Netflix is convenient, easy to use, inexpensive and I love it. However, it’s not perfect. In fact, Netflix is incredibly frustrating.
It’s the combination of awesomeness and complete failure that inspired this post.
Let me explain…
I love the Netflix iPhone app. Really. I watch movies on iPhone while riding my bike (the bike is on stationary trainer in my basement). I’ll even watch Netflix movies on my iPhone while eating lunch at work… I love Netflix.
But Netflix is terrible at the same time. Watching a movie is pure joy. But finding a movie is damn near impossible. It works great if you know the name of the movie you want to watch – just tap search and type the name. Easy.
However, if you want to casually browse for a new movie, you’re screwed…
I use Netflix to see the movies that I missed in the theater (or didn’t want to pay $15 to see). I don’t remember every movie that was released in the last year. That’s why I want Netflix to show me the movies I haven’t seen. But that’s the problem.
According to the iPhone app, new movies aren’t a part of the package.
The category selection is complete shit.
Click on any category in the Netflix iPhone app and you’re presented with this garbage:
Pictured: Netflix suggests a bunch of crappy, old moves with awful ratings.
I tapped on “Suspenseful Movies” and here’s what I got:
- Justice League (a cartoon – very suspenseful, I’m sure)
- The Burbs (from 1989)
- Angels & Demons (2009)
Are you kidding Netflix? And look at the Horror category – A movie with 1 and a quarter stars, from 2009 is at the top of the list? Maybe the selections are based on my viewing history… But maybe not. I’ve never watched a cartoon on Netflix, but 2 of 3 categories are suggesting cartoons.
Disaster.
Easy Improvement
The good news is the Netflix iPhone app could be outstanding – if it added 1 more (obvious) category:
New Releases.
In the list of genres, add New Releases at the top and everyone will be 1000 times happier. (And I don’t mean bullshit movies from the 1950′s that are “now on DVD” – like you do on Netflix.com. That crap is not “NEW”.) Create a list of the most recently released movies… as in, most recently in the theaters.
Your customers will thank you.
I Still Love You, Netflix
As I said, watching movies is fantastic. The controls are easy and the picture is razor sharp. I’ll still use it and enjoy it. Assuming I can find the movies I want to watch.
I love and hate Netflix on the iPhone. But the app could be infinitely improved with a single, tiny tweak.
This post was written by...
Tony Stocco is a total Apple fanboy - addicted to his iPad, iPhone, iMac, MacBook Pro, Hackintosh and iPod Shuffle... And anxiously waiting to see the new iPhone 5.