Whether you are a Netflix customer who prefers the disc through the mail approach, the streaming content service through your computer or other devices, or a combination of both, in my opinion the one thing that customers can probably agree on is that browsing for movies on the Netflix site leaves something to be desired. I’m sure that the powers that be over at ‘Little Red’ are aware of this, at least I hope that they are. You would think that they would have done something about it already, but not really. Personally I resorted a long time ago to using other sites to browse for movies, then when I have a title I want I search Netflix by name. This is just a guess on my part, but with the jump in subscriptions that Netflix has seen due to the expansion of their streaming functionality it looks as if they have decided to rely on other sites to help customers as well. The following from Michael Hart, Director of Engineering at Netflix on the Netflix blog:
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Amazon.com just took yet another step into the realm of digital distribution of media with the launch of the beta version of the Amazon Game Downloads store. Here PC gamers can choose from an initial offering of over 600 casual game titles, all for under $10, with many as low as $6.99. If you are down for a little inexpensive casual gaming you should probably get yourself over to the download store fast, since for a limited time Amazon is offering three free, full-version games – Jewel Quest 2, The Scruffs and Build A Lot, just for trying the service.

The genesis of the new service came with Amazon’s acquisition last October of casual gaming portal Reflexive Entertainment. Of course casual gaming is a huge market and one that is a natural fit with the broad Amazon.com demographic. If Amazon can make a splash with its new service it is not beyond the realm of possibilities that it may eventually make a sortie or two into the core PC games market along the lines of what Steam has managed to do, possibly with an exclusive title. That would be sweet. But for now expect a whole lot of walking before anything that could mistaken for running here. Regardless, if you are a PC gamer get yourself over to to the download store this week and pick up your free games. The service requires the download of a small client file, but nothing major. Users will also enjoy multiple downloads of games once purchased, even to different computers. See the service’s getting started page for details.