So you don’t want to pay for the inflight Wi-fi watching your favorite TV show on your tablet?
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Amazon has been making real strides in its attempt to catch up to Netflix, and today the company is delivering a feature that arguably leapfrogs its streaming competitor in sheer utility: offline playback for both iOS and Android devices.
Shows will be downloadable to Apple and Android phones and tablets, including Amazon’s Fire devices – but not desktops or laptops. However, given the relatively low market share that Amazon controls, the expansion to the two leading mobile operating systems is likely to have a significant impact in the Amazon Prime experience for many users.
Among the shows that will be available for offline viewing are Amazon originals including Transparent, Bosch and Mozart in the Jungle; shows available through Amazon’s licensing agreement with HBO including Girls, Veep and Boardwalk Empire; original kids series Wishenpoof and Tumble Leaf; and movies like Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and The Wolf of Wall Street. Amazon says it has “thousands” of titles available for download; in most cases, subscribers will have 15 to 30 days to watch them.
Amazon says downloads are available in the US, UK, Germany, and Australia. Download the new version of the app and a large amount of the content you would normally stream can now also be stored on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch for when you don’t have an internet connection.
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Offline access to a streaming media library is common in the music world, but not for TV or movies. The company is yet to introduce such a feature – so Amazon has taken the initiative and added exactly that to its rival streaming service.
