Netflix makes it easier to stream shows on your mobile network
NETFLIX has introduced a new tool to make it easier for customers to watch shows on the go using their mobile network.
IF YOU can’t get enough of your favourite Netflix shows, you can now watch them on the go without completely blowing through your mobile data allowance.
The company has released a new tool to offer customers greater control over the streaming quality while watching shows on their phone or tablet devices to limit the data it chews.
“Today, we are offering a new tool to help you better control how much data you use when streaming on cellular networks,” Netflix director of product innovation wrote in a blog post.
The move comes shortly after Netflix expanded its service to a raft of new countries in an aggressive global expansion, wooing potential subscribers in a vast array of places where smartphones are preferred devices for consuming online content.
While most Australians use the service exclusively in their living room, the change opens the door for TV addicts to keep watching while out of the house, particularly as mobile data allowances continue to grow.
“As we have launched Netflix around the world, we have seen big differences in how much people are streaming on smartphones and what kinds of mobile data plans they have,” Mr Wu said.
The new setting will enable customers to stream about three hours of TV shows and movies per gigabyte of data. “Our testing found that, on cellular networks, this setting balances good video quality with lower data usage to help avoid exceeding data caps and incurring over-age fees,” Mr Wu said.
Those with unlimited data who don’t have to worry about incurring fees or penalties can adjust the Netflix setting to stream content at higher rates of quality.
“Our goal is to give you more control and greater choice in managing your data usage whether you’re on an unlimited mobile plan or one that’s more restrictive,” Mr Wu said.
Streaming Netflix shows using Wi-Fi hot spots would not be affected by the new setting.
Netflix memberships grew by 6.74 million in the first three months of this year, hitting 81.5 million worldwide, with some 42 per cent of those outside the United States, the company reported.
In January the streaming giant significantly expanded its global footprint to 190 countries, making its internet TV service available in 130 new markets including India, but most notably the company has yet to crack the Chinese market.
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