Hasta La Gadget!

When CEO Reed Hastings called Netflix “primarily a streaming company that also offers DVD-by-mail,” he wasn’t messing around, as the company’s quietly made streaming-only plans a reality on US shores. Strangely enough, however, it seems the firm hasn’t quite decided how much the new plan should cost, as depending on which computer and web browser you use to navigate Netflix’s website you’ll see a different result. Our Windows desktop running Chrome was invited to sign up for the same $7.99 disc-less plan as our Canadian counterparts, while Firefox asked us to pay $8.99 for the same privilege, and in either case it’d cost us $9.99 in total if we wanted physical discs as well — while a MacBook Pro on the other side of the country was given the choice between $8.99 for streaming-only or Netflix’s previous plan of $8.99 for both. In short, there’s a chance you might get a $1 discount if you only use the company’s online service now, but if you like DVDs delivered to your door you may find yourself subsidizing those who don’t. See a picture illustrating the discrepancy right after the break.

Update: We’ve got Netflix’s entire pricing breakdown for DVD-mailer plans after the break, and unless we’re mistaken, the three cheapest tiers all cost an extra dollar now, while the more expensive plans stay the same.

[Thanks, Michael S.]

Continue reading Netflix testing $7.99 and $8.99 streaming-only plans in US right now, one is not a discount (update)

Netflix testing $7.99 and $8.99 streaming-only plans in US right now, one is not a discount (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 15:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While everyone was focused on Apple ditching software discs with its forthcoming App Store for Mac, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings was busy digging a grave for optical media. Steve Jobs just threw a shovel full of dirt on top.

“Three years ago we were a DVD-by-mail company that offered some streaming,” Hastings told reporters and investors Wednesday. “We are now a streaming company, which also offers DVD-by-mail.”

Software discs haven’t actually mattered for a long time now. The real innovation of Apple’s App Store for software sales isn’t online distribution. It isn’t even creating a central marketplace. It’s putting that marketplace in a client right on the desktop. For Apple, it’s having that client not be iTunes, an already overstuffed monster well overdue for dismemberment and redistribution.

The real front in the battle over optical media remains video — with Netflix, Apple, Hulu, TiVo, Xbox Live and others on the side of the cloud, and Blu-ray, 3D televisions and most game consoles on the side of the disc. Microsoft is the only company that is nearly everywhere pursuing both approaches equally all at once.

Netflix has been able to become a streaming video company by partnering with nearly everyone who makes a net-connected box or screen, from TVs and set-top boxes to tablets and smartphones.

Reportedly, Netflix accounts for more than 20 percent of US downstream internet traffic in peak times, with the heaviest traffic falling between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m — traditional television prime time.

That’s only likely to rise as Netflix streaming becomes available on a greater number of less expensive devices attached to television sets. And it’s a good reminder that while software discs vs downloads is a battle that’s virtually over, streaming media over the internet vs streaming media over cable or broadcast has in some sense only just truly begun.

In Canada, Netflix already offers a streaming-only video plan, with regular or Blu-ray DVDs as an extra, optional feature. Its CEO’s comments suggest the US will likely be next.

See Also:

• Netflix PS3 App Ditches Disc, Adds HD and Surround Sound
• DVD Anywhere: Netflix Arrives on iPhone, and Doesn't Disappoint …
• Wired 14.09: Tech Biz: Netflix becomes an exclusive distributor of …
• Netflix Rolls Out 'Watch Instantly' for Macs
• Netflix Channel For Wii: No More Disc, Still No HD
• Netflix Everywhere: Sorry Cable, You're History
• Netflix Lies to Canadians, Insults Americans, Still Looks Good …
• 7 Ways to Watch Web Video Without Google TV
• Google TV Announces Network and App Partners, New Website
• Sony Announces Details, Prices of Google TV Lineup
• How Google Instant Could Reinvent Channel Flipping
• Our Remote Controls Are Amazing, Yet Nobody's Happy

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Netflix’s 2 billionth disc sent, but in announcing the company’s Q4 financial results, CEO Reed Hastings called his baby “primarily a streaming company that also offers DVD-by-mail.” Other notes include an indication that a streaming only plan for US customers, mirroring its offering in Canada, currently in limited testing could become widely available later in the fourth quarter of this year, with a potential that “pure streaming” could become the core package for Netflix going forward while DVDs might require a premium service charge like Blu-ray does now. So what comes next? If all goes according to plan, expansion beyond North America in late 2011, continuing to add more streaming content and improving the UI on other devices.

Netflix ‘now primarily a streaming company,’ could offer DVD-less plan this year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take Netflix’s widely adored streaming service, subtract the disc, add 1080p video and 5.1 audio and you should have something everyone’s happy with right? Not exactly, as we’ve discovered a day after the updated Netflix app launched for the PlayStation 3 with a bunch of new features and unfortunately, a few new issues to go along with them including the app not working at all on imported systems, needing a new PSN user ID and the confusion of certain users seeing very different interfaces than what was promised. You’ve been lighting up our comments with things you’ve noticed so we tried it out ourselves and with Netflix’s help, have a few answers. Check after the break for a video walkthrough of the new interface including the new video browsing feature pictured above, plus information about some of the initial problems users have experienced and how to solve them.

Update: And here’s another. Reader Joel has forwarded screens of what appears to be yet another variation of the Netflix interface that is appearing on his 80GB PS3, while some commenters also report they’re not seeing the video browsing option yet. Check the gallery for more pictures and a video after the break.

Continue reading Netflix’s new PS3 app includes new features, new headaches (video)

Netflix’s new PS3 app includes new features, new headaches (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As promised, the new discless Netflix app for Sony’s PlayStation 3 is rolling out across the land, so all should see a convenient icon under the video tab on the XMB, leading directly to movies in 1080p with 5.1 audio. As for those old discs? Just in case you were feeling attached to the old way of doing things there is a 31 day transition period before they expire and stop working completely, however our tipster informs us once he downloaded the app he was never able to use the disc again. It certainly seems like an easy trade, but you may want to consider… nothing, there’s absolutely nothing to consider. Click the X button to download, then enjoy your new coaster and National Chocolate Cupcake Day. No, really.

[Thanks, Chris]

PlayStation 3 Netflix update hitting XMBs across the USA, say goodbye to the discs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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