Amazon Prime Video has launched offline viewing, a feature that main competitor Netflix has sworn is “never going to happen”.
The new tool lets users download films and TV shows so that they can be watched without using an internet connection, helpful on commutes or plane journeys.
Netflix has long argued that there is no need to integrate the feature, since those problems with wifi will eventually be eradicated.
Amazon Prime Video is offered as part of the $99 or £79 per year premium service, which also gives free next day delivery of packages and other perks. It is Amazon’s attempt to take on Netflix by offering a catalogue of films and TV shows that can be streamed from anywhere.
The feature has long been offered to owners of Amazon’s own Kindle tablets. But it has now been rolled out to the Android and iOS apps.
Videos can be downloaded by heading to their page in the app, and clicking the small “Download” button. They’ll then be put into a library on the phone or tablet, where they can be viewed or deleted.
Not all of Amazon’s library, which is already smaller than Netflix’s, is offered for offline streaming. But a large proportion of it is offered.