Netflix is a classic streaming provider with many movies and series. But this should change in future. The company is planning two new functions for its users – one can also be tried out.
Some good series and movies have gone missing on Netflix in the last few months. Many of those competitors have moved to Disney+. So Netflix will have to come up with something to keep its subscribers in the future. The service is now apparently trying to do just that with two new functions — “audio only” for fans of podcasts and audiobooks, and a games section integrated into Netflix subscriptions.
Netflix is testing audio-only functionality
We come to the first innovation, which select Netflix users can try out in the Android app as well. Netflix has integrated an “audio only” function here, which converts a series or movie into a narrative – similar to a podcast or audio book. If the mode is active, Netflix turns off image transmission so that the screen remains black. However, the sound is still played. Users can still follow the action via loudspeakers or headphones.
But what exactly is the point of listening only to the sound from the Netflix program and doing without the picture? After all, unlike in radio plays, there is no narrator to announce what is happening or what is to be seen. “Audio only” would be conceivable, for example, for documentaries or for titles in which the audience already knows the approximate plot. Or favorite series you want to listen to again or update yourself after season break. Since Netflix doesn’t use pictures, it requires significantly less data for transmission, which can be helpful on the go.
The “audio only” function in the source code of the Netflix app first appeared in October 2020. Some users were able to test it for the first time in December, but the range of functions was less. Netflix has now apparently revised the new function and is making it available for testing again. It is not known exactly how the streaming provider chooses its testers. Presumably, Netflix will roll out the new feature to as many users as possible in the coming weeks.
Netflix will soon be a gaming provider too
But Netflix apparently wants to push its schedule even further. was in the beginning bloomberg reports that the streaming provider may soon introduce a new division of games. At least one increase in the workforce indicated this. The streaming provider recently got on board with Mike Verdu, former vice president of Oculus’ VR division and head of EA Games’ mobile division. Along with Verdu, Netflix is looking to build a gaming team in the coming months, in order to be able to offer games for streaming next year.
Meanwhile, Netflix itself has confirmed its plans for gaming as part of its current quarterly analysis. Accordingly, they want to include the first mobile games in the offer and make them available to users free of charge as part of the subscription.
We see games as another new category of content for us, just like our expansion into original movies, animations and unscripted television. Games members’ Netflix subscription includes the same amount of movies and series at no additional cost. For now, we’ll be focusing primarily on games for mobile devices.
Source: Netflix in a letter to investors dated July 20, 2021
The gaming division for Netflix has never been untouched. The company has already developed games based on their popular shows, but has so far released them as mobile games or some consoles.
During the coming year, games will also be available directly on Netflix – as a separate section next to series and movies. Access will not require an additional subscription, so the games are available to all subscribers. but it would be possible that Netflix will continue to raise pricesTo cover the cost of the gaming division.
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