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The entertainment and media world has changed a lot in the last few decades. Back in the day, people would have to wait around for their favorite TV show to air, or go to the movies to see a new release. However, nowadays we have all sorts of great movie streaming sites and apps available to us, which allow us to watch movies and television whenever we want. Thanks to this change in the industry, viewers now have a lot more control over what they watch.
Consequently, there is now a vast library of TV shows and movies to choose from whenever you have the urge to watch something. Whether it's a series that you're already invested in or one that's just caught your eye, there's always something new to check out on Netflix. So go on, relax and enjoy some great TV shows without having to worry about waiting for months or even years for the next episode to come out.
What have changed since the last time you checked in on streaming services? Well, aside from the ways in which we watch content- like watching shows and movies on our phones or laptops- the means by which we are able to do so have also been altered. For example, compared to when DVDs and TV broadcasts were the only means of watching shows and movies, we now have streaming sites like Netflix and HuluPlus that give us more autonomy. This means that not only can we watch our favorite films and series wherever we are, but we don't even need to bring any physical media with us!
If you want to watch something on TV, just pull up a premium streaming app on your smartphone or tablet and you're good to go! You don't have to worry about whether the show is available on that app, or whether the network has decided to air it. With so many great options available, there's something for everyone. Have a long commute? No problem! Just pull up Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO Now and turn that dreaded ride into an exciting and entertaining trip with your favorite characters.
Do you have to board a plane any time soon? GREAT! It will give you the opportunity to catch up on your favorite shows, or to finally get around to watching that movie your friends have been raving about for weeks now. There is no reason to be bored anymore, no matter where you are, or where you are going. My personal favorite time to use the best streaming apps is when I hit the gym. Nothing makes those usually eternal and sometimes painful minutes of cardio go faster than getting lost in some high-quality HD content on my phone. No matter what you like to do while you stream, premium streaming apps make it possible.
But which premium streaming app is right for you? Well, there are a few answers to that question, actually. First and foremost, though - the most baseline question that you have to ask yourself before you can land on the perfect app for your streaming needs - is, which premium streaming service (or services) has the most content that you know for a fact that you will enjoy. Because, at the end of the day, when it comes to the premium streaming apps that you are paying for, what you are really paying for is the premium streaming service in question ? the app itself.
That doesn't mean the app's performance is any less important. That is, of course, something to take into account as well - how well-designed the app is, how dependably it works, whether you can stream content in HD on your phone, etc. So, especially if you are the kind of person who does a majority of his or her streaming on the go, the premium streaming service with the best premium streaming app on the market is likely the one that you'll want to go for.
Today, we will be taking a look at the HBO Now app, which is a premium streaming app from one of the biggest names in movies, TV, and streaming. Let's dive in and take a look!
History
HBO announced its new app, HBO Now, during a press event hosted by Apple on March 9th. HBO Now is only available on Apple TV and iOS devices for the trial period of 3 months, but all content is always available on the HBO website.
The Apple app went live on April 7th of 2015, coinciding perfectly with the April 12th premiere of Game of Thrones? 5th season. Part of the deal stated that Apple would keep at least 15% of HBO Now?s monthly subscription fee, from those subscribers who signed up from an iOS device.
In 2015, HBO Now was also released for Android and Amazon Kindle Fire. The following year, in April of 2016, HBO NOW launched apps for Xbox 360 and Xbox One. And on September 15th of the same year, HBO NOW became available on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 game consoles (this time in conjunction with the series premiere of Westworld).
Today, HBO Now is its own standalone HBO subscription service. This means that if you want to enjoy this service on mobile devices or smart TVs - and anyone who has used HBO Go in the past knows that, frankly, it isn't designed very well for mobile or desktop computers, only adding to the allure of HBO Now - you'll need a special HBO Now membership.
Design
Secondly, the functionality of HBO Now is downright appalling when compared to its dedicated counterpart, HBO Go.
You would expect that a network like HBO would create an app specifically designed for mobile devices, but unfortunately this isn't the case with HBO Now. The app is not as sleek or dynamic as you would expect from one of the most popular networks on TV and film. Additionally, the functionality of the app is cumbersome and poorly designed when compared to its dedicated counterpart, HBO Go.
The design is basic, but not in an extremely streamlined or experiential or minimalist way. It's more in a somewhat vacant, disappointing way. Maybe it will be best to cite the fact that on the Apple App Store, the HBO Now app has an overall average user rating of 2.8 stars (out of 5), which is exceptionally low for a premium streaming app such as this. Among other complaints, people often cite the app's lack of an easy-to-use scrubber that allows for convenient rewinding and fast-forwarding through a show or movie. Instead, HBO Now has opted to just include a 10-second forward and backward button, as you might see on YouTube - fine for short videos, but remarkably annoying when it comes to skipping through the much longer content that HBO tends to specialize in.
Content
Speaking of content, HBO is known for always providing high-quality programming. HBO Now offers almost all of the movies and series that are available in the vast (and impressive) HBO library, except for some notable old shows.
Pricing and Plans
Although HBO Now has some design flaws, it is comparatively more expensive than other premium streaming apps. It will cost you $14.99/month after a 1-month trial period, but HBO offers a free month trial so that you can consider it before deciding whether to subscribe. Compared to Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus, HBO Now is definitely on the more expensive end of the spectrum.
Suggestions that I have for HBO Now
Hey, first of all, HBO Now needs to address these glaring design flaws. Hopefully they already have someone on a redesign, knowing that their HBO budget must be tight. That being said, I would also love to see the price point come down a little bit. Even if they added a second tier with ads and one without - the former could cost $10, and that would be in my opinion, more acceptable.
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