Netflix For iPad App Gets Naked
March 4, 2011
The iPad version of the universal Netflix app has quietly been changed to include a simpler and quicker interface. Unfortunately, the end result will likely upset even the most dedicated Netflix customers because key features are now gone.
The changes were made internally; meaning no actual update from the App Store was needed.
What’s Included
The app now includes just four pages: Home, Genres, Search, and Instant Queue.
The first includes customer-specific recommendations, including new arrivals, titles by selected genres, and a listing of which movies or TV shows were recently watched by the Netflix account holder.
Genres lists 12 separate categories from television shows to thrillers. Clicking on these gives you two columns of listings for that category.
Each title has a photo, which also acts as a way to start the video with one click. Other information includes: the title, year of production, rating, running time, and customer rating.
Clicking on the title presents additional information, including a description, and listing of its stars and director.
You can also add the title to your Instant Queue, or begin playing it from this page.
Search is a barebones, but powerful way to find movies and television shows that are available for streaming. As you begin to type the page will make instant recommendations similar to how Google Search works. This is by far the most improved feature, and it works like a charm.
Instant Queue provides a listing of your streaming titles, and is a terrific starting point to begin viewing videos.
What’s Missing
Unfortunately, the app is now without account settings, help, or reviews.
Netflix must have decided that these items were best accessed in mobile Safari to not take away from the viewing experience the app provides.
This makes sense on the first two omissions, but excluding title reviews from the app is disappointing. For many, what others say about a title determines whether it is worth viewing or not. Netflix would be wise to restore this feature.
Summary
It is clear the team behind Netflix for iPad see it more as a media-viewing app, than as way to review the service’s available streaming titles. The end result is a barebones attempt that probably won’t make many Netflix customers happy.
The free Netflix app is available in the App Store.
What do you think of the new Netflix for iPad app? Leave your comments below.
