Netflix On Android To Require Special Qualcomm Chip?!?
As you may remember, back in November, there were talks about Netflix finally coming to Android. The main reason for the delay was security and DRM. Netflix has been available on the iPhone for a while and has been available on Windows Phone 7 since its launch, but it hasn't been seen on Android yet. According to VentureBeat, Netflix is certifying new Qualcomm chips, meaning that existing ones might not be able to use Netflix.
We can't find a source confirming this information about current phones, but if the Netflix app is going to require a "Netflix Certified" Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, then we can only guess that this rumor is true. These new Qualcomm chips might be available as early as the 2nd quarter 2011, which means even the newest phones don't have it yet.
"Although we don't have a common platform security mechanism and DRM, we are able to work with individual handset manufacturers to add content protection to their devices. Unfortunately, this is a much slower approach and leads to a fragmented experience on Android, in which some handsets will have access to Netflix and others won't. This clearly is not the preferred solution, and we regret the confusion it might create for consumers. However, we believe that providing the service for some Android device owners is better than denying it to everyone."
Source: VentureBeat
© 2011, mindfrost82. All rights reserved.
OK! Who else wants to get in line and kick me and all of the other Galaxy S owners in the sensitive parts? First Froyo and now this! iPhone is starting to look more and more appealing. I really home this is just a rumor and nothing more. My hopes and dreams about having my Epic updated to Froyo anytime soon had been crushed but I was still holding out for Netflix.
gTen Reply:
February 14th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
We will see..Netflix may be on the Galaxy S line as well..I mean Samsung has their own Media Hub and comes with built in DRM..Samsung is also licensed with PlayReady DRM..
I’m not so sure that I believe this since it would leave out the Nexus S out as well. Piracy and security hacks are rampant on IOS so I don’t really understand what th issue is.
Well if this is true about the chip, sucks, however doesnt bug me as much when i have hulu for free on android
as well as netflix on my ipod touch, so i can wireless tether my android to my ipod touch and bam have netflix..
On the other hand, it would look nicer on my super amoled 4 inch screen rather then, 3 something on the the retina..
Thats lame! Leave it to Netflix to ruin things.
As much as like netflix, and would love to see in on Android, i dont think id use it as much as i think i would. Thats just coming from my experience having it on my ipod touch. I guess being able to use it on 3g would open up the wifi limitations of the ipod. Slingbox will have to do for now
dschoenike
take that fandroids!
Asphyx Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Yep hows NetFlix on WP7 running? LOL
Is it just me, or does netflix offer no significant advantage on a portable device?
- 2 Bunny
I have it on my iphone but I never cared for Netflix because if I am going to watch a movie, I want a big screen TV instead of being on a phone.