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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Apple iPad

The iPad was rumored for a long time before it finally arrived, being unveiled by Steve Jobs at CES 2010. Designed to fill the void between smartphones and notebooks, the iPad is a touchscreen device costing from $499 upwards.

Apple hopes the iPad will change the way we consume media such as television, music, and games. But for that to happen, the company needs the backing of content creators and distributors.

Apple Hates Flash(ers)

As soon as the iPad was unveiled, many people saw Hulu as the perfect service for the device. Getting Hulu on board would be a big coup for Apple, and no doubt help the iPad in its quest for mainstream acceptance.

The big problem is Apple’s insistence on not supporting Adobe Flash, which has been its stance for a long time. Apple thinks HTML5 will become the new standard very quickly, and eschew the need for Flash altogether.

The one problem with that stance (aside from annoying potential customers) is that many of the services Apple wants to attract to the iPad use Flash. Including Hulu.

Hulu On The iPad

Hulu already encodes its files in H.264, so it would be possible for a Hulu app on the iPad. But that’s not the only issue at stake here.

MediaMemo reports that Hulu is indeed considering an iPad option. But it would first have to decide whether the iPad constitutes a mobile device, and if so, work out a new deal with the networks with that in mind.

Either way, Hulu on the iPad is likely to be a premium service, or part of a larger premium service, that Hulu has already indicated will be coming in 2010. It just hasn’t decided what form it’ll take, or how much it’ll cost.

CBS On 99 Cent Shows

Another way Apple hopes to kickstart the iPad’s life is by lowering the price of TV shows on iTunes to 99-cents an episode. We’ve already heard that some U.S. networks warmed to the idea after the iPad’s launch. And now we have a more concrete view from one of them.

MediaMemo (again) reports CBS CEO Les Moonves as saying, “There are certain shows that will be sold on Apple for 99 cents.” Though this shouldn’t be taken as gospel, it implies the network is heading in that direction. Which can only be good for Apple.

Conclusions

Neither of these efforts – Hulu on iPad, 99-cent shows on iTunes – are likely to be finalized in time for the March launch of the iPad. So, permanent deals could end up depending on how well the iPad initially sells. Which is still up for debate.

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Apple iPad

Apple’s head honcho Steve Jobs unveiled the long-anticipated iPad at the end of January. It’s a touchscreen tablet pitched somewhere between smartphones and notebook PCs. And it could change the way we consume digital media. Possibly.

Apple wants the iPad to become the device for media on the go. The screen makes it ideal for watching video, but there’s also gaming, e-books, and music which could be given a new lease of life from the iPad.

And it seems the content creators which Apple needs to partner with are coming round to the idea.

Hulu Without Flash?

One of the big problems with the iPad is the lack of Flash support. Apple and Adobe just don’t see eye-to-eye, and that could affect the iPad’s ability to stream video or display games. At least in the short term until HTML5 becomes dominant.

No Flash means no Hulu. Which is a shame because the iPad would be ideal for watching Hulu on the go.

But Hulu realizes this, and TechCrunch claims an industry insider as being confident Hulu is working on an iPad-friendly version of the site. With its videos already encoded in the H.264 standard, this wouldn’t actually be as difficult as first imagined.

The obvious advantage for Hulu would be the chance to charge for access through the iPad-friendly site. The company could either charge for the app or make it a subscription service, possibly only available to premium users when it likely switches to a pay model later this year.

99 Cent Shows

Even before the iPad was unveiled, we reported how Apple was seeking a deal with the big American TV networks to slash prices of episodes from the current $1.99 to just 99 cents. This would follow a similar deal with the music industry in 2003 and signal a coming of age for online video.

The FT is reporting that some of those TV networks are coming round to the idea, with the iPad playing a big part in their change of heart. If such a deal goes through then iTunes could corner the market in the same way it has done already with music downloads.

Conclusions

This is just the start of the deals we’re likely to see emerging in the run up to the launch of the iPad in two months time. If the Apple tablet is going to be as big as some analysts think then purveyors of video would be mad to miss out.

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iPad Arrives

Apple has now shown its hand, unveiling the iPad, its new tablet PC, a few days ago. I’ve already looked at what the iPad means for online video, although the jury is still out on whether the device will actually mean anything, certainly in the short-term.

Apple failed to truly capitalize on its media event on Wednesday, with very few content partners, and only YouTube and MLB.tv for online video streaming. But that doesn’t mean more won’t follow, especially by way of apps created to take advantage of the iPad’s bigger screen.

Hulu Talks Mobile Web

GigaOM spoke to Hulu CEO Jason Kilar at the DLD Conference in Munich. This was before the iPad announcement but at a time when everyone knew it was coming and most knew roughly what to expect.

When asked about the mobile Web and Hulu’s position on it, Kilar said:

“The computer in your pocket is very important. Mobile is a monster – we are very bullish. We will embrace any device. We are very big believers in mobile and we don’t think about (just) one device only.”

At the moment Hulu isn’t on any device other than the PC, but it seems clear from Kilar’s response that this won’t always be the case. While the iPad obviously wasn’t mentioned by name, it must figure in Hulu’s plans along with the iPhone and Android platforms, and probably more besides.

Hulu App?

That opens up the possibility of a Hulu App sometime in the future. Depending on how well the iPad sells, I’d guess it’ll be optimized for the larger screen rather than for the iPhone.

However, there remains one big problem, which is Apple’s resistance to supporting Flash in any way, shape or form. As Hulu uses Flash, it would have to re-encode all of its video streams to be usable on the iPad and iPhone. Which is a big ask at this point in time.

Conclusions

There’s no doubt in my mind that Hulu will make the move to mobile devices in the near future. But the Apple platforms may not be the first priority unless Adobe and Apple can make peace.

I also wouldn’t be surprised it a Hulu app formed part of the pay options the company is looking at currently. In the same way Spotify Mobile is only available to premium users, Hulu Mobile may be one of the draws to paying for Hulu content.

The Apple iPad

Steve Jobs unveiled the new Apple iPad at a special media event on Wednesday. The iPad will comes in a number of different flavors, with 3G and HD capacity options. The basic spec list is below.

• 9.7-inch screen
• 0.5-inches thick
• 1.5 lbs heavy
• 802.11n Wi-Fi
• 1GHz Apple A4 chip
• Speaker & microphone
• Accelerometer & compass
• 10 hour battery life, one month in standby
• Starting price of $499

The bigger issue, and the reason this first-generation iPad has disappointed so many tech fans, is what it not included. You cannot multitask, there is no camera, no Flash support, and no USB or HDMI ports. Some of which will affect its abilities in regards to video.

iTunes & Streaming TV

The iPad will, naturally, have full iTunes support, with the ability to sync the device and buy new content. However, while watching movies and TV content on an iPad will be better than doing so on an iPhone or iPod Touch, the 9.7 inch screen isn’t ideal. For those on the go, it’s an option but it cannot hope to compete in the home as an entertainment hub.

Other options include YouTube HD and MLB.tv streaming, both of which were demoed during the unveiling. But there’s little beyond that at this point in time. Netflix has even stated it has no intentions of making ‘Watch Instantly’ available on the iPad “in the near-term.”

No Flash Or Camera?

As mentioned earlier, the iPad has no Flash support. Apple has been resisting supporting Flash for years, and that stance looks set to continue. This means video on some Web sites will not work on the iPad, and bigger than that, nor will Hulu and the like. Which is a big loss for Apple and its customers.

Also missing is a camera. While no one is suggesting the iPad would have been suitable for taking pictures, it would have been ideal for video conferencing via Skype or a similar service. Unfortunately, that isn’t an option, and many people, especially students, will no doubt be put off the iPad based on this oversight.

Conclusions

The iPad – along with the other tablet PCs that will follow – has the capacity to change the way we consume all types of media. But not yet. Apple’s first attempt is lacking in too many features to make it that important.

However, the iPad Mk II, likely to be unveiled late in 2011, could right those wrongs, fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle, and make the iPad a truly indispensable piece of kit. At least that’s what Apple must be hoping.

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Apple Tablet Imminent

Apple is expected to launch its new Tablet PC – likely to be called the iSlate or the iPad – at a special media event tomorrow (Jan. 27). The Tablet is being touted as a revolution in home computing and in the way we will consume media in the future.

But pricing is going to be the key to this vision becoming reality. And that doesn’t just mean the pricing of the Apple Tablet, but also the pricing of the content Apple is expecting to be read, viewed, listened to, and played on the device.

TV on iTunes

The FT is reporting that Apple is seeking a deal with the big TV networks in the States. Most episodes of TV series are currently priced at $1.99 on iTunes, but Apple is thought to want to slash the price to just 99 cents.

This is because TV currently only plays a minor role in the success of iTunes, with music being the big seller. Apple struck a deal with the music industry in 2003 which saw individual songs go on sale for 99 cents apiece. And business has since skyrocketed.

Talk of a monthly subscription service is also continuing but doesn’t seem to getting very far. Hulu might actually beat Apple to it.

Apple Tablet?

The Tablet PC is expected to be a cross between the iPhone and a laptop, with one large touchscreen, a new version of the iPhone OS, and the capability to browse the Web and be an all-in-one multimedia device on the go.

Apple clearly wants to make it the only device anyone needs to read newspapers and books on, listen to music on, and watch TV and films on. All while on the move and connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi.

Network Interference

The networks are thought to be resistant to these pricing changes, worried that they will see less revenue and that they would adversely affect numbers and demand on traditional broadcast television.

However, as Apple has explained, price cuts would likely ramp up demand on iTunes, and help combat piracy. The fact is that piracy would almost disappear overnight were consumers being asked to pay a fair price for content.

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A Growing Sector

The lifecasting and citizen journalism sectors are both growing in popularity and importance.

Services such as Ustream, Justin.tv, and Livestream allow ordinary people the opportunity to broadcast, well, whatever they want to, within reason.

And with everyone owning a mobile phone, and new models coming complete with built-in video cameras capable of shooting good quality video, citizen journalists a growing band who can no longer be ignored.

iPhone, iPod Cameras

Apple added video cameras to its latest models of iPhone and iPod Nano, and clearly sees the worth of giving its customers a way of shooting video.

The company saw this as a way of competing in an emerging market currently led by Flip with its compact camcorders.

However, there’s no point giving people the chance to shoot video wherever they are without giving them the tools both to stream the video live to the Web and share it with a wider audience.

Live Streaming Apps

Last week saw Apple approve two live-streaming video apps for the iPhone. Apple decided to drop its restrictions on the feature and both Ustream and Knocking Live Video apps are now available from the App Store.

So, in effect, everyone who has an iPhone 3GS now has the capability of shooting video and streaming it live to the Web.

Apple’s Future

This could be the start of a big plan for Apple to place online video at the core of its business. Steve Jobs isn’t one to miss a chance to get in on a new trend at the ground level, and that would seem to be the idea.

And Apple does, of course, have the perfect software in iTunes to immediately become a big player.

[Via Wired]

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YouTube Diversifying

Yesterday I wrote about how YouTube was launching its first ever offline advertising campaign in the U.K. Meant to promote the new TV content from Channel 4 and other broadcasters, it clearly spelled out YouTube’s intentions to succeed with professional content.

Now, just a day later and MediaMemo is claiming that YouTube is in early negotiations with networks and studios about offering shows through YouTube for a price. This comes three months after similar reports emerged but with movies being the order of the day.

First Movies, Now TV?

Nothing more concrete has emerged about the alleged movie rentals coming to YouTube but it now appears TV rentals could be added to the mix as well.

According to “sources”, Google is changing tact after having somewhat failed to gain much in the way of advertising-backed TV content. What there is tends to be archive and very scattered.

So instead, in an effort to appeal to content owners, YouTube wants to offer new shows which would be available to stream for free. The only difference is instead of advertising, viewers would be charged for the privilege, with $1.99-per-episode mooted.

Apple, Hulu Plans

While innovative for YouTube, it appears the Google-owned site could have healthy competition should this happen.

Apple is thought to be eyeing a subscription package which would make a host of TV content available to watch for $30 a month. But it’s reliant on persuading enough content providers to sign up to make the asking price attractive.

Hulu is preparing to begin charging for certain aspects of the site. Although it seems likely there will always be a free, advertising-based option, the company is looking to charge for content after pressure from Rupert Murdoch and money-hungry execs.

Conclusions

My opening paragraph is the all-important question on this topic because whether or not these plans are successful both for YouTube and the television networks licensing their content to the Google-owned site depends entirely on consumer choice.

I personally cannot see it working unless the shows are bang up-to-date and aired immediately after broadcast, and the price is lowered. It would also help if this were a worldwide offering rather than being limited to the United States but the chances of that are zero.

From Free To Paid

There is more television and movie content to watch for free on the Web now than ever before. Hulu in the States, BBC iPlayer in the U.K., and YouTube and all the rest worldwide, the Internet is now awash with programming.

Interestingly enough, both Hulu and the iPlayer are thought to be looking at paid options in the future. But this is, if anything, a sign that the business is getting serious and offering an alternative to the traditional cable and television networks.

Monthly iTunes Subscription

According to Media Memo, Apple is now eyeing a monthly subscription plan which would see a variety of television programming available for people willing to pay $30 per month for the privilege.

$30 a month is not a cheap option but compared to the cable subscriptions in the States of almost $100 per month it can be considered an absolute bargain.

iTunes Buffet

Apple currently offers individual downloads of television episodes. Pilots and premieres are often free but new seasons of successful shows can cost upwards of $35, with episodes delivered as they air on television.

This new plan, if it actually happens, would offer a kind of buffet of iTunes offerings for a set price. Rather than downloading and owning digital copies of the shows, users would be streaming them to watch on demand when they want to.

Cable Catastrophe?

The key for Apple is getting content providers on board. Disney is being mentioned as the first network likely to sign up but one network isn’t going to be enough to tempt people to pay the asking price.

Also, any venture such as this would be sure to harm cable providers and they are unlikely to take kindly to the networks giving up their content in this way.

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Epix

When Epix was first announced back in June, I described it as a ‘Hulu for movies’ and an indication that Hollywood and the movie industry was finally waking up to the need for free or cheap, easily-accessible Web destinations to consume content legally.

After all, the music industry failed to do this for years and it lead to the situation we are in now where despite Apple iTunes and a wealth of other places to stream or buy music (my favorite being Spotify), piracy is still a huge problem.

Half-Baked

While piracy is also obviously also a problem for Hollywood, I don’t feel it’s too late for the movie studios to stop the rot. And ventures like EpixHD are the way to go about this.

However, a TechCrunch article by MG Siegler got me thinking. He argues that while EpixHD is looking great, it’s still just another half-baked service offering a small sampling of the thousands of movies available.

Integrated Online Movie Store

What Hollywood really needs is an integrated online movie store with content from all the major studios and a range of the smaller or independent ones.

Even if it cost slightly more to consume the content, a one-stop shop coupled with a user-friendly interface could make it a winning strategy.

Options Galore

As Siegler makes clear, most of us have at least one option for streaming movies already in our houses, be it a computer, a games console, or a set-top box such as Apple TV or Roku. But the problem is they all offer a segmented service, with some studios aligned to some, some aligned to others.

For as long as I can remember, we’ve been able to rent a new movie on the day of release from a Blockbuster or other video store. But online it’s a different story, with the movie studios putting restrictions in place to prevent that level of user-friendliness.

Promoting Piracy

Hollywood is scared of piracy and scared of a wholehearted move to the Internet for fear of curtailing its other revenue streams. But taking this path is only going to have one effect – make piracy the big winner. And with piracy, the studios don’t see a cent of revenue.

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