Verizon will upgrade FiOS subscribers next month to version 1.7 o...

to connect any media device to their home networks and have video, music and pictures from those devices available for viewing on a FiOS-enabled TV, they said. In September, media from products connecting to networked PCs by USB -- such as digital cameras, thumb drives, cell phones and BlackBerrys -- will also be viewable on the TV, the executives said. The FiOS software will recognize the devices automatically, no setup up by the customer required, they said. Verizon said it’s firming up relationships with Internet video providers for direct access to video Web sites from the FiOS menu. The carrier said it already has deals with blip.tv, Veoh and Dailymotion. Verizon said it’s also adding set-top-box addressability with the upgrade to version 1.7. Advertisers will be able to target ads to subscribers by their locations, executives said. Verizon will release its Iris development kit for FiOS widgets in late October, through a Web site just for this purpose, to anyone who wants to write and publish an application using the LUA programming language, they said. Applications can be added only with Verizon’s approval. They can be free or for a price. They'll be available under the Widgets Bazaar section of the FiOS menu. The FiOS network passed 10.3 million homes in 16 states June 30, executives said. The service has 2.5 million subscribers and about 8 million set-top boxes in use, they said. FiOS offerings include 115 HD channels in all markets, 15,000 monthly on- demand SD titles and 1,400 on-demand HD titles, they said.