AT&T has launched a service that allows customers to manage television recordings using their cellphones, as part of its Homezone offering, which integrates broadband internet, home networking and EchoStar satellite TV service in one set-top box – and eventually, also in one phone with a common interface.
The Homezone service costs an additional $10 per month, on top of the package prices for the individual services. Customers can view listings and manage and schedule TV recordings on their set-top receiver via a wireless web site, accessible through their cellphone, as well as through a PC. Triggering video-on-demand downloads, currently a PC feature, will also be available on cellphones in the future.
Sprint Nextel is working on a similar offering through its partnership with cable television operators, and from this week, Verizon Wireless will let its customers use their phones to program TiVo digital video recorders remotely.