X

PS3 gets Amazon Instant streaming-video app

The PS3 is the first gaming console to get Amazon Instant video streaming.

Matthew Moskovciak Senior Associate Editor / Reviews - Home theater
Covering home audio and video, Matthew Moskovciak helps CNET readers find the best sights and sounds for their home theaters. E-mail Matthew or follow him on Twitter @cnetmoskovciak.
See full bio
Matthew Moskovciak
Amazon Instant video streaming on the PS3.
Amazon Instant video streaming on the PS3. Matthew Moskovciak/CNET

The Sony PS3 has added an Amazon Instant app to its suite of streaming-video services, letting you streaming purchased and rented content, as well as letting Amazon Prime subscribers stream free Prime TV shows and movies.

Amazon Instant joins Netflix, Hulu Plus, CinemaNow, Vudu, NHL, MLB.TV, NFL Sunday Ticket, SEC college sports, XOS college sports, and Sony Video Unlimited in the PS3's suite of streaming-video services. Although it may seem surprising that Sony is adding a service that directly competes with the Sony's own video store, Vudu and CinemaNow already offer the same ability to purchase and rent video content. The PS3 is also the first game console to get Amazon Instant streaming, which should help Sony keep up with the Xbox 360's consistently growing stable of streaming-video services.

The user interface looks great at first glance, albeit a little derivative of the Xbox 360's Metro design style. Still, it's a huge upgrade compared with the lackluster Amazon interfaces available on some TVs, Blu-ray players, and Roku boxes.