Update : Netflix + iPhone

I spent a good deal of time at the end of December reviewing the various applications currently available for viewing and managing your Netflix queue. While there are a number of excellent options available, I ultimately decided that, for me, the best approach was to use the iTV  application since it not only manages your Netflix queue but also allows you to access information on television and movies in the theater, as well. 

I’m spending a good deal of time watching movies and television programs on Netflix while in the midst of an ongoing recovery from a number of surgeries and wanted to do a quick post on an app update on iPhlix.and my fvorite new gadget- the Roku.  

iPhlix

iPhlix was, by far, the best standalone Netflic queue management option I reviewed.  It was full-featured, worked well, and allowed a high degree of control over both physical and instant Netflix movies. It’s even better after an update.

The update allows you to —

–Add, delete and reorder items in both the instant physical queues

–Now, when you flip the device upside down you immediately moved to the bottom of your list.

–You can now manage multiple profiles and accounts from within the application.

–Using the application is now faster as there is no time wasted signing in and you’re immediately asked where you want to start.

–Finally, you can now tell Netflix you not interested in a movie that’s been recommended with the swipe of a finger.

In all, the update takes what was already a good application that makes it even better. iPhlix  Can be found HERE in the App Store  for $2.99.

Roku

What brought me back to Netflix in the first place was the fact that they now offered a far greater selection of movies and television programs for instant viewing and in the instant viewing feature works with the Mac. I was so taken with it that, shortly after I began using Netflix again, I went and purchased myself a Roku box for $99.

The Roku  is a device for streaming content directly to a television. It has no storage of its own but rather immediately shows your instant queue, allows you to select an item, and begin watching. Best of all, after the initial $99 expenditure there’s no cost other than the Netflix subscription.

In the two weeks since I bought the device they have not only added access to high definition content, but they’ve also announced that, within the next month, the device will offer access to Amazon’s library of streamed content. That’s pretty remarkable.

During the two and half weeks that I have been (unknowingly) recovering from a series of surgeries I have found this device to be even better than I hoped. The setup was simple, it works quite well, and, best of all, it’s introduced me to a host of BBC television programs that I would not have otherwise seen. (I watched Jekyll, some Dr. Who and just finished a series A State Within.  Man to the Brit know how to make a decent television program!)

I absolutely love this little gadget and cannot recommend it enough. I wrote a full review here on Gear Diary.

In all, between the ability to manage your Netflix queue from your iPhone or iPod touch to the host of new options for streaming Netflix live to a computer or a television, I’m now a huge fan of Netflix again.