Sky's new Now TV streaming service has stumbled at the first hurdle: the Android app doesn't work on the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S2, HTC One X, or any Ice Cream Sandwich phone. Which would be fine, if the Now TV ad didn't feature -- you guessed it -- one brand spanking new Samsung Galaxy S3.
The Now TV Android app is available today on the Android app market, Google Play. At the top of the page is a big ol' picture of the Galaxy S3, but the smash hit Samsung smart phone is conspicuous by its absence from the list of compatible phones.
The Now TV app lets you watch Sky TV on your phone -- as long as your phone is an HTC Desire, HTC Desire HD, HTC Desire S, HTC Incredible S, or the original Samsung Galaxy S. That's rather a short list considering the number of Android phones out there -- and it leaves tech-savvy early adopters, who are more likely to have new or top-end phones and more likely to embrace new services like this, out in the cold.
Ice Cream Sandwich has been slow to spread to many phones, and previous update Gingerbread is still by far the most commonly-used version of Android. But the S2 is the best-selling Android phone of 2011, and the S3 is flying off shelves like the boxes have been greased and the shelves have been nailed up wonky. And there's an earthquake.
Sky has at least promised support for more phones and for Ice Cream Sandwich in coming weeks. I wonder if in the meantime the picture on the app page will change to an HTC Incredible.
Now TV is an online streaming service that lets you watch Sky programming on your phone, tablet or computer without needing a full-fat Sky subscription and a dish bolted to your house. You can rent movies -- and later, sporting events -- individually, or sign up to a subscription.
The service kicks off with movies, and the Sky Movies Pass costs £15 per month. You get access to exclusive new releases tied up by Sky before they reach other services, but it's still three times as much as rivals Netflix and LoveFilm.
Has Sky dropped the ball with the Now TV Android app? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Comments 10
Add your comment
billfred 18 July, 2012 09:39
Sky really do try so hard to piss customers off. Does their Go app work on ICS yet?
Davy Milligan 18 July, 2012 10:40
No Sky Go is a failure on ICS ... I wouldn't hold my breath for the new Sky app above to be available on ICS "in the next few weeks"
Dan Lesser 18 July, 2012 11:02
Sky are lazy. It really isn't difficult to get apps working on ICS, and the fact that the Go app is in the same situation really shows how lazy they are. Using a picture of the Galaxy S3 in their adverts is false advertising and I expect it to change really really quickly.
Paul Clarke 18 July, 2012 11:03
I wonder whether Sky has shares/links to a certain fruit based company and is holding the apps back on purpose
anonymous 18 July, 2012 11:45
Whaaat? Tropicana again? Those b*stards.
Jacob Dutt 18 July, 2012 11:50
probably gonna ignore Jelly Bean too then. Getting myself a Nexus 7 which would be good for watching films and the like on. Guess I'll stick with Netflix
anonymous 19 July, 2012 08:20
That doesn't hurt Samsung Galaxy, Galaxy SIII users can live very happily without SKY news and I think there are many alternatives.
anonymous 20 July, 2012 12:42
Don't sky realise yet there are now more android users than iphone users? I will be canceling my sky sub soon if they don't sort it out. Skygo should have been working months ago on ics and now this shambles. I don't want sky now but I do want Skygo on my HTC one x
anonymous 22 July, 2012 09:14
Why does sky support GS3 when it has just come out and does not support HTC ONE X, i know they mentioned that they were not going to support phones with HDMI output, but GS3 does so that cannot be why, is it that Samsung have paid to get it on their phones if so it just shows what Sky are all about, all us HTC ONE owners just want to know if or when they are going to support HTC ONE phones, there has been enough complaints on the Sky Forum but had no response from Sky, i suggest anyone that pays a subscription to Sky vote with their pockets and cancel their subscription, as all Sky are bothered about are Apple and now it looks like Samsung as well.
anonymous 26 July, 2012 20:09
I really want to buy the HTC One X phone, but I just found out that Android does not offer any name display on people calling if they are not already in your phone book.
I have a business, if someone calls and I need to call back, I want to see who this person is before making the call back.
Apparently Android phones do not offer name display, only number display.
My provider is Rogers/Fido.ca Canada
Can anyone confirm this ?