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Remote controls to get Netflix Button

Netflix has announced today that it has made deals with HDTV and DVD/Blu-ray player makers in an effort to put one-click "Netflix Buttons" on remote controls starting this Spring.

The button would lead users directly to their Netflix accounts, making the process easier than clicking through other menus.



Says Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey (via WSJ):

"We’ve always regarded ubiquity on devices as our strategy, and we want to be present there as simply and visibly as possible."

Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Panasonic and Samsung have all made deals with Netflix to include the button on remotes for new Web-connected HDTVs and Blu-ray players.

Roku, maker of multiple set-top boxes that give Netflix and Amazon VOD access, will also include the button on its remotes.

Swasey did make it clear that the picture released (at left) will not be the real size of the button on the remote, but just the picture placed on the boxes of new items which will include the remotes with Netflix buttons.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 4 Jan 2011 13:35

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• 11 comments

• axlman

  So, my question is:
  1. What about compatible devices that people already purchased? Would the remotes be available for purchase seperatley? if so, are they going to cost me all of my limbs just to have a Netflix button?

  4.1.2011 15:02 #1

• bobiroc

  My Remote already Has this. Custom Button on My Harmony One Remote. Programmed it to launch Netflix on my XBOX with a touch of a button. Of course it is not red and look like the Netflix logo but it will do.
  

  AMD Phenom II 965 @ 3.6Ghz, 8GB DDR3, ATI Radeon 5770HD, 300GB 10,000RPM Raptor, 2TB Additional HDD, Windows 7 Ultimate.

  4.1.2011 18:10 #2

• bobiroc

  Originally posted by axlman: So, my question is:
  1. What about compatible devices that people already purchased? Would the remotes be available for purchase seperatley? if so, are they going to cost me all of my limbs just to have a Netflix button? The solution is simple. Invest in a Harmony Remote and never have to worry about things like that ever again. See my post above. The remote cost me $150 but it is worth every penny.
  

  AMD Phenom II 965 @ 3.6Ghz, 8GB DDR3, ATI Radeon 5770HD, 300GB 10,000RPM Raptor, 2TB Additional HDD, Windows 7 Ultimate.

  4.1.2011 18:11 #3

• Blessedon

  We are being ripped off by a monopolistic behemoth:
  
  Netflix is inexorably creeping into more hardware, displacing the competition. We will all pay more eventually!
  Where are the mindless Obamadrones when such corporate giants as Netflix, are clearly bullying the market toward an obvious usurpation of the free market.
  Geez, wake up folks!!
  

  4.1.2011 22:08 #4

• DVDBack23

  Originally posted by Blessedon: We are being ripped off by a monopolistic behemoth:
  
  Netflix is inexorably creeping into more hardware, displacing the competition. We will all pay more eventually!
  Where are the mindless Obamadrones when such corporate giants as Netflix, are clearly bullying the market toward an obvious usurpation of the free market.
  Geez, wake up folks!! I understand where you are coming from, but Netflix is far from a behemoth. Its market cap is only $9.8 billion. Apple's, by comparison, is $300 billion.
  

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  5.1.2011 00:35 #5

• xboxdvl2

  so when i finally buy a new tv the remote might have a nextflix button on it which i dont want and i didnt ask for.bad enough the software which came with my printer had a bing toolbar which i disabled and didnt even want.sick of getting stuff which i didnt want or didnt ask for.
  

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  5.1.2011 05:48 #6

• Blessedon

  Originally posted by DVDBack23: Originally posted by Blessedon: We are being ripped off by a monopolistic behemoth:
  
  Netflix is inexorably creeping into more hardware, displacing the competition. We will all pay more eventually!
  Where are the mindless Obamadrones when such corporate giants as Netflix, are clearly bullying the market toward an obvious usurpation of the free market.
  Geez, wake up folks!! I understand where you are coming from, but Netflix is far from a behemoth. Its market cap is only $9.8 billion. Apple's, by comparison, is $300 billion. Your analogy is correct for the two anti-competitive corporations mentioned, however, when comparing only video rental companies, then I believe Pandora and Blockbuster should both be fighting this "behemoth".
  

  5.1.2011 08:27 #7

• bobiroc

  Originally posted by Blessedon: Originally posted by DVDBack23: Originally posted by Blessedon: We are being ripped off by a monopolistic behemoth:
  
  Netflix is inexorably creeping into more hardware, displacing the competition. We will all pay more eventually!
  Where are the mindless Obamadrones when such corporate giants as Netflix, are clearly bullying the market toward an obvious usurpation of the free market.
  Geez, wake up folks!! I understand where you are coming from, but Netflix is far from a behemoth. Its market cap is only $9.8 billion. Apple's, by comparison, is $300 billion. Your analogy is correct for the two anti-competitive corporations mentioned, however, when comparing only video rental companies, then I believe Pandora and Blockbuster should both be fighting this "behemoth". Speaking as a former Blockbuster Online customer I have to say that they lost me on poor service. Poor turnaround on movies, slow shipping, and poor selection. Maybe things are better now but I have to say I think many left blockbuster for Netflix for that reason years ago even before Netflix was being put into Consoles, TVs, and Media Players.
  
  I am not sure what services like Blockbuster and Pandora have to fight? I mean there is nothing that Netflix is doing that is illegal. On many (if not most) of these new TVs, Blu-Ray players you can get the blockbuster app too. Its all about choice. The only thing I will say is maybe they need to make the button programmable so the consumer can choose what service they want to assign it to. Of course then it would have a generic name and not stick out like the huge red Netflix button.

  5.1.2011 08:43 #8

• dEwMe

  Meh for the same features/money I will buy the device WITHOUT the Netflix button everytime. Especialy if it's huge like the one in the picture. If you use Netflix and like it..great...I don't (prob never will) and don't wan't their logo on my stuff.
  
  
  

  Just my $0.02,
  
  dEwMe
  

  5.1.2011 09:37 #9

• bobiroc

  Originally posted by dEwMe: Meh for the same features/money I will buy the device WITHOUT the Netflix button everytime. Especialy if it's huge like the one in the picture. If you use Netflix and like it..great...I don't (prob never will) and don't wan't their logo on my stuff.
  
  The photo they used looks to be photoshopped. But yes I also hope it is not a huge eye sore like that either. Of course as long as my Harmony Remote holds out I should not have to use the device specific remotes.
  

  AMD Phenom II 965 @ 3.6Ghz, 8GB DDR3, ATI Radeon 5770HD, 300GB 10,000RPM Raptor, 2TB Additional HDD, Windows 7 Ultimate.

  5.1.2011 09:39 #10

• fiasko444

  I have to say the Harmony remotes are nice. I set one up for my parents because I was fed up with them calling me asking how to use pretty much everything. It was a success... the only problem now involves them not pointing it in the right direction.....
  
  The apps for smartphones keep getting better and I'm sure there are or will be apps out there that will allow a Netflix button or whatever to be programmed onto your iOS or Android device.
  I'm thinking Harmony and other universal remotes' days are numbered.
  
  I hope so anyway. They cost too much.

  8.1.2011 00:39 #11