Category: Netflix

In the latest update to the Netflix app for Android, there is a new and simpler rating system for content.  Gone are the up to 5 star ratings that users could give a television show, movie or Netflix original content.  Instead, it has been replaced with a thumbs up or thumbs down rating.  That’s it.  No middle ground.  It has become a binary “Did you like it or not?”  rating.

As you can guess, I’m not a fan.

I understand what the streaming content provider wants to do.  They want to make it less complicated for you to potentially try a TV show or movie.  Think about it: How many 3-star shows have you skipped over only to go back and watch it because it was recommended to you by a friend?  I know I’ve done it probably dozens of times over the years as a Netflix customer.  Which is exactly why they are getting rid of it.

Netflix has made a few big changes to their Android app these last few months.  First came the ability to download movies and TV shows to your phone or tablet for viewing offline.  Now, and equally as important for some, today’s update brings the ability to store that offline content on an SD card.  The update is version 4.13.0 Build 14540 for those keeping score at home and it is rolling out now in the Play Store.  Once you have the update, when you want to download a movie or show, you will be asked where you want to store that content.  Select your SD card if your phone has one and off you go.  The content is downloaded to your card instead of your device’s main storage.

If you are not a subscriber to Netflix and want to be sure you can see streaming movies from Disney, Lucasfilm and Pixar, you may want to consider signing up.  Starting in September, the streaming service will be the exclusive home here in the US for these studios.  It is a big win for Netflix who, along with this announcement, gave everyone a preview of what will be available on the service this summer.  What this deal means is that it will keep Disney, Lucasfilm and Pixar flicks off of rival services and even subscription services during the first run time frame.

For a while now, Netflix has been throttling users data consumption on AT&T and T-Mobile to help users not kill their entire data allotment on a streaming movie.  Now Netflix has brought that capability to everyone thanks to the latest update of the Android app from the streaming service.  The updated build, version 4.5.0 for those keeping score at home, is rolling out now in the Google Play Store.  If you have the app installed, you should see the OTA update over the course of the next day or so.

Netflix has dropped an update to their app in the Google Play Store that brings back a feature that has been missing in the past few updates:  Home screen widgets.  If you remember, the movie and television streaming app had widgets prior to their big 4.0 update back in August but they were dropped and it was never clear why.  In the latest build, version 4.4 for those keeping score at home, a single 5×5 home screen widget returns to highlight content or to give you one tap access to your movies and TV shows you are currently watching.  The update is for both Android phones and tablets and if you already have the app installed, you should see the OTA update for it over the course of the next couple of days.

Netflix for Android – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

Over the course of the weekend, Netflix dropped an update for their Android app in the Google Play Store.  The new 3.15 version – for those keeping score at home – is primary a bug fix release while also bring full support for Android Marshmallow to the app.  Nothing super news worthy but what was worth a mention was a tease that Netflix put at the bottom of the release notes:  Call Netflix Help directly from the app.  While no indicator of timing was given in the notes, the idea of being able to get technical support directly from within the app is one that could help users quickly if they are having trouble.

Netflix for Android – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now