Okay, so I’m a little behind on my FiOS TV widgets. In the last few weeks Verizon has introduced two new ones, bringing MLB and Yelp into the FiOS fold. The new widgets do pretty much what you’d expect. MLB brings you news, scores, stats, and player updates, and if you’re an Extra Innings subscriber you can also get customized alerts for up to ten different teams. Meanwhile the Yelp widget offers a local business directory with customer ratings, and details on venue pricing, parking, etc.
The big question here: do users want this stuff on their TVs? I’ve generally been a fan of Verizon’s widget work in the past, but TV widgets are now in direct competition with ever-present apps on smartphones, smartbooks, and (smart?) slates or tablets. Users may not always have a mobile or computing device nearby, but when they do, it’s often going to be the better choice for looking up specific information or engaging in social interaction. Think about it. Are you more likely to tweet on your TV or from your phone?
Not that I want to discourage Verizon from launching more widgets. By all means, give me access to the information I want everywhere. But I have to wonder how much use most of the TV widgets get. (Simple traffic and weather widgets not withstanding) It may be time for Verizon to get a little more creative. A widget for bookmarking time codes within a show? How about a cross-referencing widget that brings up spinoff shows, or other shows by the same writers available through VOD or online? A shopping widget to buy stuff you see in a TV episode? (The old Buy-Jennifer-Aniston’s-sweater-on-Friends example) There’s lots of potential beyond using re-purposed content from the Internet. TV service providers just have to figure out what works best for their medium.
I can buy Jennifer Aniston’s sweater?
Sorry- Jennifer Aniston doesn’t come with it.
We use TiVo HD’s on our 2 HD TV’s. No widgets no VOD and we don’t care.
I’d use verizon’s widget if they were faster and less complicated. They aren’t very usable right now, in my opinion.
Agree with Noah. It also seems like I have to log in every time I go back to use the FB or Twitter widget.
I have a buddy who works for Verizon who swears by them. I just don’t get it. They take too long to navigate to and load. I can do all of these things on my phone without obscuring the screen.
I’m with Noah (and Eric J). Needs to load faster, be more responsive, less complicated and to add support 16×9 HDTV (720p, 1080i, 1080p). Not stretch-o-vision like what happened with 1.7 firmware and 7000 series boxes. True HD resolution please.
VHO12 :-(
Maybe the new qip-7232 will load them faster?
Guys check out this Widget: MyAccount under Menu -> Help section. Pretty good stuff to track your monthly bills and expiring promotions !!!
I was wondering can I add this widget to my site? Please send answer to my site. Thanks.