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A lot of folks are having trouble getting invited to RedBox Instant, the company’s video streaming subscription service, right now. It’s a limited beta that requires an invitation, so unless you can find a buddy to give you a code or find some way to get a code through the invitation form you won’t be able to use it quite yet.
Folks will be happy to know that the wait will soon be over, though, as CEO Shawn Strickland has confirmed the service would fully launch at some point in March. RedBox Instant is a service brought to us by the collaboration between RedBox and Verizon.
It’s a fitting marriage considering each company’s emphasis on the color red in their marketing and branding, but there doesn’t seem to be any other strategic move as the beta is currently open to anyone that can procure an invite. The service will cost $8 a month and give users access to thousands of titles to stream, including more mainstream and recent rental options for an added cost.
For that price you’ll also be getting 4 DVD rental credits per month, so if you visit one of the 42,000+ kiosks frequently this isn’t a bad deal at all. Those able to get an invite right now will get the first month and four credits for free, so it’s the perfect opportunity to try out RedBox as a whole if you’re not sure what it’s all about. You can try your luck here or ask around if you’re interested.
In related news, the RedBox Instant app has been updated in the Play Store. The good news is that the Nexus 10 is now supported, and the changelog also exclaims that the developers “squashed some bugs.” Unfortunately they didn’t squash the one issue holding many people back from using the service — the fact that rooted users are denied access.
That stunt has earned the app a 1.5 star rating in the Play Store, and while most rooted folks can disable superuser in the SuperSU app it’s something we wish RedBox obliterated altogether. I digress, though — the fear of piracy will do that to a company. Download the app and give it a try if you have an invite and are either not rooted or can disable superuser access.
Why launch the app if it’s not ready ? Still no code here either & requested it when Q first told us about it. :(
really? you still have to go to a red box to get new releases? well that’s kind of dumb. Well I’m no longer anxious for the release of this service. might still get it, but not really convenient.
I got my invitation code today and I have to say, their streaming selection is really lacking. I will not be keeping this past the free trial.
I got invited but you can’t use the app if you’re rooted so I’ll stick with Netflix.
No root access….NO thanks. Netflix for me as well
What’s support4 mean? Nexus 4?
They have duplicates of Netflix titles… but less overall… and all of the paid stuff is not 99 cents … more like $3. Not cheaper than visiting a Redbox. 4 free rentals at a machine per month might be cool for some… but I thought this was going to be something that matched the machine prices for streaming.I want to avoid having to go to the machine for rentals and returns. The streaming actually costs more. After the free trial, I will not be a paying member.
Still show as not compatible for Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 10.
I have it installed on my Gnex. No invite though.. so its just sitting there lol.
We have redbox in Canada but we can’t get this due to no verizon :(
You should be happy ‘due to no verizon’ there :)
The “invite” was on their site if you are logged in. I signed up but haven’t gotten the code yet but they did send out a free DVD coupon “while waiting.” I would also say that any “test videos” would probably be very limited. Are some or all of the “limited” selections actually movies in the “public domain”?
Value is a relative term, and although spending $8 for what Redbox Instant gives you may be worth more than you pay, comparing that $8 to other providers turns up a whole lot of noting in terms of “real” value. For instance when it comes to mobile viewing, my DISH coworker and I watch a lot on our iPad when we’re on lunch or break. My DISH Blockbuster @Home service gives me that convenience along with over 100,000 choices by mail, streaming in my home or on the go. That kind of convenience and choice helps me enjoy the media that makes me happy, more often.