Netflix having trouble developing for the fragmented Android platform
Looks like Angry Birds’ developers aren’t the only ones having trouble getting their app to play nice across the thousands of slightly different Android devices. Netflix‘s developers have weighed in on their blog expressing their frustration due to the fragmentation of the Android platform.
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’t been able to do so already. The hurdle has been the lack of a generic and complete platform security and content protection mechanism available for Android…. Although we don’t have a common platform security mechanism and DRM, we are able to work with individual handset manufacturers to add content protection to their devices. Unfortunately, this is a much slower approach and leads to a fragmented experience on Android, in which some handsets will have access to Netflix and others won’t. This clearly is not the preferred solution, and we regret the confusion it might create for consumers. However, we believe that providing the service for some Android device owners is better than denying it to everyone.
We live to get Netflix on new devices, so the current lack of an Android-generic approach to quickly get to all Android devices is frustrating. But I’m happy to announce we’ll launch select Android devices that will instantly stream from Netflix early next year. We will also continue to work with the Android community, handset manufacturers, carriers, and other service providers to develop a standard, platform-wide solution that allows content providers to deliver their services to all Android-based devices. I’ll keep you updated on our progress.
Sounds great. In the meantime, I’ll pass the next month or two watching BSG and Arrested Development on my iPhone.
Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader Mike for the tip!
Reminds me of their response to requests to implement “watch instantly” on the Mac back in 2006.
No, the problem isn’t a fragmented platform and I’m tired of hearing this crap. It’s a much more fundamental problem and that is DRM. If they had no DRM restrictions, their argument becomes completely invalid.
Android based Phone are stupid but the world won’t get it until Apple inc. takes over the World & Apple inc. is easier to Develop for
Netflix streaming works great, but I’m disappointed by the content. It’s mostly “B” movies that are recent or really good movies that are 10+ years old. Wish it weren’t so.
I forgot to mention that great new independent and foreign films are available via streaming and kudos to Netflix for that.
@ Joel, I am happy you enjoy your iOS device, I enjoy my iTouch, my MacBook Air (2010) but the iPhone is a POS I couldn’t sell faster if I had tried. Fortunately even with the ETF from AT&T and the price I paid I still cleared a profit.
Android OS has grown so quickly, and across so many different manufacturers the Android community doesn’t need to worry. Google is focused on breadth and depth of product deployment, all the while enhancing the OS.
Hey did your alarm clock work on day light savings time, MINE SURE DID – Droid Does and So Does My Droid X.