Verizon is furthering its strategy to let consumers watch television on their mobile devices with an Android application.

In addition to watching TV, Android users can use and manage their Verizon FiOS cable services while on the go. The launch of the app is the latest initiative from Verizon to combine its cable and wireless services for consumers.

?Today?s consumer wants the ease of accessing their content anywhere, any time,? said Heather Wilner, spokeswoman for Verizon, Basking Ridge, NJ.

?Verizon is making that possible by giving our customers access to various aspects of their FiOS accounts, right at their fingertips,? she said.

Remote access
Using the Verizon My FiOS app, consumers have access to their cable, phone, Internet, home and entertainment accounts.

Consumers can stream movies and TV programs onto their mobile devices.

The app also works with DVR systems and lets users manage their DVR recordings from their handsets.

Users can connect their home monitoring accounts with the app, which lets them see a live feed of any activity happening in their home while they are away.

Additionally, users can sync the app with their Verizon Media Manager, letting them upload and share pictures, videos and music.

Consumers can buy and rent TV shows and movies to watch

Users can also view their Verizon account settings and pay bills via the app.

The app is available for free download from Google?s Android Market.

Verizon has plans to unveal a similar app for Apple devices later this year.

One-stop service
This is not Verizon?s first mobile initiative involving video.

The carrier recently rolled out a video app on five handsets that let consumers watch television content (see story).

Combining mobile and TV is a huge trend in the industry as more consumers are using their devices to access entertainment content.

By creating a hub for Verizon users to store all their account information, the company is trying to make it easier for consumers to both access their accounts and make it easier for them to access content from their accounts.

?In regards to mobile and television, there is a growing interest in watching video on a mobile device,? Ms.  Wilner said.

?Consumers want to be able to watch video when traveling, or when out with children, or when commuting,? she said.

?Our Flex View service offers customers the ability to watch thousands of movies and TV shows on a mobile device, at any time, from any location.?

Final Take
Lauren Johnson is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York