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Verizon FiOS TV app to deliver VOD and live HD to LG TVs
Everybody has to have an app these days and telecom companies like Verizon are no different. Apps on smartphones and tablets, apps on game consoles and even apps on HDTVs or Blu-ray players. The latest app from Verizon is the FiOS TV App, which will be coming to LG's Smart TV Platform in the first half of 2012. In addition to 26 live channels, like Verizon's Xbox 360 app, LG HDTVs and Blu-ray players will also have access to video on-demand, including the 10,000 Flex View titles. As excited about this as we are, our enthusiasm is quickly tempered when we realize all the live channels that're missing, this makes it very far from being the set-top boxless solution we dream of.
Samsung shows off integrated TV streaming apps and DirecTV RVU... again
Time Warner, Comcast, DirecTV and Verizon FiOS TV all displayed ways we could enjoy their service without a set-top box tied to our TV during CES 2011. A year later, while tablet apps have launched, living room progress is limited o DirecTV's HR34 soft launch and a limited Verizon FiOS app on Xbox 360 . So, here we are at CES 2012 with all four lined up at the Samsung booth under the N Service banner, again. Despite our disappointment over the delays, Comcast's app was slick, though limited to VOD-only just like the Xbox 360. Time Warner Cable's port of TWCable TV was similarly well appointed, although it lacked the DVR tie-ins of its Panasonic counterpart we saw earlier. The Verizon FiOS beta app was very rough around the edges, but allowed for either live TV or VOD streaming via the internet. DirecTV clearly had the best showing, but mostly because its implementation is actually shipping, and now is supported on more TVs. From what we're told, it's largely legal department, not technical concerns that are holding up the apps from launching, but until they hit Smart TVs everywhere you can peruse the pics in the gallery below.
Showtime Anytime now available to Verizon FiOS TV customers (hands-on)
Adding to Verizon FiOS TV's impressive lineup of streaming services bundled with its premium TV service, Showtime Anytime can now be access by FiOS TV subscribers. This deal also ensures subscribers will continue to able to add Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix to their lineup through 2017. We took a quick look at the Showtime Anytime iPad app, originally launched in October, and found it very polished and easy to navigate.
Samsung N Service unveiled at CES: Time Warner Cable, DirecTV, Comcast and Verizon onboard
Well, what have we here? Looks as if Samsung's cooking up quite the content partnership here at CES 2012, with Verizon, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Comcast (at least) onboard. From a content creation standpoint, NBC Universal is evidently signed on to crack open its coffers and let the material pour fourth, and we're guessing we'll hear of quite a few more once the announcement gets official. As of now, the so-called N Service looks to be one that'll enable select pay-TV subscribers to stream content onto Samsung devices -- hopefully whilst far, far away from home. At least for FiOS TV users, those who take advantage of N Service will be able to "access live streaming FiOS TV channels, as well as Flex View commercial movies and TV shows from one's Samsung Smart TV or Blu-ray player." It'll obviously work with multi-room households, too. Have a peek at the detail shots below, and keep it locked right here as we learn more.
Verizon FiOS TV's new media server scheduled for late 2012
The fine folks at Verizon's Innovation Labs in Waltham, Massachusetts have posted a couple of videos of their efforts that include their vision of how Verizon plans to deliver TV to all the devices in your home, over both wired and wireless networks in HD, served off of a centralized media server. In addition to tablets, game consoles and computers, the media server will also serve content to smaller, more energy efficient thin clients at the other HDTVs in your home. Besides the obvious benefits of more content in more places, a centralized approach like this also offers the promise of being more user friendly by making the experience consistent across every screen -- no more walking to another room to schedule recordings. We're told the media server is expected to roll out late next year, but sadly, FiOS TV isn't exactly known for delivering new technologies when promised.
It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision
Being a Cablevision customer was hard. Watching your colleagues with FiOS subscriptions stream Carnivale on their iPads, the guy who pays Dish Network for his programming could get Cinemax on his smartphone -- and all you had was YouTube for entertainment. Fortunately, the final major provider not to carry Home Box Office's online services has relented and you'll be able to enjoy both HBO Go and Go Max as soon as it's launched in "the next few months." Just remember that while you can now enjoy all those episodes of True Blood in public places, it doesn't necessarily mean that you should.
After legal battle, MSG HD channels finally arrive on Verizon FiOS
When the MSG Network was founded in 1969, the New York Knicks were just a few months away from their first NBA championship. The franchise would go on to win a second crown in 1973, after which it embarked on a gut wrenchingly long title drought that persists to this very day. The MSG Network, on the other hand, has been busy employing Mike Breen and expanding its Ewing-esque regional media reach to new platforms, including (rather begrudgingly) Verizon's FiOS TV. Last week, the carrier announced that both MSG HD and MSG+ HD would be coming to its FiOS TV lineup, with select markets receiving the channels as early as Thursday. The move doesn't come without some grumbling, though, especially on MSG's part. As Verizon puts it, the network had previously "refused" to provide its HD channels, but was ultimately forced to do so when the FCC ruled in Big Red's favor. MSG's ownership tried to stay the decision, but a federal court this week denied its request. As a result, New York subscribers can now spend their evenings watching the Knicks in HD, and trying to remember the good ol' times.
Verizon upgrades IP network in major cities, blames your bandwidth guzzling
Big Red's finding its pipes cluttered with all of the young people's streaming video, audio and cloud services. That's why it's busting out the credit card to order a fresh new 100G IPv6 network for Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle. It'll need Cisco's CRS-3 Carrier Routing System to help the network scale to areas of highest demand, but since it's already using CRS-1, it should be a simple matter of swapping out the old kit. FiOS customers will also see network improvements when the upgrade is finished in the first half of next year, just be on the look out for repairmen huddling 'round your nearest junction box.
YouTube, Verizon FiOS TV and more video services roll out to Xbox Live
Those in the preview program may have already gotten an early taste of YouTube on the Xbox 360, but everyone else can now download that and more. Microsoft announced today that the first big wave of video services for the console are available in the Apps Marketplace, including Verizon FiOS TV for US users and Rogers on Demand for those in Canada. Those are joined by a number of other video and entertainment services including iHeartRadio and MSNBC.com (both US only), TMZ (US and Canada), and MSN Video (in Canada and some other countries, but not the US). Those outside of North America also have a few options of their own, including SBS On Demand for Australian users, Blinkbox in the UK, RTVE for Spain, and MUZU TV for a number of European countries. As for the remaining services, including the likes of Comcast and HBO Go, Microsoft is still only saying that they'll roll out later in December and in early 2012. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Microsoft launches YouTube, TMZ, FiOS TV apps and many more on the Xbox 360 today
For those of you in the Xbox 360 Dashboard preview program, some of this stuff is old hat, but for the rest of us today's launch of a dozen new applications on the Dashboard is all brand new. Beyond the addition of YouTube, FiOS TV, and TMZ (can we give that one back?), Xbox 360 users get access to MSNBC content, iHeartRadio (actual radio!), and a handful of other services starting today. Though we expected as much, certain services are region-specific and will only be available to certain audiences (Rogers On Demand only exists in Canada, for instance, as it's a Canadian cable provider). Head past the break for the official list, regions and all.
Verizon planning streaming video service, gets ready to take on Netflix
We can't say we're entirely shocked by the move but, according to Reuters, Verizon is getting ready to enter the streaming media market. Reports are that the company is in talks with programming partners to provide content for a Netflix-like video service that it could offer to customers not currently covered by its high-speed FiOS network. Obviously, details are scant, and there's no telling when it might actually launch, but you can bet its competitors will be watching closely... and we don't just mean Netflix. Cable and satellite TV providers are already wary of the public embracing cord-cutting -- when one of their own seems to be encouraging the behavior it sets off a lot of alarms.
Xbox 360's new video services won't all launch right away; Comcast, Verizon, and HBO Go delayed
Microsoft's new dashboard for the Xbox 360 is close at hand (read our full review for the details) but not all of the video partners that were announced for the new Kinect-centric experience will be launching alongside it. As of launch December 6th the list will look basically the same as it does now, with Lovefilm and Epix joining options like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Sky Go. Later on in the month more new providers like Crackle, Dailymotion, Rogers On Demand, Vudu, and Verizon FiOS TV will filter in, while the UFC app is timed to launch December 20th. Finally, a few highly anticipated additions including MLB.tv, HBO Go and Comcast's Xfinity On Demand are among those slated for arrival in "early 2012". Check after the break for the complete list (update: and a video trailer), we'll let you know about more specific launch dates as they become available. %Gallery-141022%
Xfinity, Verizon services miss this week's Xbox 360 dash update
The long-awaited "Metro" update to the Xbox 360 dashboard is finally launching this week, but you might not want to make any popcorn just yet. A number of Microsoft's recently announced content partners won't be showing up to the party on time, most notably Comcast's Xfinity on-demand library, Verizon's Fios live-tv service, and the HBO GO app. Microsoft has given a nebulous "early 2012" release window for HBO and Xfinity, though Verizon should be bringing Fios to Xbox Live "later in December" - along with SyFy, UFC, and a number of others. A full list of partners, and when to expect them, is available after the jump.
Verizon details live FiOS TV service for Xbox 360, Kinect controls on tap
Microsoft announced back in October that it would be bringing live FiOS TV channels to the Xbox 360 (along with some offerings from Comcast), and Verizon has now finally filled in most of the specifics. As expected, you'll need both FiOS TV and internet, plus an Xbox Live Gold membership to access the "select" live channels (up to 26 depending on your TV package), but Verizon is making a special offer available to coincide with the launch. You can get its FiOS Triple Play package including FiOS internet, TV and phone, plus a year of Xbox Live Gold for $89.99 a month if you sign up before January 21st, and Verizon will also throw in the new anniversary edition of Halo. What's more, Verizon has also confirmed that the new service will make use of Kinect voice and gesture controls, and it's accepting orders for the new bundle package right now -- the service itself will be available next month.
Verizon FiOS kicking off Xbox 360 streaming TV with 26 channels for subscribers
Are you ready to watch a limited selection of channels (26) from Verizon FiOS via your Xbox 360? Verizon and Microsoft sure hope so, this morning announcing plans to offer cable access to Xbox Live Gold members who also pay for Verizon's FiOS TV and internet service plans. That's right: if you pay for a subscription to Xbox Live, and pay for a cable TV subscription, and pay for a cable internet connection, then you can watch 26 of your Verizon FiOS channels on an Xbox 360. Hot ... dog? Additionally, Kinect "voice and gesture commands" functionality will come with the service, enabling you to shout, "Why am I paying so much to view something I can already watch on my television?" for instance. New FiOS customers can take advantage of an initial promo lasting until January 21 that discounts Verizon's "Triple Play" internet/TV/phone to $89.99 a month (at least for the first two years), and includes both a free 12-month XBL Gold membership and a copy of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. Comcast and HBO are also signed on for as yet unspecified streaming deals with Microsoft. A Bloomberg report from earlier this year indicated that even more content providers had signed on, though Microsoft has only confirmed a handful of said providers thus far.
Verizon's My FiOS app puts your entire living room under one Android roof
Leaving home is hard, especially when you've got a backlog of on-demand movies and TV shows staring at you with big puppy dog eyes. Fortunately, however, Verizon has now come out with My FiOS -- a new app for Android users that promises to keep you constantly connected to all your home entertainment systems, and more. Released yesterday, this app allows users to remotely access movies, Flex View TV shows and home automation and monitoring systems directly from their handsets, while managing their accounts and billing via the provider's built-in customer service tools. Verizon clients can also use My FiOS to control their TVs, DVR players or home phones, and can even access some content straight from their devices. For now, the app is only available on Android 2.1 or above, though Verizon says an iOS version should hit the market "before year-end." Skim past the break for more information in the full PR, or hit up the source link below to download My FiOS for yourself.
Verizon not talking about Xbox TV service now, but 'stay tuned'
Bobbi Henson, Verizon's Director of Media Relations for "all consumer FiOS services, including TV, Internet and voice," didn't confirm the rumors that Verizon's FiOS TV service would be coming to Xbox Live, but she did write a long blog post talking about, basically, how awesome such a development would be. You know, if that happened. "Because FiOS TV is such a powerful, interactive, cloud-based service," Henson said, "it is a natural match for devices like game consoles, and we've demonstrated our ability to blend FiOS with gaming systems at events like the Consumer Electronics Show." She added that while Verizon isn't announcing anything now, we should "stay tuned for the future!" But ... stay tuned to what? We don't have that TV service yet!
Verizon FiOS HD DVR review (1.9)
Moxi HD DVR Review Verizon FiOS TV 1.9 software update adds an HD guide, DVR enhancements Microsoft reveals new TV providers including Verizon and Comcast coming to Xbox 360 (video) It seems most have never learned to truly appreciate a DVR, instead thinking of it merely as a tape-less VCR. If you're like us, you love your DVR, but wait with bated breath for the next -- that might be the great one. So it was with great anticipation that we ran the new FiOS HD DVR update (1.9) through its paces. Arguably the biggest update since Verizon released a DVR, it was instantly adored by those lucky enough to have access to it, thanks to its external storage support, enhanced multi-room functionality and slick new 16x9 HD user interface. But does it meet our expectations? And can it compete with the likes of a TiVo or Windows Media Center DVR? Well, you'll just have to click through yourself for those answers. %Gallery-131261%
Verizon strike to come to an end August 23rd
Verizon workers are scheduled to return to their jobs Tuesday, after more than two weeks on strike. Some 45,000 union members left their posts August 7th, after contract negotiation between the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the company came to a halt two days prior. A statement from the union said it had reached an agreement with Verizon, but that "The major issues remain to be discussed." The union's claim, among other things that Verizon demanded "cuts in compensation of $20,000 per worker per year." Full PR after the break.
Verizon, AT&T celebrate subscriber growth, new features rolled out in Q2
When earnings for AT&T and Verizon came out we mostly focused on their cellphone related business, but both are also major players in the pay-TV space these days. Verizon's FiOS TV segment (minus the parts sacrificed to Frontier) added 184,000 customers in the last quarter, bringing it to a total of 3.4 million subscribers and crossing over 30 percent of potential penetration. AT&T's U-verse TV added 202,000 subscribers and reached 3.4 million in total, while also rolling out a few new features. We'll have to wait until next week to get most of the other pay-TV numbers, but who's betting there will be a new round of "cable cutting" predictions to go around?
