HBO Now launches on Android mobile devices and Amazon’s Fire tablets, coming to Android TV and Fire TV next

Home Box Office today launched HBO Now on Android phones, Android tablets, and Amazon’s Fire tablets, ending the app’s exclusivity window on Apple devices. Update: You can now download HBO Now for Android from Google Play and for Fire OS from Amazon’s Appstore.

The company also announced today the app will soon arrive on Android TV and become Google Cast-enabled (that means Chromecast support and any other third-party device that leverages the same technology). Amazon also added that HBO Now will be available on the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick “in the coming weeks.”

HBO Now, not to be confused with HBO Go which requires a TV cable subscription, is HBO’s Internet-only streaming service. It lets you access all of HBO (TV series, movies, documentaries, and sports programs, plus comedy and music specials) for $14.99 per month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtwbFrWV3rE

In other words, it’s HBO’s service for cord cutters. Consumers only need Internet access to use HBO Now, and as of today, one of the following devices: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android phone, Android tablet, or Amazon Fire tablet. HBO Now launched on Apple devices on April 7, meaning the exclusivity window lasted just over three months.

Home Box Office says HBO Now will work on any Android 4.1+ phone or tablet. As for Fire OS, Amazon’s custom version of Android, the following devices will be able to handle the app: Amazon’s Fire HD 6, Fire HD 7, and Fire HDX 8.9.

Home Box Office is offering Android and Amazon Fire users a 30-day introductory free trial. You can sign up directly through Google Play or the Amazon Appstore. Upon registering, subscribers can also watch HBO programming on their computer at hbonow.com.