Amazon Prime Video adds offline viewing in iOS update
Amazon has raised the bar for functionality in its streaming video race against Netflix, giving iOS users the ability to download movies and television shows to their devices for offline viewing on their iPhone or iPad.
The e-commerce giant announced the move on Monday, and Prime members in the U.S., UK, Germany and Austria will be the first to benefit. Not all content is eligible for offline access, but there will be no extra charge for the privilege.
Eligible titles include Amazon's original series Transparent, major network shows like 24 and Downton Abbey, and movies such as Anchorman 2 and Star Trek Into Darkness. Some older HBO series are also available, including Entourage and The Wire.
"There's no doubt that the way people watch entertainment is changing--anytime, anywhere viewing is important and we are excited to provide our Prime members with offline viewing capabilities on iOS and Android platforms starting today," Amazon digital video chief Michael Paull said in a release. "We are proud to be the first and only online subscription streaming service that enables offline viewing--on vacation, in a car, at the beach, on a plane, wherever our Prime members want to watch they can, regardless of internet connection."
Offline access is included in version 3.2 of the Amazon Video app, which is available now as a free, 34.3-megabyte download.
The e-commerce giant announced the move on Monday, and Prime members in the U.S., UK, Germany and Austria will be the first to benefit. Not all content is eligible for offline access, but there will be no extra charge for the privilege.
Eligible titles include Amazon's original series Transparent, major network shows like 24 and Downton Abbey, and movies such as Anchorman 2 and Star Trek Into Darkness. Some older HBO series are also available, including Entourage and The Wire.
"There's no doubt that the way people watch entertainment is changing--anytime, anywhere viewing is important and we are excited to provide our Prime members with offline viewing capabilities on iOS and Android platforms starting today," Amazon digital video chief Michael Paull said in a release. "We are proud to be the first and only online subscription streaming service that enables offline viewing--on vacation, in a car, at the beach, on a plane, wherever our Prime members want to watch they can, regardless of internet connection."
Offline access is included in version 3.2 of the Amazon Video app, which is available now as a free, 34.3-megabyte download.
Comments
I must be completely insane because I could have sworn this feature had existed for quite some time already.
This is very cool. I sometimes like to watch a TV episode while I'm eating lunch. My employer blocks all these sites on the network, so I always had to use data. Now I can load 'em up at home.
... but the update is not yet visible ...
Mine showed up this morning.
Apple certainly has got a lot of catching up to do …
It'll be interesting to see what they come up with.
nice feature
Guess I can leave my Kindle Fire behind...that was the main function having the ability to download things for offline viewing.
Bummer. Maybe it's because I'm in the UK store.
I must be completely insane because I could have sworn this feature had existed for quite some time already.
You could download videos for content you purchased and, I think, rent. However the feature wasn't allowed for Prime Video streaming.
-kpluck
Finally got it!
Realistically, when is this useful? I don't want to deal with downloading content. Its 2015, and streaming is king.
Getting on airplane? Ok fine. But WiFi is becoming more popular on airlines, and eventually will be everywhere. Truthfully, this isn't the stand-out feature it would have been in 2010.
Realistically, when is this useful? I don't want to deal with downloading content. Its 2015, and streaming is king.
Getting on airplane? Ok fine. But WiFi is becoming more popular on airlines, and eventually will be everywhere. Truthfully, this isn't the stand-out feature it would have been in 2010.
I have no broadband available at my house...
We will love this for long car rides across WY, where major carriers don't have LTE coverage. In addition, we have the lowest data plan possible, so we don't usually stream videos in the car.
Streaming is only king when the connection is fast enough and your data plan can cope.
I love how Amazon is innovating here. I have no problem paying for Prime each year and Amazon keeps upping their game with regard to value added.
We often drive out to Lake Havasu from the Inland Empire and no matter the carrier, in the middle of the desert, there is no data at all. We've traveled with people who have Verizon, AT&T and T-mobile. You are not streaming anything across there. Also when out on such trips, we enjoy our data and even tethering with devices but I draw the limit at video streaming because it eats through our data plan too fast. Letting the wife or kids download several episodes of a show that expire in a week or two is great.
Realistically, when is this useful? I don't want to deal with downloading content. Its 2015, and streaming is king.
Getting on airplane? Ok fine. But WiFi is becoming more popular on airlines, and eventually will be everywhere. Truthfully, this isn't the stand-out feature it would have been in 2010.
lots of people in us can't stream when traveling even by car - thanks to small GB limits on cellular. Even in eastern USA - streaming video when moving in a car is subject to annoying dropouts from time to time. Its high time all streamers ( Amazon / Netflix) allowed some amount of downloading, even if its limited to a few hours total content, and even though downloaded is only available for say 24 hours.
Realistically, when is this useful? I don't want to deal with downloading content. Its 2015, and streaming is king.
Getting on airplane? Ok fine. But WiFi is becoming more popular on airlines, and eventually will be everywhere. Truthfully, this isn't the stand-out feature it would have been in 2010.
My parents have the lowest tier DSL service so when I visit them, it's nice to have some movies I want to see. There are tons of use cases for this.