HBO NOWfor iOS

Gone are the days when you organised your life around the TV company schedules. These days, you watch your TV shows and movies when it suits you, and to do that you need an app like HBO Now.

TV at your fingertips

The app, HBO Now, gives access to the HBO network of content. It’s designed to bring their award-winning programming to your device. The application is a great way to discover new shows.

You watch TV shows and movies when you want to, and you need an app that lets you browse a library and watch that content without ads. HBO Now is that app. It is available on almost all devices. The app on its own, however, is pretty much useless without a subscription service from HBO, which is only available to while you’re in the US. If you leave the country for a vacation, your subscription won’t cover you.

The content is the major draw to HBO Now. Original TV shows such as The Wire, Game of Thrones, and The Sopranos are just a sample of what is on offer. All the content is in high definition. Recently, released movies are also available with new titles added every month. One drawback is the lack of support for the animated or anime genre.

Unlike Netflix, with 3 different subscription plans, HBO Now gives access to the entire content library with one simple subscription. The whole library is available, every month, with no content rotation. The app interface is easy to browse and is compatible with an impressive list of platforms that include Smart TVs, iOS devices, Android devices, Apple TV, Playstation 4, Xbox One, as well as Roku, and Chromecast, which can connect devices not covered in the list.

HBO Now does not offer live TV, but it does stream shows simultaneously with the on-air release. As for all streaming devices and services, a good internet connection is an absolute must. HBO Now offers all its content at 1080p and recommends a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps. Although Netflix offers content at 4K, this also requires a substantial upgrade to the internet connection at 25 Mbps.

Where can you run this program?

This app will run on Smart TVs, IOS devices, Android devices, Apple TV, Playstation 4, Xbox One, as well as Chromecast.

Is there a better alternative?

No. Netflix offers a decent range of movies, but HBO hosts some of the most popular titles ever. Using HBO Now as an add-on to Apple TV is the best choice.

Our take

HBO Now is excellent. The original content is justification alone to buy a subscription and download the app. By using HBO Now as an add-on service, you can get the best of both worlds.

Should you download it?

Yes. If you want access to great content, then HBO Now will give you access to one of the best libraries available for streaming.