Android tablets get new Netflix app

Online video service Netflix made an unusual move this week, rolling out its newly redesigned application for tablets based on Google's Android™ software before any other mobile device.

This represents a change of step for Netflix, which has traditionally given first dibs to Apple® and its market-leading iPad®. While Netflix says the iPad app will arrive soon, this move speaks to the growing support for Android-based tablets, which are now starting to pick up steam in the market.

Netflix claims its new app is more "immersive" than its predecessor, and the new interface allows users to browse twice as many titles at once. The app also plays up the tablet's touchscreen capabilities, as users can simply swipe through titles rather than click and drag.

In a blog post, Netflix's Zal Bilimoria mentions the recent influx of new, high-profile Android tablets, which likely influenced the company's decision to launch the free app for Android first. Going forward, many more Android-based tablets are expected to hit the shelves, and analysts believe Google's market share will climb steadily during the next three to four years.