Verizon today announced on their blog that the telco is letting owners of select Android-based Verizon Wireless phones use the devices to control their FiOS TV service. According to big red, users of the Motorola Droid or HTC Imagio can download the new application that will mimic all the usual controls for Verizon's HD set-top-box. Verizon says they'll ultimately expand the lineup of phones that can be used as remotes, but they're not specifying which ones just yet. It also only works for high definition set tops.

Reaction among users who've tried the service in our forums is positive so far, aside from complaints of a few initialization snags. Judging from comments, this works over Wi-Fi -- not over 3G (just what users need, getting charged per megabyte for channel surfing). That of course lets you to use the service from anywhere in the house, allowing you to drive your loved ones crazy as an added bonus.

The application actually appears to do more than your remote ever did. The "My Photos" allows users to "flick" a single picture at your set top so it can be viewed on the TV screen. Users can also set the application up to mute or pause your program when the phone rings, then resume when your call ends.

As the phone companies try to differentiate themselves from cable, integrating smartphone functionality is an obvious next step. AT&T allows general U-Verse TV DVR control via smartphones, but it has long been rumored they're working on a mobile place-shifting solution that ties your iPhone to U-Verse TV service. This is a particular niche that's only just starting to take off, but will get truly interesting when users are able to watch home DVR content from anywhere via smartphone.