New zeebox feature enables two-way remote control of Sky+ and TiVo boxes

The latest release of the zeebox TV companion app deepens its links with TV by adding a unique two-way remote control feature, responding to popular demand from zeebox users. Millions of Sky and Virgin TiVo subscribers can now use the zeebox TV guide on their Android smartphones as a seamless remote control, and benefit from zeebox’s automatic recognition of which channel they’re watching.

Two-way remote control represents the next phase of integration between TV and the second-screen, enabling a range of new, interactive, timely consumer experiences. By acting both as a remote control and a channel detector, zeebox further automates the delivery of contextually relevant content (and commerce) to consumers whilst they watch TV, whether they are using their traditional remote control or the zeebox app to change channels.

The user experience is seamless: fire up zeebox to see instantly what’s on TV, what’s buzzing, what the celebrities or your friends are watching. Click on a show and your Sky+ or Virgin Tivo box jumps to that channel. If you pick up your traditional remote and change the channel, zeebox detects it instantly and prompts you to switch zeebox to the corresponding show page.

Zeebox’s iPhone and iPad app will be updated with the same functionality in the next 60 days.

“We believe seamless remote control is one of those killer features – integrated with our content, almost invisible, but completely embedded with the consumer experience,” said Anthony Rose, co-founder and CTO of zeebox. “The coming months will see zeebox enabling seamless remote control for a range of connected TVs and set-top boxes in every region where our app is available, including the US.”