The range of options available for watching Netflix ‘Watch Instantly’ streaming service is growing larger all the time. And Apple devices, the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the iPad, could soon be added to the list via an official Netflix app.
Netflix Mobile?
Netflix has grown in popularity massively over the last few years as it shifts from physical mailings to offering movies and TV shows via instant streaming over the Internet. And yet despite now being on a huge range of CE devices, it hasn’t yet made the move to mobile.
But that could be about to change, with a survey question from the company suggesting it’s at least toying with the idea of a Netflix iPhone app. And that same app would also be compatible with the Apple iPad, the oversized iPod Touch launching soon.
Netflix Asks The Question
The survey question comes via Hacking Netflix, which received it from a reader. It asks Netflix users:
“Imagine that Netflix offers its subscribers the ability to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on their iPhone. The selection availability to instantly watch includes some new releases, lots of classics and TV episodes. There are no advertisements or trailers, and movies start in as little as 30 seconds. You can fast-forward, rewind, and pause or watch again. The movies & TV episodes you instantly watch are included in your Netflix membership for no additional fee.”
“Whenever you want to instantly watch content on your iPhone, your iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network (such as one you might have at home or at work, or in public places like coffee shops, book stores, hotels, airports, etc.)”
“If this functionality were available, how likely would you or someone in your household be to instantly watch movies & TV episodes on your iPhone via a Wi-Fi network?”
If you believe the source, and there’s no reason not to, then the implication is clear; Netflix is seriously considering developing and releasing an iPhone app which would allow users of the Apple smartphone to access ‘Watch Instantly‘ content.
Netflix ‘Watch Instantly’ is already available on home devices such as Internet-enabled TVs, Blu-ray players, and home consoles, the Xbox 360, Wii, and PS3. As well as set-top boxes dedicated to streaming online video.
Apple App Apparent
While a survey question is in no way a confirmation of an app being on its way, similar survey questions were asked about Netflix integration on the Xbox 360 and Wii. And both those devices consequently secured the service. Which suggests this is very real possibility.
If it does happen it would be a change of strategy for Netflix. In September 2009, CEO Reed Hastings stated that the company was focusing on home devices for now, with no plans for a move to mobile (including the iPhone) “in the short term.”
It could be that Netflix is now available on enough home devices to warrant a move to mobile as the next stage of a continuing strategy to be available in as wide a variety of ways as possible.
Conclusions
I think this will will happen, and soon. And I would bet that the iPad was the ultimate cause for this bringing forward of the mobile strategy. Although the Apple tablet isn’t mentioned by name, it is bound to figure in any mobile streaming plans.
Unlike Hulu, which is also rumored to be considering a mobile app, Netflix doesn’t need Adobe Flash, using Microsoft Silverlight instead. Making this even more likely to happen.
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