Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

TiVo Bolt owners can now watch TV anywhere thanks to a new software update

Tivo Bolt 4K
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
When we reviewed the TiVo Bolt last year, we were mostly impressed, but there were a few areas in which it was lacking. Perhaps the biggest issue was that, unlike the TiVo Roamio, the Bolt didn’t feature out-of-home streaming. While the older Roamio eventually gained features that launched on the Bolt, such as SkipMode and QuickMode, the newer model didn’t seem to be receiving the same treatment when it came to missing features.

On Thursday, TiVo announced a software update in a blog post that brings changes and updates to a number of models, but the biggest news is that out-of-home streaming has finally come to the Bolt. With this, Bolt users can finally watch both recorded and live programming on the go via the TiVo app for iOS and Android.

If you know you’re headed to a place where internet access is spotty or nonexistent, another new feature coming to the Bolt will solve that problem. While inside their home network, Bolt users can now download programs from the DVR to compatible mobile devices to watch while on the road. Compatible devices include iPad, iPhone, and iPod devices running iOS 7.0 or better, and Android devices running Android version 4.1 or better on standard chipsets — e.g. not Intel or AMD.

The software update also brings fixes and updates to a number of TiVo devices, including the Bolt. Major issues that have been fixed include random Netflix crashes, Bolt models not properly syncing OTA channel-list changes, and the Spotify app not outputting audio when the output is set to Dolby Digital. The update also brings numerous UI improvements for the Bolt and stability improvements for the Amazon, Pandora, and YouTube apps.

For a full list of all the changes across all models in the 20.6.1 update, see the software version information on the TiVo support website. And for more information on the Bolt, see our review.

Buy ‘TiVo Bolt’ on Amazon

Editors' Recommendations

Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
Why pause ads in YouTube aren’t the end of the world
A pause ad on a video on Peacock.

A pause ad seen on the Peacock streaming service that doesn't appear until you stop the video. Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

There’s been a bit of teeth-gnashing this week after Google — a company that makes its money off advertising — dared to talk about advertising in public.

Read more
How to watch Apple TV+ on your Chromecast
The Cast selections on the Chrome browser for playing Apple TV+ on Chromecast.

So you're a fan of excellent Apple TV+ shows such as Severance, Ted Lasso, Palm Royale, and Silo, but on the hardware side of things, you're more of a Chromecast or Google TV kinda guy, and that's fine.

Whether you have a Chromecast dongle device, such as a Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra, or even the newer Chromecast with Google TV, or perhaps you have a smart TV or projector with Google TV or Chromecast built-in, rest assured you can watch all your Apple TV+ movies and shows without having to get an Apple TV set-top box. Here’s what you need and what to do!

Read more
Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook
Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple has been a big player in the tech space for a long time, and it has pioneered some of the technology we use today, such as best wireless earbuds and the best smartwatches. If that wasn't enough, it even makes some of the best best laptops and best tablets on the market, so pretty much whatever tech you're looking for, Apple has an excellent version of it. Not only that, but Apple's ecosystem is also easily one of the best available, with only Samsung really competing in that space, and if you're already in the Apple ecosystem, then it makes sense to continue buying stuff from Apple.

Of course, Apple tech can be quite pricey, which is why we've gone out and searched through various big retailers to find you some of the best deals we can find. That includes everything from the MacBook to the AirTag, so hopefully, you can find the perfect deal that fits your needs and budget.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $80, was $99

Read more