Amazon finally shows Android users some love with Prime Instant Video app

By Alex Tretbar July 21, 2014

Amazon HQ — Ken Wolter / Shutterstock

Good news, Androidians. Last week a representative for Amazon announced that the company is preparing for an “imminent” release of its Prime Instant Video app for Android. The video service’s marketing director, Russell Morris, revealed the news to PC Advisor at Amazon’s Christmas show (yes, a Christmas show in July) in London. It’s unclear exactly how “imminent” Amazon’s release will be, (there were no timeframe specifics provided) and whether the new app will be available for Android smartphones, tablets, or both.

Amazon Prime subscribers looking to stream video on the go are currently limited to choices outside the Android ecosystem. Current devices include iOS devices, Fire smartphones, Kindle Fire tablets, select set-top boxes, game consoles, Blu-ray players, as well as smart TVs from the likes of LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio. The addition of Android support could be a huge boon to the service, and will likely help Amazon pick up lost or potential subscribers who’ve opted for other services in response to the service’s lack of Android compatibility.

In other Amazon news, Morris also confirmed last week that Amazon has a team specifically dedicated to preparing and releasing 4K content this year and beyond, though there was no indication given as to when the high-resolution video would be made available. Amazon Studios has already announced its plans to shoot each of its original series in 4K resolution from here on out. The company also launched its new Kindle Unlimited service that offers unlimited ebook and audiobook titles for $10 per month.

While the time frame is rather ambiguous, Amazon is undoubtedly working hard to get the Android release out sooner rather than later to help shore up the company’s largest mobile gap. We’ll keep an eye on this story as it develops, and let you know as soon as the app makes its way to Google Play.

[image: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com]

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Alex Tretbar, audio/video intern, is a writer, editor, musician, gamer and sci-fi nerd raised on EverQuest and Magic: The…

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