One of the cool new features offered to Verizon FiOS TV subscribers are widgets for social networking sites Facebook & Twitter. A Verizon VP, Shawn Strickland, reports that Verizon is “. . . trying to bring these social-networking applications to the mass market in a way that enhances their TV experience.”
Both widgets are currently one-way streaming meaning that viewers can read updates and information, but cannot update their accounts from the Digital Set-Top Box. When we first tried the new widgets out the other day, we were able to log on to Facebook and click through our photo albums in full screen view, as well as check up on our friend’s status updates.
Twitter & TV Converge with Verizon FiOS' addition of web 2.0 widgets including Twitter & Facebook
The Twitter widget does the best job at bringing a convergence of web 2.0 and the TV viewing experience. Once loaded, the viewer can choose to view tweets on favorite topics, trending topics, or Tweets on the current show. The last option takes the show title from the guide menu and performs a twitter search for that title. The picture for this post shows the following tweet I sent out while watching a Sugarland concert:
@pursuingyahweh: Watching Sugarland: Live on the Inside on #ABC – LOVE J Nettle’s voice! #fb
The only thing missing from the Twitter widget is an auto-update function on tweets. I know, I’m lazy. If you want to find out more about these new features, check Verizon’s website here, or try this nifty Google search.
August 4th, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Love it! L-O-V-E it! That is just so cool. Especially being able to view tweets about a current show. No more staring at my iphone while watching So You Think You Can Dance just so i can see the latest twitter updates.
You’re right tho…auto-update is a must! I don’t think that’s a matter of laziness; it’s a matter of convenience!