How To Install Netflix On Most Android Devices

Netflix previously all but ignored Android, leaving users confused and annoyed by the lack of love. All that changed yesterday when the app dropped on the Nexus S and several HTC devices. But that’s the catch. Only a select few devices currently support the streaming service, so the fun is only for those rocking the HTC Incredible, HTC Nexus One, HTC Evo 4G, HTC G2, and Samsung Nexus S — unless you’re comfortable following a few lines of instructions!

First off, back up your device. This could brick your device. Please do not proceed if that scares you. Also, your phone must be rooted. Check out the xda-dev wiki for rooting instructions for nearly every Android device. The following process is sort of hit or miss right now. Among other phones, it reportedly doesn’t work on the HTC Thunderbolt for some reason but it’s worth trying if you must have Netflix up and running on your Android device before the complete rollout.

Got your device rooted now? Good. Let’s begin.

1) Go to Settings > Applications > Check the box next to Unknown sources to allow your phone to install the downloaded Netflix app.

2) Download the Netflix apk from here (Download link has been pulled. Sorry folks, you’re gonna have to Google it.) We’re going to try to install it without any line coding first as it seems to install fine depending on custom ROMs. Email this link to yourself and then download it from the device itself. (or download it on your PC, transfer to your microSD card and install from there) Once it’s downloaded, click the Completed Download notification and then install the app. Did it work? If so, enjoy. If not, continue to step 3.

3) Download ES File Explorer

4) In ES File Explorer go to Settings > Root Settings and check both boxes on that screen

5) Go to /system/ and copy/paste build.prop to /sdcard/ as a backup

6) Go back to /system/ and open and edit the file build.prop

7) Trick the Android install to thinking you have the Nexus S by changing the follow lines:

* ro.product.model=Nexus S
* ro.product.manufacturer=samsung

8) Reboot the phone

9) Download and install the Netflix apk from here if you haven’t already

10) Profit!

I totally apologize if this doesn’t work on your Android device. Some users can’t get it to work no matter what so YMMV. Of course you could always wait until the Netflix app officially hits all Android devices. That’s bound to happen eventually. At least I hope. See this Reddit thread for more troubleshooting.

As the power of modern computers grows alongside our understanding of the human brain, we move ever closer to making some pretty spectacular science fiction into reality. Imagine transmitting signals directly to someone's brain that would allow them to see, hear or feel specific sensory inputs. Consider the potential to manipulate computers or machinery with nothing more than a thought. It isn't about convenience -- for severely disabled people, development of a brain-computer interface (BCI) could be the most important technological breakthrough in decades. In this article, we'll learn all about how BCIs work, their limitations and where they could be headed in the future.

The Electric Brain
The reason a BCI works at all is because of the way our brains function. Our brains are filled with neurons, individual nerve cells connected to one another by dendrites and axons. Every time we think, move, feel or remember something, our neurons are at work. That work is carried out by small electric signals that zip from neuron to neuron as fast as 250 mph [source: Walker]. The signals are generated by differences in electric potential carried by ions on the membrane of each neuron.

Although the paths the signals take are insulated by something called myelin, some of the electric signal escapes. Scientists can detect those signals, interpret what they mean and use them to direct a device of some kind. It can also work the other way around. For example, researchers could figure out what signals are sent to the brain by the optic nerve when someone sees the color red. They could rig a camera that would send those exact signals into someone's brain whenever the camera saw red, allowing a blind person to "see" without eyes.