Apple TV, iPhone, iPad gain ability to play Netflix movies directly in TV app
Apple is slowly rolling out the ability to stream a movie from Netflix directly from its TV app on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, but some limitations exist.
While a Siri search for content would previously bring up a Netflix movie, commanding a device to play the title would redirect users to the Netflix app and require the users to select the title. Now, following a search, the movie streams automatically from Netflix, the same as it does from other subscription services like HBO Go.
However, Netflix movies will still not appear in recommended titles for users in the TV app, nor will it allow queueing of Netflix-exclusive programming. Additionally, title art in the "up next" queue is sporadic, with no apparent pattern to what will load and what will not.
The software hooks for the feature may have arrived alongside the Jan. 17th update to the Netflix app, with the functionality slowly rolling out to users of the service.
The TV app was previewed during the "Hello Again" MacBook Pro rollout event, and was released alongside Apple's iOS 10.2 update. The TV app is intended to make discovery easier across multiple sources of video, and has the ability to jump into live video streams as long as the necessary apps are installed.
While a Siri search for content would previously bring up a Netflix movie, commanding a device to play the title would redirect users to the Netflix app and require the users to select the title. Now, following a search, the movie streams automatically from Netflix, the same as it does from other subscription services like HBO Go.
However, Netflix movies will still not appear in recommended titles for users in the TV app, nor will it allow queueing of Netflix-exclusive programming. Additionally, title art in the "up next" queue is sporadic, with no apparent pattern to what will load and what will not.
The software hooks for the feature may have arrived alongside the Jan. 17th update to the Netflix app, with the functionality slowly rolling out to users of the service.
The TV app was previewed during the "Hello Again" MacBook Pro rollout event, and was released alongside Apple's iOS 10.2 update. The TV app is intended to make discovery easier across multiple sources of video, and has the ability to jump into live video streams as long as the necessary apps are installed.
Comments
And, that rented vids could all be watched from either ATV or my computer, regardless of which 'device' I'd rented them on...
But perhaps the content provider has to do some legwork on the backend and it's being rolled out in stages. Hope so!
It's pretty slick, but not all the providers support it yet. For this reason I've disabled it as the home-button landing screen and reverted the button to the normal homescreen behavior.
Does Netflix support the TV App now, or not?
The simple fact is, Apple is falling behind on its video/TV content partnerships. Moreover, the interface hasn't evolved all that much since the original. It's only saving grace is AirPlay and iCloud music. Even that will likely be competed away soon.
I am sure some here fulminate and disagree. If you disagree, tell me why you think I am wrong.
Moreover, your response just validated the concern I expressed in the last sentence of my post.
Everyone says that until they find out the price. Then they balk. Someone on MacRumors said Apple should make everything on the iTunes store available for $10/mo. People are living in fantasy land. IF Apple was ever able to offer a subscription service for everything available on iTunes (and that will never happen) it would be more like $100/mo not $10.