July 15th, 2009
Hands on: Verizon FiOS TV launches 'Widget Bazaar': Adds Twitter, Facebook, online video
Verizon on Wednesday rolled out a Widget Bazaar on its FiOS TV service adding Facebook, Twitter, ESPN and Internet video services. And although I’ve been a big doubter of the interactive TV thing this could be handy.
Verizon is planning to make FiOS TV an development platform for additional widgets, but so far it has Facebook, Twitter, ESPN, Veoh, blip.tv and Dailymotion. The video downloads are available to DVR subscribers on FiOS TV. The effort is being portrayed as Verizon’s way to differentiate its FiOS from cable.
Also see: Gallery: Verizon FIOS opens Widget Bazaar with Facebook, Twitter
Since I have Verizon FiOS I took Facebook and Twitter for a spin. First, there are two quibbles: You need parental controls (small hassle) and the second is that the only status updates focus on what you’re are watching. It would be better if you could do live commentary from the TV on what you’re watching. Nevertheless, I found the widgets to be something I’d come back to.
But the real killer app for me will be fantasy football so the Widget Bazaar is likely to get a heavier workout in the fall. For now here’s a quick tour.
The Facebook log-in keypad:
Logged in from the TV:
Status updates (and no I really wasn’t watching Saved by the Bell):
Parental controls for widgets so your kid doesn’t go nuts on Twitter I suppose:
Fantasy football will be the killer app:
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Smart Planet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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