Netflix Launches Mobile Site for Cell & PDA Users

Netflix has a launched a special version of the Netflix website for cellphone and PDA users at www.Netflix.com/Mobile. You don't need a cellphone to try it, just click on the link. Netflix Mobile lets you view your queue, search for movies, and even add movies to your queue.

Think about the possibilities... You're in a movie theater and see a trailer for a movie you want to watch, drive by a billboard, or even when you're on the phone with a friend. Netflix Mobile gives you access to your Netflix account virtually anywhere.

I like to think of it as "Netflix Lite," as the user interface has limited graphics and simple functionality (no AJAX and no ads). It uses cookies, so if your device supports them you will only have to log in once. I'll be using it to check my queue when I'm away from my computer (did they finally ship Wicker Man?) and adding movies as I hear about them, instead of when I'm back at my computer.

Here's what my queue looks like on Netflix Mobile:

Here's a Netflix search for "Snakes:"

Here's the movie overview page (note the "Snakes on a Plane" box shot):

Here's the movie summary page:

I know from experience that not all cellphones and PDA's will support this, but if you try it please share your experience with us.

Comments

[scotty321]

This is OKAY, but it has a few major limitations:

1. You can't see your entire queue -- just the first 10 entries in your queue.

2. You can't re-order your queue, one of the major things I like to do when I'm on the road, talking to people about movies, and realizing which ones need to be put higher in my queue.

[shoobe01]

Its also excessively hard to get to. There's no need for the mobile folder. They can detect mobile browsers and redirect.

I am still in my first session, but hope that I don't have to sign on each time. Phone, not PDA, so quite harrowing to type my email address.

A workaround for re-order is that you can search for anything, and it'll say 'in q' so you know. Then, you can move to top if you want. Not ideal, but not bad. I don't think I want to be scrolling thru my 500 items, though. Of course, I'll be an edge case for NF. They still say averag queue is like 32, right?

Clunky type. Way bigger than other mobile sites these days. Could fit a lot more on the screen with better (slicker) design.

[Paco]

mobile.netflix.com seems to work as well.

[Meg]

For the sake of the rest of us in the theater, please don't whip your cell phones and PDAs out after the lights have gone down so you can fiddle with your Netflix queue.

Thank you,
The Management

[kaveh]

great job, NF team ... as with any first mobile site, there's room for improvement, but the fact is that you now have mobile presence.

cheers.

[Michelle]

WISH IT WERE POSSIBLE TO VIEW A MOVIE ON THE PDA . I'M A LITTLE DISSAPOINTED TO SAY THE LEAST IN THE FUCTIONALLITY OF A PHONE/COMPUTER

[Dan]

Any way to view your "DVD Rental Activity" list? I suffer from CRS so when I'm out and about and someone asks me "seen any movies lately" being able to bring up that list would be very helpful! :)

[Bocho]

Incomplete!!! It will be awesome if you could add movies to your watch instantly queue.

[cell phone plan]

this is so cool that netflix did this. I will have to check it out.

[Carla]

Mobile site is a secure site and therefore I am unable to login on my mobile... I have tryed multiple times with no luck. I go right back to the sign in page. Major bummer.

[Allison Lansberry]

Netflix emailed me a link to their mobile site, tried it twice & it shut down my phone

[Cell phone locator]

It's a general trend that people will use mobile devices to browse the internet, so have a mobile site is very important.

[Nate]

I have built a mobile site to interface with Netflix. It includes features for your instant queue.

www.nomadflicks.com

Because of the way the Netflix API authenticates, I have found it will work on certain phone browsers and not others, depending on how they support javascript.

Any feedback would be appreciated!