Comcast brings Xfinity App to the iPad

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Comcast is going to allow its members to sign into their accounts and do all kinds of DVR stuff from their iPads.  Great.  But here’s the interesting: eventually (December) customers can watch Comcast movies over the web on their iOS devices.  That’s not necessarily from their homes or on a Comcast network.

nWatch TV from the app – including premium cable channels such as HBO and Showtime. (This feature will be available in December.)

The Xfinity TV App is part of Comcast’s ongoing commitment to offer customers the ability and flexibility to watch TV on their terms. Last month, Comcast introduced XfinityTV.com so its 23 million customers can access their favorite shows – including premium content from HBO and Showtime – from a computer. Also, Comcast will launch several Android apps before the end of the year and soon follow with products for additional emerging platforms.

You can download the app here.

Here’s the interesting question: What if you just want to watch TV on your iPad and not pay for a cable line at home?  Is Comcast going to offer these types of customers (who might not even live in Comcast covered areas) a solution?  Update: a Comcast spokesperson says no.

That’s a shame because Comcast could prove to be a competitor to Hulu and give consumers more choice in watching videos online if this were the case.

Neil Smit’s discussion about Comcast’s digital roadmap will be streamed live tonight starting at 5:30 PM PST (8:30 PM EST).  Smit will be talking with John Battelle, co-moderator of Web 2.0 and Chairman of Federated Media Publishing.