Netflix coming to Android... finally... but...

[SunnyD]

Yes, it's true. But there's a catch. You'll need a phone powered by Qualcomm's forthcoming newest Snapdragon processor.

Sorry folks, hate to burst your bubble - but no netflix for any of you unless you buy a new phone.

 

[BabaBooey]

Both of my phones ( android and a wm7 ) have the 1ghz snapper.....a WOOT is in order....:awe:
I loves me sum netflix...

 

[SunnyD]

Both of my phones ( android and a wm7 ) have the 1ghz snapper.....a WOOT is in order....:awe:
I loves me sum netflix...

No, no you don't.

Qualcomm is showing off Netflix streaming for Android at the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, and these new Snapdragon processors are expected to emerge starting in the second quarter of this year.

 

[trmiv]

Both of my phones ( android and a wm7 ) have the 1ghz snapper.....a WOOT is in order....:awe:
I loves me sum netflix...

It says you need the newest Snapdragon processors, and then says "these new Snapdragon processors are expected to emerge starting in the second quarter of this year."

So you're likely out of luck. May need to rescind that WOOT.

 

[AstroManLuca]

So pathetic.

Oh well, I don't even want to watch it on my phone, that would be painful. A decent queue manager would be nice though. I've never found a good one.

 

[Red Storm]

I don't get the fuss over Netflix, their selection is absolute garbage and way outdated. I gave it a try a few months back and was stunned to see them advertising the "newly available" John Q (a 2002 release).

 

[DJK Frank 16]

So pathetic.

Oh well, I don't even want to watch it on my phone, that would be painful. A decent queue manager would be nice though. I've never found a good one.

Exactly, I wouldn't want to stare at my screen for 2 hours watching a movie anyway. PC and 360 is good enough for me. I could only see myself catching an episode of a show on a road trip or something, but wouldn't get enough use out of it to justify.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Fragmentation strikes again?

 

[SunnyD]

What really makes me wonder is... Tegra is going to be the hot chip to have with this generation of phones. Where's that leave Nvidia (and Samsung and TI for that matter)?

 

[AstroManLuca]

I don't get the fuss over Netflix, their selection is absolute garbage and way outdated. I gave it a try a few months back and was stunned to see them advertising the "newly available" John Q (a 2002 release).

Their movie selection is pretty bad. But check out their TV shows. They have a lot of them, and not just crappy ones. I've watched a lot of cable shows that I would never have been able to watch at home (no cable).

 

[Anubis]

if if i could i doubt id ever watch NF on my phone

hell i watched my first think on netflix EVER, yesterday

 

[Gooberlx2]

Fragmentation strikes again?

Not really. This is about hardware (and hardware enabled DRM I'm guessing) and a particular app. How much does android itself have to do with this?

 

[Red Storm]

Their movie selection is pretty bad. But check out their TV shows. They have a lot of them, and not just crappy ones. I've watched a lot of cable shows that I would never have been able to watch at home (no cable).

I never really paid attention to their TV show list, but I guess that does make sense for someone who doesn't have a DVR and/or cable subscription. How does it compare to Hulu? Are there commercials? Do they have as many shows and do they update on a timely basis?

 

[LostPassword]

Yep, let the fragmentation continue. Now we get 2nd gen snapdragons vs tegra2. And current snapdragons sol.

 

[MrX8503]

Lol @ people saying "I would never watch Netflix on my phone, I got my pc/xbox/etc."

Try doing that on the road, on the treadmill at the gym, while laying in bed before you sleep, hell, even on the crapper.

Couple that with a superior 3G battery life phone and you'll love Netflix on the go like no other. If you haven't experienced that mobility then you can't say you won't enjoy it.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

OK really??? Why would I watch TV/movies on my Android phone. Most of them won't be able to last for an entire movie unless you keep it plugged into a charger. If you have a power port available, why not just use a laptop?

 

[gorcorps]

I never really paid attention to their TV show list, but I guess that does make sense for someone who doesn't have a DVR and/or cable subscription. How does it compare to Hulu? Are there commercials? Do they have as many shows and do they update on a timely basis?

Netflix has a large selection of shows, but because of the way it works you don't get new episodes. Only stuff that's been released on DVD. It's great for catching up on long running shows that are new to you, or going through a series that's ended (like Lost). Between Netflix, Hulu, and individual streaming sites (like southparkstudios.com) I don't have cable and do just fine. I find old shows to catch up with on Netflix, if I like them I can usually follow them on Hulu (except for all the CBS shows). With Netflix I've discovered and/or enjoyed 30 Rock, Lie to Me, Futurama, South Park, Pawn Stars, Mythbusters, Deadliest Catch, American Chopper, Parks and Rec, Comedy Central Presents, tons of different comedian specials (like every George Carlin show)... and tried a few others that I'm not sure I'll finish. There's a huge show selection but if you want to be current up to the episode it's not possible with only Netflix.

 

[rcpratt]

I don't see myself using Netflix on my phone. Don't even have it all right now, because their streaming library is not worth it.

 

[gorcorps]

Lol @ people saying "I would never watch Netflix on my phone, I got my pc/xbox/etc."

Try doing that on the road, on the treadmill at the gym, while laying in bed before you sleep, hell, even on the crapper.

Couple that with a superior 3G battery life phone and you'll love Netflix on the go like no other. If you haven't experienced that mobility then you can't say you won't enjoy it.

Exactly. It doesn't appeal to everybody, but having Netflix on my phone has been pretty awesome at times. When I moved across the country, I would stop for lunch and if I was in a wifi spot I'd be able to watch an episode of something while I ate. I also sometimes watch something in bed as I go to sleep.

 

[jdport]

I'd use netflix on my phone. In fact it actually disappoints me I won't be able to use it on my Thunderbolt that I'm planning on buying. It would be great when going on a trip somewhere to just throw my phone in the back seat and say here you go kids.. watch a movie.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Lol @ people saying "I would never watch Netflix on my phone, I got my pc/xbox/etc."

Try doing that on the road, on the treadmill at the gym, while laying in bed before you sleep, hell, even on the crapper.

Couple that with a superior 3G battery life phone and you'll love Netflix on the go like no other. If you haven't experienced that mobility then you can't say you won't enjoy it.

No, I can say with a great deal of certainty that I will never care about watching Netflix on my phone's 4" screen. The only videos I care to watch on it are short YouTube clips. Longer than a few minutes and I don't think I'd be able to stand it.

There are several reasons:

- Small screen
- Poor quality
- Rarely have headphones with me
- Usually watch things with someone
- Almost never in a situation where I'll have enough time to watch an entire movie/episode. The only occasions where I have that much time are when I'm at home, in which case I'll just fire up the Xbox.

I could see it being nice for half hour TV episodes, I guess. Not much more than that, though.

Now on a tablet, sure, it'd be great. I'd still prefer the TV but I could see an occasional situation where Netflix on a tablet might actually be nice to have. Not enough to justify spending any money, but at least I see the appeal.

Not on a 3-4" screen though.

 

[gorcorps]

No, I can say with a great deal of certainty that I will never care about watching Netflix on my phone's 4" screen. The only videos I care to watch on it are short YouTube clips. Longer than a few minutes and I don't think I'd be able to stand it.

There are several reasons:

- Small screen
- Poor quality
- Rarely have headphones with me
- Usually watch things with someone
- Almost never in a situation where I'll have enough time to watch an entire movie/episode. The only occasions where I have that much time are when I'm at home, in which case I'll just fire up the Xbox.

I could see it being nice for half hour TV episodes, I guess. Not much more than that, though.

Now on a tablet, sure, it'd be great. I'd still prefer the TV but I could see an occasional situation where Netflix on a tablet might actually be nice to have. Not enough to justify spending any money, but at least I see the appeal.

Not on a 3-4" screen though.

Keep in mind that it doesn't always HAVE to be on a 3-4" screen. I'm not sure if any Android phones have video out (I'd hope some do), but I usually keep a video out cable for the iphone in my car for when I go back home or something. If somebody gets the desire to watch something we don't have, I can check the Netflix app to see if it's on there and then plug it into the TV and watch on the big screen. It's not full HD like it would be from a 360 or PS3, but sometimes that's not as important.

 

[jdport]

Keep in mind that it doesn't always HAVE to be on a 3-4" screen. I'm not sure if any Android phones have video out (I'd hope some do), but I usually keep a video out cable for the iphone in my car for when I go back home or something. If somebody gets the desire to watch something we don't have, I can check the Netflix app to see if it's on there and then plug it into the TV and watch on the big screen. It's not full HD like it would be from a 360 or PS3, but sometimes that's not as important.

The DroidX has HDMI outputs for video, as I believe the Bionic will. I'm not sure which others do.... and that's a good point. It's a bummer that I'd have to wait a while to get a smartphone if I want netflix. Especially when it works without issues on iphone, my xbox and Wii, and on my PC all without issues.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Ha shit like this, coupled with sprints change to premier and atts change to mobile to any mobile, makes me want to sell the evo, pay the etf, and jump ship.

 

[pm]

I have used Netflix with TV out when I've been travelling. I use the composite connector cable for my iPhone. Composite is nice because it's old enough that it works universally with pretty much every TV that's not absolutely ancient. It's kind of handy to be in a hotel somewhere and have full access to all of Netflix's instant streaming library. The problem with HDMI is that most cheap hotel TV's don't take it.

As far as this change, I agree with the posters who say it's a DRM issue. I think that's the problem and why you need the new rev. It's not a performance issue, I think, it's a DRM issue.