Filed under: Multimedia, Odds and ends
Boo Hiss: No Netflix Watch Now for the Mac
Although not made by Netflix, the availablity of the cool Netflix Freak application always made Netflix seem the more Mac-like of the online movie rental services to me. In the last few days, Netflix has started rolling out their exciting "Watch Now" service to some subscribers (with service to all promised by June), which allows you to stream certain movies directly in your browser. Well, probably not you, because The Mac Observer is reporting that Netflix is not and will not support Mac users in "the short to medium term." Apparently, the service uses Microsoft DRM and thus is incompatible with the Mac (including Flip4Mac). Well I guess we can always drop back to Parallels, but I think this deserves a big Boo Hiss sent Netflix's way.[Via PowerPage]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kane said 4:49PM on 1-18-2007
Just sent my boo-hiss in: (kept it short and simple, hopefully)
Just a quick note to say that I am a Mac use and am highly disappointed to hear you will not be supporting Macs with your "Watch Now" until much later. I chose a Mac Mini for my HTPC because it offers a better value and ease of use. I also chose NetFlix because it likewise offers better value and ease of use than going to the video store. Hence I am discouraged to see we are of a lower priority.
from http://www.macobserver.com/article/2007/01/17.11.shtml
"Mr. Swasey pointed out that the initial rollout of the service is indeed PC only and that Netflix is investing US$40M in the service. The system utilizes Microsoft's DRM 10.0 via a Browser plug-in, and in the short to medium future, there are no plans to formally support Mac users."
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Scott H said 4:51PM on 1-18-2007
I agree that Netflix should hear, loudly, from its Mac customers. First, the Parallels retreat is for Intel Mac owners only, of course--you know, some of us have had our Macs more than one year and don't have that option.
Plus, every time we resign to "drop back to Parallels", we put another nail in the coffin of Mac OS X development. I've already seen too many sites that simply shrug about DRM'd videos and say "tough luck" to Mac users.
When will a Mac developer, or Apple, or even Microsoft, come up with a locked DRM approach that works in both environments, so web sites who insist on DRM at least have an option to support Mac users?
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Morgan said 9:06AM on 1-19-2007
If the content providers require DRM and Apple won't license FairPlay to anyone, what exactly are NetFlix's options?
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Mr. Krinkle said 5:17PM on 1-18-2007
I've had Netflix for 3 years. I just canceled it and switched to Blockbuster because of this. When a service says that they're only going to support Windowsland and nobody else, leaving the rest of the world in the cold, I drop them. Goodbye Netflix, I wont be back.
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Gordon Werner said 5:59PM on 1-18-2007
I think we need to launch a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft for locking us into their DRM format
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mpmchugh said 5:15PM on 1-18-2007
Unfortunately, Apple is partially to blame here. If they would open up their FairPlay DRM, which is already both Mac and Windows compatible, sites would have an option.
Rumor is that they will open it up somewhat as soon as next week, but that might only be for devices to play iTunes DRM'd purchases — thus is might not allow other sites or services to generate content DRM'd with FairPlay.
Vongo, for instance has been after Apple for year to allow them to use FairPlay to support Mac users, but Apple has not budged on offering them a license.
-mpm
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Attabui said 5:23PM on 1-18-2007
Just switch to Blockbuster Online - I just did. The prices are comparable, and I was sold on the ability to trade in my rentals for in-store rentals on the spot. Then they still mail the next three, so I end up with six, but return the in-store ones under the usual in-store terms. Great deal.
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Rhonda said 5:22PM on 1-18-2007
I just sent some comments to Netflix as well. With the growing number of Mac users out there, I would think they would want to keep those customers happy. Mac users are generally "early adopters" and would be likely to try out their new service if it were made available to them. They heard from me. Maybe if there are enough people making their voices heard...
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Eddie said 5:35PM on 1-18-2007
I am pissed off. If blockbuster or any other DVD rental service provider provides a platform-neutral solution, I'd switch immediately. But I am sad to see nobody else seems to care enough about similar "watch now" movie rental service.
Since Quicktime is used to stream Macworld Keynote, and nobody seems to be able to copy the very popular keynote, I guess it could be used as a platform-neutral DRM'd video streaming solution, as long as Apple license the technology and sell their Streaming Server solutions.
Or, let's hope Apple will add a subscription-based service to iTune Store at an afordable price level.
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Robert said 5:54PM on 1-18-2007
I can't blame Netflix for not offering Mac support since they really don't have an option to do so. What I CAN blame them for is offering value-added services to Windows users and making Mac users pay the same for less. That's pulling a Comcast.
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Thorpe said 6:04PM on 1-18-2007
I just sent this to Netflix:
Dear Netflix,
I am presently a huge fan and loyal customer of your outstanding movie delivery service. I was disappointed to learn that you will not be supporting the Mac with your "Watch Now" service. I have always felt strongly about supporting innovation and inspirational ideas. Thus I had decided that I would remain faithful to Netflix rather than switch over to Blockbuster because (similar to Apple's efforts in the area of personal computing) you originally developed this great service. If it is your intention to eventually bring this service to the Mac platform, then I will remain loyal to your company. However, if you have no plans to include the Mac platform in all your services, then based on principle alone I would find it necessary to take my business elsewhere. Please respond as soon as possible as to your intentions in this regard.
Sincerely,
M. Thorpe
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Dan said 6:26PM on 1-18-2007
If I didn't hate Blockbuster with the passion of a thousand suns, I would switch because of this...
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DrWho said 6:35PM on 1-18-2007
Blockbuster? Never. Hell would freeze over first.
Apple, please do dvd quality movie rentals from the iTunes Store!
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Johnny Thrash said 7:10PM on 1-18-2007
I've been a Netflix customer for over a year and I just moved out of the Windows world never to return. I find it totally insulting that anyone would use Microsoft's DRM technology, most especially someone like Netflix.
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Jay said 7:08PM on 1-18-2007
I just nasty-gramed them as well. I agree that Apple could do a better job with Fairplay but that doesn't change the fact that we're being excluded from what could be an awesome service.
Now, if Netflix says "we tried to work with Apple to make this work and it's just not happening so far, but we're still trying" that's a different story. A story which would make me MUCH happier.
Sadly, "the short to medium term" makes me think we're looking at years down the road, if at all.
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Linh said 7:30PM on 1-18-2007
Why are people pissed at Netflix? Letters should be going to Apple too. How the hell is Netflix going to provide anything for the Mac if they need DRM (at the MPAA's demand I'm sure)?
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Angel said 8:24PM on 1-18-2007
For those of you cancelling your Netflix account, you might want to sell your Mac as well. Apple is as much to blame as Netflix. Don't fool yourself. Apple needs to open up their DRM so we can get access to many of the services that Windows users enjoy.
I suspect those of you who switched to Blockbuster won't be there for long. Their service is horrible even with the free coupons.
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Mr. Krinkle said 12:15AM on 1-19-2007
Angel,
I completely disagree. If Netflix gave a rats-ass they'd have the smarts to write their own platform independent delivery solution themselves. Not be lazy and default to a Windows only DRM lockdown.
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Andrew said 6:12AM on 1-19-2007
As your previous posters say Apple is to blame in part for this - sure we don't want DRM but we do want the option to play DRM protected content on the Mac. This is really going to hurt mac users in the short term (i.e until DRM dies or is replaced by something more sinister) unless Apple steps up to the table and opens up Fairplay. That said there could be a big win for Microsoft if they sorted out their media player for Mac before Apple opens up their system. I honestly think Apple has made a mistake here.
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Kate O' said 10:26AM on 1-19-2007
Please put your passion for this issue to good use and call Netflix! Talk to their customer service reps, and ask them, as a friend of mine did, if they'll reduce their subscription fees for Mac users since we won't get to watch as many movies in a month as Windows users. As I told her, I doubt they've considered that point of view. It would be good for them to hear lots and lots of feedback from unhappy Mac users. Don't threaten to cancel your subscription (unless you really do want to) -- just let them know you're not happy with the decision to leave Mac users high and dry and want a discount for not being able to watch as many movies as other customers paying the same amount. (Full disclosure: I'm a former Netflix employee and avid user of both Netflix and Mac OS X on a Powerbook -- no Parallels for me.)
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