Netflix prototyped for Windows Phone 7 Series

We just got a quick look at Netflix for Windows Phone 7 Series, one of the third-party apps Microsoft's showing off here at MIX10, and it looks... well, very Netflixy -- it's red to the bone. Unlike other mobile Netflix apps, this one's got Watch Instantly support and it looks great -- a real testament to the capabilities Microsoft's bringing to the table with it Silverlight-based dev platform. Video after the break!

Netflix announced for Windows Phone 7 Series

[Ordeith2 Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:33PM]

@GeekPI

Now engadget needs to write a W7pho App since they can't seem to bother getting their website to work well enough in IE.

[awholeian Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:50PM]

You can use it on iPhone, you just have to insert a DVD. That's right. iPhone 4 has a dvd drive.

[ALBGunner04 Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:51PM]

I'll care when Netflix comes to Canada :'(

[Ariel Bender Posted Mar 15th 2010 2:59PM]

Sorry Charlie. Just like NF on the XBox. Everyone says it's great. No one actually uses it. Why? Media-centric consumers own Apple product. Nice try making the switch to a consumer-centric business model, Microsofties, but Apple slays all comers.

[UnnDunn Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:16PM]

@Ariel Bender Dunno about you, but i'm currently going through a 30 Rock marathon in HD, largely thanks to Netflix on my Xbox 360.

[Jordan Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:17PM]

@Ariel Bender:

I'm sorry, but I use Netflix on my 360 on an almost daily basis. As well as on my TiVo. I will definitely use it on my Win Phone 7 as well.

Here's a fact, just because you don't do something doesn't mean that everybody else doesn't

[Ordeith2 Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:41PM]

@Ariel Bender

You got it wrong.

MS and Netflix are media centric. With Zune for music and Netflix for movies.

Apple is consumer centric, with expensive pricing DRM lock in on purchased content and no subscription models AT ALL.

The ZunePass allows a person to explore, learn about, and try a wide selection of music without getting charged for each and every music file.

Netflix offers a similar experience with Movies and TV shows.

Apple throws up this barrier to exploration in forcing an incurred cost with each new piece of content.

[devScott Posted Mar 16th 2010 4:55AM]

@Ariel Bender
Well you are half right. I use a mac mini for my tv. However I use Windows 7 media center for the software because there is nothing better right now. When there is, I'll change.

[MV ROB Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:01PM]

I can watch Netflix on my iPhone already! Granted, its through my TiVo attached to my slingbox. But hey it works! I really dont use it since I have to go through all the TiVo menus to get to my watch instantly menu. If Netflix comes to mobile devices and I hope it comes to them all, not just WM7 or iPhone or whatever, I hope they make it an easy to browse interface. I enjoy using Netflix on my PS3 far more than through my TiVo and would be happy with that interface.

[blackacex22 Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:02PM]

My next phone!!!

[RidleyGriff Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:13PM]

Being the first phone with Netflix will be a HUGE get for MS.

Side note - we know that Microsoft is contractually preventing Netflix from deploying native apps for PS3 and Wii right now - hence the need for that silly PS3 Bluray disc for Instant Streaming.

Is Microsoft also blocking Netflix for Android and iPhone as part of the same deal? Since Netflix's line about not being interested in mobile device streaming now seems to be a bunch of bunk...

[Jordan Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:18PM]

@RidleyGriff:

It takes two people to make a deal, Netflix also signed off on not allowing itself on other devices (sans disc). Microsoft isn't necessarily the one blocking Netflix

[RidleyGriff Posted Mar 15th 2010 5:03PM]

@Jordan Of course. But given how active Netflix had been trying to circumvent their Xbox agreement (again, see PS3 Bluray), it's a reasonable reading that Netflix misread how quickly the streaming market would take off when they signed up with Microsoft. They certainly wouldn't limit their appeal with exclusivity deals these days.

IIRC, the console exclusivity ended towards the end of this year. Curious to see if Android and iPhone get Netflix around the same time.

[devScott Posted Mar 16th 2010 4:59AM]

@RidleyGriff
Given the lawyers that I know, it wouldn't surprise me to see Netflix happily signing the agreement then later having John Evil from the legal department walking up and saying "Hey, I was just reading that contract you signed about exclusivity...you know what..."

[WikiWarrior Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:13PM]

please let the zune hd get this please let the zune hd get this please let the zune hd get this

[devScott Posted Mar 16th 2010 5:01AM]

@WikiWarrior
I would assume that anything in the "media" section of the phone could be run on the zune hd. You never know but it wouldn't really make sense if it didn't

[daguila29 Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:14PM]

MY NEXT PHONE! x2

[Sparks Posted Mar 15th 2010 3:28PM]

If this phone is anything like the crap I'm going through with my sisters laptop...then this a big MS fail. Stupid vista, damn crap errror...error...errror, I think that's MS way of saying sucker...loser...dumb pc LOL. PC people are strong souls but oh so naive. :shakes head::

[DirtyVegas Posted Mar 15th 2010 4:11PM]

Um, that's great, but I don't like watching video content on small screen devices - WM7, iphone, whatever.

[mikeworth Posted Mar 15th 2010 4:36PM]

I'm a bit concerned for Netflix.

Mobile has been hot now since 2007 (with the iPhone launch). I'm sure someone has had the idea to do streaming to mobile since that time. What has held them back so long?

I think that the ideas are there, but it looks like execution is very slow. It seems like they need more capable mobile engineers. It'd probably be worth swapping out the entire engineering team for people who actually have a track record of success in mobile development on iPhone, Android, and some of the other heavy-hitting OSes.

[sithkicker Posted Mar 15th 2010 4:49PM]

I wonder what the battery life will be like after watching a movie?

[palomosan Posted Mar 15th 2010 4:52PM]

Netflix on a phone, Wow just Wow.

[weirdalguy360 Posted Mar 15th 2010 5:24PM]

I have an iPod touch, I hope they transfer it to that. If they don't, then I will wait and see. I have always thought of the zune hd as a potential that just needs to be unlocked. I am not willing to get a windows 7 mobile phone, however, because data plans are too much money. Get this on zune hd, and my temptation will be pretty high. The only thing is zune hd needs to have good quality games. AppStore has a plethora, while zune hd has a couple. In two or three years time, if zune hd has great quality games, count me as a sold customer!

[ravissimo Posted Mar 15th 2010 5:40PM]

@weirdalguy360

I won't be surprised if the current Zune HD gets a WP7 UI overhaul, or they come out with a new Zune with the WP7 UI. you'll be surprised I think, with the likelihood that it won't take 2 or 3 years for the Zune to get all the games the iPhone currently has. The point is, the iPhone already has games developed for it. As a result, a lot of those developers are simply going to port their current games/apps to the WP7 phones. So in other words, most of the games that took 2-3 years to develop for the iPhone will likely come out for the Zune & WP7 phones within the first 6 months.

iPhone and Apple got the ball rolling for developers, WP7 will capitalize on the multitude of developers out there ready to program for WP7 phones. Microsoft already has a relationship with a lot of big name developers like EA, similar to Sony, but Apple didn't have that relationship until the iPhone came out. This is why you see all these developers already on board with Microsoft.

I think I'll end up with a WP7 phone because I like being able to use all the functions when I don't have a wifi signal, but if it doesn't come out on a carrier I can live with, then I'll likely go the Zune HD route as well.

[devScott Posted Mar 16th 2010 5:03AM]

@weirdalguy360
Why get a zune hd when you can get a Windows phone? You don't have to use an expensive dataplan. It will still have wifi.

[phone lover Posted Mar 15th 2010 5:37PM]

This IS a game changer we all have been dreaming!!!!

[shamon Posted Mar 15th 2010 7:25PM]

where the ZUNE HD APPS ?

[baylorbear134 Posted Mar 15th 2010 9:26PM]

guess this means there will be no zune video subscription service?

[servo086 Posted Mar 16th 2010 12:28AM]

I have read posts from numerous threads implying Microsoft was working on full Silverlight support for Android devices. Comments on here, and the article, convince me it's happening! Woo!

I guess with WMPS7 there will actually be some competition when it comes time to replace my awesome DROID!

[harybutts Posted Mar 16th 2010 1:23PM]

wtfrick, did paul greengrass shoot this video. anyway....looks awesome. now if microsoft can just hurry up with a courier device, I'm all set.

[HektikLyfe Posted Mar 16th 2010 2:03PM]

Watch Instantly is a bonus. That is a great thing there.

Now if Netflix can only do anything about their horrible selection.

No more Transmorphers and Megafault's please.

[SonicGA Posted Mar 17th 2010 1:09AM]

First, MS brought out the Zune Pass & Zune HD. Then the Courier concepts showed up and now Win Phone 7 is streaming Netflix? Whatever pot MS is smoking, I'll take two pounds and a case of rolling papers to go.

[cata12 Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:18AM]

It's an interesting thing how Netflix streaming will be available on Windows Phone 7 first and not on the iPhone. Here is the video where Scott Stanfield is doing a demo: http://www.thehdstandard.com/hardwaresoftware-solutions-for-streaming/netflix-on-windows-phone-7/

Catalin
Professional Streaming Consultant

[primarycloud Posted Mar 17th 2010 10:37AM]

Finally some people are seeing the light, I read so many posts that see an Apple, Googolized future and are totally oblivious to what MSF is putting together and working towards. A flexible, mobile stand alone, that does everything, with storage in the cloud with synchronization with partners, collegues and friends. Maybe the Courier?