Netflix, Inc.

Two popular iOS apps recently got significant updates, so fire up your iPhones/iPads/iPod touches and download your goodies. First, Netflix has redone the user interface for the app. It's a lot better to look at, shows more movies per page, and has a nice graphical representation of movies you have started but haven't finished, and how far along you are. The app also has some bug fixes and adds access for Latin America. Still no support for AirPlay, which is a bit of a downer. Meanwhile, Google has updated its official Gmail app. The new version supports nested label improvements, custom sounds (iOS 5 only) and what Google calls "numerous bug fixes" and UI improvements. The Gmail app is universal, while Netflix has separate apps for the iPhone and iPad. Read More

The vastly improved Netflix 2.0 for iPad. Last month, Android tablet owners were treated to a Netflix interface overhaul, one designed to help users "more easily discover the content they want to watch." Now it's the iPad's turn: just-released Netflix 2.0 brings a refreshed interface to Apple's tablet. The update is available now, and it's a required download: you can no longer run the previous version of the app. According to Netflix Product Manager Zal Bilimoria, "The new app is really a big step forward; it is much more immersive and provides greater focus on our growing catalog by displaying twice as many titles than the previous interface. In addition, through optimization for touch-enabled tablets, Netflix members can now swipe through rows and rows of titles featuring larger artwork." In my mind, the biggest improvement is the Continue Watching carousel, which shows thumbnails of the last six shows you were watching and lets you resume any one of them with just one tap. Previously, the app showed only the most recently viewed video. In other respects, the app comes closer to Netflix's Web interface, with large, scrolling carousels for things like Suspenseful Movies, Emotional Sports Movies, and Newly Added TV Shows. Of course, you can also browse by genre and search the library. The app also seems a lot faster and more responsive. Bottom line: huge improvement. Alas, iPhone and iPod Touch users are stuck with the same mediocre interface, though version 2.0 does at least promise better stability. (It's also newly available to Latin America.) What do you think of Netflix's new look? And what about Netflix in general these days? Still a good deal? (If you want my take, read my recent post: "In defense of Netflix.") Read More

We teased you with the updated version of Netflix’s iPad app several weeks ago, and the redesign has officially gone live in the App Store. Netflix 2.0 for iOS brings with it a revamped iPad interface and several cosmetic changes. Requiring iOS 5, Netflix’s updated app is available for free in the App Store. What’s New in Version 2.0 The new layout is great, and it makes browsing Netflix a much more enjoyable experience on the iPad. Buttons and other controls are prominently displayed for quick access. You have multiple ways to browse different types of content, and all of the features from the previous app are still included. Netflix’s iOS app still doesn’t support AirPlay, however. Let us know what you think of the new Netflix iPad app in the comments! Read More

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Netflix rolled out a new Android version of its tablet app that'll soon land on the iPad. The updated app has a redesigned user interface that's bigger and more beautiful. The app manages to fit extra movie thumbnails per screen and presents them in a visually appealing way. Similar to previous versions, the Netflix app lets you view your Instant Queue and continue watching content where you last left off. It also includes selections from Netfilx's recommendation engine and categories so you can easily find new content to watch. I've tested the app on the Motorola Xoom and can't wait for it to hit the iPad in the upcoming weeks. Read More

One big advantage of iOS 5 is the ability to use it independently of a Mac or PC. Ironic, since another key new feature is iCloud, which serves to bring the two closer together at the same time. Here’s how to cut the cord if you’d rather your mobile devices and traditional computers live separate (but connected) lives. Once you’ve completed the iOS 5 update, you no longer need to be connected to iTunes at all. For anything. No, really. It may be hard for a longtime Apple mobile user to wrap their head around, but all the business of setting up, activating and other initial duties can be handled away from the computer. This does come with a couple caveats, however: Apple now lets you navigate the entire process of getting your iPad or iPhone set up with helpful intro screens on the device itself. This looks much like what happens when you first set up a new installation of Mac OS X. You can see the whole process from start to finish in the gallery below. Loading Picture 1 of 10 Sign in to iCloud using the Apple ID of your choice, and then set up syncing as well as iCloud backup. This will ensure that your contacts, calendars reminders and other info are always stored safely on Apple’s servers in case of a catastrophic failure on your device which necessitates a full restore. It could also come in handy if you have multiple devices, since it keeps info in sync between each. One of the hardest parts of keeping your device completely untethered to your computer could be keeping it stocked with a healthy supply of media. But these days, you have lots of good options. There are streaming music services like Rdio and Spotify for your auditory enjoyment, as well as downloads of past purchases from the iTunes music store itself. If your needs are less specific, try something like TuneIn Radio for access to free, streaming Internet radio feeds. Google+ can help you keep your mobile photos backed up on the web, and offerings like Netflix and Hulu will make sure you always have access to streaming video content. Grabbing an app like Azul Media Player will let you download video files from various sources on the web and play them back when you don’t have web access. Again, you can also always make purchases directly Read More

By Rene Ritchie, Monday, Jul 18, 2011 | TiPb’s developer spotlights are like DVD/iTunes Extras for the App Store — a weekly look behind the scenes at the programers and designers that bring you the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps and games you love. This week Rene talks with Jonathan George and Josh Viney of Boxcar. What should we call you? Jonathan George, Josh Viney What should we call your company? Boxcar (App Remix Corp.) Where are you located? Wichita, KS and NYC What’s your website address? http://boxcar.io What apps do you make? Boxcar What apps, other than your own, are currently among your favorites? Jonathan: iA Writer, Tumblr, Alien Blue (unofficial Reddit client), Instapaper, Calendar. Josh: Foursquare, Calculator, Netflix, Instagram, Words with Friends How long have you been a developer? Jonathan: Developer / 16 years, Entrepreneur / born with it. . Josh: Product Manager / UX Designer 12 years How long have you been an iOS developer? Jonathan/Josh: ~3 years Do you develop for any other platform in addition to iOS? Jonathan/Josh: Web What primary computer setup do you use for your iOS development? Josh: Macbook Air. Jonathan: MBP 15″ + 27″ Dell Monitor What iOS device(s) do you personally use most often? Josh/Jonathan: iPhone 4 and iPad What mobile devices, other than iOS, do you currently use? None. What’s your favorite thing about developing for iOS? Josh: Mobile interfaces that don’t suck, and being able to reach a wide audience. Jonathan: Being able to immediately show (and relate what you’re doing) to people you interact with everyday. What’s your least favorite thing about developing for iOS? Josh: It can be tough to QA and changes can’t be made as quickly as on Web. Jonathan: Apple’s draconian, yet understandable, policies around the app store. What feature would you most like Apple to add to the iOS 5 SDK? Josh: Make call and sms data available via API. Jonathan: Greater flexibility around notifications What feature would you most like Apple to add to the App Store? Josh: Better ways for people to tell their friends about their favorite apps. Jonathan: More insight and analytics into where your users are coming from. If we were to eavesdrop on you while you were coding, what curse word would we hear you use the most? Josh: The usual, but louder and with more frequency. Jonathan: “What the f–k?” What do you do when Read More

Netflix may have rolled out support for the first few Android smartphones yesterday, however it seems they remembered to give the iOS users some love in the form of a small update. The updated version of Netflix for iOS (version 1.3) can be found in the App Store and remains available as a free download. Of course, you need a Netflix subscription to actually use it though. Otherwise, in terms of the new features in this release—subtitles. Introducing Subtitles! Now you can follow the action when watching foreign language content, or when listening to the audio is not possible, such as when working out, or in loud environments. That said, not every movie has subtitles available. Read More

Netflix has expanded the availability of closed captioning on its streaming service with the latest update of its iOS application. [Hat tip to Zatz Not Funny!] With the update, the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch join a growing list of consumer electronics devices that support streaming subtitles through the service. Netflix has been hard at work adding subtitles to its streaming library, ever since first announcing their availability about a year ago. But it has struggled to do so, mainly due to a lack of standards. Still, Netflix is making some headway. In February, Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt announced subtitles were available for 3,500 TV and movie titles, which make up about 30 percent of all streaming. (A complete list of assets with subtitles can be found at movies.netflix.com/Subtitles.) By the end of the year, Netflix hopes to increase that to titles that 80 percent of all streaming. Getting subtitles onto the video assets is one thing, but getting them onto consumer electronics devices is a whole other struggle. In addition to Apple iOS devices, Netflix subtitles are also available on the Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Google TV-powered TVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes and the Boxee Box. According to Hunt’s earlier blog post, support for the Roku Player and Microsoft Xbox 360 would come later this year. But adding more devices could become difficult, particularly as Netflix has to update applications across multiple devices and app platforms individually. Not to mention, the limited processing power and overhead on some CE devices could limit its ability to add new features, such as streaming. Netflix has been trying to standardize as much of its app development as possible on HTML5 as a way to more quickly update the backend and user interface without having to rebuild CE apps from scratch. Even so, with the Netflix service available on more than 250 devices, some will benefit from new features like subtitles more quickly than others. Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial. Read More

By Chris Oldroyd, Thursday, May 12, 2011 | If you are a user of Netflix on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, you may want to fire up the App Store and grab the latest update , version 1.3, which has added subtitles. The subtitles of course are optional and can be turned on or off. The app has also been updated to fully support iOS 4.3.3 and iOS 4.2.8 for Verizon users. Apple has been leading the way on accessibility features and it’s great to see App Store apps following that lead. Anyone been waiting for subtitles? How are they? Read More