Interviews with Digital Media Thought Leaders

3rd Party Widgets for Verizon FiOS TV

Podcast Audio | Posted by Phil Leigh on April 1, 2009

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Joe Ambeault, Director of Interactive TV, Verizon

Joe Ambeault, Verizon

What if Verizon FiOS offered a video-centric “apps store” for its television set-top box analogous to the one that Apple has for the iPhone?

The answer depends upon the restrictions that Verizon might impose on third-party developers. For example, if sites like Hulu, TV.com, and Joost are allowed to develop widgets enabling FiOS subscribers to visit the websites to watch TV shows over the Internet, then it would be significant. However, if Verizon moves slowly, or only permits a few applications from those not affiliated with current programmers providing shows for FiOS IPTV service, then it may be relatively inconsequential for two reasons.

First, if they move slowly the Third Generation Television revolution will leave them choking in the dust. It is estimated that over 5 million consumers have already attached laptop computers to flat-panel TVs thereby transforming the TV into a giant window into the Internet Cloud. To such users a Walled Garden of Verizon Widgets will look more like a Walled Prison.

Second, if platform access is limited to content partners then it is likely that a mere handful of widgets will get developed and the pace of introduction will only slightly exceed continental drift. Basically, existing content partners have far less incentive to innovate. The established order is almost always more comfortable with the status quo.

However, you are able to judge for yourself by listening to our interview with Joe Ambeault who is the Director of Interactive TV Applications at Verizon. In point of fact, his company has decided to move forward by permitting third parties to develop applications for the Verizon FiOS set-top box. Initially it shall be limited to existing content providers. Also, as Joe notes, Verizon itself will be developing more widgets to add to the weather and traffic ones provided to date.

This is Third Generation Television.

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