The tale of Netflix on the PS3 is sad: Sony’s solution is only now shipping after sitting pretty on the Xbox for more than a year, and to add insult to injury, it comes on a disc. Thankfully, it’s slick.

The interface is technically new in that it’s visually catered to the PS3, but it should look familiar to anyone who’s used a Blu-ray player or connected TV with a Netflix widget. This means it’s pretty basic: so far as I can tell there are just “Instant Queue” and “Recently Watched” tabs, with none of the additional — though admittedly kind of useless — category views Xbox users are used to, and video navigation is unchanged with the same visual timeline taking care of FF and RW funtions. One thing Xbox users aren’t used to, though, is not having to pay for the privilege: Netflix-subscribed PS3 owners can just order a free disc and be done with it; Xbox owner need to have a paid Live subscription as well. (Ballmer’s gotta eat, right?)

In any case, the experience is smooth from start to finish, with a fast-loading interface and the same near-instant streaming you get on any other platform. It’s just a shame you need a disc — until this is part of the PS3 firmware, it’ll feel more like a hack than a new feature. [Engadget]

Of course, those pictures can’t be shared in order to protect their source, and what’s more, they’re hearing that “Nintendo originally planned to bring the Netflix service to the Wii before the end of this year” but they’re “also considering holding off on the Netflix service until they release their next generation Wii HD unit in early 2010″. So, uh, just keeping your breath on that one. [Streaming Media via Engadget]

Normally I wouldn’t ask, but you and I have a connection. You might not know this, but we’re alumni of the same college. Sure, I know that Microsoft has come out and said that Netflix streaming is an Xbox exclusive, but c’mon. Don’t you think the ties of alumni relations are stronger than some piece of paper full of legalese? I do.

iPhone or Android apps would be cool too, but I would much much rather have it on something hooked up to my television. So, yeah, if you could release a PS3 app, that’d be great. Thanks! [NewTeeVee via Electronista]

Unfortunately, extender support and HD streaming are still not part of the Netflix package. Engadget also claims that Internet TV picture quality is lacking. Still, all things considered, it should be a welcome update for fans of online TV. Hit the link for a full gallery. [Engadget]

After all, Roku players only stream media from a handful of sources while an HTPC opens up the entire internet for playback on a TV. Plus, nettops and other small PCs are becoming extremely affordable. Unless the XR costs next to nothing, it makes more sense to save up for an HTPC. In the end, you might recoup the added expense by ditching your cable service. [Engadget]

Myles Weathers, a (former) postal sorting facility employee from Springfield, Massachusetts, was busted removing DVDs from Netflix envelopes and placing them in his backpack. That’s a little dumb. What’s really dumb is that Weathers was caught on camera following a Netflix investigation as to why all these people in the area were calling in their DVDs as MIA.

Weathers pleaded guilty to the theft of 3012 DVDs (now recovered) valued at $US36,471, and he may get up to five years in prison when he’s sentenced this December. Then again, it could be worse. [The Smoking Gun via CrunchGear and image]

When questioned by Reuters if Netflix was working on an iPhone-related partnership with Apple, Hastings responded:

it’s something that’s likely to come over time. But nothing in the short term. (With) movie watching, we are not focused on mobile yet, but (instead) on the TV, on Blu-ray and on the video game consoles. We will get to mobile eventually, including the iPhone.

At first, I looked at Hasting’s statement as a false if casual bravado regarding the simplicity of arranging a deal with Apple. But given that Sling has worked its way onto the platform, it’s reasonable to think that Netflix can make it, too. [Reuters via Digital Daily]