LG is launching the first Android phone with Netflix support out of the box.
The Revolution is the newest addition to the relatively small list of Android phones that can run the official Netflix Android app, and it’s the only one that has it pre-installed.
The new phone comes with Android 2.2, compatibility with 4G LTE data, and a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdraggon processor.
It will be shipping to stores May 26 for $250 with a new two-year service agreement. It is available exclusively through Verizon.
So far, the Netflix Android app is also compatible with the following phones:
– HTC Evo 4G
– HTC Nexus One
– HTC Droid Incredible
– Samsung Nexus S
– HTC Nexus One
– HTC G2
Interestingly enough, those six phones span all four of the major mobile carriers, so it is strictly a hardware issue and nothing to do with the mobile providers. Regardless, it’s peculiar that some of the more advanced devices like the HTC Thunderbolt or the Motorola Atrix aren’t on the list.
Those who are lucky enough to have one of the supported phones will find the Netflix app available now in the Android Market, and can instantly link their Netflix account to start streaming over 3G, 4G, or Wi-Fi. They all require Android 2.2 or higher, which is what they should be as long as users have been responding to the over-the-air update requests.
So, this is definitely a step in the right direction. Netflix had previously seemed rather inflexible in its approach to Android, saying it was extremely cumbersome and difficult to develop for. Hopefully it’s just a matter of time before other phones – and tablets – get the app as well.
