Finally, the tyranny of the Netflix disc is no longer! As of today, Wii owners who had been using the family friendly gaming console to access Netflix’s streaming video selection will no longer need to take out their Wii Sports or Lego Indiana Jones disc in order to watch a movie.
The new Netflix Channel is available as a free download on the Wii Shop Channel, meaning you can convert that abused Netflix disc into the coaster it has long wished to be.
As previously reported, today is also the day that Netflix goes disc-free on the PlayStation 3, meaning users of all three major gaming consoles have access to the streaming video service without the use of a disc.
Netflix for Wii disc-free update now available [slashgear]
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The update also has search and a slightly tweaked GUI.
Woohoo!!! Now, how long before they build in a usable search feature so I don’t keep wearing out wii-motes scrolling through their entire catalog?
It is much easier to look for stuff on your computer first and find the stuff you like and put it in your streaming queue that way. Then it is there on your tv when you want it.
The diskless version does have a reasonable search feature.
great! what about ps3?
how about read the whole post?
Oh ok, thank you.
I took it as, Come on with the ps3 already. As in Hurry up. Because they can hurry up. Although I heard at the end of the month.
I KNEW this was going to happen, but I thought it would be annother 6 months or so.
So stupid they needed a disk to begin with, but has seemed to be the standard with adding new consoles to become netflix-ready.
Now, if only they would add a search function for the XBOX.
It’s supposedly coming in the Xbox update in November, along with a ton of other new Xbox stuff.
It’s in the upcoming update. I have it now (I’m in the beta). Works a little like Google Instant, in which it guesses the results you want based on what keys you’ve typed, and updates after every keystroke. If the movie isn’t available for instant view, you can add it to your DVD queue right from the Xbox.
Well, I’m giddy.
Now if only all three could do it without additional fees…
+1
..what additional fees? I don’t pay any additional fees to stream Netflix.
At least on the XBox side, you have to have Live to use Netflix.
Ohh, okay. I know you don’t have to with the PS3, and I don’t think you do with the Wii, either.
No fees with the Wii!
That is all Microsoft. No web content at all without the live subscription.
Now if only Wii grew an hdmi port and 1080p output
hellz yeah
But it won’t stream in 1080p right? Damn it. Should’ve gotten a PS3.
I use the netflix app on my xbox a lot, but I’ll be giving the PS3 one a spin now – being able to search is a HUGE bonus. Isn’t the HD on the x-box 1080i already? I thought it was.
netflix on the wii is handy for kids I guess, but their PQ is less then stellar for mainstream movies.
I don’t know…I like the television programming library that’s available, particularly during the day while I’m working.
With the Starz and other studio programming, there’s a pretty good selection now.
Oh good because I accidentally mailed the wii disc back and they never returned it, ha!
You could’ve asked for another one.
My understanding (and I apologize if this was mentioned elsewhere) was that you needed a disc for both PS3 and Wii because Microsoft had an exclusive agreement with Netflix that the XBox 360 would be the exclusive direct on-line feed for Netflix. That agreement has now expired so Wii and PS3 do not need the discs anymore.
The next logical question is, of course, when Netflix plans will go disc free. I’d love a $6.99 (or even $7.99) streaming-only plan.
awesome!!
Too bad the Wii doesn’t output in HD. Still waiting for Samsung to give me an update to my Bluray player so I can perhaps stream Netflix to my TV that way.
Yay