Netflix Now Conquering the iPhone/iPod touch Streaming Video Market

When the iPad launched in April, my gut instinct was that Apple’s Pages (word processor) software would be the app that defined much of the iPad’s essence weeks and months after its release. And, in fact, 5 months after the iPad’s release Pages remains the top grossing iPad app. However, in my experience, when I ask people what their favorite or most used iPad app is, the answer is often Netflix.

Netflix 1.1.0

The combiantion of the iPad’s screen size, battery life and Netflix’s reasonable monthly fee and multi-screen access that appealed to iPad owning movie fans. Netflix has consistently been in or near the top 10 free iPad apps since its launch. I may be one of the few iPad owners left who has resisted the siren call of Netflix’s $8.99 per month all-you-can-eat streaming video service.

Now that Netflix is available for the iPhone and iPod touch, will it dominate the iPhone free apps list for many months too? It hit #1 in the list on its first day out. Are the iPhone and iPod touch screens just a bit too small for regular streaming video viewing? Perhaps. But, my guess is that Netflix’s ability to be used on multiple platforms from a single account means that even people may not use it much on an iPhone but download it for those few times they are willing to watch a movie or TV show on a small screen.

If the 4th generation iPod touch, which many including me expects to be announced next week Wednesday, has the same spectacular Retina Display found on the iPhone, it may be a streaming video favorite gadget despite its small screen size.

Netflix adds iPhone and iPod touch compatibility in latest app version (Engadget)

Join Baratunde Thurston (left), The Onion’s Director of Digital and author of How to Be Black, for an entertaining look at creative social media campaigns in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. Other speakers include Morin Oluwole (Facebook), Tim Devane (bitly), and SocialTimes' writer Devon Glenn.   Register now.