I think the point is that many of us already have a Netflix account and being able to stream to our phones would be great. I'm sure theres other streaming applications out there, but those would be additional accounts.
netflix. ARGH!!!
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I think the point is that many of us already have a Netflix account and being able to stream to our phones would be great. I'm sure theres other streaming applications out there, but those would be additional accounts.
The reason this doesn't make sense is that... are they going to actually start producing a version of the Thunderbolt (in like 6 months or a year from now) that is able to stream Netflix, while the one being released any day now WON'T be able to stream? I would assume he is referring to like the Thunderbolt 2 or something.
Its not like changing the screen on the Incredible. This would be a significant difference.
Its not like changing the screen on the Incredible. This would be a significant difference.
The LG Revolution has the exact same chip as the Thunderbolt (MSM8655) yet the Revolution will reportedly be getting the Netflix app
I think this HTC rep robrecht is speaking to is wrong
I think this HTC rep robrecht is speaking to is wrong
Yeah I just saw this on Engadget. While I'm not really all that concerned about Netflix on my phone personally, I don't see how it couldn't work on the Thunderbolt. Even if it's not on it at launch, I'm sure there will be someone that can get it to work on the Thunderbolt.
I think the part that is still in question is this "DRM keys" thing. While the chips might still be the same, I keep reading stuff about the appropriate "DRM keys" being built into the chip at production. I am not technical enough to understand it.
True, it's all speculative at this point. But here's the information we currently know that can be used to piece it all together:
1) The TB and the LG Revolution use the same processor (MSM8655)
2) The LG Revolution was spotted running the Netflix app at CES, thereby suggesting the TB could run it as well
3) We were told just the other day that the Netflix app will be coming to Snapdragon processors first, and the MSM8655 (the TB's proc) is currently the latest snapdragon available to consumers on the market, which means it has the newest hardware DRM libraries available to date
Looking good so far
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Not necessarily as the video I saw talked about how the keys were built into the hardware. The guy made it sound like it was a hardware thing and NOT a software update.
The part that confuses me is that we are being STRONGLY led to believe that the LG Revolution will be the first to show off this Netflix app (and rightfully so as its the phone the app is being demoed on.) If that is the case... we would HAVE TO be looking at a software update at some point down the line... if thats possible.
The part that confuses me is that we are being STRONGLY led to believe that the LG Revolution will be the first to show off this Netflix app (and rightfully so as its the phone the app is being demoed on.) If that is the case... we would HAVE TO be looking at a software update at some point down the line... if thats possible.
Well being a computer scientist, I know a little about hardware, I'm by no means a computer engineer, but I have to know a little about hardware because of my field. Certain hardware can be changed through software. That's why I said a firmware update and not a software update.
For instance whenever you change your firmware in say a wireless router or a printer, you are making changes to some part of the hardware inside. Now it's not a physical hardware change, but it does change switches (that's really deep into computer engineering lingo) and other things. This is how people can create roms for phones to allow them to overclock processors.
realitydigg
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Some chips are programmable like FPGAs, they tend to be bigger and power hungry. I believe the Qualcomm MSM8655 is an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit ) which would make it smaller lower power, and not programmable. There are ways to create hybrids, but best guess is a chip with a specific model number should be the same as the next chip with that model number. if the DRM keys are in the chip they should be there for everyone. Most likely Netflix is looking for something simple like an identifier that says "this is the device that we have approved" as opposed to encryption keys, but you never know... I doubt they would be running two variants off a production line since that entails two different photomasks (like a mold for a plastic part). I'll keep my fingers crossed that this theory is right and netflix will come to the thunderbolt
I would say that's a pretty solid theory. I mean they said it was only reserved for the absolute newest model Qualcomm chips and if these 2 phones have the same absolute newest model, I don't see how it would be any different. I mean it's much easier for NetFlix programmers to slowly integrate more and more support on their end instead of forcing hardware manufacturers to put something proprietary into their process.
NetFlix may be a big deal and a big company, but I don't know if they have that much weight to throw around just yet.
It's hard to imagine two different versions of the MSM8655 processor, but I'm no expert. Note that the Qualcomm guy in the Engadget video says its available as an option that the OEM can choose (cf at 3:00).
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/android-powered-lg-revolution-caught-streaming-netflix-at-mwc-v/#
I don't suppose it could matter that the Thunderbolt will have the MDM9600 modem chipset, while the Revolution has the LG L2000 modem chip?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/android-powered-lg-revolution-caught-streaming-netflix-at-mwc-v/#
I don't suppose it could matter that the Thunderbolt will have the MDM9600 modem chipset, while the Revolution has the LG L2000 modem chip?
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I am not one who likes to speculate, but I think its worth noting what the employee says in this video: YouTube - HTC Thunderbolt hands-on video
He says its "a pre-production model and not all the features are added on."
I'm sure its not the reason, but what are the chances that Verizon decided to hold back the Thunderbolt a little in order to get Netflix on there running properly?
He says its "a pre-production model and not all the features are added on."
I'm sure its not the reason, but what are the chances that Verizon decided to hold back the Thunderbolt a little in order to get Netflix on there running properly?
realitydigg
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He also refers to the DRM keys being stored in an ARM TrustZone @ around :59 From what i can tell this means that at some point netflix makes a call - as if to another machine - and the processor responds from outside of android with the keys. "TrustZone ...enables the application core to switch between two states, referred to as worlds (to reduce confusion with other names for capability domains), in order to prevent information from leaking from the more trusted world to the less trusted world." at about 1:44 he says "you are going to have to find someone who is going to pre-load those DRM libraries and keys on the device at time of manufacture" The modem chip might matter if it does some sort of ecosystem check - kind of like looking for a mac address, but it is the MSM8655 that has the TrustZone capability.
I would say the chip can do it, it is up to HTC to make it happen.
Petition anyone?
if you go to the 4g LTE site on verizon, during the intro, one of the things that pops up is the netflix logo. that could just be a random brand, however, it is one of only a few, including skype and youtube. I didn't see any other brands in the intro popping up. that could be implying the bringing of netflix on LTE to android, and I doubt they would put in that little subliminal advertisement if it wasn't going to be up and running on verizon's first LTE, flagship android phone.
I feel more and more that Netflix will come to all LTE phones. I mean, it would be wise for Verizon to get that done.
With LTE coming out and all the talk about speed of downloading and streaming video, wouldn't the inaugural release of Netflix on the Android platform make for a perfect tie in to their LTE network? Showing off how smooth and clear Netflix looks on VZW's devices? ESPECIALLY on their first LTE device. I can't imagine the TB getting it if it does get released by end of February, but I would like to imagine that it gets Netflix through some sort of update down the line.
With LTE coming out and all the talk about speed of downloading and streaming video, wouldn't the inaugural release of Netflix on the Android platform make for a perfect tie in to their LTE network? Showing off how smooth and clear Netflix looks on VZW's devices? ESPECIALLY on their first LTE device. I can't imagine the TB getting it if it does get released by end of February, but I would like to imagine that it gets Netflix through some sort of update down the line.
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