Newsletter
Verizon’s new video streaming service Go90 launched today on both the iOS App Store and Android’s Google Play Store. Verizon is promising a feature filled service with 35 shows exclusive to the new apps in addition to over 8,000 other titles. With its large range of content, Verizon is hoping many, primarily younger, mobile users will popularize Go90. Go90’s page on the Verizon website highlights its attempt to appeal to youth with popping colors and lively visuals. The service’s name references the 90-degree range of motion that on a smartphone activates a rotation into landscape view. The app is free to use though it is supported by ads.
Before its unveiling earlier this month, Verizon sent private invitations to 5 million of its customers. The official launch today now allows anyone of any carrier to download the app and begin streaming. Verizon users will, however, receive special perks. A promotional offer restricted to those on Verizon’s “The More Everything Plan” and “The Verizon Plan” offers exclusive content and 2 GB of extra data for three months. These 2 GB of data are added to the user’s account and can be used outside the Go90 app. Verizon is focusing on promoting the application’s social features, which includes cutting and sharing video snippets to friends. These snippets can include anything from Verizon’s exclusive content to live music programs and sporting events. Additionally, Go90 will be integrated with social media sites Facebook and Twitter, and includes the promise of expanding to more sites later on. Sharing is also possible through traditional messaging (SMS) and your email provider.
On top of that, Verizon is introducing a follow option that keeps the user up-to-date with their favorite programs and “crowdsourcing,” a feature that promotes recommended shows directly from the Go90 community rather than relying completely on algorithms. Go90 is promoting itself as a young and friendly application (it even suggests using the service if you’re “avoiding adulthood”), and its free, ad-supported business model could help it against well-established rivals like Netflix. The service will no doubt go through some changes as it matures, but as it stands now it’ll be interesting to see how many people, whether they subscribe to Verizon or not, will use the app and service.