Verizon will be rolling out a new Media Server product for its FiOS customers late 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 given a sneak peek into the company’s plans.
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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. → Read More
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. → Read More
If you are one of the lucky few with FiOS TV, you can now download an iPad app with will control your FiOS DVR from the comfort of your home and barn. The app “lets customers manage their DVRs and browse FiOS video-on-demand (VOD) offers remotely, plus turn their iPad into a remote control for their HD set-top boxes.” Press release after the jump. → Read More
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. → Read More
If you’re bewildered by all the fancy-pants streamers and IPTV units out there, and have decided to just chill with your original flavor FiOS set-top box, get ready for a few nice little upgrades. Verizon is rolling out some features this winter and you’re going to like ‘em. → Read More
According to the Financial Times, which gives no source, Motorola is working closely with Verizon to produce a 10″ Android tablet that will take advantage of Verizon’s FiOS service, which Moto makes the set-top box for. The size tallies with the Droid tablet we heard rumored a while back, but the TV focus is new, as well as the information that it would have dual cameras. 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] → Read More
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.
Keep reading to see if you’re eligible. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
Ever since the DirecTV‘s CEO stepped down back in July, there has been talk about someone buying up the satellite TV provider. The latest analysis chatter states Verizon might pick up DirecTV to dramatically increase its marketshare overnight. The purchase would make Verizon second only to Comcast in subs when the DirecTV customer base is added to Verizon’s current FiOS subscribers and supercharge Verizon’s influence on the market. → Read More
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! → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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). → Read More
