Netflix adds support for all Android 2.2, Android 2.3 devices

Netflix for Android

Netflix has offered an Android app for a few months, but initially only a few specific devices were supported. Over time Netflix has added support for more and more phones and tablets, and as of today Netflix now officially supports all devices running Google Android 2.2 Froyo and Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Of course, what I mean by all devices is all devices in the US or Canada. Those are the countries where Netflix is currently available.

Netflix subscribers can use the app to stream TV shows and movies over WiFi or 3G internet connections. You can also manage your Watch Instantly or DVD queue using the mobile app.

Currently the only tablets running Google Android 3.x Honeycomb that officially support Netflix are the Lenovo IdeaPad K1, and Lenovo ThinkPad tablet. Many users have reported it also works on the Asus Eee Pad Transformer once you install the Android 3.2 software update, and while you can’t download the app from the Android Market on other devices, you may still be able to get it to run.

via GottaBeMobile

Google Videos now lets you rent movies on Froyo, Gingerbread

Google has rolled out an updated version of its Videos app which adds support for devices running Google Android 2.2 Froyo and Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Up until recently the app only supported tablets running Android 3.x Honeycomb.

The Google Videos app is where you can manage videos you’ve rented or see a list of top rentals. But to actually search for movies you’ll need to fire up the Android Market app. In fact, if you tap any of the movies listed in the top rentals section your phone will simply open the Android Market page.

Google added support for video rentals to the Android Market recently — but if you haven’t received the latest version of the Market app on your phone yet, you may not be able to rent videos.

Movie rentals in the Android Market are generally priced at $2.99 and up — with some titles going for as high as $6.99 — although the only title I found at that price is still currently in theaters.

Hulu Plus adds support for additional Android devices

Online video service Hulu is expanding the number of smartphones that officially support the company’s Android app. A few weeks ago Hulu launched the Hulu Plus app for Android, but at the time it only worked on 6 devices.

Now the HTC Evo 4G, HTC Thunderbolt, and HTC myTouch G2 and 4G phones can also use the app. That brings the total number of supported devices to 10.

Hulu Plus is a subscription-based service which runs $7.99 per month. it allows US customers to watch movies and TV shows including content that’s not available from the company’s free, web-based service. That includes content such as every current-season episode of TV shows from ABC, Fox, and NBC.

Competitor Netflix doesn’t tend to have current seasons of television shows and typically only features episodes from past seasons. Unlike Netflix though, most Hulu programming includes commercials — even if you pay for a subscription.

Google overhauls the Android Market for smartphones, adds video rentals

Google is introducing a new design for the smartphone version of the Android Market. The new interface looks a bit more like what we’ve come to expect from Google’s app store on the web and on Android tablets. It also brings features that had been tablet-only up until now, including support for purchasing eBooks and renting movies to stream or download to your device.

There’s a new home screen layout with featured content. Users can now view app lists as well, which means you can see the top free, top  paid, or top grossing apps or games.

App detail pages have also been redesigned so that screenshots now show up above the description. Developers that have added promotional videos will also see thumbnail icons for the videos on the description page.

Google is rolling out the new Market gradually to all devices running Android 2.2 and up. My Nexus One is still showing the old version, but you can check out the new Android Marke tin the demo video after the break.

The books and movies features are US-only for now.

Read the rest of this entry »

IMDB goes Honeycomb: Internet Movie Database now supports Android tablets

The Internet Movie Database has launched a new version of its Android app with support for Android tablets running Honeycomb. The user interface has been tweaked so that you have a toolbar in the left panel and shortcuts in the top — but plenty of space for photos, videos, movie showtimes, and other content in the main window.

When you launch the app you’re presetned with movie trailers and a list of films that are currently in theaters, but if you scroll down the page you’ll also find news.

From the navigation panel on the left you can also view upcoming movies, current movie showtimes, Box Office results, and other information.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hulu Plus hits Android (6 phones only for now)

Hulu Plus for Android

Hot on the heels of Netflix, Hulu has released a streaming TV and movie app for Android. But like Netflix, Hulu isn’t making the app available on all Android smartphones just yet. Instead, there’s a list of 6 currently supported phones with additional devices expected to be added to the list later this year.

Right now you can run Hulu Plus on the Nexus One, Nexus S, HTC Inspire 4G, Motorola Droid II, Motorola Droid X, and Motorola Atrix.

In order to use the app you’ll need to be a Hulu Plus susbscriber. While the basic Hulu service is free (and ad-supported) in the US, Hulu Plus offers additional content including more episodes of current TV shows. Hulu Plus subscriptions have also always been a requirement for using the company’s iPhone and iPad apps.

There is also a “free gallery” with limited content for anyone who wants to check out the app before signing up though.

The new Android app supports streaming video over WiFi, 3G and 4G connections. You can also sign into your account on mulitple devices to pick up viewing a program on your TV or computer where you left off watching on your phone.

Crackle comes to Android, brings along free feature-length movies

Crackle 2.0

Earlier this year Sony released a Crackle app for iOS which allows you to watch full-length movies and TV shows for free. Now Crackle 2.0 is available for Android as well.

Android actually got a Crackle app before iOS. But the app that was launched last year only offered a few programs for free. You had to pay a subscription fee if you wanted to view any of the good stuff. Crackle 2.0 for Android is completely free.

Sure, you have to put up with commercial breaks and a much smaller selection of videos than you get with Netflix or Hulu Plus. But it’s hard to argue with the price tag.

The new app also features a refined user interface with featured content front and center as well as menus for browsing by genre, collection, or other criteria. The content selection isn’t stellar, but there are some gems in the list including Ghostbusters, La Femme Nikita, and a handful of Seinfeld episodes.

You’ll need a device with Adobe Flash Player installed which means you’ll need Android 2.2 and up to watch Crackle videos.

How to run Netflix for Android on unsupported (rooted) phones

Netflix finally released an Android app yesterday allowing subscribers to stream thousands of movies and TV shows to their mobile devices. The bad news is that for now only 5 phones are officially supported. The good news? If you have a rooted Android device it’s not that hard to trick the Netflix app into working on your phone.

Bear in mind, there’s a reason Netflix is only supporting 5 phones at the moment. The company has extensively tested those devices to make sure everything is working properly, so you may run into problems running the app on unsupported devices. But if you’re cool with that, you fan find instructions at reddit for changing your phone’s build.prop file to identify itself as a supported phone. This basically tells the Netflix app that it’s safe to run on your device.

Unfortunately this won’t work with all devices. HTC Thunderbolt users, for instance, have reported problems. And there’s no guarantee that the app won’t crash or work improperly.

There are also reports that the Netflix app runs without any modifications on the Droid X and Droid 2.

The only phones that are officially supported for now are the HTC Evo, HTC Incredible, HTC G2, Google Nexus One, and Samsung Nexus S.