It seems they are literally giving away TiVos to just about everyone. As first discovered via threads like this and this on Metafilter, seems like ANY entry in their 250 words or less essay contest will garner you a box. Seems they are trying to clear out stock before new models arrive.
Anyway, it really is too easy. Want proof? Read my winning essay:
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excerpt from screenplay TIVO MATRIX (1st draft)
INT. CONSTRUCT
Morpheus and Neo sit in leather chairs. The environment is white save a television with a black box atop it.
MORPHEUS
Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you
were sure was real. What if you were unable
to wake up from that dream - unable to control it.
He picks up a sleek curvy remote.
MORPHEUS
You been living in a dream world, Neo.
Control of what you watch decided by others, without
you even realizing it. Throughtout history, we
have been dependant on those who control this machine.
NEO
It doesn't have to be that way?
Morpehus points remote. TV comes alive with an appealing "pa-loop" sound - a comforting TV shaped character appears onscreen.
MORPHEUS
This is TiVo.
NEO
Whoa.
MORPHEUS
What if YOU had control. What if you could pause,
rewind, fast-forward at will. That is TiVo, and it gives
you that power.
NEO
No, I don't believe it. It's not possible.
MORPHEUS
I'm trying to free your mind. Give you the control you
should have. With TiVo you can watch anything you
want, whenever you want it.
NEO
What are you saying? Pop a tape in and record like a VCR?
MORPHEUS
No, Neo. I'm trying to tell you that when you're ready,
you won't have to. TiVo will do all that for you, and open your eyes to things you haven't begun to consider.
NEO
Whoa.
