British broadcaster Sky has announced some major updates to its Sky Go streaming application for Android. The update adds on-demand streaming of Sky Movies content, and "popular entertainment channels" including Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living and Sky Arts 1. The new channel listing brings the Sky Go Android app up to par with its iOS cousin. There are also additional account controls built into the new app, which allow customers to view their Sky package and monthly bills.
Compatibility is still an issue, as Sky's been slow to test and certify new devices (likely due to licensing restrictions rather than the broadcaster's own intransigence.) Right now official support is only available for the HTC Desire, Desire S, Desire HD, Incredible, Sensation, Sensation XE, as well as Samsung's Galaxy S and Galaxy S II. And they're only supported on Android 2.2 and 2.3, so you're SOL once you get that long-awaited ICS update.
In any case, Sky says a future update, due by the end of July, will add support for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, as well as the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Note. There's no word on Jelly Bean support, though right now the app refuses to install on our Nexus 7 and I/O edition Galaxy Nexus. The Galaxy Note, it seems, is currently supported, according to the Google Play Store listing.
If you're a Sky subscriber, hit the comments and let us know how you're getting on with the new version. We've got Sky's press release after the break.
Download: Sky Go
4th JULY - On-demand content comes to Sky Go on Android
· Content from Sky Movies and Sky Entertainment channels now available live and on-demand on selected Android devices
Sky customers with compatible Android devices can now enjoy their favourite content from Sky on-demand through Sky Go. A selection of catch-up content from Sky Movies, Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living and Sky Arts 1 is now available through Sky Go on all compatible Android devices*.
As part of the latest update to the Android app, new features include:
· Hundreds of On-demand Movies
Sky Movies content will for the first time be available on-demand through all compatible Android devices, in line with customer subscriptions, with hundreds of popular movies.
· Popular Sky Entertainment channels
Content from Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living and Sky Arts 1 will be available on-demand through all compatible mobile devices for the first time
· Additional control of Sky account within Sky Go
Customers can now view their Sky package and bill from within Sky Go by a direct link to the customer service pages
By the end of July an additional update to Sky Go will support the Android operating system Ice Cream Sandwich on compatible devices, as well as new devices including the Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy Nexus.
Holly Knill, Product Director of Sky Go, comments:
“With the huge and ever-growing popularity of Android devices in the UK it’s fantastic to make on-demand content from Sky Movies and Sky Entertainment available to Sky customers for the first time.
“This update means customers can enjoy some of the most popular shows such as Sky Atlantic’s Mad Men, Veep and hundreds of the latest Hollywood blockbusters, whenever suits them. We hope this update to the service offers extra flexibility to Android users and the new option of on-demand viewing makes a richer experience for all Sky customers across all platforms.“
The Sky Go Android app, which launched in February on a selection of Android smartphones, offers eight sports channels including Eurosport in time for the huge summer of sport, with highlights including the Olympics, the continuing Formula 1™ season and the start of 2012 — 2013 Barclays Premier League. Sky Movies customers can enjoy eleven Sky Movies channels, as well as hundreds of movies on-demand including Rio and X-Men: First Class. Beyond Android mobile devices, on-demand content from a range of channels is also available on Sky Go for PC, laptops, Xbox and iOS devices.
More information on the latest Sky Go app is available from sky.com/skygo.
