Amazon has released an update to Instant Video app for iOS with various new features, including full support for Apple’s AirPlay video streaming and full integration with movie information website IMDb. The update also provides users the ability to read customer reviews, and search for related videos in the context of a specific a cast or director, as well as concurrent downloads and a faster and more streamlined interface.

amazon instant video

What's New in Version 2.1

* AirPlay to Apple TV
* IMDB cast and director information, ratings, goofs, trivia and quotes
* Read customer reviews
* Find other videos featuring cast or director
* Customers who watched this also watched ...
* Concurrent downloads
* Improved offline experience
* Faster and more responsive interface
* Bug fixes and stability improvements

AirPlay is a welcome addition for many users, offering a streamlined method for users to send content to their televisions via an Apple TV, serving as a relatively simple solution in the absence of a dedicated Instant Video channel for the set-top box.

Amazon originally released its iPad app for Instant Video in August 2012, adding iPhone support in an update released a few months later. Amazon was also reported in April to be developing a competitor to the Apple TV set-top box. Amazon Instant Video is a free app and can be downloaded from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

Lord Hamsa Avatar
131 months ago
Yay!

I'm not sure of Amazon Instant Video is going to be part of my "cut the cord" solution, but this makes it a much more viable option to consider.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rayd5365 Avatar
131 months ago
+1 x 100 on the "Finally".
Finally I don't have to fire up a my 10,000 watt space heating turbofan called the PS/3 to watch Amazon videos on the big TV's!
Way to go Amazon, the app is finally useful.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dontwalkhand Avatar
131 months ago
And that's where AirPlay is better than ChromeCast.

Amazon did not have to make a deal with Apple to enable this functionality, unlike the ChromeCast white-list system where Google decides which apps can stream to TV, depending on revenue-sharing deals they've been trying to make with content providers.

On iOS, it's up to developers to choose if they want to enable Airplay streaming.

Of course Apple can always reject apps, but it works more like a black-list than the ChromeCast white-list, which is a big difference. There's already a lot of apps on the App Store that can Airplay "Unauthorized content" (DIVX, AVI video players) and Apple doesn't seem to care.

It's funny how what Google has been doing is something we would expect out of Apple. Instead, Apple is doing it right and Google is doing it wrong :-p
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Casiotone Avatar
131 months ago
And that's where AirPlay is better than ChromeCast.

Amazon did not have to make a deal with Apple to enable this functionality, unlike the ChromeCast white-list system where Google decides which apps can stream to TV, depending on revenue-sharing deals they've been trying to make with content providers.

On iOS, it's up to developers to choose if they want to enable Airplay streaming.

Of course Apple can always reject apps, but it works more like a black-list than the ChromeCast white-list, which is a big difference. There's already a lot of apps on the App Store that can Airplay "Unauthorized content" (DIVX, AVI video players) and Apple doesn't seem to care.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eduardo1971 Avatar
131 months ago
Allowing AirPlay to AppleTV is a welcome feature.

Unsure if it increases or decreases the likelihood of an Amazon Instant App native to the AppleTV.

Hopefully it increases the likelihood. If I recall, HBOGo started off with Airplay support prior to it being a full fledge Apple TV application.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jrswizzle Avatar
131 months ago
Finally! Was having to use my Blu-Ray player's Amazon Prime Video app and that thing is slow as hell and awful to navigate....

Kudos to Amazon!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...
emojipedia 15 1 emoji

Emoji Coming to Future iOS 17 Update Include Shaking Head, Brown Mushroom, Lime, Phoenix and More

Tuesday September 19, 2023 12:43 pm PDT by
As Apple was announcing new iPhone models last week, the Unicode Consortium was officially approving new emoji characters that are set to be added to smartphones starting in 2024. Mockup of new emoji from Emojipedia Approved Unicode 15.1 emoji include phoenix, lime, an edible mushroom, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake), and broken...
iPhone 15 Pro Fingerprints

Apple Says Fingerprints Can 'Temporarily Alter the Color' of iPhone 15 Pro's Titanium Frame

Thursday September 21, 2023 2:48 pm PDT by
In a support document updated today, Apple indicates that fingerprints might "temporarily alter the color" of the titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Fortunately, Apple says this is not a permanent condition, as the fingerprints can be wiped off just like on any other iPhone to restore a clean finish. "For iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the oil from your skin...