Netflix just updated its Android app with a new feature that will surely make iPhone users jealous, especially if they're scrambling to download a movie before a flight or other long trip. The new feature, which impacts the way the Netflix app on Android handles locally downloaded movies, allows you to begin watching a movie before it's even done downloading.
The ability to download a movie on Netflix so that you can watch it in the absence of a suitable internet connection was a huge feature when it launched. It's incredibly convenient to load up on a few movies or a season of a Netflix show before jumping on a plane or hopping in the back seat of a car for a lengthy trip. Unfortunately, Netflix previously required users to completely download a title before they were able to play it back. Now, that's no longer the case, as long as one has an Android phone.
As Netflix announced today, Android users with their Netflix apps updated to version 7.64 or higher will benefit from the new feature. Now, as the Netflix app is downloading the content in the background, users can tap play and watch it as the download completes. That's a huge deal for those who find themselves frantically trying to download something to watch before losing their internet connection. It's a convenient feature that every Netflix lover would adore, but it's not available to everyone.
Just like the algorithm-driven "Downloads For You" feature that Netflix launched for Android users a few months back, Netflix promises this new play-while-downloading option will eventually make its way to iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. Downloads For You provides Android users with pre-downloaded movies and TV shows that Netflix thinks the user will enjoy based on previous habits. It's great for when an internet connection randomly disappears because it means there's always something to watch, but it also hasn't made it to iOS yet.
By adding features to Android devices first, Netflix is going against a long-established trend of iOS updates arriving well in advance of those on competing platforms. iOS has long been the platform of choice for companies adding new features to their apps, but Netflix is doing the opposite, which should definitely please Android users.
Netflix hasn't said exactly when it plans to begin rolling out either of these new features for iOS users but promises the updates are coming soon. For now, Android appears to be the premier platform for the best Netflix experience, and with this trend established, it would make sense to expect new Netflix features to continue to arrive on Android first.
Source: Netflix
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