which is probably small comfort to the people who fall into the category. I suppose they intend to let their customers know that while yes, they’re going to be getting a restricted level of service while paying the same amount, they’re in a very small group of likewise restricted customers. It’s exclusive.</div>
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With more and more United States carriers switching to a capped data system, throttling seems to be the method of choice for those situations where unlimited plans are an inconvenient necessity (for the carriers, at least). T-Mobile still offers unlimited plans, but already has a 2GB limit before customers are throttled. Those legacy customers on AT&T who still have unlimited terms in their contracts will be throttled beginning October 1st if they’re in the top 5% of data users, no matter how much data they’re actually using.</div>
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So gather ye tethering apps while ye may, Virgin Mobile power users. You’ve been granted a reprieve for another few months at the very least.</div>
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Virgin Mobile won’t start throttling customers until 2012

While Virgin Mobile is technically unlimited (and aren’t they proud of it) their parent company had intended to begin throttling its d...

Virgin Media's TiVo is 'changing telly habits'

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Virgin Media's TiVo hard disk recorder and on-demand set top box has changed the way people find and view TV programmes, according to the fibre-optic entertainment supremo.</div>
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A quarter of its users forgo the electronic programme guide (EPG) favoured by other set top boxes, instead preferring TiVo's intelligent search feature.</div>
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Half of these searches are for programmes that aren't in audience research company BARB's top fifty for the UK - which means more people are seeking out programmes, rather being spoon-fed the top result on the EPG.</div>
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According to Virgin Media's second 'Entertainment Index', the top ten customer searches were:</div>
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1. The Apprentice 2. Camelot 3. Doctor Who 4. House 5. Glee 6. EastEnders 7. Dexter 8. Casualty 9. Desperate Housewives 10. Fringe</div>
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Too demanding</h4>
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Dexter and Fringe aren't broadcast on conventional 'terrestrial' channels, instead being shown on FX and Sky1 respectively which, Virgin Media reckons, reinforces the prominence of "word of mouth social recommendations or marketing campaigns".</div>
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What Virgin Media hasn't revealed is the number of people who prefer watching on-demand to recording on the TiVo's hard drive, so it's not clear if the Tivo's 1TB of storage is proving increasingly redundant.</div>
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At 484 million views in the first half of 2011, Virgin Media's on-demand service is still dwarfed by the BBC iPlayer - which achieved 175 million views in December 2010 alone.</div>
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The company believes it's on track to achieve one billion views this year, but this could be a drop in the ocean compared to the (free) iPlayer's results.</div>
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We doubt Virgin is too worried though. It's already delivered Britain's fastest fibre-optic broadband to many homes, and many will take out a TV package at the same time.</div>
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Virgin Media's TiVo is 'changing telly habits'

Virgin Media's TiVo hard disk recorder and on-demand set top box has changed the way people find and view TV programmes, according ...

Virgin Media TiVo service gets full BBC iPlayer app

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/video/personal-video-recorders-pvrs/TiVo/apps_2-200-200.jpg"> The <a href="">Virgin Media TiVo</A> box has been given a key update, with the BBC iPlayer app coming out of beta and now apparently offering HD catch-up of Auntie's programmes. The iPlayer app is already on the boxes, but was a beta offering with several bugs which have, presumably, now been ironed out. The BBC catch-up service has proven to be phenomenally popular on Virgin Media, and the extension of a full app onto the Virgin Media TiVo box will be good news for many who have got their hands on the eagerly anticipated kit. Taking advantage "Taking advantage of the power to run dedicated 'connected' applications on the TiVo powered set-top box, a new BBC iPlayer app can be found in the growing 'Apps and Games' section and offers the full library of BBC iPlayer content, including catch-up shows in HD as well as radio shows for the first time ever," a Virgin Media spokesperson told TechRadar. "With around 1,000 hours available - previously 350 hours - to watch from the last seven days and other new features such as subtitling and signing, the new service will also gain new functionality over time and supersedes the existing BBC iPlayer serviceon Virgin Media to provide the most complete TV on Demand service possible." As TechRadar's <a href="">Virgin Media TiVo review</A> discovered, the latest PVR on offer is a powerful beast but in need of a bit of a polish – and a refreshed BBC iPlayer app is certainly a step in the right direction. <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/y8uQDqss3_A/story01.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Article</A>

Virgin Media TiVo service gets full BBC iPlayer app

The Virgin Media TiVo box has been given a key update, with the BBC iPlayer app coming out of beta and now apparently offering HD catch-up ...

Virgin Media announces new 3D content

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/images/despicable%20me-200-200.jpg"> Virgin Media has announced its 3D content for the coming months, with the cable giant ramping up its on-demand offering. Although it does not offer a 3D channel, Virgin Media insists that it is building on its 3D content for those people with a 3D capable television. The latest content announcement from the company includes 3D documentaries for its XL TV customers, 3D animations available to all Virgin Media TV customers and on-demand pay-per-view movies. In The Hole! The latter includes The Hole, arriving on 17 January and Despicable Me which will be arriving in February. "This exciting new line-up ofcontent will enable Virgin Media TV customers to experience a close-up of the Sun, explore the lost world of the dinosaurs, uncover the secret world of bats and rediscover the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt all in breathtaking high-definition 3D," said Virgin Media. "Virgin Media customers already have access to a range of 3D movies through its pioneering TV On Demand service and can now choose to enjoy a growing selection of diverse 3D content instantly at the touch of a button." We're all looking forward to The Extreme Nature Bats and Waking the T-Rex: The Story of Sue. 3D documentaries available to XL TV customers only <UL> <LI>3D Sun – 23 Dec</LI> <LI>Dinosaurs Alive – 23 Dec</LI> <LI>Mummies – Jan</LI> <LI>Waking the T-Rex: The Story of Sue – Jan</LI> <LI>Siegfried and Roy: The Magic Box – Jan</LI> <LI>The Extreme NatureBats – Feb</LI> <LI>MircoWorlds – Feb</LI></UL> 3D animations available to all Virgin Media TV customers <UL> <LI>Xenopod – 23 Dec</LI> <LI>Curse of Skull Rock – 23 Dec</LI> <LI>The Mission – Jan</LI> <LI>Voyage to Mars – Jan</LI></UL> 3D Movies on Demand – pay per view <UL> <LI>The Hole – 17 Jan</LI> <LI>Despicable Me – February </LI></UL>

Virgin Media announces new 3D content

Virgin Media has announced its 3D content for the coming months, with the cable giant ramping up its on-demand offering. Although it does n...

Exclusive: Virgin Media vows to 'build on' 3D strategy

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/images/virgin-media-3d-200-200.jpg"> Virgin Media has told TechRadar that it will continue to "build on" its 3D strategy in the coming year, with the imminent arrival of its latest set top box making it much easier to find content. Like many others, Virgin Media's 3D content has been limited so far, although the company is well aware of the strides being taken by rival Sky. Sky 3D launched this year bringing an entire channel of 3D content from the worlds of film, sports and arts. Virgin Media's 3D content is available through its on demand service, and a strategic deal with Samsung means that the company has not forgotten about those customers that want to have access to content to play on their expensive 3D equipment. Building "We're still building on the 3D strategy that we put into place," Virgin Media's Cindy Rose told TechRadar . "We have a collaboration with Samsung so we will be doing a lot of stuff around 3D. "We are aware that some of our XL TV customers have spent a lot of money on 3D televisions sets and we want to make sure we give them content." Content is king For the time being 3D content remains thin on the ground, with bidding wars over high profile films like Toy Story 3 and Avatar which boost company's 3D line-ups. Sky's financial clout and its impressive investment in 3D content means that it is going to be in pole position for many of the high profile movies and other bits of content. However, as 3D content becomes more common, it is important that the likes of Virgin Media can be viewed as an option for people who are looking to upgrade their television to a 3D set. Viewers need a 3D capable television to watch the 3D broadcasts, but manufacturers like Virgin Media's partner Samsung are putting huge amounts of money behind the push for 3D.

Exclusive: Virgin Media vows to 'build on' 3D strategy

Virgin Media has told TechRadar that it will continue to "build on" its 3D strategy in the coming year, with the imminent arrival ...

Virgin Media officially unveils new TiVo powered box

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/images/TivoBox-200-200.jpg"> Virgin Media has formally unveiled its latest set top box, with a TiVo powered UI, a built-in modem and three tuners all bringing the cable giant's television service bang up to date for the modern market. The company believes that a partnership with US PVR specialist TiVo has brought a 'game-changing' user interface as it looks to modernise its offering and compete with Sky, BT Vision and the forthcoming slew of IPTV services. "The new service will lead a much-anticipated revolution in the way people find and enjoy their favourite content," said Virgin Media. Graphical interface "An easy-to-use graphical interface will combine the live TV schedule with catch-up TV, a huge library of on-demand programming and popular web-based applications alongside a market-leading personal video recorder," it added. "As a result, Virgin Media customers will never miss out on great programmes and will find it easier than ever to discover new types of entertainment to match their tastes and preferences." The new platform will offer instant (and potentially HD or 3D) content on demand – still a huge selling point over its rivals, and the new box offers 1TB of storage and three tuners, allowing two things to be recorded while a third is watched live. However, the box will initially only launch with two tuners, with the third being added to new boxes early in 2011. <img alt="Virgin media powered by tivo" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/HomeScreen-420-90.jpg" title="Virgin media powered by tivo" width="420"></IMG> "This also means that – unlike other internet enabled TV services – customers will be able to watch what they want at the click of a button, rather than waiting for time-consuming downloads," adds Virgin Media. "As Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo utilises dedicated channels of bandwidth, the user's viewing choice will not come at the expense of their broadband connection, so households can watch and surf simultaneously without interruption." Recommended The TiVo recommendation engine will be a major new addition – but it will be the way in which content is grouped and surfaced which will be the major pluses in a revamped UI. Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said, "This is a landmark moment in the UK's digital revolution and vividly illustrates why Virgin Media is the only company who can provide the ultimate digital lifestyle. "For the first time, viewers will have a truly personalised viewing experience so they can get the most out of the wonderful worlds of the internet and TV all in one place. "We're really excited to bring our customers what is just the first of successive generations of transformational services based on this unique TiVo-powered platform." Get connected Connected television is a massive part of home entertainment's future, and Virgin is hoping that the inclusion of a separate modem in the box will help push its offering ahead of its rivals. "Through its dedicated 10Mb cable broadband modem, which is built into the personal video recorder, the new platform will also bring the ever-growing popularity of the app store to the living room for the first time, doing for TV what the iPhone and Android have done for the mobile phone," the company stated. "Built on an Adobe Flash-based platform, the latest videos, social networking and information apps will be updated regularly. "The service launches initially with apps from major web brands including catch-up TV from BBC iPlayer, videos from YouTube, shopping from the online marketplace eBay, Tweets from Twitter and photos from sites such as Facebook, and the app line up will expand over the next several months."

Virgin Media officially unveils new TiVo powered box

Virgin Media has formally unveiled its latest set top box, with a TiVo powered UI, a built-in modem and three tuners all bringing the cable...

In Depth: Hands on: Virgin Media TiVo box review

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/TiVo%20Box%20and%20Remote-200-200.jpg"> TechRadar has had some time with the hottest new set-top box in the UK, with the Virgin Media TV powered by Tivo just weeks away from launch. Virgin Media has only just officially unveiled the Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo service, but we have a chance to see the new box and its spangly user interface in action. This is, we hasten to add, a very early and slightly limited look at the box, which was running through a development server rather than on the live service, but we were told quite emphatically that this only served to degrade the service. We will both update this hands-on look and bring you a full review as we spend more time with the box. Now to the important bit; does the TiVo UI give Virgin Media a box comparable to the Sky service? In a word, yes. <img alt="Virgin media tivo box: home screen" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/HomeScreen-420-90.jpg" title="Virgin media tivo box: home screen" width="420"></IMG> Virgin Media TiVo box: Home screen In fact, the early indications are that this could be the best set-top box on the market – with only Sky's superior content offering allowing it to compete with a well-designed, intuitive and, frankly, superior user interface in a world of video on demand, catch up and web apps. It is the TiVo partnership that has brought much of this improvement, with Virgin Media doing a lot of work beneath the bonnet to make sure things like the red button work as the UK audience expects. Virgin Media's old user interface will not be missed; it hasn't aged well and, with the sheer amount of content growing rapidly, was simply not a tenable proposition for the modern era. But this is a sea change from Virgin, which appears to have taken the wise decision to keep faithful to the tried-and-tested TiVo formula, with precious little tinkering aside from one of the most significant aspects of the box. We're referring to the backwards EPG – allowing you to not only look forward in time on the familiar programme grid, but also to look back and easily find and access the massive amounts of catch-up television available. That includes stuff that you would watch on iPlayer, the other public service broadcasters (ITV, Channel 4 and Five) and other channels that offer catch-up services. <img alt="Virgin media tivo box: epg goes backwards as well" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/GridEPG-420-90.jpg" title="Virgin media tivo box: epg goes backwards as well" width="420"></IMG> Virgin Media TiVo box: The EPG goes backwards as well It's an obvious and elegant way for people to browse for programmes – and is a key addition to the service. The search and discovery theme is prevalent throughout the colourful and graphics heavy UI, with a 'discovery bar' present on most pages. This discovery bar – a ribbon of images that can be browsed though by pressing up on the remote control – is contextual. <img alt="Virgin media tivo box: discovery bar" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/DiscoveryBarRecommendations-420-90.jpg" title="Virgin media tivo box: discovery bar" width="420"></IMG> Virgin Media TiVo box: Discovery bar That means that if you're searching for Friends, for instance, the discovery bar would show content related to Friends. In this example, movies featuring Jennifer Aniston and Cougar Town starring Courteney Cox showed up among other relevant content. From the Home screen, the content is at its most generic, although that will also be refined as the box logs your interests and preferences. There will also be some editorial input in the discovery, with a team at Virgin Media picking out highlights that are in their own special 'pick of the week' section. This discovery is tied into much of other functionality, and it works very, very well – not least because the discovery bar tells you why it has selected that content and allows you to use the TiVo recommendation engine to mark it. So if you hate a piece of content being displayed, a triple thumbs down would mean that it doesn't show again and other things of the same type will also be unlikely to show. This recommendation engine is another key addition to the platform. TiVo fills up the space on your box with recordings of programmes that it thinks you may want to watch. <img alt="Virgin media tivo box: series link" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/SeriesLinkRecording-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Virgin Media TiVo box: Series link These programmes are selected both through your marking of programmes (with thumbs up and thumbs down – both options on the remote) and through what other viewers who share similar viewing habits have been watching. This data is anonymous, of course, but should mean that the new programme that all of your sci-fi loving friends are raving about should have been picked up, if you like watching sci-fi. The key factor in any modern television UI is, of course, how easy the content is to find. Search is at the centre of much of the TiVo interface – like Google Suggest, each letter you put in brings up the most likely and popular results, and search is not limited to just programmes but also extends to things like actor and director. That means you can watch whatever Jennifer Love Hewitt has done that's available. And not just what is available right now. The search allows you not only to comb through the available video on demand, catch up and programmes coming up in the next fortnight but also set up a 'WishList' – meaning that TiVo will record anything that appears with that person or keyword going forwards. So, for instance, if you are Star Wars fan, you can set it up as a keyword and make sure that TiVo prioritises anything with that term. The search result programme/actor pages also allow you to watch YouTube clips that are available, and, for the parents out there, you can block access. <img alt="Virgin media tivo box: search" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/SearchTitlesandActors-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Virgin Media TiVo box: Search The source of the content (VOD, linear, catch-up etc) is made clear, although increasingly this kind of interface makes it clear that it doesn't really matter where the content comes from. Last, and least for the moment, is the apps and games category – although this is something that will become increasingly important going forward. Currently, iPlayer, YouTube, weather, celeb news and a handful of other basic apps are available, but this section is expected to grow massively in the coming months. Virgin Media is hoping that that its own userbase will decide the kind of things that should appear in this section – and there are plans to make paid-for apps available. The user interface is snappy and feels responsive; a slight lag in some of the picture loading on the discovery bar is apparently down to the network the box is currently on and will not be obvious in the home product. <img alt="Virgin media tivo box: peanut remote" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/TivoRemote-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Virgin Media TiVo box: Peanut remote The 'peanut' remote does not sport a QWERTY keyboard, which could be a problem for those who hate multi-tap text entry, but Virgin Media will be offering other remote options going forward. Our final early impressions are that this is an exciting and thoroughly modern new offering from Virgin Media, which will not only be exciting to current customers but might just lure others to the black, red and gold side.

In Depth: Hands on: Virgin Media TiVo box review

TechRadar has had some time with the hottest new set-top box in the UK, with the Virgin Media TV powered by Tivo just weeks away from launch...

Exclusive: Confirmed: TiVo iPad app will come to Virgin Media service

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/tivo_ipad_app-200-200.jpg"> Virgin Media's new TiVo powered service will be taking advantage of the TiVo iPad app – turning it into a powerful remote and companion device. TiVo is showing off its new iPad app in video and it has been enthusiastically received by the US market in which the PVR giant is dominant. But UK consumers can look forward to the prospect of turning their iPads into a remote for their new <a href="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/TiVo%20Box%20and%20Remote-218-85.jpg">Virgin Media TiVo service</A> boxes. Paired Once paired with a box it not only offers you a remote, but also gives you easy access to information, remote record and a host of other options that make your iPad very useful in this context. Confirming the news, Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, told TechRadar that users could "look forward to the app coming next year". The new <a href="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/TiVo%20Box%20and%20Remote-218-85.jpg">Tivo powered Virgin Media</A> service is a massive new addition to the UK TV market – with the partnership bringing key changes to the Virgin cable platform. The new boxes that carry TiVo will start to appear this month, and the service will continue to expand through 2011.

Exclusive: Confirmed: TiVo iPad app will come to Virgin Media service

Virgin Media's new TiVo powered service will be taking advantage of the TiVo iPad app – turning it into a powerful remote and companion ...

Breaking: First pictures: Virgin Media's new TiVo user interface

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/HomeScreen4x3-200-200.jpg"> The first screen shots of Virgin Media's brand new 'powered by TiVo' interface have surfaced, with the long-awaited overhaul to the cable giant's UI bringing massive changes. The decision to partner up with US PVR maker TiVo was huge news for customers of Virgin Media, with its current user interface showing its age. The revamp is based heavily on the latest TiVo interface, boosted hugely by a more graphical look and built around finding content from any source more readily. <img alt="Virgin media powered by tivo: search tile" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/SearchTitlesandActors-420-90.jpg" title="Virgin media powered by tivo: search tile" width="420"></IMG> The colours, as you would expect, remain Virgin Media red, black and gold, with the TiVo logo present in the background. TiVo did have a brief foray into UK territory but found itself pushed out by former-partner Sky and its Sky+ technology. There is residual bitterness over this, and the US company will be keen for the Virgin Media tie-up to do well against the latest Sky+ HD boxes. <img alt="Virgin media powered by tivo: series link" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/SeriesLinkRecording-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Search will play a major factor in the user interface, and you can rely on the fact that the TiVo 'thumbs up' and 'thumbs down' rating, which not only allows you to set your preferences but also to have the box automatically look for viewing patterns across its user base, will be present. The final details on the box are thin on the ground, but expected to arrive in the coming week, with the first boxes set to arrive next month in order to meet the timeframe of a 2010 launch.

Breaking: First pictures: Virgin Media's new TiVo user interface

The first screen shots of Virgin Media's brand new 'powered by TiVo' interface have surfaced, with the long-awaited overhaul to ...

Virgin Media starts campaign against broadband speed con

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/internet-and-broadband/images/adsl-connection-200-200.jpg"> It's been a long time coming, but Virgin Media has thrown its weight behind calls for an end to the misleading advertising of broadband speeds. The cable company's fibre optic network always meant it had an infrastructure that was the least affected by a difference between advertised top speeds and actual averages, something that it has pointed out for years. But the company has now set up a campaign to end the dreadful practice of selling broadband to consumers with "Up to…" messaging that falls well short of real life speeds. stopthebroadbandcon.org The <a href="http://www.stopthebroadbandcon.org/" title="blocked::http://www.stopthebroadbandcon.org/">www.stopthebroadbandcon.org</A> website has been set up, and Virgin Media is asking for people to sign up and make their feelings known. Jon James, executive director of broadband, Virgin Media said: "People are paying for superfast broadband but receiving a service stuck in the slow lane. "Broadband providers need to stop advertising speeds that not a single customer can receive and we're asking people to support our call for change by signing up to stopthebroadbandcon.org. "Faster broadband means better broadband, whether you're surfing the web, watching TV online or downloading music and UK consumers deserve superfast broadband they can trust, rather than having to rely on the fairytales and broken promises of current broadband advertising." Review The ASA has already asked for a review of the practice, and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/ofcom-broadband-speed-figures-show-stark-truth-705797">Ofcom's average speed figures</A> show just how serious the problem is, with average speeds often less than a third of the advertised 'up to' speed. Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, is supporting the campaign and added: "Staying connected is central to our lives and we all deserve broadband we can trust. "I'm challenging all broadband providers to be honest with their customers and ask people to add their voice to the campaign by signing up to Stopthebroadbandcon.org." TechRadar has long been an opponent of the 'Up to..' advertising, and the more big names that back an end to a misleading (and plain wrong) approach to selling broadband the better the chance of transparency and honesty on our broadband speeds.

Virgin Media starts campaign against broadband speed con

It's been a long time coming, but Virgin Media has thrown its weight behind calls for an end to the misleading advertising of broadband ...

First picture of Virgin Media TiVo box emerges

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/video/personal-video-recorders-pvrs/VirginTiVobox-200-200.jpg"> Virgin Media has released a teaser photo of its forthcoming TiVo-powered set-top box – including a glimpse at the remote control that the next-generation offering will be coming with. The company has already outlined certain details of its new box – including the fact that it will have a modem built in – and has now shown off a picture of the box, albeit masked by a sheet. The new <a href="http://shop.virginmedia.com/tv/tivo.html">TiVo Virgin Media boxes</A> are due to arrive in 2010, so it is not long to see if the colaboration with the US PVR masters is a good one. <img alt="Virgin tivo" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/video/personal-video-recorders-pvrs/virgin_remote-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> TiVo has established a reputation for a top quality user interface, and the company has enjoyed mainstream acclaim from the States. The brand did have a brief launch in the UK but found itself shoved out by early-ally Sky – a company which has enjoyed huge success with its Sky+ offering. Other details on the new box include a 1TB hard drive and the aforementioned modem – which will mean that streaming television will not affect your broadband connection.

First picture of Virgin Media TiVo box emerges

Virgin Media has released a teaser photo of its forthcoming TiVo-powered set-top box – including a glimpse at the remote control that the ne...

Virgin Mobile HTC Desire Android 2.2 update arrives

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/HTC/HTC-Desire4-200-200.jpg"> Virgin Mobile has announced to its customers that an Android 2.2 update to the HTC Desire is now available. In a <a href="http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Mobile/HTC-Desire-Android-2-2-Froyo-Released-11-11-10/td-p/173627">statement released</A> to the Virgin community forums, it was revealed that those who have Virgin specific firmware (1.23.351.1) can get the update right now. Those who are on the handset's original firmware (1.15.405.4) will have to wait a few days for another update to become available. Back it up As with previous Froyo updates, this is an OTA (over-the-air) update so you are best to hack into a Wi-Fi signal and it's always best to back up your data. The Android 2.2 update includes – like you don't know already – the ability to save applications to the SD card, you can use the device as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and compatibility with more Android Market Place apps. If you are a Virgin Mobile user with an HTC Desire, then you can go to Menu > Settings > About Phone > System Software Updates > Check Now for the update.

Virgin Mobile HTC Desire Android 2.2 update arrives

Virgin Mobile has announced to its customers that an Android 2.2 update to the HTC Desire is now available. In a statement released to the ...

Virgin Media seals deal for Five catch-up TV

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/images/five_logo-200-200.jpg"> Virgin Media has announced that it is has sealed a deal with Five for its Demand Five catch up and video-on-demand service. The cable giant has nabbed a key deal for the platform, with Five's catalogue now arriving on its admired Catch Up TV service – including content from the Five, Fiver and Five USA channels. The deal is a multiscreen offering, meaning that the programmes wil be available on mobile and internet through Virgin Media, and the addition will not cost customers any extra. You're a Mentalist! Programs that will be available include British shows like The Gadget Show and Fifth Gear and some of the Five's key US imports like The Mentalist, Grey's Anatomy and CSI: Miami. And who could forget the Australian behemoths of soap – Neighbours and Home and Away. Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media said: "We're delighted to add Demand Five to our pioneering TV On Demand service and to complete our offering of terrestrial TV catch-up services. "With a high calibre of shows including quality US drama, popular Australian soaps and entertaining and informative home grown programmes with many in HD, Demand Five has something for everyone." Jonathan Lewis, Head of Digital Media at Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd added: "We're really pleased to be able to offer Demand Five through Virgin Media, giving even more consumers the opportunity to watch a selection of our great shows, at a time convenient to them whilst still being able to enjoy the high quality of a full TV experience."

Virgin Media seals deal for Five catch-up TV

Virgin Media has announced that it is has sealed a deal with Five for its Demand Five catch up and video-on-demand service. The cable giant ...