SourceCode: Netflix shuns BlackBerry, no playback on PlayBook

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

This is unfortunate news. Netflix made it known today via  their @netflixhelps Twitter account that they have no plans of supporting BlackBerry and will not even develop a Netflix client for the PlayBook tablet.

“We don’t have any current plans to support Blackberry devices, including Playbook,” said a tweet from Netflix's service account, shooting down the hopes of PlayBook owners everywhere who already subscribe to Netflix or may be toying with the idea.

We hope this is not the final decision and that Netflix will reconsider. The popular video streaming company has gained prominence not just because of its affordable monthly subscription price but because they have made the service available on smartphones, tablets, game consoles and anywhere they can put a client. I mean that's their business, get every available screen running Netflix

How can Netflix offer their service on the  PS Vita and the Nintendo 3DS, which have smaller screens and more limited battery life than the 7" BlackBerry PlayBook.

It baffles the mind.

Not only is the PlayBook capable of playing back 1080p HD video, it has one of the simplest solutions for output to HDTVs via a mini HDMI port. Plug and play mirroring, nothing can be simpler.

Even if Netflix didn't want to sink resources into developing a PlayBook app, can't they just find a way to make it work through the browser?

The PlayBook's dual core processor, 1GB of RAM and smooth QNX operating system lends itself perfectly to streaming  video playback. How hard is it to port the Netflix app for the PlayBook, surely it is less involved than creating an app for handheld consoles which aren't naturally designed for video playback. 

Netflix isn't the first company to bail on the PlayBook, many users are still waiting for Amazon to deliver a Kindle app for RIM's tablet (it isn't coming).

This was announced shortly after the PlayBook was released and it never came. Many months later when the Amazon Kindle Fire came out, looking very much like a PlayBook, it became clear why. Amazon had its own 7" tablet to sell.

Maybe Netflix thinks the PlayBook user base isn't large enough to merit support. A number of PlayBook users on Twitter expressed their displeasure by cancelling ther Netflix accounts. Their rage is palpable.

Netflix did have the last word, "Generally we want to be on every screen that's relevant to you. While we don't support BlackBerry today, our plans can change. Thanks all!"

We see opportunity here for another service to step in and cash in. There's obviously interest and substantial demand, specially now that PlayBook OS 2.0 is rekindling interest in RIM and the PlayBook.

The losers here are current Netflix subscribers who also own PlayBooks and would like the option to use the service on the device.