Netflix in exec overhaul

The key architect of the streaming giant’s original-content strategy is leaving.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 28, 2019 the Netflix logo is seen on the backdrop of Netflix's "Stranger Things 3" premiere at Santa Monica high school Barnum Hall in Santa Monica, California. - Netflix shares dived on July 16, 2020 after the leading streaming entertainment service reported relatively flat quarterly profits despite rising subscriber numbers. (Photo by Chris Delmas / AFP)

Hello and welcome to The Download, The Australian’s technology blog for the latest tech news.

5.00pm: Netflix in exec overhaul

In a major overhaul at Netflix, Bela Bajaria has been put in charge of global television and Cindy Holland, an architect of the streaming giant’s original-content strategy, is leaving, the company said Tuesday.

In her new role, Ms Bajaria will oversee all original series for Netflix around the globe. Ms Bajaria, who joined Netflix in 2016, had previously been in charge of unscripted programming and international content, the latter of which has become a priority for Netflix over the past several years.

The restructuring of the unit leapfrogged Mr Bajaria over Ms Holland, who has been at Netflix for nearly 20 years and now finds herself without a job. Ms Holland was instrumental in developing and greenlighting much of Netflix’s original content, including shows such as “House of Cards,” “Orange is the New Black” and “Stranger Things.”

The Wall Street Journal

Chris Griffith 11.00am: Sony launches three high-end projectors

Sony has launched three native 4K projectors that it says are the first of its type in a decade. They feature a crystal technology called silicon x-tal reflective display (SXRD) which is Sony’s version of a layer of liquid crystal on silicon and offers a very fast refresh rate.

The VPL-VW590ES and VPL-VW790ES support high dynamic range (HDR), and have Sony’s X1 picture processor that it uses in TVs.

Sony VPL-GTZ380 flagship 4K projector

It has what Sony calls a “dynamic enhancer” that can analyse scenes and make bright scenes brighter and dark scenes darker for improved contrast, and a digital optimiser that when focussing compensates optical degradation of the lens for corner-to-corner clarity.

The high-end VPL-GTZ380 Is designed for home theatre rooms, living rooms, as well as corporate and entertainment environments.

It offers HDR with high contrast, brightness and wide colour gamut in a compact body size weighing 51kg.

The first two models are available this month for $11,999 (VPL-VW590) and $22,999 (VPL_VW790) The high end VP-GTZ380 will come to market in January. Its price is to be confirmed.

Chris Griffith 8.10am: Google announces Android 11

Built-in screen recording and in-conversation bubbles are among features of the next version of Android announced by Google today.

In the coming Android 11, conversations across messaging apps will be moved to a dedicated space in the notifications section, so you can more easily manage conversations in one spot.

Google’s app store for Android devices has barred lenders of high-interest payday loans; low-income households are more likely to use an Android phone than an iPhone. PHOTO: OMAR MARQUES/ZUMA PRESS

Google, in a blog post today, says you can also prioritise conversations from the key people in your life so you never miss an important message.

You can access all the smart devices in your home by long pressing the power button, you can more readily switch between devices playing music, for example between headphones and speakers, and Android Auto will work wirelessly from your phone if you have a compatible vehicle.

Android will “auto-reset” permissions for apps that have sat on your phone for a while, and notify you. You will then need to re-enable permissions.

The role-out begins today on selected phones.

8.00am: Apple countersues Fortnite maker Epic Games

Apple is countersuing Epic Games, accusing the “Fortnite” maker of breaching a contract when it introduced a new in-app payment system within the game, as the battle between the iPhone company and software developer continues to intensify.

Apple is asking a judge to award punitive damages and restrict Epic from continuing what it describes as unfair business practices. The filing came after Epic sought an injunction last week to force Apple to put the popular video game back in its App Store.

(FILES) In this file photo boys sit on pillows outside during the 2019 Fortnite World Cup Finals - Round Two on July 27, 2019, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, in New York City. - The maker of video game sensation "Fortnite" on August 13, 2020 sued Apple for the way it rules over the App Store, accusing the iPhone maker of wielding monopoly power. Epic Games called on a federal judge to order Apple to stop its "anti-competitive conduct" and invalidate the tech giant's rules requiring app developers to pay 30 percent of transactions as the price of doing business in the App Store. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP)

“Epic’s lawsuit is nothing more than a basic disagreement over money,” Apple says in its filing Tuesday. “Although Epic portrays itself as a modern corporate Robin Hood, in reality it is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that simply wants to pay nothing for the tremendous value it derives from the App Store.”

An Epic spokesman declined to comment beyond what the company has said previously about its efforts to fight what it sees as a monopoly payment system that suppresses competition and inflates prices.

The dispute began when Epic introduced the payment system on Aug. 13 within the “Fortnite” app that skirted the 30 per cent fee that Apple and Alphabet’s Google charge for in-app purchases. Within hours, both companies removed the game from their app marketplaces for violating their rules. Epic later sued Apple and Google in California federal court, accusing both companies of anticompetitive conduct.

Apple’s action comes within a day of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s announcement of an inquiry into mobile app stores. The ACCC has confirmed to The Australian that the inquiry would definitely cover app and in app purchases in the app stores as detailed in its issues paper.

With The Wall Street Journal

More details