Video streaming giant Netflix has dealt a blow to the new BlackBerry 10 operating system by admitting it has no immediate plans to launch an application for the platform.
Following the long-delayed launch event on January 30, the ailing Canadian giant moved swiftly to assure talks were ongoing with both Netflix and Instagram after fans expressed disappointment that those apps, and other big hitters, weren’t on-board from the get-go.
However, little over a month later Netflix appears to have bricked-up that light at the end of the tunnel by denying that it is working on a solution for the new BlackBerry Store.
A spokesperson for the BlackBerry Z10-maker told the AllThingsD blog: “We have no current plans for a BlackBerry app.”
The news is a blow for BlackBerry, which is almost solely dependent on the success of BB10 to secure a prosperous future in the smartphone business.
To achieve that, the platform must snare makers of the most popular apps in order to be perceived an equal to Apple and Android and while some big names have been confirmed for native apps (Skype, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Angry Birds, Amazon Kindle, etc), there’s no Netflix, YouTube, Google Maps or Spotify and no word on when they might arrive.
Instagram is also said to be taking a “wait and see” approach according to AllThingsD’s sources, after reports last month had suggested it was ‘definitely’ coming to the platform.
The company formerly known as Research in Motion responded to the apparent Netflix snub by encouraging the on-demand portal to join the buzz it claims is surrounding BB10 following the launch of the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10 handsets.
BlackBerry spokesman Alex Kinsella said: “We’re committed to bringing top titles from around the globe to BlackBerry 10 customers.
“At this time, it’s in Netflix’s court to join the excitement around BlackBerry 10 — we hope they choose to bring a BlackBerry 10 experience to their customers. We’d love to have them.”
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid90015257001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAF1BIQI~,N2Ei_n4lIUoa9wK8XJo_MO-po6obuwwK&bctid=2134742856001
Next: Read our Netflix vs Lovefilm comparison
Via AllThingsD
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
