Related Articles
Sky’s new Now TV streaming service has stumbled at the first hurdle: the Android app doesn’t work on the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S2, HTC One X, or any Ice Cream Sandwich phone. Which would be fine, if the Now TV ad didn’t feature — you guessed it — one brand spanking new Samsung Galaxy S3.
The Now TV Android app is available today on the Android app market, Google Play. At the top of the page is a big ol’ picture of the Galaxy S3, but the smash hit Samsung smart phone is conspicuous by its absence from the list of compatible phones.
The Now TV app lets you watch Sky TV on your phone — as long as your phone is an HTC Desire, HTC Desire HD, HTC Desire S, HTC Incredible S, or the original Samsung Galaxy S. That’s rather a short list considering the number of Android phones out there — and it leaves tech-savvy early adopters, who are more likely to have new or top-end phones and more likely to embrace new services like this, out in the cold.
Ice Cream Sandwich has been slow to spread to many phones, and previous update Gingerbread is still by far the most commonly-used version of Android. But the S2 is the best-selling Android phone of 2011, and the S3 is flying off shelves like the boxes have been greased and the shelves have been nailed up wonky. And there’s an earthquake.
Sky has at least promised support for more phones and for Ice Cream Sandwich in coming weeks. I wonder if in the meantime the picture on the app page will change to an HTC Incredible.
Now TV is an online streaming service that lets you watch Sky programming on your phone, tablet or computer without needing a full-fat Sky subscription and a dish bolted to your house. You can rent movies — and later, sporting events — individually, or sign up to a subscription.
The service kicks off with movies, and the Sky Movies Pass costs £15 per month. You get access to exclusive new releases tied up by Sky before they reach other services, but it’s still three times as much as rivals Netflix and LoveFilm.
Has Sky dropped the ball with the Now TV Android app? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
