Netflix launches useful new feature for subscribers



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Netflix tends to bring up a few new features for subscribers every year, usually after they’ve been tested and introduced in limited markets or on certain devices. Several months ago, we learned that the online giant was working on a ‘shuffle’ tool that uses your viewing history to select something to watch, potentially reducing the time spent trying to make a choice. And now the platform has confirmed that it will roll out “Shuffle Play” to users around the world in the first half of 2021.

Revealed as part of Netflix’s Q4 earnings call this week, the news came from COO and Chief Product Officer Greg Peters, who explained that the first tests were successful and had this to say about how the people use the feature:

“It really works for us where our members can basically tell us that they just want to skip navigation altogether, click a button and we’ll pick a title for them just to play instantly. And it’s a great mechanism that has worked really well for members in this situation.

Although “Shuffle Play” is currently included on connected TV systems, it will now be more widely available. This phased approach is the way Netflix tends to do things as well, with new additions such as the ability to remove titles from your “Continue Watching” queue first appearing on mobile systems. Other big changes, including the ‘Top 10’ option, have proven to be popular with the public as well, possibly in an effort to make it easier to navigate the company’s extensive document library.

The tool works by adding an icon to the interface that asks you to “Play something” or “Shuffle”; once hit, you’ll end up with a piece of programming that should, in theory, match your past tastes and “My List” selections. You also have the choice of clicking “Play Something Else” if you don’t like the suggestion.

Being able to mix playback content will likely ease some of the hassle of navigating the Netflix catalog to choose something to look at. Personally, I stick with a well-rounded “My List”, but the prospect of letting the service choose for you is intriguing. At the very least, it might bring up things that I never expected to see, so it might be fun to try.



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