TiVo Inc., a maker of television recording technology, Monday said it will invite independent developers to create software that can beef up TiVo's ability to deliver programming and information via high-speed Internet lines.
Alviso, California-based TiVo, a leading maker of digital video recorders, or DVRs, said it would make available a software development kit that allows third parties to create applications for TiVo's fee-based service.
TiVo's decision comes as it looks to boost growth of its more-profitable "stand-alone" users -- those not acquired through satellite provider DirecTV Group Inc. -- by offering video and entertainment such as Hollywood films downloaded from the Internet.
Applications created using the development system likely include music and photo services, advanced program guides, local weather information and games.
Digital video recorders are set-top boxes with a built-in hard drive that allows users to pause live TV and store dozens of hours of shows broadcast by network, cable and satellite providers. TiVo's system allow users to transfer digital video, music and pictures using a home computer network.
