Verizon courts Android users with new MY FiOS app

While most pay TV providers are developing apps first for Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPhone and iPad devices, the MY FiOS app that Verizon (NYSE: VZ) unveiled Tuesday is only available to subscribers with mobile phones and tablets that run Google's (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android platform. The MY FiOS app allows subscribers to use their mobile device as a remote control, view TV shows and movies through its Flex View platform and access the telco's new Home Monitoring and Control service.

Verizon's MY FIOS app

Verizon says it expects to support devices running Apple's iOS platform by the end of the year. Cable rivals Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA), Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) and Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) have focused first on developing apps for the iPad and iPhone.

Verizon already offers separate apps in the Android Marketplace that let subscribers view movies they have purchased through Flex View, set remote DVR recordings, use their mobile phone as a remote, access voice mail and call logs from its FiOS Digital Voice Service. What's unique about the new MY FiOS app is that it combines the functions contained in previous apps, and also allows subscribers to access its Home Monitoring & Control service, which lets customers watch video feeds from security cameras installed in their homes.

For more:
- see Verizon news release

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