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Pandora music streaming comes to FiOS TV set-top boxes
Two years after launching the FiOS TV app store, Verizon is bringing Pandora music streaming (already on TiVo and a number of other connected devices) to its HD set-top boxes and DVRs. California, Texas and Virginia customers are the first to get access with more markets due "in the coming months". If you love your customized John Mayer station but aren't excited about navigating the menus with a TV remote you'll be happy to know Pandora, like other FiOS apps, is also controllable via the FiOS Mobile Remote app on many phones. Check out the launch video for a few more details, but we figure once you get past "it's Pandora, on your TV" all the necessary details have been explained. Our only complaint? Pandora is so 2009, we're all about Spotify, Google Music and Turntable.fm now.
ISP's agree on Copyright Alert System, plan to notify you to death for piracy infringements
Too little, too late, we're afraid. For the past decade or so, the RIAA (amongst others) have spent every waking hour figuring out how to best sue and frighten every internet-connected human that even dares think about an illegal download. Now that said practice has failed miserably, it's finally resorting to something sensible. The entity announced today that AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision have teamed up with the RIAA and MPAA in order to agree upon a six-stage notification system that'll electronically alert internet users whenever their account is used for wrongful downloading. It's actually not all that much different than the systems that have been in place at Suddenlink for what feels like eons, but at least this creates a standard protocol that the whole lot can adhere to. Oh, and before you ask -- under no circumstances will any of these notices result in termination of your broadband connection. There's no way an ISP would agree to such a thing, and indeed, they haven't here. The full run-down can be delved into below, but it's worth noting that no extra "watching" procedures are being put into place; your ISP will only drop you a line if a content overlord asks 'em to. Good times, no?
Verizon FiOS IMG 1.9 rollout to resume next week, with SD override and improved contrast
Verizon FiOS TV subscribers eagerly waiting for their crack at the new IMG 1.9 software for their set-top boxes with its HD guides, support for external hard drives and more can breathe now, as it will start rolling out again soon. Mari Silbey at Zatz Not Funny has heard from a "very reliable" source that updates will resume next week, and expand nationally in the next few months. Director of Product Management Joe Ambeault confirmed on Twitter that the new v1.9a software started getting loaded into the network last night, and includes the SD override wizard and improved contrast tweaks that necessitated a pause in the first place. The one minor damper on the news is that the roll out will restart with those that already have 1.9 getting the new version first, so if you're still looking at a 4x3 UI it will likely remain in front of you for a few weeks longer.
Verizon FiOS TV puts IMG 1.9 set top-box software rollout on hold over a few issues
If you're a Verizon FiOS TV customer waiting for the IMG 1.9 software to hit your box with its new HD guide and other updates you may be waiting slightly longer than you expected since the company has paused things to handle a couple of issues. Zatz Not Funny links to a forum thread where Director of Consumer Product Development Joe Ambeault confirms the rollout is "pausing for a moment to incorporate some customer feedback." Two issues specifically mentioned are the contrast between text and background and SD override wizard. There's no word of any change to the originally expressed plans of delivering the software to all of its customers in "the coming months" so we don't expect the delay to last too long, we'll let you know when we hear something more specific.
FearNet HD signs up Verizon FiOS, Time Warner and Comcast
As we'd heard last year, FearNet is expanding beyond just VOD and today it announced agreements with Time Warner, Verizon FiOS and Comcast placing the linear version of the horror channel on each service. Time Warner Cable should see its VOD on May 9th, and linear SD/HD channel on May 11th, while FiOS has it on channel 197 currently and Comcast has picked it up in Philadelphia with VOD currently available everywhere. Expect to see it pop up on your PC or tablet soon too, since the press release indicates it's down for the TV Everywhere swirl. There's also some details about upcoming series and plans for themed events to come, check them all out in the press release after the break.
HBO Go hits iOS and Android, free for subscribers
Don't ditch that premium cable subscription just yet. The long-anticipated HBO Go app just hit the iOS App Store and Android Market, bringing original HBO series and a variety of blockbuster films to your mobile device. You'll need an HBO subscription with your cable provider to get past the login screen, but unlocking all that the service has to offer using our Verizon FiOS account took just a second, and we were off and running with Avatar less than a minute after launching the app. We'll have a full hands-on later today, but if you're an HBO subscriber with an iOS or Android slab, head over to your device's respective store to download the free app. [Thanks, Jason]
HBO GO app to bring Tony Soprano to your iOS device
Need an Entourage of Sopranos to entertain you while you manage a Boardwalk Empire with your Band of Brothers? Starting in May, HBO subscribers will be able to enjoy "instant and unlimited access to the best HBO has to offer" using an iPad, iPhone or Android device. Time Warner subsidiary HBO, one of the leading premium television networks in the US, posted a teaser video promoting the upcoming mobile app on YouTube late last week. HBO began offering streaming services to its subscribers in February, 2010. Today, HBO GO, which offers about 1,400 titles from the network's library of movies and original TV series, can be accessed only from a desktop or laptop computer using a Flash-enabled web browser. Expected to arrive on May 2, the iOS and Android apps will further extend HBO's reach beyond the television... ironically, two years after the network ditched the long-running "it's not TV, it's HBO" slogan. Now, it's time to Curb Your Enthusiasm. Access to HBO GO is limited to customers who subscribe to HBO through a traditional cable television service provider. If you want to enjoy True Blood on your iPad, you'll need to sign up for television service and subscribe to HBO through Comcast XFINITY TV, Verizon FiOS, Cox Advanced TV, AT&T U-Verse or DirecTV. Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes insists the premium network has no current plans to allow customers to cut The Wire and put the cable bill Six Feet Under with an option to subscribe directly to the HBO GO service. For now, by bringing its streaming Extras to the iPad, iPhone and Android, HBO is giving its approximately 28 million subscribers one more way to avoid being Bored to Death while on the go. Continue reading to watch the official teaser video for the HBO GO mobile app. [via TiPb]
Verizon FiOS TV 1.9 software update adds an HD guide, DVR enhancements
Originally projected to launch in Q4 of 2010, Verizon has finally started pushing out version 1.9 of its Media Guide software to set-top boxes in Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and Harrisburg. Other regions can expect to be upgraded over the next couple of months, but just in case you've forgotten what's coming here's a few of the new features: a widescreen HD guide as shown above replacing the old 4x3 SD one, support for switching 3DTVs into the correct mode automatically, native passthrough, 1080p, external hard drives, DVD-style chaptering on DVR recordings, an all new search function and access to DVR recordings from other boxes in the house. Those are just some of the features included in this massive upgrade (not all of the boxes support all of the new features, doublecheck to see if yours is supported first -- this could be a good time for an upgrade), check out the release notes on Verizon's forums for more details, or check out the press release and a trailer for the new software included after the break.
Poll: Are you watching TV with/on a tablet?
Adding a tablet component to your TV service is all the rage among providers and set-top box manufacturers these days (Comcast, DirecTV, Dish, TiVo, Motorola, FiOS, Cablevision, Time Warner, Boxee just to name a few) but our question today is how many of our EHD readers are putting any of them to use. Check out the poll options below and find the one that fits you best, then tell us why in the comments below. Are all these iPad apps just a fad or is the tablet here to stay? %Poll-62573%
Verizon FiOS offers triple- or quad-play customers in Florida free 500GB DVRs
Verizon's adding some juice to its triple- and quad-play FiOS TV bundles in the state of Florida, offering Bucs fans its new 500GB QIP7232 multiroom DVR from Motorola for free (normally $19.99) as long as they'll sign up for home phone and maybe mobile phone service as well. The discount applies as long as customers hang onto the bundled service which ranges from $99.99 to $129.99, plus any mobile service charges. Combine this with the still-being-previewed software upgrade to turn on a new UI, multiroom DVR browsing and external storage, and while it probably won't cause anyone to toss a Media center setup or TiVo Premiere aside, it's certainly worth a look if you were already considering bundling services anyway. Check the press release after the break.
ESPN 3D will launch on Verizon FiOS April 5
After being the first with 3D pro football Verizon's 3D lineup on FiOS was looking pretty thin, but that changes next month when it will finally start offering ESPN 3D. We've been anticipating its launch since last October, but after ESPNNetworks online streaming it was apparently next in line. The early adopting 3D-capable TV owners near you who subscribe to the Ultimate HD package will see it added to their lineups for no charge, but like U-Verse, it's a $10 add-on for all others. Make decisions regarding those Hamilton's quickly, next on the schedule are the Masters and NBA Playoffs, check the press release after the break for all the details.
Cox, Verizon adding TruTV HD in time for the NCAA Basketball Tournament
The good news is, all of the March Madness basketball games will be viewable in HD, the bad news is some of them will be relegated to TruTV HD. If you're like us, you may not have even known that channel existed (unless of course you, like our podcast guest Chris Ziegler, are a fan of reality TV) but a few more of you will have access now that it's been added to Cox and Verizon FiOS channel lineups. Check out the press release after the break for more details on where to catch it, or check out HDSportsGuide for info on how to find the channel on other providers.
Verizon refreshes FiOS app, launches free iPhone program
Verizon updated its FiOS DVR manager for the iPhone, an application that lets you use your handset as a remote control for your FiOS television service and its DVR. In a fun feature, FiOS users with a penchant for taking photos with their iPhone can also easily flick their photos and watch them on their TV. The latest update was rolled out today and added support for multiple DVRs, a landscape view for the Guide and the ability to change the name of your set-top boxes. To celebrate the launch of the iPhone, Verizon is offering a sweet discount for those who purchase a triple or quad play bundle that includes FiOS TV, High-speed internet service, home phone service or Verizon Wireless calling. The discount provides new customers with a $200 rewards card that can be applied towards the purchase of a Verizon iPhone 4 as well as a monthly discount on FiOS service that can total as much as $20 per month. Verizon also debuted a new ad that showcases the benefits of combining FiOS TV with the advanced capabilities of the iPhone. Check out the ad after the break.
Verizon FiOS Mobile app hits iPad, a virtual remote with no streaming in sight
You know that Verizon FiOS iPad app we spied back in August, the one that streamed TV and VOD content? Nope, still not here -- check back 2011. Want to use your Apple slate as a giant remote for your (HD) set-top box, browsing TV / VOD listings and remotely programming DVRs? Set parental controls and bookmarks, even update your STB names? Look no further than the iTunes store; all it's gonna cost you is 3MB of space.
FiOS TV coming to Mac, iOS in 2011
FiOS TV is coming to a Mac/iOS device near you. Sometime. In the future. We're not sure when. From the More of the Same Department comes a tease from Verizon's director of consumer product development, Joe Ambeault. In a brief video (after the break; apologies for Flash), Joe notes that his company is working on a FiOS app for the iPad, iPhone and Mac with a probable release date in early 2011. It's believed that the iPad app, at least, will require a Verizon internet connection, and that Verizon is working on a video-on-demand service. In August, we saw a brief teaser of an iPad interacting with FiOS, though not much more information has been released since then. There are currently two official FiOS apps on the App Store, including Verizon FiOS Mobile Remote for iPhone and iPod touch (free), which works as a remote for FiOS TV set-top boxes, and Verizon FiOS DVR Manager (free), which lets customers program FiOS DVRs remotely. Neither is universal, so expect pixel-doubling on the iPad. In the meantime, hurry up and wait.
Verizon bringing 150 / 35Mbps internet to FiOS customers, enraging customers of all other ISPs
You know, we're pretty stoked for the folks who just so happen to reside within Verizon's relatively minuscule FiOS service footprint, but rather than hooking up those who've already been adequately hooked, why not spread that fiber cheer over to a few extra states? Alas, it looks as if the FiOS rollout is on an indefinite hold, but those lucky enough to have access will soon have the ability to upgrade their existing internet service to this: a 150/35Mbps option. That's 150Mbps down and 35Mbps up, and as far as consumer-grade services in America go, it's pretty much as good as it gets. Verizon is claiming that it'll be available to order by consumers at the end of this year, with small businesses seeing the option shortly thereafter. 'Course, no pricing details are mentioned, but it's not like it matters -- you'll cash in whatever Yuletide gifts you have to in order to get this, right? Update, Verizon pinged us with a few points -- for starters new speed is available today to the majority of our FiOS customers in 12 states and the District of Columbia, with more and more to get it in due time. As for pricing? The 150/35 Mbps residential offer will be available to the majority of FiOS-eligible households, and sold as a stand-alone service starting at $194.99 a month when purchased with a one-year service agreement and Verizon wireline voice service. Not exactly a "bargain," but like we said, you're still finding a way to make this happen.
Verizon's RedZone Channel-streaming FiOS Football app for iPad shows up on iTunes (again)
Though the FiOS Football app for iPad only showed up on the App Store for a short time a couple of weeks ago, it was long enough for us to fall in love with having access to RedZone Channel video and stats in our laps while keeping the TV tuned to one key game. Assuming one is at home in front of their FiOS TV with an iPad and a subscription to the Redzone Channel (a remarkably specific set of circumstances, we must admit), it's hard to imagine a better companion on football Sundays that doesn't come with an unending reserve of one's favorite adult beverage on tap. Check out our hands-on for more screenshots and impressions or hit the source links for Verizon's FAQ and the official iTunes page.%Gallery-106911% [Thanks, Michael]
Verizon FiOS Flex View shows off VOD across TV/PC/mobile screens, will stream your files in 2011
Verizon's showing off the full capabilities of its Flex View service, already available on a number of its mobile phones, which brings FiOS TV On Demand even when you're away from the cable box. Up to five devices (all set-top boxes in the home collectively count as one device) can be authorized for viewing of any titles rented through VOD and can even be played offline on PCs running its Media Manager software or smartphones. The feature that allows users to keep personal content like music, video files and pictures synced across all three screens is due next year, but still no word on exactly when that live TV-to-iPad streaming will launch.
Hands-On with the unannounced Verizon FiOS RedZone iPad App
We were searching the App Store for NFL this morning and we stumbled upon an app called FiOS Football. The app lets you watch the NFL RedZone channel live on the iPad if you subscribe to the channel and if you're at home. After enjoying the quality live feed (not quite HD, but better than most streaming we've seen) of the RedZone channel full screen -- or in a window with scores, stats, info and even a mini Twitter widget around it -- we realized we'd never heard of this app. We went back to the iTunes store, and what do you know, it wasn't there anymore. This obviously made us curious and while Verizon announced its intent to stream live TV to iPads back in August, to this date no apps have been released. Overall we think the app is a great way to follow the highlights of the league while watching your favorite team on the HDTV, and hope that this is just the beginning of Verizon trying to make the iPad the perfect couch companion. Obviously the app needs to come back to the iTunes store for that to happen, so everyone with FiOS TV and an iPad can enjoy it. %Gallery-106911%
Verizon FiOS starts rolling out 500GB DVRs
Other than clunky GUIs and a lack of modern features, the most common complaint about most DVRs provided by cable, IPTV and satellite providers is their small hard drives, but Verizon's FiOS is the latest to take a step in the right direction, offering a 500GB Motorola QIP7232 HD DVR to customers in Texas, New York and Pennsylvania. Add in the software update on the way that spruces up the interface and adds support for external storage, and you have plenty to get excited about. Check the thread on DSLReports to see what availability in your neck of the woods is like
