Nov 13

Netflix headed to ‘select Android devices’ early next year

Posted in: Android, netflix, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

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.

[Thanks, Connor B.]

Netflix headed to ‘select Android devices’ early next year originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 01

Windows Phone 7, Canadian Xbox 360s get Netflix streaming today

Posted in: app, canada, Microsoft, netflix, Today's Chili, video, watch instantly, WatchInstantly, windows phone 7, WindowsPhone7, xbox 360, Xbox360

Microsoft may have missed out on being the first to stream Netflix in 1080p with surround sound, but it’s still improving access to the service with a new app for Windows Phone 7 arriving on the same day a dashboard update brings Watch Instantly access to Xbox 360-owning Canadians. The free app should be easily found in the Marketplace Video Store, but just in case you don’t have an HTC Surround or similar device in your immediate vicinity check out this demo from March embedded after the break.

Continue reading Windows Phone 7, Canadian Xbox 360s get Netflix streaming today

Windows Phone 7, Canadian Xbox 360s get Netflix streaming today originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 01

Yamaha brings Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube access to BD-A1000 ‘universal Blu-ray player’

Posted in: blu-ray, netflix, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

Calling this thing a “universal Blu-ray player” seems a bit disingenuous (at least compared to models that have used that moniker in the past), but there’s no question that Yamaha’s latest does a good bit more than simply play back your newest Blu-ray Disc. The BD-A1000 offers 1080p playback via HDMI, component outputs, coaxial / Toslink digital audio ports, an RS-232C control socket and an Ethernet port, but unlike many BD decks, you’ll also find a pair of USB ports (one on the front, one on the rear). Moreover, this guy can tune into Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube without any fancy software hacks, and as expected, it’ll handle BD-Live and BonusView content as well. Too bad that $699.95 MSRP is bound to scare just about everyone away.

Gallery: Yamaha BD-A1000 universal Blu-ray player

Continue reading Yamaha brings Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube access to BD-A1000 ‘universal Blu-ray player’

Yamaha brings Netflix, Blockbuster and YouTube access to BD-A1000 ‘universal Blu-ray player’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 26

Western Digital stuffs 1TB HDD into Live Hub networked media streamer

Posted in: media streamer, MediaStreamer, netflix, reviewed, streamer, streaming, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

WD’s no stranger to the media streaming game, but things apparently just got serious. Gone is the My Book-esque design that has been used on all of the units prior, and in is a sleeker, sexier box that’s quite clearly designed to slip right on top of your existing cable set-top. The WD TV Live Hub is easily Western Digital’s most feature-packed streamer yet, with a 1TB HDD within for storing who knows what locally. There’s also an Ethernet socket for pulling down content via the web or your local network, and a pair of USB ports allow for storage expansion or transfers. Naturally, it’ll handle Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Blockbuster on Demand and UPnP / DLNA streaming to your favorite game console, but the lack of inbuilt WiFi (it’s available via an optional adapter) puts a mild damper on an otherwise fantastic sounding product. It’s available immediately around the globe, with Americans able to snag one for $199.99 directly from WD or at Best Buy.

Update: Looks as if Desktop Review has a lengthy review on this guy, along with a slew of user interface shots. The botto line? It’s the best player yet from the company, though the price tag did present a bit of sadness. Hit it up for the full skinny.

Gallery: WD TV Live Hub media center

Continue reading Western Digital stuffs 1TB HDD into Live Hub networked media streamer

Western Digital stuffs 1TB HDD into Live Hub networked media streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 23

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

Posted in: netflix, streaming, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

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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Oct 23

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

Posted in: netflix, streaming, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

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.

[Thanks, Michael S.]

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

Netflix testing $7.99 and $8.99 streaming-only plans in US right now, one is not a discount 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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Oct 21

Netflix ‘now primarily a streaming company,’ could offer DVD-less plan this year

Posted in: blu-ray, financials, netflix, streaming, Today's Chili, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

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.

Permalink   |  sourceNetflix, Management Commentary  | Email this | Comments

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Oct 19

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

Posted in: netflix, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, sony, streaming, Today's Chili, video, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

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.

Gallery: Netflix PS3 walkthrough

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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Oct 18

PlayStation 3 Netflix update hitting XMBs across the USA, say goodbye to the discs

Posted in: 1080p, netflix, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, streaming, Today's Chili, update, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

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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Oct 16

Netflix on PS3 ready to download on some consoles, service starts Oct. 18th

Posted in: 1080p, netflix, playstation 3, Playstation3, sony, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, video, watch instantly, WatchInstantly

You can’t really use it for anything for two more days, as Netflix will tell you “this product is not currently available in your location,” but if you turn on your PlayStation 3, you might notice the disc-less, 1080p and 5.1 surround sound version of the instant movie streaming service is already available to download. The above install screen popped up on our console without even requiring a trip to the PlayStation Store, which suggests that 1.) Sony has decided that this is a big deal and 2.) should an evil force ever wrest control from the Japanese manufacturer, they’d have some pretty rad propaganda pushing power.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Netflix on PS3 ready to download on some consoles, service starts Oct. 18th originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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