Netflix Next to Stream to iPhone?

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Multichannel News (via Apple Insider) is reporting that an industry source claims Netflix "Watch Instantly" is coming to the iPhone.

Netflix currently uses Microsoft's proprietary DRM, however, so unless they're planning on switching to something more iPhone friendly -- namely H.264 like YouTube did -- we're not quite sure how they'll manage it with anything approaching decent results.

That's if Apple even allows an iTunes competitor onto the iPhone (and before people howl "unfair!", it's not like you can load up PlayStation or Wii games on an Xbox 360 -- consoles control their media). And, of course, if AT&T allows streaming over 3G, which they wouldn't do for SlingPlayer Mobile...

(We'll also point out that Netflix is a US-only service, unlike iTunes which is available in many countries internationally).

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.