Netflix iPhone and iPad app review

Netflix for iPhone and iPad
Netflix Inc
Free (requires Netflix subscription)

When Netflix finally launched in Britain last month it finally gave us access to a service that Americans had been talking about for years. Of course, we've had Lovefilm for most of that time but nevertheless it's nice to finally see what all of the fuss was about across the Atlantic.

The DVD rental part of the business has not - and will not - launch here. The future is in streaming films. That means Netflix on your computer, your PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox or Apple TV. And, for our purposes, as an iPad and iPhone application.

Both apps are simple and operate in the same way. Once you have logged-in to your account the app lists what you've recently watched and lets you carry on from where you left off. Then there are lists of recommended films and TV shows, popular titles from Facebook and so on. On the iPad, these lists scroll and horizontally and several are on-screen at once. The more limited iPhone screen has just one vertically scrolling list, which flows from one category to the next.

Simply tap for more information on a film and tap again to play it. If you can't find a film to watch from the suggested lists then you can dig deeper into the genre lists or search for a specific title. Strangely, the iPad and iPhone apps will allow searches only by title. On the Netflix website it's possible to search by actor and director too.

That ability to pause a film on one device and pick up at the same spot on another is probably the best selling point of the mobile apps. Where it falls down, however, is by not allowing you to cache at least one film to your iPad or iPhone. The Spotify app, for example, which allows thousands of songs to be saved to your device, is a good example of how to do that. A similar feature in Netflix would make the app perfect for plane trips or even train journeys through areas with patchy 3G. If you want to watch Netflix on your commute to work then you will need a reliable 3G connection otherwise you will spend a lot of time waiting for the buffer to update.

If you are on Wi-Fi then quality is not an issue. Streaming is excellent, with sharp images and quick loading times.

It's difficult to recommend the Netflix app for use on the move. 3G just isn't reliable enough in most places. But if you are a Netflix subscriber then it's worth having this app for those occasions when you have good Wi-Fi.