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Why Netflix Isn't On Android -- per netflix

cabbie

Android Expert
Mar 23, 2010
1,333
553
thx to @ginatrapani

http://blog.netflix.com/2010/11/netflix-on-android.html

Hi, this is Greg Peters, from Netflix product development. We recently announced the availability of Netflix on Windows Phone 7 devices, which, alongside the iPhone, represents the second mobile phone platform we have enabled for streaming from Netflix. Notably absent from current supported mobile devices is Android and I wanted to provide an update on where things stand with this important platform.

We regard Android as an exciting technology that drives a range of great devices that our members could use to instantly watch TV shows and movies from Netflix. We are eager to launch on these devices and are disappointed that we haven
 
They bring up a valid point, but why not make an app where we can search for movies and add them to our queue?

Streaming media has nothing to do with that.

Actually, there are a few of these already in the Market (but not "official" Netflix apps). I just did a search for "Netflix", and the first two that came up were PhoneFlicks and QueueMan. I haven't used either, but from the reviews, they seem to work somewhat. Of course, most of the reviews are stuff like "Don't strem, this SUXXXXXXX!!11!!", but you're always going to have trolls that don't read things before they download them. :rolleyes:

I found this line in the OP very interesting ..... "But I
 
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I've seen those apps in the market but I too want one from Netflix instead of a 3rd party.

Me thinks you will be disappointed. The Netfix app for the iPhone is crap at managing your queue. The app for the iPad is just a front end for the web site.

3rd party apps will do a whole lot better at managing your queue.
 
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Netflix does have a point and should motivate the Android Devs to do better. This is the same reason why EA only released the Sims 3 on the Vibrant. And to the future fanboys saying that Android is not fragmented.. You are no better than the Apple Fanboys thus making the rest of the Android Community look bad.

While I understand, it doesn't make much sense. Nobody's going to buy the Vibrant just because of the Sims 3. They may lose some sales due to piracy, but by not providing the game at all to other devices, they're not selling anything. I fail to see how selling some is worse than selling nothing.

And besides, it's not like this is going to prevent piracy. Others have already extracted the game and made it available through torrents and other sources. It is only us who buy legit software who are harmed by such attitude.
 
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I am going to cancel my Netflix membership. I've been with them since the end of August, and I don't see nearly as much streaming content as I'd anticipated.

I got them for the streaming, not the DVD rentals.

What makes me mad about them is how long it takes them to add videos that they've been sending out as dvd's to online streaming. I've been waiting on them to put the series The Wire on there forever. Do you know how annoying it is to try to watch 6 seasons of a tv show when they only send 1 dvd at a time? lol:mad:
 
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This is the downside of open source. When you can partner with a software platform that keeps the source code away from the masses, its easier to create an app in partnership with the software developers that protects your interests. Thats why NetFlix can get their DRM requirements coded into iOS and WinMo quicker. Only one place to go.

Android has released the source code to the masses, so Netflix is forced to deal with Samsung, HTC, Motorola, et. al. as well as find ways to close the holes in the security.

Not as easy to do with open source. That's why you don't see a lot of mainstream software titles running full speed to Android. Once they bring it here, its much easier to crack it open.
 
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This stinks of BS.
Only if you have no idea of what Android is.
Netflix's explanation is 100% rational
While I understand, it doesn't make much sense. Nobody's going to buy the Vibrant just because of the Sims 3. They may lose some sales due to piracy, but by not providing the game at all to other devices, they're not selling anything. I fail to see how selling some is worse than selling nothing.

And besides, it's not like this is going to prevent piracy. Others have already extracted the game and made it available through torrents and other sources. It is only us who buy legit software who are harmed by such attitude.
What makes me mad about them is how long it takes them to add videos that they've been sending out as dvd's to online streaming. I've been waiting on them to put the series The Wire on there forever. Do you know how annoying it is to try to watch 6 seasons of a tv show when they only send 1 dvd at a time? lol:mad:

You have it all wrong. Netflix doesn't own the content and they do not decide when it will be available to Netflx for streaming, the owners do.

As far as piracy Netflix has to err on the side of casution. If a device's protecton is broken it brings the whole model down.

Lets not forget that the type of security Netflix needs is a cost that needs to be born by the device maker and purchaser, not Netflix other subscribers.

When we get a device with Android we are saving on OS license fees. It is the device makers who need to provide netflix acceptable schemes, not Netflix!

I have a few WD TV LIVEs, I recently upgraded one to a WD TV LIVE Plus which is the same exact thing except for one chip that enbles netflix proteciton. No one on WD's forums would blame Netflix for not allowing Netflix on the old unprotected WD.
 
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Only if you have no idea of what Android is.
Netflix's explanation is 100% rational


You have it all wrong. Netflix doesn't own the content and they do not decide when it will be available to Netflx for streaming, the owners do.

As far as piracy Netflix has to err on the side of casution. If a device's protecton is broken it brings the whole model down.

Lets not forget that the type of security Netflix needs is a cost that needs to be born by the device maker and purchaser, not Netflix other subscribers.

When we get a device with Android we are saving on OS license fees. It is the device makers who need to provide netflix acceptable schemes, not Netflix!

I have a few WD TV LIVEs, I recently upgraded one to a WD TV LIVE Plus which is the same exact thing except for one chip that enbles netflix proteciton. No one on WD's forums would blame Netflix for not allowing Netflix on the old unprotected WD.


+1; I agree with almost everything you've written.

Except that it is technically possible for Netflix to provide their own DRM technology, like Amazon has done with their Kindle app for Android.
 
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So, in the mean time, the alternative is...piracy? That's just brilliant on their part. :rolleyes:
Alternative:
Piracy?=Yes
Liability for said Piracy?=No

Much better than a Y/Y response from a legal stance.

Besides, if the went ahead and did it with the current security flaws/risks, you can be damn sure that, unlike the other platforms that get it for free, the Android users would be subject to a hefty up-front price tag for using/registering the app. And I'm simply not going to pay it, especially when my alternative is to stream other flash-capable pirated movies for free from certain websites :rolleyes:
 
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