Netflix has introduced a new feature for everyone and has made it enter the podcast arena in the way. The famous video-streaming service has started to test a new audio-only playback mode that will allow users to listen to only the audio.
According to Android Police, the new feature is at present available for some Android users as a part of the server-side rollout (version 7.84.1). The report says that the full-screen video player has a new ‘Video-off’ button at the top. When the option is enabled, the video will disappear and the audio-only mode will be activated. This will show a black screen with playback controls that are normally available. The controls have a brightness slider which is completely unnecessary.
The new feature also has settings of its own. The Settings menu will show a new ‘Audio-only’ option that will allow users to choose among options like ‘Always On’, ‘Headphones or External Speakers’ and ‘Off’. With this, the users will be able to decide on how they want to go about the ‘audio-only’ Netflix stream-fest. It has been suggested that users would be required to activate the mode for different titles except the interactive content. The feature appears same like YouTube Premium and that has allowed users to listen to only audio and not see the video.
A spokesperson of Netflix said that they are always looking for new ways to improve Netflix mobile experience for their members. They run tests in various countries and in different periods of time and make them largely available if people find them useful. The feature was spotted before at a teardown by folks at XDA Developers in the month of October. But it was not operational at that time.
The audio-only mode may lead to the entry of Netflix in the podcast segment. This may bring a new Podcast category at the OTT platform. The mode may not feel apt for all content at present available in the platform but it might suit a few who don’t want to see but only listen. There is no confirmation on when the feature will be rolled out to users which includes iOS or at the web. But it is expected to be available publicly if the test is a huge success.