Verizon FiOS TV Widgets

Verizon announced today a new service for its fiber-optic television service.

From the press release:

"FiOS TV Widgets supplies one-touch, on-demand access to real-time local weather and traffic information. Subscribers use their remote control to display text-based weather and traffic on their TV screens without interrupting the program they are watching. For example, parents leaving the house for a Saturday morning of errands can get the latest traffic update without interrupting the kids' cartoon show.

"FiOS TV is grabbing market share from cable because it's just better," said Marilyn O'Connell, Verizon senior vice president - video solutions. "With our new applications like Widgets, customers can better personalize and control their TV viewing. These services also differentiate FiOS TV in the marketplace by showcasing Verizon innovation and our platform's unique capabilities."

Widgets and the other interactive services planned for the FiOS TV platform will tap the strengths of Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises network, with its powerful voice, data and video capabilities.

"Customers increasingly want to share information, photos, music and videos across a home network," O'Connell said. "Our FiOS TV platform will make this all possible. In the coming months, you'll see us add new features to FiOS TV that will make it easy for customers to enjoy a true multimedia experience."