TiVo Online launches for Web browsers, Reddit bans the haters, Spotify battles back against Apple Music, Twitter shares its block lists, and teenagers play Contra… badly.

TiVo Online Brings DVR to the Web

TiVo has unveiled TiVo Online, its latest product aimed at helping us all find and watch the TV shows we love. TiVo Online brings the DVR (digital video recorder) experience to Web browsers, helping its users move away from the confines of their sofas and stop staring at a smart television. At least for some periods through the day.

TiVo Online is a free website that offers TiVo users a viewing guide, recommendations, and extensive search features. Once signed in, you can also track and manage your shows, see when they're airing on TV, and see what you've set up to record. OnePass means TiVo Online can gather your favorite shows from a range of offline and online sources.

There are some limitations with TiVo Online though. It only works on desktops and laptops, with no support for mobile browsers, and you can only actually watch TV through the interface when you're at home with your device of choice connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your DVR. However, according to TechCrunch, “out-of-home” streaming is “anticipated to be coming soon.”

This is the latest evolution for TiVo, which is facing a tough future thanks to cable subscribers cutting the cord, and the rise of streaming services such as Netflix. While TiVo built its business on the back of television viewers watching their favorite shows on cable and satellite, the industry is changing rather rapidly. And TiVo has to either evolve or die.

Reddit Bans Nasty Subreddits

Reddit has culled five subreddits that it claims don't adhere to the company's new policies against harassment. The biggest victim is /r/fatpeoplehate, which was dedicated to commenting on people's weight. Also gone are the potentially offensive /r/hamplanethatred, /r/transfags, /r/neofag,and /r/shitniggerssay.

To the surprise of no one, Reddit users have pushed back against this censorship, filling the front page with posts about the very subjects being censured. Reddit CEO Ellen Pao is also being targeted, with some users referring to her as Chairman Pao in reference to Mao Zedong.

In announcing the cull, Reddit stated, "Our goal is to enable as many people as possible to have authentic conversations and share ideas and content on an open platform. We want as little involvement as possible in managing these interactions but will be involved when needed to protect privacy and free expression, and to prevent harassment.”

The problem is the needs of the company versus the wants of the community. If most Reddit users want the site to be a veritable free-for-all then this crackdown could lead to a mass exodus. At which point Reddit risks becoming the new old Digg, which died from a lack of interest.

Spotify vs. Apple Music Kicks Off

The ensuing war between Spotify and Apple Music has already begun. Apple launched the first attack when it announced its streaming service at the beginning of this week, and the first set of ads (including the one embedded below) paint Apple Music as the next big leap forward in music consumption. Thus ignoring the fact Spotify has existed since 2006.

Spotify isn't ready to roll over and die though, and published a blog post reminding everybody just how far ahead of the competition they are. The company now has 75 million active users, 20 million of which pay for the privilege. The number of paying subscribers has actually doubled over the past year from 10 million to 20 million.

Apple Music launches on June 30th… let battle commence!

Twitter Helps You Share Block Lists

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Twitter has introduced the ability to share block lists. Thus making it easier than ever for users to block accounts known to have been involved with harassment, bullying, or some other form of egregious behavior.

Individual users can import or export lists of blocked users, offering a shortcut for friends or particular groups of people to block the same accounts. This is just the latest move aimed at reducing the amount of hatred being spewed on Twitter.

Teenagers Play Contra and Die

And finally, we all know old video games are much harder than modern video games, but this video demonstrates just how true that statement is. These teenagers try to play some co-op Contra, and fail rather spectacularly.

It's not that they particularly suck at playing video games, it's just that the difficulty level and learning curve on a game such as Contra are just that much higher than your average Call of Duty title. [H/T Geekologie]

Your Views on Today’s Tech News

Do you still use TiVo? Should Reddit be banning nasty subreddits? Can Apple Music overpower Spotify? Will you be sharing block lists on Twitter? Do you remember playing Contra?

Let us know your thoughts on the Tech News of the day by posting to the comments section below. Because a healthy discussion is always welcome.

Image Credits: Chris Kelly via Flickr