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HBO Go teased for iPad, iPhone, Android

A video posted on HBO's YouTube channel promos the cable network's streaming service for mobile devices and flashes "05.02.11" toward the end.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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Don Reisinger
2 min read

HBO's streaming service is coming to a tablet and smartphone near you.

According to an HBO video posted on YouTube late last week, the HBO Go streaming service is on its way to the Apple iPad, Apple iPhone, and Android-based devices.

"Get every episode of every season of your favorite HBO shows, plus hit movies and much more," the video's voiceover states. "All free to HBO subscribers and all streaming on your iPad, laptop, or smartphone wherever you are."

HBO Go has been available since February 2010. The service allows people to stream 1,400 HBO shows, documentaries, and movies over the Web. It's available to Comcast and DirecTV subscribers, among others, but it surprisingly isn't offered to Time Warner Cable subscribers yet. HBO is owned by Time Warner.

HBO's video didn't specifically say whether people will be able to connect to HBO Go over 3G, but considering the company is promoting the service "wherever you are," it's a likely feature. Moreover, the voiceover didn't state when the service will launch on the iPad and other mobile devices, but "05.02.11" was flashed before the video ended.

Time Warner did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment on the app's features and availability.

HBO has made some waves as of late by refusing to offer its content on Netflix. Back in January, HBO senior vice president of corporate affairs, Jeff Cusson, told The Hollywood Reporter that his company "believes in content exclusivity, especially for high-value content." He said that HBO "has no intention of making its content available for streaming on Netflix."

So, HBO is going it alone. And it's now upping the ante a bit with its move into the mobile space to take on Netflix, which already has free iPhone and iPad apps.