According to a report in The Washington Post, there’s a rumor circulating that Netflix is exploring the idea of deploying a new iPhone app for streaming movies and TV shows. Actually, it’s a bit more than a rumor. Netflix is currently conducting a survey with their user base to ascertain what the demand might be.
While this sounds like an obvious match in terms of desirability, current iPhone users who are wedded to AT&T as their service provider can already hear alarm bells ringing. The AT&T network already seems to be taxed to the breaking point, as data feeds downloaded by iPhone users continues to grow exponentially. Complaints of dropped calls and poor coverage are becoming legion. It it seems unlikely that the current system could accommodate the addition of a streaming Netflix service.
Not to worry. As a workaround, it seems that the new app would work only via WiFi.
The full text of the Netflix survey is as follows:
“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?”
Thus far, there has been no official announcement, from either Netflix or Apple, that a deal is in the works. And one should note that Apple is generally extremely protective of its home turf. Would they approve of an app that posed potential competition to iTunes?
Nevertheless, it seems clear that a marriage between Netflix and a mobile OS is inevitable. Currently, Apple is the big dog on the block. But with Google’s Android and Microsoft’s latest Windows Mobile iteration both entering the fray, it should only be a matter of time before your favorite movies will be coming to a cell phone near you.
