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Firefox for Linux is Now Netflix Compatible (betanews.com)

Posted by msmash on from the about-time dept.

Brian Fagioli, writing for BetaNews: For a while, Netflix was not available for traditional Linux-based operating systems, meaning users were unable to enjoy the popular streaming service without booting into Windows. This was due to the company's reliance on Microsoft Silverlight. Since then, Netflix adopted HTML5, and it made Google Chrome and Chromium for Linux capable of playing the videos. Unfortunately, Firefox -- the open source browser choice for many Linux users -- was not compatible. Today this changes, however, as Mozilla's offering is now compatible with Netflix!

11 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Something something DRM... by thegreatbob · · Score: 2

    Anybody have any technical details on why it was not previously possible? My understanding is that it has been possible (at least for a while, possibly since FF49) with the Widevine plugin + spoofing a Chrome user agent.

    --
    There is no XUL, only WebExtensions...
    1. Re:Something something DRM... by corychristison · · Score: 2

      I think it's that Netflix no longer forces the FF UserAgent to the sliverlight version.

      Nothing to see here, move along.

  2. Re:Boot Windows? What? by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2

    Here's a quick rewrite:

    Until now, Netflix video could not be watched using Firefox on Linux without some monkeying around. Now it can. Enjoy!

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  3. This is why by jwymanm · · Score: 2, Informative

    The new installer script for latest Firefox fixed this issue and that pesky having plugins problem:
    #!/bin/sh
    ln -s /usr/bin/google-chrome /usr/bin/mozilla-firefox

    1. Re:This is why by roca · · Score: 4, Informative

      Firefox has been ready for a while. The problem was Netflix sniffing the Linux user-agent and going down the Silverlight path. Now Netflix has fixed that.

      One of the many things that's hard about building a browser is taking the blame for stuff like this.

  4. ARM Versions by phorm · · Score: 2

    Would this work for an ARM version of Firefox (e.g. so it could be run on a Raspberry Pi) ?

  5. YAY! by jediborg · · Score: 2

    No longer must i use google chrome on my linux laptop to watch netflix!!! Now using a linux OS for my home media server makes sense, now that it can download movies/tv shows and play them using the builtin free software bittorent client, and VLC, it can also play netflix and youtube on a television as well. Now the only thing i need windows for is my gaming machine.

    until SteamOS finally catches on

  6. Re:Why not just write an application. by iampiti · · Score: 2

    It depends on the purpose of the application, performance requeriments, etc but I usually prefer websites to applications. On something like Netflix I certainly prefer a website. The greatest advantage is that it works everywhere there's a browser (a few pretty specific browsers in this case).
    Anyway, what I really hate is things that could perfectly be delivered through the web to force you to access the content through an app only. I have to little free room on my phone I don't need an app for every website I could conceivably want to visit

  7. Re: The fucking Muslims by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's certainty very uncivilised not doing this with a drone.

  8. Re: Only SD though. by agoodm · · Score: 2

    Who is the middle man in this though when I'm watching Netflix original content? I was allowed much higher data rates on a Windows box.

  9. Re:Why not just write an application. by alantus · · Score: 2

    And while they're at it, an officially supported Netflix addon for Kodi would be great too!