Netflix on Thunderbolt?

[Bwangster12]

Well, based on the info we've heard so far... it sounds like the Thunderbolt has a different response when trying to stream video using the hacked .apk. All other Android devices seem to crash (either by defaulting to home screen or the main screen of the Netflix app).

 

[dave4100]

Well, based on the info we've heard so far... it sounds like the Thunderbolt has a different response when trying to stream video using the hacked .apk. All other Android devices seem to crash (either by defaulting to home screen or the main screen of the Netflix app).

What is this different response? By the way, the csr's at netflix have no idea when the app will be available for the tbolt. Probably two to three months from being released.

 

[moosc]

thank god I can watch netflix on any Android device with out issues. don't need to wait for some silly app to let me watch my movies. helll I even have hulu if I get bored with netflix

 

[Puterguru]

thank god I can watch netflix on any Android device with out issues. don't need to wait for some silly app to let me watch my movies. helll I even have hulu if I get bored with netflix

Maybe I missed it but, how do you do this?

 

[j7469]

If I get the Thunderbolt (still on the fence) I'll just use tethering to get a wifi signal to my iPad and watch Netflix. As much as I would like the option of being able to watch Netflix on my phone, about 99% of the time I figure I'd watch it on my iPad anyway.

I have the ability to watch it on my iPhone now but always choose iPad so why would that change?

 

[moosc]

use the playon app works great. even in 3g

Maybe I missed it but, how do you do this?

 

[terrain]

When Netflix has complete catalog online I may be interested --- as is I have only watched it on my Ipad's a few times. I'd much prefer SKYPE now that we are going to have the cameras.

 

[robrecht]

I think Qualcomm is being a little coy here. It is definitely, in part, a software (and OS) issue, but it is also a firmware/hardware issue. According to a Qualcomm engineer at CES, there are DRM keys and libraries that need to be built into the 'ARM TrustZone' of the processor by the OEM, ie, HTC, as an OEM option. Qualcomm won't speak about this issue behind the back of HTC, and HTC so far has not answered this question about a phone that is not yet released. Qualcomm and HTC both try to deflect the issue onto Netflix. There are a few people at Qualcomm and HTC and Neflix who definitely should know the answer, but they are not the people who are trained to speak to the public. And those people know better than to speak to the public about software that has not yet been released on a phone that has not yet been released.

Now that the phone is released, I called HTC back to try and get a definitive answer to this. The junior level phone person did some searching and pointed me to this thread for the answer!

Eventually spoke to a very nice supervisor whose own curiosity is now picqued and he is working on finding the right person to answer this question. In the meantime, HTC has been telling people that the phone is certainly capable but it is up to Netflix to make everything accessible to them. Obviously, that's not really a complete answer yet because we still don't really know if the relevent keys and libraries were included at the time of manufacture.

 

[jdport]

The majority of your comment jdport, did not make sense to me.

The reason everyone has suspected the TB might get Netflix is that Netflix stated that only the newer snapdragon processors would be able to run it. That being said, it has been stated that the LG Revolution and the HTC Thunderbolt have the same snapdragon processors. Now, whether or not it has the correct DRM keys, I just don't know. But the fact that the processors are identical, made us think it would.

What part didn't make sense? The article didn't say "newere snapdragon processors" they specifically referred to the multi-core snapdragons coming out later this year.... the ones that have hardware enabled DRM built in. I thought it was pretty clear that the TB would not get Netflix. I hope this changes but that's what the announcment said.

 

[dave4100]

I agree, I don't think you will see Netflix on the Tbolt.

 

[htowngator]

What part didn't make sense? The article didn't say "newere snapdragon processors" they specifically referred to the multi-core snapdragons coming out later this year.... the ones that have hardware enabled DRM built in. I thought it was pretty clear that the TB would not get Netflix. I hope this changes but that's what the announcment said.

I don't think you really have any idea what he's talking about.

Let's use logic:

Netflix requires the "newer" SD processors to run.
The LG Revolution has the same processor as the HTC Thunderbolt.
The LG Revolution can view Netflix.
Ergo the Thunderbolt should run Netflix assuming DRM keys are the same.

Do you understand?

 

[Drootz]

Maybe I missed it but, how do you do this?

Do a Google search you can find both Hulu and the netflix apk's.

I've got them both on my tbolt. Anyone know how to do a screen capture on the tbolt so I can take a pic Or a screen cap app that works without root?

Here try this link to the netflix apk

http://lts.cr/TY5

 

[robrecht]

I think Qualcomm is being a little coy here. It is definitely, in part, a software (and OS) issue, but it is also a firmware/hardware issue. According to a Qualcomm engineer at CES, there are DRM keys and libraries that need to be built into the 'ARM TrustZone' of the processor by the OEM, ie, HTC, as an OEM option. Qualcomm won't speak about this issue behind the back of HTC, and HTC so far has not answered this question about a phone that is not yet released. Qualcomm and HTC both try to deflect the issue onto Netflix. There are a few people at Qualcomm and HTC and Neflix who definitely should know the answer, but they are not the people who are trained to speak to the public. And those people know better than to speak to the public about software that has not yet been released on a phone that has not yet been released.

Now that the phone is released, I called HTC back to try and get a definitive answer to this. The junior level phone person did some searching and pointed me to this thread for the answer!

Eventually spoke to a very nice supervisor whose own curiosity is now picqued and he is working on finding the right person to answer this question. In the meantime, HTC has been telling people that the phone is certainly capable but it is up to Netflix to make everything accessible to them. Obviously, that's not really a complete answer yet because we still don't really know if the relevent keys and libraries were included at the time of manufacture.

The manager, called me back after speaking to a few different people at HTC. He admitted that they do not really know if they have the right DRM keys and libraries. HTC will not speak publically about their discussions with Netflix unless and until they reach an agreement. That does not sound encouraging. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Verapakill]

Do a Google search you can find both Hulu and the netflix apk's.

I've got them both on my tbolt. Anyone know how to do a screen capture on the tbolt so I can take a pic Or a screen cap app that works without root?

Here try this link to the netflix apk

http://lts.cr/TY5

Wow that actually did work except all I could do is browse it wouldn't let me watch anything not sure if you can watch stuff but I can not.

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

 

[Wantec]

Wow that actually did work except all I could do is browse it wouldn't let me watch anything not sure if you can watch stuff but I can not.

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

Yeah that's what everyone's been able to do, download, browse, add/remove items from your list, but no one's been able to watch anything that I've seen.

 

[rob90262]

Netflix would be perfect with the TB especially you got the kickstand just play and watch away only bad thing is your battery would probably be drained afterwards.

 

[DavidNJ]

Verizon told me no: "The HTC Thunderbolt does not support Netflix."

Does the Samsung Droid Charge with its Hummingbird ARM A8 Cortex implementation?

 

[Eclipse2K]

Verizon told me no: "The HTC Thunderbolt does not support Netflix."

Does the Samsung Droid Charge with its Hummingbird ARM A8 Cortex implementation?

That's rough but I guess I'm one of the only ones who could do without Netflix on my phone. Don't get me wrong though - it's a nice feature and I would prefer to have it. However, I can honestly say I have never considered or have any desire to watch shows or movies on such a small screen. I would prefer to listen to music in that case.

 

[DJBeanPole]

Not to say Netflix on a phone wouldn't be great... I think it'd be awesome... but I just don't understand the point of watching videos on your phone. If I'm really going to sit somewhere for that long and watch a video, I'd rather have a laptop or my HDTV. Much more enjoyable viewing experience, much better presentation, etc.

Portability? Yep. Practical? Arguable.

 

[Forgetful]

Not to say Netflix on a phone wouldn't be great... I think it'd be awesome... but I just don't understand the point of watching videos on your phone. If I'm really going to sit somewhere for that long and watch a video, I'd rather have a laptop or my HDTV. Much more enjoyable viewing experience, much better presentation, etc.

Portability? Yep. Practical? Arguable.

I bought this phone with the large hope of netflix coming, honestly netflix is the biggest reason for me to get a iphone/wp7.

I've become very addicted to netflix since I don't have tv.
Netflix would be useful-

Waiting at the doctors,
airport,
bus,
train,
coffee shop,
boring time at work,
in the car/roadtrip,
at boring relative's house,
beach,
park,
GF/wife is shopping at the mall for hours,
waiting 30 minutes for a table at a restaurant,
etc...