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Netflix App Adds Support for iPhone, iPod touch

 & Chloe Albanesius Executive Editor, News

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Netflix on Thursday released a version of its mobile app that is compatible with the iPhone and iPod touch.

The app, which streams the company's "Watch Instantly" library, has previously only been available for the iPad, but can now be accessed on the smaller screens of the iPhone and iPod touch.

Netflix App on iPhone, iPod touch

The app is free to download, but users will have to have a Netflix unlimited membership to access the company's movie library. There is no limit on how many movies you can watch, and Netflix said the app will sync with other devices – start watching on your computer, and pick up on your iPhone, for example.

Users can also re-order their movie queue on their mobile device.

I downloaded the app this morning on my iPhone 4. The log-in process timed out several times, but eventually logged me in. The top of the app displayed the "Watch Instantly" selection I'd most recently watched ("Dexter" season 2) and gave me the option to resume play. Underneath that, the app listed a few genres I apparently watch most often (visually striking, dark suspense dramas, anyone?), as well as suggestions for "Movies You'll Love," new arrivals, and recently watched.

At the bottom of the app are menu options for home, genres, search, and my instant queue. I opted to load one of the movies on my "Watch Instantly" list over 3G, and within seconds the film started up with no buffering. You might want to make sure you have an unlimited data plan before firing up the 3G option; it will apparently work over Wi-Fi as well.

The app is available now in the Apple App Store.

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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