Netflix’s Latest Feature Lets You Binge-Watch Shows In A Shorter Amount Of Time
Image via Studio R3 / Shutterstock.com
Netflix now has a speed control feature that will let you watch TV shows and movies faster or slower if you want to.
The new feature is similar to the one on YouTube, where you can increase and decrease playback speeds in various options. The speed control button, currently only available in the Android app and located at the bottom of the screen, opens up five playback speed choices when tapped on.
Users can watch content at its normal pace, or slow it down to half-speed (0.5x) and three-quarter speed (0.75x), or increase the speed by 1.25x and 1.5x. This will allow you to crunch shows within tight schedules or catch little details at a slower pace.
However, not everyone is pleased with the new addition. Many in the film industry have criticized the feature for disregarding the time allocated for the plot and character developments.
“This is totally disrespectful to the casts, crews, writers and directors who provide your content [Netflix],” actor Bradley Whitford tweeted. “Please don't do this,” he added.
Director Judd Apatow also voiced out his opinion against the feature. “Don’t f**k with our timing. We give you nice things. Leave them as they were intended to be seen,” he wrote on Twitter.
On the other hand, the National Association of the Deaf and the National Federation of the Blind has praised the platform for adding the playback options.
“People who are deaf and have difficulty reading appreciate the option of slowing down the captioning, and people who are hard of hearing value the ability to listen at slower speeds — while many individuals who are visually impaired are used to listening to digital audio much faster (for example with screen readers),” Netflix wrote in a statement.
Netflix officially brings variable speed playback to Android devices - Android Police https://t.co/fhIcYAXJWf pic.twitter.com/MarWRkpGBR
— 浜崎 綾 (@lilacwilla) August 3, 2020
No @Netflix no. Don’t make me have to call every director and show creator on Earth to fight you on this. Save me the time. I will win but it will take a ton of time. Don’t fuck with our timing. We give you nice things. Leave them as they were intended to be seen. https://t.co/xkprLM44oC
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) October 28, 2019
I think “speedwatching” is stupid and I reserve the right to have *some* judgement but I’ve also watched movies for the first time in 5-10mins increments while getting ready in the morning.
— 😈 THE Stefano DLC 😈 (@THE_Stefano_DLC) August 3, 2020
Bad ways for sure but LOW on the list of things in this world killing media literacy!
[via Popculture, cover image via Studio R3 / Shutterstock.com]
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