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Google Play Movies & TV iOS app: iPhone, iPad Users Can Now Watch Movies, TV Shows

Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch are now equipped with Google’s Play Movies and TV store. You will now be able to watch films and shows you have bought or rented if you switched to an Apple device from Android recently.

New York: The app itself is restricted to just this function and does not let you buy or rent anything. It is because of Apple’s restrictions on what iOS apps can do. You have togo to Google Play on your computer or on an Android device, then log in and pay for it there. Only then will your choice of motion-picture entertainment pop up on your Apple gadget. You cannot download stuff either and it only streams over Wi-Fi, not 3G or 4G. TV shows are only available for users in the UK, US and Japan but movies are more widely offered.

It is like Netflix where you had to pay for everything individually. The hobbled app joins Play Books, which has the same restrictions on iOS, and Play Music, which does not let you buy tunes, but does have a Spotify-like All Access option, as well as streaming up to 20,000 songs you have already bought. No doubt it an odd move but Google thinks there is more upside to expanding the reach of its entertainment store than downside in encouraging Android users to migrate. Presumably there is value in knowing which users have Apple devices too.

You may be more likely to buy movies and TV shows from Play knowing you would not lose them if you switch to Apple. Or third-party services like Netflix much more convenient. Many reviews of the new switch have found it a waste of time especially if you have to use two devices.

Google on Tuesday released aGoogle Play Movies & TVapp for iOS, allowing iPhone and iPad users to watch movies and TV shows that have been purchased on Google Play. In addition to providing a way for iOS users to stream Google Play content directly to their devices, the app is also a boon for Chromecast users with iOS devices, as it will let them stream movies and TV shows purchased from Google Play to the Chromecast device.