Netflix headed to 'Select Android Devices', once DRM gets baked in

[Bateluer]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/13/netflix-headed-to-select-android-devices-early-next-year/

Netflix has always been something of a fickle beast, lavishing treats upon just one platform at a time, but now that iOS, Windows Phone 7 and every game console under the sun are streaming its video, the firm's finally turned its gaze on Android. Come early 2011, Netflix will appear on "select Android devices," according to the company's official blog, which also promises a "standard, platform-wide solution" for Android in the unspecified future. What took so long, and why will Netflix be limited to particular handsets when it first rolls out? "The hurdle has been the lack of a generic and complete platform security and content protection mechanism available for Android," says the blog, stating piracy concerns. Apparently content holders aren't too keen on making movies available unless devices have DRM baked right in, so the solution is equip new phones with padlocks one at a time. Expect next year's high-end Android devices to have "Netflix" as a nice big bullet point.

Not seeing any details on this DRM the content owners insist on, but I'm guessing it probably won't be very consumer friendly. Then there's the bandwidth issue. Streaming videos isn't exactly light on the bandwidth. With 2GB data plans becoming fairly 'standard' on smart phones, streaming a full movie is going to eat that up pretty fast.

I'm not too enthused with these prospects.

 

[Soccerman06]

I hope one of those "select android phones" is the evo.

 

[notposting]

I hate them mf-ers. Sticking with my OG Droiiiiid. Then again the idea of squinting at a 3.7" screen versus the HDTV at home is pretty retarded.

 

[Tristicus]

If select means Samsung Fascinate...bring it on please.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I hate them mf-ers. Sticking with my OG Droiiiiid. Then again the idea of squinting at a 3.7" screen versus the HDTV at home is pretty retarded.

Actually, it's pretty cool on the iPhone.

 

[Headcase_Fargone]

I just hope it works with HDMI-out. If I could stream four dot quality (for those who use Roku) streams to a television in a hotel room that'd be awesome.

 

[shortylickens]

I used Netflix on a WP7 at T-mobile. It looks nice but because of battery darin and monthly data usage limits I dont see it being a huge deal any time soon. I suspect as time goes on hardware and software people will figure out a way to make it more efficient for constant use and then it will be a serious reason to pick one phone over another.

 

[rudeguy]

I can't wait.

Though Videocaster (search for it on GetJar, its not on the Android Market) works pretty good. No movies yet, but plenty of content.

 

[Headcase_Fargone]

I used Netflix on a WP7 at T-mobile. It looks nice but because of battery darin and monthly data usage limits I dont see it being a huge deal any time soon. I suspect as time goes on hardware and software people will figure out a way to make it more efficient for constant use and then it will be a serious reason to pick one phone over another.

I see it more as something to when on the road. I have unlimited data on Sprint (especially when I'm in a Clear market) for my Evo. I'd probably only use it when plugged in as well.

 

[boomhower]

As long as any DRM is limited to Netflix I don't care. I don't buy media on my phone, I load it all so it's not a big deal to me. Looks like they are wanting to make it a hardware issue so it looks like I'll be waiting for the EVO 2.

 

[richierich1212]

man select android devices? wtf? it better be available on the majority of phones.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I would of rather seen BlockBuster as the major player in this.

 

[zerocool84]

man select android devices? wtf? it better be available on the majority of phones.

Like they said, it'll only be on newer phones. As usual, the movie/tv companies are always trying to lock down everything and won't want you to be able to view it on something that doesn't have DRM built-in.

 

[MrX8503]

I hate them mf-ers. Sticking with my OG Droiiiiid. Then again the idea of squinting at a 3.7" screen versus the HDTV at home is pretty retarded.

Went on a two hour family trip, busted out my iPhone 4 and saw a 2hr Netflix movie over 3G. I still had enough battery life left for the rest of the day. That's what I call awesome.

 

[boomhower]

Went on a two hour family trip, busted out my iPhone 4 and saw a 2hr Netflix movie over 3G. I still had enough battery life left for the rest of the day. That's what I call awesome.

Agreed. It's not meant for watching on your couch. It's meant for watching on the go. I for one will get some great use out of it working nights.

 

[zerocool84]

Went on a two hour family trip, busted out my iPhone 4 and saw a 2hr Netflix movie over 3G. I still had enough battery life left for the rest of the day. That's what I call awesome.

Agreed. It's not meant for watching on your couch. It's meant for watching on the go. I for one will get some great use out of it working nights.

Yup watching tv episodes would be perfect for this. It's still keep movies for at home viewing though.

 

[sjwaste]

Went on a two hour family trip, busted out my iPhone 4 and saw a 2hr Netflix movie over 3G. I still had enough battery life left for the rest of the day. That's what I call awesome.

Question to the group: Is there an Android device with that kind of battery life? I'm known as fairly pro-Android here, and an Evo owner, but that kind of battery life is simply incredible. Is there any Android phone I could get that would do that? I am thinking about selling the Evo, as it's just awful during the day.

 

[zerocool84]

Question to the group: Is there an Android device with that kind of battery life? I'm known as fairly pro-Android here, and an Evo owner, but that kind of battery life is simply incredible. Is there any Android phone I could get that would do that? I am thinking about selling the Evo, as it's just awful during the day.

The only Android device with any good battery life is the Droid X.

 

[Tristicus]

The only Android device with any good battery life is the Droid X.

My phone has fine battery life.