To this point, the only way to get Amazon Instant Video on an Android device was to buy an Amazon Kindle Fire. We always felt it strange that iOS was treated to an app, but Android users couldn’t get it when Amazon’s Fire OS is based on Android. We’re not sure if that was just their way of enticing folks to buy a Kindle Fire, but all of that no longer matters — the Amazon Instant Video app for Android is now available for download.

The app does what it’s supposed to do at first glance. Prime members get access to their instant streaming options, and those who have opted to rent or buy movies can also see their entire library. The device supports cloud-based playback progress, so you can stop watching on Android and pick back up on a different device, or vice versa.

There are a couple of early annoyances that we hope Amazon will look to address in future updates:

No offline playback. This is typically very important for a mobile device, as you likely won’t want to be streaming HD video over a limited data connection while you’re away from home. The iPad app has it so the Android version should, too.

This is typically very important for a mobile device, as you likely won’t want to be streaming HD video over a limited data connection while you’re away from home. The iPad app has it so the Android version should, too. No Chromecast support. Because, why not? Let’s get going on that Amazon!

Because, why not? Let’s get going on that Amazon! The app is only available via the Amazon Appstore. This is not a huge deal, but you have to download the Amazon Appstore to your device, and then download the Instant Video app from there to your phone. Why can’t Amazon just make it available from Google Play like many of their other apps?

But I digress. The app is here, and we should be glad that Amazon is no longer keeping it isolated to owners of their own tablet. Head to the Amazon Appstore here to check it out if this is something you’ve long waited for.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]