Netflix releases $100 player to compete with the Apple TV – FAIL
By Leslie Poston
NetFlix has entered the fray against Apple’s set top AppleTV by offering a $100 box in competition. Up until now, NetFlix had an On Demand style feature that only worked with a PC running Internet Explorer, a throw back most people were anxious to avoid.
Now NetFlix subscribers can watch NetFlix’s “Watch Now” movies right on their television screen. Of course, the quality of the box’s (made for NetFlix by Roku) is being called poor by some users. With Apple putting out their usual quality with AppleTV for not much money, and developing not only movies and television shows for it roster but games and other features as well, can NetFlix really compete?
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that NetFlix’s new box won’t be a permanent solution for anyone outside their existing demographic. The same people who still use Internet Explorer’s non-web compliant browser to watch NetFlix movies using Watch Now will be the customer base a cheap, single function box with sub-par picture quality appeals to. People who want more will quickly figure out that at a mere $299 the AppleTV with its multiple features and interactivity is the far better deal.
If you are looking for the same very basic functionality as Watch Now, but an easier way to see the movies on your television screen without having to connect your PC to your television, this box may be the answer. If you want more features, including music and games and expansion possibilities, spend a little more and get an AppleTV, soon to have a multi touch keyboard and a Wii-like gaming experience, if Apple rumors can be believed.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
under
Read more entries by Leslie Poston.
Stumble It!
May 20th, 2008
But what you didn’t mention is that Apple charges you for each movie and has a somewhat limited selection while with Netflix, you can choose from thousands of titles and they are free with your membership, oh and did I say movies were free?
May 20th, 2008
Unless there is Net Neutrality where the internet providers like Comcast, stop limiting or penalizing their subscribers for exceeding some bandwith quota, metered use and overage penalties.
This device will be a huge failure and any device that may come after it…but however this device could be the catalyst to bring that about.
I could imagine movie fans spending $100 for the device and paying $2 to $3 a movie. At the end of the month, the subscribers would lose their internet service, and lose the $100 they spent on this device. I guess thats when the class action lawsuits will really begin.
What am I talking about? Right here on Tech Blorge May 7 2008 we had a story called “Comcast: metered use, monthly bandwidth caps, overage penalties and tiered pricing on the horizon”.
This device will bring out the absurd and illegal “bandwith cap” practice to the mainstream news and to the lawmakers…which might be a good thing.
Then you can expect a class action lawsuit against Comcast and others from many broadband subscribers which in turn might overturn “bandwidth caps and quotas” here in the U.S.
Get the FCC, the Politicians and Hollywood involved, you can almost bet “metered use” and “caps” will be a thing of the past …
Bandwidth caps and quotas and metered use affects and restricts commerce, free trade and innovative devices like this Netflix player and Apple TV.