Verizon will be rolling out a new Media Server product for its FiOS customers later next year, which will be a single hardware device that will eventually eliminate the need for a set-top box altogether. The server will be capable of streaming HD TV to all devices in the home, including the TV, of course, but also gaming systems, mobile devices and tablets like the iPad. Although the company has not officially announced details, timeframe or pricing, we were recently given a sneak peek into the company’s plans.

You can see the Media Server in this promotional video discussing Verizon’s focus on the energy efficiency of its products. Here, Tushar Saxena, Director of Technology at Verizon, talks about the upgrades Verizon’s set-top boxes have seen in recent months. He shows a big box that’s an example of outdated tech (hey, that’s my box!) and a more compact, 30% more energy efficient model. Saxena then shows off new set-top boxes, yet to be released, which are even smaller, and will soon be small enough to “velcro behind your TV,” he says.

But what’s interesting is that these tiny set-top boxes are meant for the additional TVs in the house – your main TV will be attached a larger Media Server, also shown in the video, underneath the stack of set-top boxes. The server will stream media to other Internet-connected devices, including laptops, Xboxes, PlayStations, tablets and mobile devices like the iPhone, the video explains. Saxena says that the plan is to eventually eliminate the set-top box altogether by providing applications to all the IP-connected devices, including TVs, that can directly communicate with the server over Wi-Fi. This transition should occur in a “few year’s time,” he notes.

Getting rid of set-top boxes means increased energy efficiency of course, which was the point of the video. But a Verizon spokesperson tells us that the Media Server itself will be released in late 2012.

Verizon is also running tests involving streaming 3D HD TV over Wi-Fi, using the same media server technology. Routers in Verizon’s test labs have successfully transmitted a 3D HD FiOS signals (40 Mbps) over 200 feet, through sheetrock and steel walls, without the loss of video quality. There’s a demo of that in action here using routers with multiple antenna arrays streaming over the 802.11n standard in conjunction with the media server hardware.

During a time when everyone is thinking of cutting the cable, so to speak, it’s interesting to watch developments like this which are more correctly envisioning TV as a service that should be available on any screen in the home.

Now here’s hoping Verizon’s pricing hits the mark, too.

Update: Motorola wants you all to know that the Media Server is actually, an “advanced set-top gateway — a nextgen, smarter set-top that can now communicate to multiple devices in the home,” according to a company spokesperson, “…when people read the set-top is going away, they automatically (and mistakenly) assume our business is doomed.”

Is there an emoticon for an eyeroll?

Once you start watching TV with your iPhone or iPad, there is no going back. When the big screen becomes boring, you just switch to the smaller screen, where a whole world of Twitter, email, the Web, and apps stand ready to entertain your multitasking mind. In this week’s episode of Fly or Die, CrunchGear editor John Biggs and I look at three TV apps designed to enhance your TV watching experience, not distract you from it. We give each one a “fly” or “die” verdict and, as usual, a founder from one of the companies joins us as a surprise guest to subject themselves to our grilling.

The three TV apps we evaluate in this show are IntoNow, Yap.TV, and FIOS Mobile. The first one, IntoNow, is like Shazam for TV shows. It lets you check into a show you are watching by simply listening to the audio signature of the show and comparing that agaianst its database. The app has a high gee-whiz factor, and it really nails identifying the shows with one click. But there is not much to do after that other than see what shows your friends on the app have watched and leave a comment about their bad taste in TV shows.

We both much prefer Yap.TV, which lets you navigate shows via an up-to-the-minute program guide or a grid showing trending shows. The whole point of the app is to, well, yap about TV, and not just with people you know. When you click on a show, you see a Twitter stream with all the realtime tweets about that show, along with polls, and a window where you can chat more privately with just your friends. The app goes way beyond the checkin, by giving you something to do related to the show you are watching. The app works especially well for appointment TV, things like the Superbowl, the Grammy’s, or even The Colbert Report, where lots of people are watching at the same time. Through the app, you can have a conversation about what your watching with other people across the country. I call these “apps for lonely people,” but then again as John points out, TV is a lonely medium.

Finally, the last app we review is FIOS Mobile, which is a program guide and iPad remote for Verizon FIOS TV subscribers. I am a subscriber, and this app is my new remote control. It lets you tune into any show currently on, or on-demand, through your WiFi network in your house and your set-top box. The app itself is a bit clunky (the program guide takes forever to fully load), but it is such an improvement over the traditional remote control that it is now my default. I can keep looking for something better to watch on my iPad instead of annoying my wife to no end by scrolling through the program guide every five minutes on the TV screen. I just wish it allowed for direct streaming to my iPAd like Comcast’s Xfinity app allows for on-demand movies.

If you want to jump to individual segments of this show (the whole thing is 11 minutes), here is where you can watch just the parts about IntoNow, Yap.tv, and FIOS Mobile.

Which TV apps do you swear by?

Time Warner will have to stop using the words “fiber optic” to describe its broadband network. Verizon, whose Fios service is a bona fide fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service, took issue with some of Time Warner’s advertising, complained to the relevant board, and walked away with a favorable ruling. Done and done.

Recent Time Warner advertisements used stirring language along the lines of: our “advanced fiber optic network delivers the future to you… for less.”

The future, Conan?

The problem with that language is that while some of Time Warner’s broadband infrastructure is, indeed, fiber optic, the so-called “last mile” is plain ol’ coaxial cable. Compare that to Verizon and its Fios service, which is fiber optic from soup to nuts.

Bottom line is, Verizon complained to National Advertising Review Board, the board agreed with its complaint, and then told Time Warner to change the wording. Time Warner, having “exhausted its appeals,” will now update its advertising to reflect the fact that it’s not a true fiber-to-the-home situation.

Despite the United States’ position as an Internet powerhouse, the state of broadband in this country compared to some other places around the world is pretty pitiful — both in speed and reach. Google is trying to do their part to fix the speed issue with their 1 Gbps fiber optic network tests. And Verizon is on the case as well — with a 10 Gbps network.

Now, to be clear, the video above is just a test. We’re unlikely to see these kinds of speeds in our homes any time soon. But this is a field test, not a test done in some lab.

And it’s awesome. 10 Gbps both is both the download and upload speed. Watch towards the end of the video when a 2.3 gigabyte movie is transfered in 4 seconds.

First, you’re finally getting a big-boy 16:9 channel guide. That’s enough to crow about right there. But you’re also getting external eSATA storage support up to a terabyte, DVR recording auto-chaptering, and an undo for when you accidentally delete the wrong episode. The multi-room stream display has also been updated to be easier to browse.

It actually looks like a really solid way to watch and stream TV and video; these interfaces are getting better and better. Almost makes me want to buy a TV!

Update: Oh boy, they’re also putting out an iPad app.

None of the companies involved (Moto, Verizon, Google) had anything to say about it, so take this info with a grain of salt for now.

[via Engadget]

Lately, Verizon has been attacked by cable companies for its aversion to contract-free services. To combat those statements, today, Verizon has announced a contract-free bundle that includes FiOS TV, internet and voice services for $99 a month. This new price will be guaranteed for one whole year. Previously, customers had to pay an extra $20 per month to be contract-free.

To see if you’re able to get FiOS, check out Verizon’s website.

Amen, Verizon. Amen. Read this bit from Verizon’s statement on 3D.

Verizon’s network can easily handle the 3D signal, and we are committed to having a 3D offering later this year, surely in time for the holiday tech buying season, when the penetration of 3D-ready sets increases.  Just as we did with HD, we’ll bring the broadest range of 3D possible to the market supported by the best technology and customer service.

Until then, you’ll see various grandstanding plays by cable companies who also produce content and can play it on their networks in 3D, hoping to make headlines with their “firsts” while excluding Verizon and other competitors from carrying this material.  Is it unrealistic to think integrated operators should share their 3D content with all their viewers, even those served by others?

Why I think Verizon’s talking about your 3D Masters stunt, Comcast.

I read something the other day that argued that Netflix has not a chance in hell of becoming “this century’s HBO.” Netflix may be popular, but don’t expect it to achieve the type of penetration and success of the cable channel. Hollywood politics and whatnot. Another reason is that HBO has designs on the on-demand market with HBO Go, a service that lets its subscribers see “anything they want to see, anytime, anywhere, over their laptop, iPhone, tablet, PlayStation.” The first cable system to get HBO Go is Verizon FIOS. Supposedly HBO Go will eventually be available to all HBO subscribers, but deals need to be put in place between your ISP and the cable channel.

You need to have FIOS TV and FIOS Internet access to partake right now. If you have both, grasshopper, then you merely log into either hbogo.com or verizon.com/fiostvonline to enjoy whatever.

It’s funny: I’ve been running my own on-demand service since like 2002: it’s called Usenet.

With HBO Go, you’ll be able to see anything HBO has the license to from anywhere there’s an Internet connection. Well, presumably only within the United States. If you just so happen to be on vacation in Europe and want to see “that episode of The Sopranos” from your hotel in Madeira, you’re probably SOL.

Verizon has a bunch of new FIOS packages that may interest you. The top of the pile is the Ultimate package, which gives you “90 or more” HD channels, plus an Internet connection of 35/35, which is 35 mbps download, 35 mbps upload. The upload speed is impressive, but I still have triple the download speed. (I seriously run at 11 MB/s when downloading from Usenet. It’s almost unnecessary how fast it is.) This top package is $149 per month.

There’s two other new packages, modestly titled Extreme and Prime. Prime, the cheapest, runs at $109 per month, and grants access to 40 or more HD channels plus a 15/15 mbps Internet connection. Extreme? That’s $124, with 65 or more HD channels, with a 25/25 Internet connection.

And while I have no problem with the Internet speeds, especially if FIOS is the only game in town, the thing about the HD channels is, there’s nothing on TV worth watching. The initial HD buzz dies pretty quickly, which means you can only watch nature documentaries so many times before you’re like, “OK, I get it.” That’s for the average person, of course—maybe you’re a big nature mark?

I mean, outside of live sports, what else in TV is worth sitting through? Maybe Top Gear, and only because it’s shot so well (and the hosts are pretty cool).

All this talk started when Verizon’s CEO indicated that he wanted to “make video the company’s core product for its fixed-line business.” The Wall Street Journal then kindly points out the obvious that the best way to do that is to scoop up a satellite company. DirecTV would be the logical choice over Dish Network as it’s better performing and has a larger subscriber base.

Of course DirecTV or Verizon haven’t indicated that this is currently in the works, but the WSJ does have a point. Verizon’s fiber optic service, FiOS, is almost universally loved for its fast Internet, wide range of high-def stations and modest price. However, it’s been slow to roll out to new markets because fiber optic cable has to be ran to each home, which is a timely and costly endeavor. Verizon probably doesn’t have any plans to scale back its FiOS expansion plans, but it will take the company a while to be a national player at the current rate. Buying DirecTV – or Dish Network – is the fastest way to the top.

Everyone but Peter Ha loves FiOS. It’s fast, relativity cheap, and not Comcast. But now the deal is a little sweeter thanks to a cool promotion.

Right now Verizon is letting you choose the deal. Either you can get three services – voice, data, & TV – for the price of two for six months, OR a Compaq Mini netbook, OR a Flip Ultra camcorder. Personally I think I would rather get the cheaper monthly price, but that netbook is tempting since the lower price is only for six months. I would totally do one of these deals if I had FiOS available. [via Dealnews]

Peter might not be able to pay his FiOS bill, but apparently a lot of folks can. The Verizon fiber optic service now has over 2.5 million subscribers. That puts Verizon above Bright House Networks, but of course way behind the gigantic 25+ million subscriber base of Comcast.

Still, that’s not that bad considering that Verizon first started rolling out the fiber only a few years and is still only available in some markets. Personally, I have not heard of anyone that has access to FiOS turning it down over another provider. Some people look up the availability every single day. Maybe it’s the fact that the prices are reasonable, the speeds above par, and there are new features occasionally like free hotspot access.

Are you a FiOS customer? Want free access to Wi-Fi hotspots across the country? Of course you do! Starting today Verizon is offering free hotpsot access to new FiOS customers with the 25/15 package Mbps package. Those, like me, who joined before the increase in speeds and have the 20/5 Mbps package are also privy to free Wi-Fi. HSI customers with 3Mbps or 7.1Mbps plans can also tap into Verizon’s network. Check here for available hotspots in your area.

That’s great and all, but I still haven’t been able to pay my FiOS bill. Can’t do it online or over the phone because Verizon’s customer service is only capable of transferring me to someone who can supposedly help me who then sends me to someone and so on. Verizon, I’m not paying my bill because you won’t let me. You haven’t even sent me a bill in the mail and I know I owe you money.

Update: if you qualify (or think you do), go to www.verizon.net and log in using your usual username and password. It’ll point you to the software you need.

Well, isn’t this a kick in the pants? If you’re wearing mine it is. Just last week I had Verizon’s FiOS installed in my new apartment and today they announce new offers for customers and upgraded speeds. In short, I’m pissed. Turns out that I got a better deal and rate when I signed up two weeks ago. Hooray!

The entry-level tier for Internet service was 10Mbps down and 2Mbps up and now it’s 15/5Mbps. The 20/5Mbps (what I have) has now been bumped up to 25/15Mbps. In NYC and LI, the entry-level service starts at 25/15 and the mid-tier speeds have bumped up to 35/20.

Running through August 15th, new customers who order the Triple Play bundle from Verizon will get vouchers for a free Compaq netbook (10.1-inch) or Flip Ultra.

New customers who sign up for a triple bundle that consists of FiOS Internet with a connection speed of 25/15 Mbps or higher, FiOS TV Extreme HD service and FiOS Essentials voice service will receive their choice of a free Compaq Mini netbook* valued at $299.99 (customer only pays shipping, handling and taxes) or a free Flip Ultra camcorder, valued at $149.99.

New customers who order a triple bundle that consists of FiOS Internet with a connection speed of 15/5 Mbps or higher, FiOS TV Essentials service and Freedom Essentials voice service will receive a free Flip Ultra camcorder, or they can opt to purchase a Compaq Mini netbook* for just $99.99.

Verizon FiOS

If you happen to live in one of Verizon’s FiOS coverage areas, you might be interested to know that at least one ISP is reselling the exact same internet service for almost $50 per month cheaper depending on the speed tier.

DSL Extreme, a California-based ISP, has introduced what it’s calling “Fiber Extreme” — not to be confused with organic cereal — at between $40, $55, and $100 per month for 10, 20, and 50Mbps download speeds, respectively, over Verizon’s FiOS network.

Current pricing for the 50Mbps package directly from Verizon weighs in at $145 per month with a one-year contract or $165 per month without a contract. Certain customers in New York and Virginia are able to get it for $90 per month from Verizon, according to Ars Technica, although it’s priced at $145+ in remaining areas such as California, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

The deal from DSL Extreme is an introductory, one-year price, although a company VP told Ars that after a year the prices would just go up by $5 per month. You’re also not able to get FiOS cable and phone service through most resellers, just internet service.

Still, that’s a pretty deep discount that exposes how much wiggle room Verizon has in its pricing and ought to make the switch to fiber even more enticing for those within the coverage areas.

High Speed Internet – Fiber Service [DSLExtreme.com via Ars Technica]

Game on! Cablevision, a cable company that serves the suburbs of New York City, and whose ISP, OptimumOnline, I use, recently announced that it will offer the fastest broadband in America starting next month. Speeds will top out at 101 megabits per second down, 15 megabits per second up. (That translates to around 12.6 megabytes per second down, 1.8 megabytes per second up. BitTorrent seeding just got a whole lot easier. I mean, what else would you use these speeds for?) But you know who’s not too pleased about this? Verizon, what’s with its competing FiOS service. In fact, Verizon is calling Cablevision’s plan a “parlor trick.” I do believe Verizon is stylin’ on Cablevision.

Right, so Verizon, in so many words, is calling Cablevision a bunch of punks. There’s a few bullet points it wants us to “consider,” like how FiOS has the capacity to deliver 400 megabits per second to a single home (and how it already offers 20 megabits per second upstream on all its FiOS connections). Fair enough, but just because every child has the potential to become president doesn’t mean he or she will. Capacity is one thing; what I can actually use is another.

Verizon then goes into the ol’ one bad apple can ruin the bunch song and dance. That is, one bandwidth fiend using Cablevision’s system can slow down the network for everyone else. “One estimate,” no doubt carried out by “We hate Cablevision, Inc.,” said that one person can sap 60 percent of a given neighborhood’s bandwidth. And that may well be, but Verizon is missing one key point: I can actually get Cablevision’s super service.

Look, I couldn’t give a toss about the stupid Cablevison vs. Verizon war. (These guys have been at each others’ throats for years now. It’s like a terrible, truly awful sitcom.) Verizon can hate on Cablevision’s service, with theoretical, “well your service doesn’t do this, while ours does that,” all it wants. The fact is, come next month, I’ll actually be using Cablevison’s new service; FiOS is still nowhere to be found.

So maybe Verizon should get its act together and offer FiOS to more areas. Maybe then I’ll evaluate both services rather than deal in hypotheticals. Till then, all I have access to is Cablevision.

And believe you me: Cablevision is no saint. I mean, look at this awful commercial and you’ll see what we have to put up with over here. It actually hurts my insides:

Of the 4.3 million iPhone subscribers that AT&T added to its books in 2008, about 40 percent of them were new customers. It’s that type of growth that has AT&T scrambling to retain its exclusivity arrangement with Apple, which is expected to expire next year. If that agreement were to expire, Apple would be free to take the iPhone to other wireless carriers, like T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless (though Apple would have to develop a CDMA version of the phone first to bring it to VZW).

Yeah, apparently it’s all part of AT&T’s grand scheme to remain relevant. With POTS drying up—AT&T has 77 million wireless customers to 30 million landline customers—the company is trying to expand into new and exciting ventures. It’s hard to call the iPhone anything but a success for AT&T, but it needs to look beyond the phone that Jobs built in order to fend off the likes of Verizon Wireless, what with its FIOS Internet and TV service that every teenager in America wants (in order to leave uTorrent running 24/7).

A small suggestion: improve call quality in New York City. Not to keep harping on this, but the call quality of even the cheapest VZW phone is much better than the iPhone in New York, not even counting the dropped calls and severed Internet connection. See this comedian’s book for more on the subject of why the iPhone can be pretty annoying in New York.

Photo: Flickr

It’s a pity that not everyone can get Verizon’s FiOS but for those in the service area, now might be a good time to look at the service. New customers can score either a free year of a HD DVR or HD Home Media DVR. Current subscribers can upgrade and get a free month of HBO and Cinemax; sucks that current customers always get shafted. The offer is good through October 4.

Sounds like a good deal to us if you’re a new customer.

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