Opera Software has unveiled mobileIPG (Mobile Interactive Programming Guide), which aims to converge iTV and telecom markets by using Opera's support for open Web standards, including HTML, CSS2, DOM and JavaScript.

As a result, a mobile phone can now trigger the recording of a TV program on a satellite or Internet-enabled Personal Video Recorder.

Using mobileIPG, both mobile phone operators and Pay TV operators can empower users to carry an entire Interactive Programming Guide in their pocket, so as to schedule their TV recording while on the move. Though Opera claims the application is cross-platform, it is in name only really, as Opera runs on Linux-powered set-top boxes and Symbian OS-powered mobile phones.

With the advent of digital TV and home networking, consumers' homes are turning into digital hubs with tremendous choice of services. Interactive Programming Guides are designed to empower users to uses these services by enabling the scheduling of viewing on Internet connected devices, such as a mobile phone or smartphone.

"The mobileIPG means full freedom to see what you want when you want it. It takes just a few seconds to look up the program on the mobileIPG on your handset, and then activate your recorder at home with just a click," says Christen Krogh, VP Engineering, Opera Software ASA.

Personal Video Recorder devices, which use a hard-disk drive instead of optical discs or magnetic tapes, are replacing VHS and DVD technology in the home. According to In-Stat/MDR, a market-research consultancy, over 11 million homes are predicted to have Personal Video Recorders in 2005.

mobileIPG was developed by Opera with German companies DiscVision and TVinfo.