Verizon adds more phones to FiOS Mobile Remote and Remote DVR Manager compatibility list
Did you notice that there were some fresh devices listed when the iPhone popped up on Verizon's FiOS Mobile Remote compatibility chart last week? Sure enough, Big Red ended up dropping some PR on the matter, taking the opportunity to pimp the fact that over a quarter million users have now downloaded its two-pack of FiOS mobile apps. Mobile Remote is now available on the Nexus One, Droid Eris, and Droid Incredible -- in fact, it should work on any Android 2.1-equipped phone -- and Remote DVR Manager is live for more than 50 devices, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and "most" Verizon BlackBerrys. Between the two, you can control your set-top box from your couch or the other side of the world; too bad we're telling you this the day after Lost, right?
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Verizon Expands Availability of FiOS TV's Mobile Apps, Which Now Surpass 250,000 Downloads
Customers Can Control and Enhance Their FiOS TV Experience From More Than 50 Mobile Devices
NEW YORK – May 19, 2010 – Verizon continues to rapidly enhance the FiOS experience inside and outside the fiber-optic-powered digital home, expanding access to two of FiOS TV's growing suite of mobile applications -- Mobile Remote and Remote DVR Manager -- and adding new features to Mobile Remote. Both applications feature advanced capabilities that are available only from Verizon.
Effective immediately, the FiOS TV Mobile Remoteapp can be downloaded to additional smartphones (the DROID ERIS by HTC, DROID Incredible by HTC, HTC Touch Pro2 from Verizon Wireless and the HTC Google Nexus One); and the Remote DVR Manager app now operates on more than 50 mobile devices. Both applications are available for download at no additional cost.
User response to Verizon's suite of applications is consistently favorable, with the applications receiving average user ratings of four stars or higher (through May 2010) in every application store where the suite is available: the Verizon Wireless Media Store, the Android Market, Apple's App Store and BlackBerry App World. After just one year in the market, both Remote DVR Manager and Mobile Remote have been downloaded more than 250,000 times.
"Verizon continues to add innovations to - and personalize -- the TV experience, bringing mobile applications across more than 50 devices within the last year," said Eric Bruno, vice president of product management for Verizon. "As we continue to enhance our suite of mobile applications, we are addressing the needs of our customers, offering more choice and flexibility."
Mobile Remote, which is now available on devices running Android's latest (v.2.1) software, lets FiOS TV high-definition subscribers use their mobile phones as a television remote control, dynamically changing the TV experience. The application automatically personalizes options based on the specific smartphone connected to the set-top box, enabling customized favorites and other preferences.
In addition, customers can use their mobile devices to flick stored photos from the mobile device to the TV, and Mobile Remote has virtually the same functionality as the standard FiOS TV remote.
Verizon is also enhancing its mobile remote interface on smartphones, with two new features that offer immediate access to FiOS TV Video on Demand (VOD) and the ability to return to live FiOS TV programming. Subscribers can now click on the VOD button and browse, search or purchase on-demand titles; or click on the FiOS TV button and jump to live TV when watching recorded programs or respond to interactive prompts.
In addition to enhancing and expanding Mobile Remote, Verizon is also expanding its popular remote DVR management application, now available on more than 50 devices including most Verizon Wireless BlackBerry devices and Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Customers can review, change or add recording requests; record an entire series; delete recorded programs; browse and search TV and VOD listings; set parental controls; check their DVR recorder status and more -- all through their mobile device, anytime, anywhere.
(For screen shots of the Mobile Remote application, visit http://verizon.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=37391.)
Verizon offers these applications across multiple carriers and mobile platforms. To see if an application is available on a particular mobile device, consumers can go to the mobile application store on the device and search "FiOS." Once set up, FiOS Mobile Remote offers features including My Photos, My Favorites, Tele-TV Mute and My Remote.
FiOS provides next-generation interactive services including an advanced interactive media guide; social-networking, news and entertainment widgets; Internet videos on TV; streaming of personal videos, photos and music from home computers to the TV; and many others.
For more information on FiOS TV, consumers can visit www.verizon.com/fiostv or call their local Verizon sales office or 888-438-3467. For the latest news, updates and information about FiOS TV, visit www.verizon.com/newscenter and http://www.verizon.com/athomeblog.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
