Does NetFlix Still Want to Let You Download Movies?
By David Walker |
February 1st, 2006
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Last year came and went – too quickly, I might add – and movie downloads (a comprehensive list of newer movies, mind you) are still just a wish-list item. In October 2005, Netflix announced that it was postponing the TiVo-Netflix movie download initiative, that was supposed to go live in 2005, and nothing has been heard since. Rumors abounded. “NetFlix can’t get Hollywood to sign-on.” “Major Studios have their own initiatives and are leaving NetFlix out.” “The TiVo-NetFlix relationship is on the rocks.” Well, it appears that NetFlix hasn’t given up on downloading movies afterall. Om Malik was sent some information that could shed some light on the situation.
Apparently, NetFlix has put some very interesting job postings on their own job board. They include:
- Design and development of System, Networking, and Audio/Video software for a Consumer Electronics Product
- Developing creative end-user applications
- Interfacing with middleware and device driver components within a Linux-based environment
The first thing that comes to mind is that TiVo is Linux based and a video download service would likely use TiVo’s middleware. However, Om Malik also wonders if Netflix might be considering a step into the hardware sector, ala Akimbo. One step further, could Akimbo be in NetFlix’s purchasing future?
For now, all we have is speculation, but it does appear that NetFlix isn’t content being just the online DVD rental king, and they’ve always stated as much. If they could provide a service that offered the same selection in downloads that they have in DVD rentals, or even better, combine the two, I would sign up in a New York minute.
Filed in: Content Providers