Apple iPad Launching With Killer Netflix Application [Criterion on Netflix]

As can probably be surmised from listening to our podcast week in and week out, we all love our Netflix subscriptions. Not only do we love receiving discs in the mail, without any threats of late fees, or shipping charges, we love their streaming options. The fact that you can sit down and watch any number of incredible Criterion Collection films, for the simple cost of your Netflix subscription, and a computer / TV capable of viewing said stream, is well worth the price of admission.

On Saturday April 3rd, Apple’s iPad, their latest device set to drive sales of geek drool catching bibs skyrocketing, will be released to those willing to drop $500+. Now, why on Earth would you need this device, called by many: a big iPhone / iPod Touch? Two simple words: Netflix App. While there are dozens of iPhone applications that allow you to manage your Netflix queue, there is no application produced by Netflix themselves, and certainly no application that allows you to stream films available in Netflix Watch Instantly’s section. This all changes tomorrow when the iPad reaches your doorstep. You can now manage your queue, AND watch films directly on your new media consumption device.

Honestly, this application has me rethinking my plans of waiting a several months to a year before buying an iPad. While I can certainly watch Netflix Watch Instantly options on my computer, laptop, and via my Blu-ray player. The fact that I could now take this little device wherever I might have Wi-fi, and watch say, the recent restoration of the Red Shoes, is enough to make me pull out my credit card involuntarily.

There is also talk of an inevitable Hulu App for the iPad, which certainly would influence the already shifting world of online film distribution. The talk associated with that application, though, also brings with it talk that the application will be tied with a monthly fee, or an initial cost tied to the application itself.

The Netflix iPad application is available now in the iTunes store, and can be downloaded right now, so that you can sync it to your iPad as soon as you connect it to your computer.

Source: Gizmodo’s Essential iPad Applications