Why are NZ TV OnDemand Android Apps available only to be run on specific maker's product?

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MorrisTheCat

84 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 177259 28-Jul-2015 09:18

This is kind of really weird. I can understand there might be a Marketing Ploy by Samsung (welldone to them) if that really is the case but seriously... you would think both TVNZ and TV3 would want as many viewers of their shows (and therefore Adverts) to be seen using this kind of media. Hell, they both scream long and hard out over ratings so you would have thought they would embrace this technology and have their kinds of entertainment out there across as many open platforms as possible...

I own both an iPad and Android Tablets (Lollipop on a Sony Xperia Z2). The 3NOW and TVNZ OnDemand Apps work for the most part on the iPad in a stable fashion but for the Android environment just reading the App description says something very off-putting.

"...only way to watch TVNZ OnDemand on your Samsung Android device" and "Now have full support for the Samsung..., the only way to watch 3NOW on the latest Samsung" when you go to Install these Apps just has to be crazy. Surely it's nothing short of "Android Suicide" if you limit your App to one specific Android device or is this just plain ignorant arrogance of the highest order?

nathan

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Microsoft

Reply # 1353139 28-Jul-2015 09:21

One person supports this post

Samsung paid for them is my guess

robjg63

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Reply # 1353170 28-Jul-2015 09:52

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I am a little surprised that Samsung still have the strangle-hold on the TV3 and TVNZ on demand apps.
I presume they must pay handsomely for the rights.

I think there was initially talk of them having a 12 months exclusive on them at the start - but that has obviously been extended considerably.
Money talks I guess.

This is one of the reasons why a 'smart' TV is a bit useless to be honest. The apps can go out of date and dont get supported by the TV manufacturer. Sometimes there just arent certain apps for certain model TVs etc.

Having a small media PC hooked up to the TV is the most flexible option - though somewhat more expensive and perhaps a little more difficult to 'drive' with a remote. Really hoping that the OSMC people get a decent web browser built for the Raspberry Pi. It would be great if it did support a decent browser that would allow access to the various on-demand sites - both here in NZ and around the world. Not holding my breath on that too much though....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

jonathan18

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Reply # 1353205 28-Jul-2015 10:50

While I agree it's not an ideal situation to have them officially limited to Samsung devices, at least there's a way around it by downloading the APK from an alternative source and installing it yourself - and this doesn't require that much skill to do so successfully. The TVNZ app works perfectly well on my phone (G3) and our Android tablet (LG G-Pad); it sideloaded fine onto the Amazon Fire TV but just doesn't work due to HDMI output restrictions (damn it!).

The problem is I guess many people will just take the Samsung-only warning at face value and not explore alternative ways to get the app working on their Android device. Perhaps someone here may want to post a quick "how to" for those searching for help with the matter??!!

MorrisTheCat

84 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 1353230 28-Jul-2015 11:17

Excellent input and points thanks. I was about to email TVNZ but found this:

Will the app be available on other Android devices?

"For now, the app is only available on selected Samsung Android devices. The diversity of phones and tablets running the Android operating system makes it hard to deliver a reliable experience to viewers to all devices. So initially we've focused on the leading manufacturer of devices running Android before we look at other opportunities".

There doesn't appear to be any similar info on the TV3 3NOW page.

Sounds like a good excuse but seriously. As people increase their viewing of any free television in this country by way of the Internet and no longer necessarily in the traditional way as in lying potato-like on a couch, you would think the companies would be employing whomever gurus of Android SDK programming there are in NZ and rolling out the Brands across anything that does Android. Just seems really weird, as if they aren't seriously aware of what they could do/ should do or fully accepting of the inevitable.

In all this i'm glad i have NetflixNZ (which works on any platform faultlessly i might add) so they are proof that Internet delivery is totally do-able....

n4

953 posts

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Reply # 1353665 28-Jul-2015 19:01

I agree the TV3 app mentions Samsung in the description but there does not appear to be any limitation as to what Android device you install it on? Certainly I had no issue using my Huawei Mate 7.

TVNZ on the other hand I can't even find the app in the Play store, due to the device limitation I'm sure.

Huawei Mate 7, on 2degrees

jonathan18

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Reply # 1353732 28-Jul-2015 19:48

n4: ...

TVNZ on the other hand I can't even find the app in the Play store, due to the device limitation I'm sure.

But the APK is available from a link on another thread here on GZ: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=165817&page_no=2#1250619

This is where I got the app from and have it working on two non-Samsung devices.

n4

953 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 1353743 28-Jul-2015 19:58

jonathan18:
n4: ...

TVNZ on the other hand I can't even find the app in the Play store, due to the device limitation I'm sure.

But the APK is available from a link on another thread here on GZ: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=165817&page_no=2#1250619

This is where I got the app from and have it working on two non-Samsung devices.

Thanks :-) actually was just making the point that the original complaint didn't actually apply to TV3.

Huawei Mate 7, on 2degrees