Netflix Plans To Add Second Screen Controls For Several Devices

By: Kevin Green  |   October 20th, 2012   |   Mobile Apps, News, Smartphones

Netflix recently launched a feature that allows users with iOS and Android powered smartphones the ability to control their playback on a PlayStation 3 console. Now the streaming media company is looking to release second-screen control features for several other devices.

 

Netflix explained the strategy to GigaOM by stating that, “We expect to roll out 2nd screen control on a number of additional devices in the coming months. Our overall strategy around second screen control is that Netflix on TV devices is a great viewing experience, but Netflix on mobile devices makes activities like browsing, searching, rating, and social easier. We see our users doing this naturally today and are trying to support and optimize for that behavior.”

 

The second-screen launch for the PS3 was done quietly, resulting in few very few people realized it actually existed. Users looking to check out how the functionality works will need to first log in to the Netflix application on their PS3 and mobile device. The login should be done using the same Netflix account and the mobile and console need to be connected to the same Wifi network.

 

Interestingly, Netflix’s second-screen functionality could be coming to Google TV next. This is based on the news that the Netflix’s Android app picks up Google TV products but does not function with them as yet.

 

The reason that Netflix is looking to give users the ability to use mobile devices like tablets or smartphones as a remote is pretty straight forward. Searching and playing the 50,000 titles on a TV can be troublesome and the smartphone or tablet will give the Netflix app an innovative touch screen based control system. Observers have also pointed out that the new Netflix feature is very similar to Apple’s AirPlay feature, which is quite popular in its own right.

 

Source: GigaOM