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Netflix for iPhone/iPod Touch is finally here
I’ve been waiting for Netflix to release it’s mobile app for quite a while and now that it’s here, I am addicted as I’m sure many others are. I do wonder what this means for AT&T’s network load and how much longer the service will be a free part of my subscription.
If you already have a Netflix account, it’s a matter of installing the app and entering your credentials before you’re on your way to your first movie. If you don’t, free trials are available on their site or through iTunes and then it’s just $8.99/month for a subscription thereafter. Not having cable or a TV Screen at home, Netflix, Hulu Plus and YouTube are my main source for videos and let me tell you that with this addition, I am very well covered. If you do have a TV screen that is not connected to a video source, some AV cables from your iPhone to the screen can make watching movies at home a pleasure.
The app is very simple and does not offer any functionality other than watching and finding movies which I am fine with as there are quite a few other apps that let me reorder/add movies to my queue. One neat feature is the ability to resume the very last video played from your Netlfix account. I hope this can be expanded to the three most recent videos watched, like the website version, as it can get inconvenient when there are multiple users on the same account.
It’s possible to stream the videos on Wifi and 3G. I found the video quality to be extremely high on my iPhone 4 with either connection. However, I have found that the assets for the app itself have not been optimized for the iPhone 4 which takes away from the experience a little. Also, purely from a design stand-point, I’m not sure I would have placed the play button in the center of the video cover. It’s very often that the visuals draws me into a movie and in some cases, the play button covers the face of the lead actor, which I find distracting.
Aside from the nitpicky design issues, the app delivers. Now, in all fairness, the Android version needs to be released.
Take a look at the preview video:
Netflix iPhone App Video from Netflix on Vimeo.
By Gülay Birand
Published: August 29, 2010
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Tagged In: Steps for getting rid of Evil Comcast for good
Possibly one of the best things we did when we moved to our new condo, is to ditch our cable and internet company, Comcast.
Over the years, we’ve received sub-par service both in programming and internet connection. When we found out that our building would be getting a new, local ISP with speeds of 30MB minimum (Cascadelink rocks!), we knew this was our way out. The decision was also part of our plan to ditch our television *gasp*.
Initially, we hadn’t thought of going TVless, but once we spent a few days trying to figure out what the best placement would be for a TV in our new cable-forced layout and how much it would cost to make it happen, we decided it just wasn’t going to be worth the time, effort and funds. We figured, with two laptops, two iPhones and a Mini, we have enough glowing rectangles in the house to watch our favorite shows and movies on.
Take a look at the following to see if you’re ready to get rid of your cable company:
- You have a violent reaction to insipid commercials that show up every 15 minutes.
- You don’t mind watching your show a day or so later.
- You have a subscription to Netflix and/or Hulu.
- You have an iTunes account.
- You weren’t hyperventilating when I talked about getting rid of cable.
- You like to optimize your time.
- You deal well with change.
- You have an alternate, high-speed internet provider in your area.
If you said “YES” to most of these, you’re a good candidate.
Here are the steps for getting rid of cable:
- Get a Mac mini (as your media center), time capsule (router and backups) and nice large Mac screen if you don’t have them already. You can also connect your existing TV screen to the Mac mini if you prefer.
- Arrange for your new ISP to start service ASAP and switch over to it.
- Get subscriptions for Netflix and Hulu if you don’t already have them and setup an iTunes account.
- Make sure the above setup is working for you.
- Now make that call you’ve been dying to make to Comcast. So long, bad service.
- Enjoy your freedom to watch whatever, whenever, wherever.
We now only watch shows and movies we care about and cut out the unnecessary programming in between. Having the media library in one central location allows us to be able to watch movies tucked away in bed or while cooking in the kitchen.
I’m now waiting for Netflix to come out with their iPhone app. Hurry up guys!
