Push notifications configurable for e-mail, shows

Comcast has announced that its iPhone app now allows users to remotely control their DVR systems directly from the handset interface. myDVR Manager mimics the on-screen programming guide of a typical set-top box, with content arranged by channel or category. Subscribers can modify existing schedules, cancel recordings, or add new items.

Version 2.0 also brings several enhancements to the inbox, enabling users to upload attachments, access POP and IMAP folders, or mark e-mails as spam. Push notifications can now be configured for new e-mail or voicemail messages, along with TV show reminders.

The remote DVR capabilities bring Comcast up to par with several other companies offering similar functionality in an iPhone app. TiVo and ReplayTV were quick to enable DVR management from mobile platforms, while AT&T and DirecTV have also added the feature.

Comcast's iPhone app is now available as a free download from the App Store. The remote DVR feature is not yet available in all markets, although the company claims deployment across the country will be finished in several months. The myDVR icon "The Guide" will only appear if the subscriber's set-top box is enabled for remote scheduling.

by MacNN Staff