Verizon launches Flex View movie streaming app for FiOS subscribers' Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile devices

Verizon's FiOS TV service is branching out to mobile devices, just unleashing the Flex View video on demand app for Android, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile handhelds. It gives FiOS subscribers the ability to rent or purchase movies from FiOS's collection of titles (the app itself is free) and watch them not only on phones, but also on your PC or your HDTV.

The list of compatible devices is small and not surprisingly full of ones that Verizon sells, like the Droid 2, Droid X, and Blackberry Storm, though Flex View is also available for portables running Windows Mobile 6.5. Notably, there's no iPhone or iPad support currently. Flex View gives you the option to rent a movie for a 30-day period -- with either 24 or 48 hours to view it once you start playing it -- or you can purchase the movie. Movies come in standard definition or high definition, the latter being obviously best suited for TV viewing.

Your movie can be watched on up to five devices, but the biggest convenience you want -- the ability to pause a video on one device and then continuing watching from that spot on another one -- isn't available on launch. The lack of Apple support extends to computer viewing, as Flex View won't work on Macs.

If you're a FiOS subscriber and don't have a Netflix subscription, Flex View may be a handy app for watching videos on the go, but it looks like you'll have to wait to get some live TV streaming on your phone or tablet device.