{"id":2871,"date":"2011-05-18T12:36:06","date_gmt":"2011-05-18T05:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/?p=2871"},"modified":"2011-05-18T12:36:12","modified_gmt":"2011-05-18T05:36:12","slug":"5-ways-verizon-fios-makes-a-moms-life-easier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/5-ways-verizon-fios-makes-a-moms-life-easier\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways Verizon FIOS Makes a Mom’s Life Easier"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Lori <\/span>Cunningham<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Verizon <\/span><\/p>\n

I have been a FIOS Verizon customer now for 4 years. \u00a0For those of you unfamiliar with FIOS, it’s Verizon’s term for\u00a0\u00a0installing fiber-to-curb service for their customers. \u00a0Using fiber optics allows data to be transmitted through light,\u00a0\u00a0which allows information to be transmitted well, at the speed of light. \u00a0It’s throughput is immense, and unlike today’s coaxial cable, fiber does not receive interference from electromagnetic forces. \u00a0Verizon has invested greatly in fiber optics technology to ensure their customers are future-proofed for upcoming, data intense streaming applications. \u00a0All data (TV, Voice, Internet) travels securely from their operations to our homes.<\/p>\n

As a result of Verizon’s\u00a0commitment\u00a0to their fiber optics infrastructure, Verizon offers their customers some very impressive features that most TV content providers are years away from offering. \u00a0Many of these features are at no extra cost to their customers. \u00a0Every once in a while I have to remind myself to check out the latest FIOS features, because new ones pop up all the time!<\/p>\n

With so many channels available, even for the most basic package, it’s hard to keep track of what’s going on on TV. \u00a0Let’s face it, TV’s are not as simple as they used to \u00a0be. \u00a0Nonetheless, here are some shortcuts\/technologies that I use with FIOS to make life easier*:<\/p>\n

\"Ahh,<\/p>\n

1.) \u00a0DVR<\/span><\/strong> <\/strong>Like most people, we live on our DVR. \u00a0We never watch TV shows “live,” which gets us in trouble\u00a0when everyone is talking about the grand finale and we haven’t watched the past 3 episodes! \u00a0We’ll get to them…but in our time<\/span><\/em>. \u00a0We’re usually pretty caught up on the Housewives of Orange County and Beverly Hills (when it was on), but lagging in Survivor, Amazing Race, and the Apprentice. \u00a0Yes, we’re reality show buffs. \u00a0The FIOS DVR is such a part of our life that we forget about it…until we stay at a hotel and the kids are going CRAZY because 1.) \u00a0they can’t watch the TV shows they want to watch and 2.) they have to sit through the commercials. \u00a0Hotels always remind us how tough life was before DVR’s!<\/p>\n

2.) Video on Demand<\/span><\/strong> Verizon has an immense library of video-on-demand shows and movies. \u00a0The best part? \u00a0Much of it is free! \u00a0There’s\u00a0no need to record Phineas & Ferb any longer (and use up our valuable DVR space), a number of episodes are always available. \u00a0Same with Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Good Luck Charlie, 30 Rock, The Office, CSI,\u00a0Desperate\u00a0Housewives, the list goes on. \u00a0Video-on-demand plays into our “TV on my schedule<\/span>,” theme. \u00a0It’s beautiful.<\/p>\n

3.) Verizon Media Manager<\/span><\/strong> – The Media Manager used to be an added cost feature, but is now free. \u00a0For the past 7 years, I have\u00a0\"Just<\/a>earnestly searched for an easy way to display photos and music from my computer to the TV. \u00a0I have accomplished this in different ways but none of them were seamless\u00a0with\u00a0the TV viewing experience. \u00a0They either required extra equipment, a different remote, and\/or the input needed to be switched on the TV to display it. \u00a0The hassle was getting to me. \u00a0With\u00a0Verizon Media Manager I can accomplish this once taxing task easily.<\/p>\n

To get started, you first need to download the Verizon Media Manager<\/a>\"Verizon<\/a> on your computer. \u00a0Once you do, your media files will be indexed and ready for play. \u00a0When I click on the Media Manager option using my FIOS remote, I will see the folders from my computer. \u00a0I can select the pictures or media I want to see…and with no delay, which has been a problem in the past. \u00a0If I select slideshow, I’m immediately given the option to play one of my playlists or songs from the mp3’s on my computer. \u00a0LOVE it!<\/p>\n

As we entertain somewhat often, I love to have pictures of the kids playing on the TV when our parents come over or pictures from past parties when we have a party. \u00a0The best part is that the Verizon Media Manager frees my locked up photos from the computer and plays them with fanfare (music) on the big screen. \u00a0The kids love seeing pics of themselves as babies…and so do I. \u00a0They are getting so big, where has the time gone?<\/p>\n

\"Rent<\/p>\n

4.) \u00a0Flex View<\/strong> <\/span>Admittedly, this one is new to me, but it looks super cool. \u00a0Having just\u00a0gone to\u00a0the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, I highlighted the biggest technology trends for 2011. \u00a0One of them was Apps everywhere<\/a>, and Flex View accomplishes this. \u00a0Flex View<\/a> is Verizon’s added video-on-demand that allows you to watch your purchased or rented Flex View movies on your TV, iPad, Motorola Xoom, Android phone, iPhone, and more! \u00a0Rent or buy once and you can access the movie from nearly any platform – up to four devices plus on your TV! \u00a0Think of long car trips, dentist and doctor office visits, waits at the car wash, etc.<\/p>\n

5.) FIOS DVR Manager App<\/span><\/strong> If you haven’t tried out this app yet, it’s time to visit the Android Market or iTunes Store.<\/p>\n

\"Love<\/p>\n

My\u00a0husband is the undisputed controller of the TV remote control. \u00a0At times I think it’s webbed to him. \u00a0I’m\u00a0sure he thinks similarly with me and the computer. \u00a0But there are times I like to search for shows, confirm what shows have been recorded, or search upcoming movies. \u00a0The thought of wrestling the controller away from my husband is less than appealing. \u00a0But now, with the FIOS DVR manager app, I can be in pure browse bliss using my Android phone or iPad to meander my way through TV listings and movies on demand. \u00a0Once I find something I like, I can bookmark it if it’s a FlexView or movie on demand, or schedule for the show\/movie to be\u00a0recorded\u00a0to our DVR. \u00a0In fact, performing searches and scrolling through the hundreds of channels are much easier and faster than using the remote!<\/p>\n

The DVR Manager App works like a charm when you’re \u00a0traveling. \u00a0In the past, we’d arrive home and half of our shows were wiped out due to full disk space. \u00a0Now I can monitor the hard disk capacity and scheduled shows from the road. I can add new recordings, delete shows, as well as delete scheduled recordings on the fly. \u00a0What a great free app that puts the customer in control.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A Mother’s Perspective<\/span><\/h2>\n

As you can tell, I am a Verizon FIOS fan. \u00a0We use Verizon FIOS for our phone, data, and TV service. \u00a0We pay less for\u00a0our\u00a0bundled services together than we used to pay with cable AND we gained all of the extra technology advances that Verizon is a pioneer in.<\/p>\n

I should mention that Verizon FIOS also offers a free DVR remote app in both the iTunes and Android markets. \u00a0It’s \u00a0very slick from what I can tell, offering your own customized channels list, the ability to mute the TV when you receive a phone call, and the functionality to “flick” your photos directly to the TV to view! \u00a0I couldn’t wait to try it, but it looks like I’ll have to wait as my DVR is a bit older and not able to work with the remote app. \u00a0Rats.<\/p>\n

Technology is evolving all of the time. \u00a0How anyone keeps up with the latest technology, apps, gadgets is beyond me, especially if you don’t have the passion for it. \u00a0It is my hope that WellConnectedMom.com helps keep you educated and interested in the latest technologies available to help you and your family.<\/p>\n

If you’re a Verizon FIOS, tell me, what are your favorite features?<\/p>\n

* I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Verizon FiOS sponsored blogging program. Any views, opinions or experiences expressed are my own.<\/em><\/p>\n

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I have been a Verizon FIOS customer for 4 years now. In this time, I have learned a few TV tricks that have made my life easier and more fun as a mom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,14],"tags":[677,673,676,130,2791,672,675,674],"class_list":["post-2871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home-technology","category-moms","tag-dvr-manager-app","tag-fios","tag-flex-view","tag-internet","tag-tv","tag-verizon","tag-verizon-media-manager","tag-video-on-demand","entry","has-post-thumbnail"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2871"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2871\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}