Netflix Data-Saving: Streaming Service Launches Data-Saving Tool To Protect Users' Mobile Data [VIDEO]
Starting Thursday, Netflix is launching an innovative new tool to its popular mobile app. The new tool, which helps users manage their data usage, is the firm's latest attempt at addressing the issue of users using up too much data when streaming the firm's wide lineup of shows while on the go.
Netflix has recently incited controversy after the popular videos-streaming app admitted that it was throttling video speeds for users of certain mobile carriers. During the fallout of the announcement, Netflix stated that the firm decided on throttling in order to prevent users from incurring massive data fees after watching videos and using up too much data.
Right after admitting to the controversial throttling practice, Netflix assured users that it would be rolling out a data saving feature in the near future, as a means to help its wide user base to prevent eating through their monthly data allowance prematurely. After all, when binge-watching Netflix, it is very easy to simply stream without thinking of how much mobile data is actually being used up.
The new tool gives users a number of options to manage their data usage. The default option, which streams videos at about 600 Kbps, equates to about three hours' worth of shows per 1GB of data, is the firm's suggested choice. According to Eddy Wu, product innovation director at Netflix, the default option is a good balance between quality and data usage.
"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 overage fees," he said.
Other options include a plan which enables a "Low" mode, which allows users to watch four hours of shows per 1GB of data in exchange for lower video speeds, as well as a "Medium," "High" and "Unlimited" option. Users who opt for the Unlimited option would be burning through 1GB of data per 20 minutes of mobile streaming.
While the data saving tool allows users to set how much data is to be used for mobile streaming, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings seems to have alleged that fully offline streaming might be in the service's future.
"We should keep an open mind on this, we've been so focused on click-and-watch, and the beauty and simplicity of streaming. But as we expand around the world, where we see an uneven set of networks, it's something we should keep an open mind about," he said in an statement last month.
For now, at least, Netflix users could revel in the added functionality, as well as security, of the mobile app's data saving feature.
