Share Your Ideas with Verizon

[#1]

Email and Web at your TV? I believe someone tried Web TV and it did not go well. But this could be different.

Now if Verizon were to have a browser in the STB which is possible since it is Linux based. I would go for that, and a slide out keyboard on the remote, with a mouse that would move based on positioning of the remote. Not like the TiVO remote but different. Don't want anymore time in court. There are many open source browsers that could be used. Sell the remote as an option, but don't charge for the browser use. Verizon would have a feature that other providers don't. Now let's see if Verizon can do it before Tivo or someone else. I don't think anyone has it in a STB or DVR.

Perhaps this could be a Widget Plug in, so a new img would not be required?

[#2]

I'll make sure this idea gets in front of the proper team within Verizon.

[#3]

What a great idea!  In lieu of a remote with keyboard, how about enabling the use of a wireless keyboard via WiFi?

[#4]

RF remote sounds good. But just one more thing that would probably need to depend on Verizon's proprietary router firmware. They have a Wifi remote now that runs through the iPhone. So perhaps an App to control the STB browser. I was thinking about something that could perhaps be deployed much faster, and the App could be it. The iPhone or iPad has the positioning sensor that could control the pointer on the screen. We may be on to something. Because it would probably take 5 years to design and deploy that remote I mentioned. Plus modifying the App Fios has can be done without new hardware design.

[#5]

I was part of a team that did WebTV on Scientific Atlanta (now Cisco) set tops 10 years ago, at Rogers in Canada. At the time the boxes were too slow and the web was as well. It just did not work well.

Today many people use laptops and tablets while they watch TV, so the notion of a companion device or application to help with input is fairly widely accepted.

Our current set tops are not linux and browsers will not run on them. Future set tops may have that capability.

All of these ideas are good: the devil as they say is in the details of how you might implement them.

[#6]

I think it would take a large architecture change on the STB to accomplish this. RIght now, any time you run a widget, it takes over the box. Maybe can see one channel in a corner of the screen.

But you lose most functionally. Try using the RedZone widget. You lose a lot of functionality (DVR controls, last channel etc).

I would rather see more TV related development (PIP, maybe multi screen) before a web browser.

My $0.02 worth.

[#7]

I agree with CRobGauth.

I realize that many people today are enchanted with gadgets, gimmicks, toys, games, widgets, and on and on, but I have FiOS TV for one reason: TO WATCH TV! If others want to do something else with their TV, fine, get some kind of additional box or service AT YOUR COST, don't put it on my bill!

About once or twice a month I might start the Pandora widget to listen to some of the channels I have created, but that is about the only widget I ever use. And I personally cannot fathom why I would even want to think about using a browser on my TV.

Verizon, please focus on making the FiOS TV service even better, with the emphasis on TV.

[#8]

OK OK. Do see your point.

Must have been old info prior to Verizon, sorry. I know TiVo is. Sorry to spread nasty rumors.

I do agree TV should be the #1 priority and Verizon should not stray from that which could disrupt or cause issues with that priority. So yes I am in agreement there.

I was just thinking if it were a widget, and you wanted it to take over your box. I wonder if the widget development ability is open? I remember some talk about Verizon opening it with a resource kit.  

Yes I have a PC connected to my flat panel, with my CCTV and web browser. With what ever other applications I choose to run. Just don't have the web on every TV, and that I think would be nice as a widget, but only if it does not cause issues with the #1 priority which is TV.

[#9]

Now I agree with you Mark. I don't want a browser in the STB, but I do understand the desire of others (meaning at least you, you are a true geek anyway ) for something like that. But I think (at least hope) that most people who have FiOS TV really want it for the TV function first and foremost - I want more HD channels, PIP, more tuners, ability to specify whether a recording is done to the internal hard drive or the optional external hard drive, MPEG-4 so we can get more channels, ability to move recordings off and on the DVR directly, "whole house" or "account" registration for the external hard drive instead of tying the drive to a single DVR, access from the web to my Favorites in my non-DVR STBs, the ability to save/restore Favorites settings (really all settings) for all of my STBs, fix a few bugs, etc. And I am sure there are others here who have a longer laundry list of enhancements they would like to see that, again, applies mainly to the TV.

So, Verizon adds the above and whatever else, and then a browser in the STB would be great!

[#10]

I said ok ok TV is the #1 priority. Perhaps I should just hack my Tivo and keep it, so I could just have one on there. I could just use it as a Linux box and no tuner. I am sure I could load my own modified kernal with no tuner. Mouse would be an issue, but perhaps not. I believe I will just keep the cheap PC box. for the TV browser and CCTV. I need to do my CCTV with PIP on MY TV. I now the DVR would not even need to be involved.

Believe me, I am almost sure when my Tivo contract is up in June, I will get another CHS-335, and return my cable card. I have had the Tivo HD for a few years and can't see continuing to pay them and pay Verizon for the CableCard. At one time It was better. Some may still think it is. They do have a 4 tuner tivo. But not in my price range.

I will do Multi-Room DVR and 3 Set Top Boxes, instead of the Multi-Room DVR and 2 Set Top Boxes, and a card I have now,

[#11]

Ok. Just as a side note. No detail. Run the diags on the STB, and see what it shows for the kernel, and build number.