Not that this is a total shocker and given that Google Fiber currently only serves a single city, Netflix has ranked America’s Internet service providers based on their average streaming speeds. Currently, Fiber outperforms all of America’s other offerings like FiOS, Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, and basically everybody else in existence by a hefty margin. 

In terms of speeds, Fiber pulls on average a 2.55MBps stream while coming in at second is FiOS at 2.19MBps. As advertised, Google’s service provides up to 1Gbps in total download speeds on a fiber optic connection, but thanks to throttling, those numbers are also different than what we would see in an actual test. You have to take in that this is just streaming from Netflix and not an overall tell for who is the best. Now go, feel free to wonder why this one is faster than that one and etc. Don’t forget to squabble about the difference between MBps and Mbps as well.

Via: Engadget

Netflix Ranks ISP Speeds, Google Fiber Beats Out Comcast and Verizon’s FiOS is a post from: Droid Life

Yesterday, Netflix received a sweet little update that brought along some improvements for Android users. Adding support for Android 4.2 running devices, the user interface has been tweaked slightly to allow for “easy scrubbing” and a shiny new on-screen volume button which makes life just a tad bit easier. To top it off, they squashed some bugs and improved playback on some devices, which is always appreciated.

Go pick it up and enjoy your shows. Also, if you haven’t watched Drive with Ryan Gosling yet, I recommend it.

Play Link

Cheers John!

Netflix Updated for Android – Android 4.2 Support Added and Improved Interface is a post from: Droid Life

Recently, it’s been uncovered on a few forums and sites that the Netflix app on both Android and iOS has an “Easter egg” inside. Apparently if you have Netflix open on your phone and open on your PlayStation 3, both being connected to the same WiFi network, you can control the PS3 app from your device. Oh, well that’s nice. 

I tried doing this same setup on my Xbox but was unable to get it to work. Hooked up the 360 over WiFi and no remote feature popped up. Dang. Would be nice if us Xbox owners could get some love. And please, don’t start a console war in the comments. We all know Android is better than both anyways.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: Engadget

Cheers Jesse and John!

Use Your Android Netflix App to Control Netflix on Your PlayStation 3 is a post from: Droid Life

On Friday, we uncovered the new UI for Netflix on Android, days before it was to go live for the world. Today, Netflix made the new phone UI official, and even created a video to talk about the added functionality, look, and new feature set. Once your device is showing the new UI, you’ll be able to quickly resume unfinished shows, double tap to watch new shows in an instant, search from anywhere in the app, and filter by more categories. This new look matches up nicely to the tablet UI while also bringing the app into 2012 and out of 2009 styling. 

As far as we know, there isn’t an update that will trigger the new look. All you need to do is install the app and it should start showing up.

Play Link

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  Neflix

Video: New Neflix UI on Android Officially Arrives is a post from: Droid Life

We received the above screenies this morning and from the looks of it, Netflix is testing out a new user interface (similar to the tablet version) for Android phones. I downloaded Netflix onto my device to check, but I still have the old UI. The tipster mentioned that after his app was turned into this without receiving an update from Google Play, that it later turned back into the regular phone UI which consists of more greys and yellowish colors.

Again, this new look somewhat reminds us of the Android tablet layout where you have instant access to recently watched shows and the same color scheme of the dark grays and highly saturated images. I love using Netflix on the Nexus 7, so if my phone’s app starts running smoother and looks prettier, maybe I can start using it more too.

Anyone else see this on their Netflix app last night?

Cheers Jesse and Clifford!

Netflix Bringing New Tablet-esque UI to Android Phones? If so, It Looks Awesome is a post from: Droid Life

Comcast announced today a new video streaming service that will launch this Thursday, called Streampix. It’s essentially like Netflix or any other streaming movie and TV show service with a fee, only it can be bundled with your existing Comcast service (if you have Triple Play) or added on for an additional $4.99 fee to those that are unbundled. For now, Streampix appears to only be available from within a browser or on TV, but they have plans to launch separate Xbox360 and Android apps within the year.

Via:  Comcast

Comcast Launching Movie and TV Streaming Service Called Streampix, Headed to Android Devices Later This Year is a post from: Droid Life

Our Android phones and tablets are becoming go-to entertainment devices whether we are on the move, lying in bed, or lost a battle with the wife for TV remote supremacy. With Netflix, Hulu, and a number of popular games finding their way to the platform along with HD screens, why wouldn’t you want to use your phone more? The games are console-quality now, select handsets are receiving HD feeds from movie services, and competing music stores keep one-upping each other. It’s a good time to be obsessed with your smartphone.

What takes up more of your time though? Are you a constant gamer or do you pass the time streaming video or music? Favorite game or media service?

Wednesday Poll: Spend More Time Streaming Media or Playing Games? is a post from: Droid Life

The ever-so-popular Netflix for Android application has been updated, bringing a few neat new features for everyone’s enjoyment. We had been hoping it was the “HD for everyone” update, but alas, we must still be patient for that.

Non-US users (sorry, folks) can now share shows and movies with their Facebook friends. For tablet users, they now have the ability to control the app’s volume with software controls instead of using the hardware buttons and there is also improved audio/video syncing across the board for all devices. Solid update for a solid application.

Full Changelog:

• Added Facebook sharing for Android phones and tablets in Latin America, Canada, the UK and Ireland
• Added software volume controls for tablet users
• Improved audio/video syncing for tablets and phones
• Resolved split picture and flickering issues on select tablets

Market Link

Netflix Updated – Facebook Sharing For Non-US Users, Software Volume Controls Added For Tablet Users is a post from: Droid Life

The good folks over at XDA have brought a working HD Netflix application to the Verizon 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus.  It could quite possibly be the same app you would find on the DROID RAZR which also came stock with the HD version of the app.  You should probably uninstall any other Netflix you have loaded so they don’t clash and then install this as you would any other 3rd party app.  Enjoy some HD Pawn Stars.

Download:  Netflix_HD.apk 

Via: XDA

Cheers Eric!

Download: HD Netflix For Verizon 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

Two major apps have received updates in time for some folks to enjoy them on their recently acquired Galaxy Nexus devices. Coincidentally or not is Netflix with its newly added support of Ice Cream Sandwich devices. Down in Palo Alto, Facebook keeps making the application better and better with a bunch of hot new features to allow for much easier navigation through the completely redesigned app.

Down below we have added the changelogs for both apps and links for you to go grab the newest versions from the Android Market.  Enjoy. 

Netflix:

What’s in this version:

1. Support for Android 4.x devices.
2. Bug fixes.

Facebook:

What’s in this version:

1. Navigate anywhere, fast: Get to your groups, apps, pages, and settings with a single press
2. Search and you will discover: Look through friends, subscribers, apps, and pages
3. See your friends tags on pictures and zoom: New photo viewing experience
4. Faster notifications: Get alerted in real time with new push notifications
5. Games & Apps: Play games and access your favorite apps on the go
6. Access to mobile timeline (If you already have a timeline)
7. Access to friend lists and subscriptions

Netflix App Adds Ice Cream Sandwich Support, Facebook Rolls Out Extra Features For Newly Designed App is a post from: Droid Life

As reported by Bloomberg, Verizon might be starting the process of purchasing another “big red” giant in the United States.  Netflix.  According to an investment banker with ties to Verizon, they are beginning to look at ways of snatching up profits and cutting costs from video streaming services such as Netflix and move beyond just their Fios service.

As stated in their report, if the deal takes place it is said to possibly take place in April of next year.  Will Netflix be better than ever if owned by Verizon?  Could this mean Verizon devices will all come pre-loaded with the app? And what does this mean for non-Verizon phones?  There is always a chance that this move would keep the mobile product unchanged too.

Via: Bloomberg 

Verizon Looking To Acquire Netflix For $4.6 Billion? is a post from: Droid Life

The Netflix team released an update to their Android app today that includes a new tablet experience for bigger screened devices. The Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet are supported as well, so the timing couldn’t have been better. It’s very similar to what you see on TV-centric Netflix apps and is a welcomed visual overhaul. With that said, this app might be the slowest and clunkiest in the history of all Android apps. Well, either that or my XOOM and its dual-core processor just isn’t powerful enough these days. Through the first few minutes with it, I kept hoping for it to return to being snappy and fluid, but that just never happened. Here’s to hoping that the next update includes some performance tweaks. 

Market Link

Via:  Netflix

Cheers Edward!

Netflix App on Android Receives Tablet UI Overhaul, Ahead of iPad Version is a post from: Droid Life

Amazon sent out a press release just minutes ago to remind everyone that their Kindle Fire is the real deal, is only a week away, and will run all of your favorite Android apps including Facebook, Pandora, Netflix, Angry Birds and more. Thanks to the buit-in Amazon AppStore, any of the apps you purchase or use are also available on any of your other Android devices, just like you experience now (that would include your catalog of free “Apps of the Day” too). No need to re-register from device to device; simply login and get back to mowing down zombies through PvZ.

Most of the apps have also been “Amazon-tested” to work with the Kindle Fire, which probably doesn’t mean that there will be special Fire versions, but that they have simply been tested to work. Think about it, it took Facebook almost 2 years to produce an iPad-specific app, the Fire isn’t getting that lucky.

Priced at $199, you can pick one up at a variety of retailers nationwide starting on November 15. Of course, you can pre-order one now and have it shipped to your door that very same day, but we know how some of you enjoy stepping foot in big box stores to pick up the latest buzzworthy product. 

Facebook, Pandora, Netflix, Rhapsody, Games from Electronic Arts, Zynga and Rovio, and Several Thousand More Apps and Games Coming To Kindle Fire Next Week

Just like with movies and TV shows, music, books, and magazines, Kindle Fire offers a fully-integrated Android apps and games experience – purchase or register for an app or game once, enjoy it on your Kindle Fire and other Android-based devices – and all apps and games are backed up in the Amazon Cloud for re-download anytime

SEATTLE, Nov 09, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

(NASDAQ: AMZN) – When Kindle Fire customers across the country open their boxes next week, they will be able to choose from several thousand of the most popular Android apps and games, including Netflix, Rhapsody, Pandora, Twitter, Comics by comiXology, Facebook, The Weather Channel and popular games from Zynga, EA, Gameloft, PopCap and Rovio. Kindle Fire customers will be able to download these apps and games without having to register multiple times and using Amazon’s simple and secure 1-Click payment technology. Plus, all apps are Amazon-tested on Kindle Fire for the best experience possible, customers can get a great “paid” app for free every day, and once you’ve downloaded an app from the Amazon Appstore, it’s available on Kindle Fire as well as your other Android-based devices.

“We started talking to app developers everywhere the day we introduced Kindle Fire, and the response has been overwhelming,” Dave Limp, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “In addition to over 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, and magazines from Amazon, we are excited to offer customers thousands of apps and games to choose from on Kindle Fire – from Pandora and Rhapsody to Facebook and Twitter to Netflix, as well as popular games from EA, Zynga and many other top game developers. And this is only the beginning – we’re adding more apps and games every day across all categories.”

With the Netflix app, Kindle Fire customers who are Netflix members can browse and instantly watch unlimited TV shows and movies and resume watching where they left off on their TV or computer. “We’re excited to team up with Amazon to give what we think will be a huge community of Kindle Fire owners the opportunity experience all that Netflix has to offer,” said Bill Holmes, Vice President of Business Development at Netflix. “We’re certain that our members will have a great viewing experience on Kindle Fire.”

“EA is proud to be part of Kindle Fire,” said Bernard Kim, Senior Vice President & Head of Global Sales and Marketing at Electronic Arts. “On Kindle Fire, we’re offering some of the world’s most popular titles with incredible gameplay and breathtaking graphics that anyone can play and enjoy anytime, anywhere.”

“Zynga strives to deliver the best mobile social gaming experiences that can be enjoyed by players anytime and anywhere,” said David Ko, Chief Mobile Officer at Zynga. “Teaming with Amazon to make Words With Friends a featured game on the Kindle Fire provides us with a great way to reach new and existing players on a fresh and exciting device.”

“As Gameloft continues to create games for the mass market, Kindle Fire comes as a very exciting new platform for us to offer our games on,” said Baudouin Corman, Vice President of Publishing for the Americas at Gameloft. “Not only does it provide us with an innovative channel for us to reach new audiences, but the tablet is set to enable a great gaming experience as well. In effect, we plan on providing Kindle Fire customers with a large catalog of top quality premium and free-to-play games.”

“We’re excited to be bringing our massively popular games to Kindle Fire,” said Andrew Stein, Director of Mobile Product Management at PopCap Games. “Kindle Fire is a great gaming device, and consumers will love the touch-screen optimized adaptations of top titles such as Plants vs. Zombies.”

“Personalized radio has the power to enhance all types of experiences anytime, anywhere and we’re thrilled that Pandora is a launch app on the new Kindle Fire,” said Jessica Steel, Executive Vice President of Business and Corporate Development at Pandora.

“We are really stoked to offer our members the Rhapsody experience on one of the most anticipated new devices this holiday season,” said Brian McGarvey, Vice President of Business Development for Rhapsody. “We want to make sure Rhapsody is available on every must-have device, including the Kindle Fire.”

“Being a featured app on Kindle Fire will allow The Weather Channel to continue to fulfill our mission of providing consumers with the most reliable weather information to help plan their daily lives – no matter where they are and what device they use,” said Cameron Clayton, Executive Vice President of Digital Product at The Weather Channel Companies.

Additional examples of apps and games that will be available to Kindle Fire customers include Allrecipes, Bloomberg, Cut the Rope, Doodle Fit, Doodle Jump, Fruit Ninja, Jenga, LinkedIn, Zillow, Airport Mania, Battleheart, Pulse, The Cat in the Hat, Quickoffice Pro, Jamie’s 20-Minute Meals, IMDb Movies & TV, and Monkey Preschool Lunchbox.

Kindle Fire offers more than 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, magazines, apps and games, as well as free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync for books and movies, a 14.6 ounce design that’s easy to hold with one hand, a vibrant color touch screen, a powerful dual-core processor and Amazon Silk – Amazon’s new revolutionary web browser that accelerates the power of the mobile device by using the computing speed and power of the Amazon Web Services Cloud – all for only $199. Customers also enjoy a free month of Amazon Prime, providing access to Prime Instant Video with 13,000 movies and TV shows available for unlimited streaming and the new Kindle Owners’ Lending Library where Kindle owners can now choose from thousands of books to borrow for free including more than 100 current and former New York Times Bestsellers – as frequently as a book a month, with no due dates.

Customers in the U.S. can pre-order Kindle Fire at www.amazon.com/kindlefire and it ships November 15. For high resolution images and video of the all-new Kindle Fire, visit www.amazon.com/pr/kindle.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes – still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon’s new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr,www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management’s expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com’s financial results is included in Amazon.com’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

Amazon Reminder: Kindle Fire Runs Android Apps – Will Have Facebook, Pandora, Netflix and More at Launch is a post from: Droid Life

Android tablet owners, today is your day. Netflix is finally available to anything running Android 3.0+. Not really sure what else to say. Hooray? Hooray!

*Note – It most definitely does not appear to be optimized for Honeycomb though. Quality is…meh.

Market Link

Cheers Nathan!

Netflix on Android Finally Shows Official Support to Honeycomb is a post from: Droid Life

Everyone join in on the fun that is Netflix!  Thanks to an update that just went live in the market, Android 2.2+ users can load up Netflix and start crushing episodes of Grey’s Ana….errr Sons of Anarchy!  In all seriousness though, this is pretty cool news.

*Note – this does not include Honeycomb.

Market Link

Netflix on Android Receives Update, Support for All 2.2 and 2.3 Devices Included is a post from: Droid Life