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Netflix Shutters Its Public API
esarjeant (100503) writes "I guess it shouldn't come as a total surprise, but Netflix has gone from not issuing new developer keys to announcing the entire [public API] program will be shut down. It's a real shame they are going to be taking this offline; it spurred quite a bit of innovation for the Netflix service. For major sites that have already gone live it sounds like Netflix will let them keep going, but if you're looking to build the next FeedFliks, then you better look elsewhere."
Netflix Roulette, we barely had time to enjoy you.
Just a truism that's almost always proven correct...
Don't give a company anything without a veritable guarantee you'll also receive what you want in exchange. All negotiations are hostage negotiations, it's wise to plan accordingly.
I never heard of FeedFliks, so I went and looked at it. And then wondered why do I need someone else to tell me about how I use Netflix? Or to tell my friends what I like watching?
Seriously, Is this what amounts to "innovation"?
I am Slashdot. Are you Slashdot as well?
I've noticed that both Amazon and Netflix seem to make navigating streaming kind of murky, never wanting you to have a good grasp of what is or isn't available besides what they show you as featured titles. I've always suspected that this was done to mask the relatively thin and lame streaming titles that weren't on their short list of high-profile titles.
I've also been surprised at how hard it is to browse the web site for DVDs on the iPad. The web site works, but its so Javascript laden that it makes it hard to use. Third party queue management apps were a salvation. Maybe they're trying to make finding DVDs annoying, too, so that all we'll do is watch the featured streams.
I think you have a point.
Stores or every type found out years ago that the "best" way to arrange their store was not one that make it easy to navigate it was one in which it made its customers get lost and wander around, and pass certain things in certain orders, etc. It does not matter if we are talking about hardware stores or casinos, this is always true, so why not for digital stores?
Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.
Moreflicks lets you see what's available on multiple streaming services based on various "best of" lists (e.g. it's unlikely Netflix will ever tie in to the IMDB top 250 but Moreflicks does) and even has support for countries like the UK. It's sad to see an ecosystem like this being removed without replacement...
If Hulu is still providing their desktop app (and I think they may have a mobile one as well), I would suggest using that instead of their actual site - it runs on Air which funnily enough, runs worlds better than the actual browser Flash modules.
As for sorting - I agree, their current methods leaves much to be desired, as it seems their system only sorts by up to three "tags" applied by their employees, and many (I dare say most) of their movies are mis-tagged, at least for their streaming service. To be fair, Amazon isn't any better with their movie tagging.
@Mindless Drivel: 100% of Twitter posts ever Tweeted.