Netflix (Netflix, Inc. FREE) Universal App
*UPDATE* I have updated this review and upgraded it from 3 stars to 4 stars. Please visit my updated review to read more about changes to this app
This is a universal app although since the two versions are very different, this review specifically refers to the iPad version. I will review the iPhone version separately so that I can explain the differences between the two. The iPad version was first released and has been out a bit longer, but I think during the time before they released the iPhone version, they spent a lot of time working on the app making it just right for the iPhone. The iPad version feels like they put barely any effort at all behind it. I use the iPad version by far a lot more than the iPhone version, simply because of the difference in screen size. That is not to discount the iPhone version because as it is the iPhone version is done a lot better. The iPad version is just a simple port of the website onto the iPad and unfortunately there are some issues that make it difficult to use. The navigation is slow and hard to get around to what I am looking for. That being said, it is still very usable and definitely one of my favorite apps.
If you are a Netflix user then you probably already use this app. If you are not use a Netflix user then maybe this review will help you make a decision as to whether or not you should join. The app itself is free but requires a monthly subscription with prices as low as $7.99 a month for the streaming only plan. They also offer a two week free trial if you want to see whether or not the service is for you. The streaming aspect of Netflix is definitely a lot more restricted than the disc rentals, but this is mostly due to the studios limiting availability and Netflix is working hard to bring more and more titles on a regular basis.
If I were to choose between the Netflix app/service and the (price comparable) Hulu+ app/service, I would definitely go with Netflix as it is the superior option. I will say this however, the Hulu+ app for iPad is a lot better done than the Netflix app for iPad. You can tell they put more thought into it and it just plain works better. That being said, the overall experience with Netflix (to me), leaves going with them instead. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which being the fact that anything that is available via Instant Watch (Netflix) can be watched on the iPad, as opposed to Hulu+ which restricts mobile availability. Here are the features that I find most attractive about the Netflix app/service:
FEATURES:
- View all videos in full screen, full resolution as supported by the ipad. However you are still restricted by your bandwidth availability.
- View your Instant Queue as well as Disc Queue. Add/remove items or reorganize your queue. You can even rate movies you’ve seen.
- Play episodes of your favorite shows as well as a good variety of movies, some old some new. Netflix has done a particularly good job lately getting some of the newer movies available through deals with the studios.
- Go back 30 seconds with the click of one button. This feature is missing from Hulu+.
- Scrub through the movie using the top bar.
- Stop, fast forward, pause or rewind.
- Pick up shows where you left off no matter where you started watching it. I can watch part of a show using my Roku, then continue it on my iPhone, then finish it off on my iPad. All of them work together seamlessly to pickup right where I left off.
- Over 12,000 shows available with new ones added every day.
- No need to run out to the video store and rent a movie. Watch it anytime right from your iPad.
- The app automatically adjusts the video format based on the available bandwidth.
- Plans start at $7.99 a month (for streaming plans.)
- Do anything in the iPad app that you can do through the website.
- Watch unlimited movies every month. The streaming plan only allows you to watch from one device at a time, the disc plans allow you to watch on as many clients as discs you are allowed to rent. If you are allowed 2 discs at a time, you are allowed to watch on 2 devices at a time.
I do think that they should have tried a little harder when making this app. I love using Netflix and for me it is very much worth the monthly fee, certainly a lot more than the Hulu+ service. One issue I have noticed with the iPad app: the quality goes in and out quite a bit in sort of a unpredictable way too. In other words my bandwidth may be fine but I am getting a bad quality image on my iPad. I am not sure what causes this, but if I use say, (for example) my Roku box instead, (or PS3) I don’t see the same issue. But all in all, this is a great app and definitely worth getting. If you are a movie buff there is no better way to get your fix.
