By Michael Beeli
Copy Editor
Online streaming service Netflix’s new offline feature allows users to stream a wide variety their content offline, expanding the site’s convenience and utility.
Netflix’s offline streaming feature offers an extensive and refreshing mixture of television, movies and Netflix originals alike, allowing viewers to experience the heart of Netflix without internet access.
Netflix released the new feature on Nov. 30, allowing iOS and Android users, and tablets to save content to their devices to be watched at any time, with or without an internet connection.
In addition to being entirely free of charge to Netflix subscribers, users can also enjoy download times ranging less than ten minutes for two and a half-hour plus films with ample internet connection and identical video quality to online streaming services.
When initially browsing Netflix’s new “Available for Download” section, users will be greeted by familiar favorites such as Parks and Recreation, the Office, Breaking Bad, and 30 Rock. The inclusion of contemporary television demonstrates Netflix’s commitment to providing users with an up-to-date experience that will continually satisfy subscribers.
Photos: Netflix’s Offline Selections and Features.
Critically-acclaimed Netflix originals, such as Master of None, Orange is the New Black and House of Cards are also available for download. With such a wide selection of their quality shows, Netflix offline fails to diminish from the spirit of Netflix as a whole.
Although in order to download Netflix content one must do so online, the downloaded content becomes available for unlimited use regardless of internet connection after successfully saved to one’s device. The feature’s convenience effectively solidifies Netflix along with it’s competitor Amazon Prime as a leading source of video media for consumers.
After content has been downloaded, users need not to worry about the video buffering that normally plagues Netflix use when streaming online. The ability to play movies and television fully without any buffering enhances the process, and allows users to enjoy the Netflix experience more seamlessly.
Classic-movie lovers will also be pleased by the inclusion of films such as Pulp Fiction, Hot Fuzz, Jaws and The Da Vinci Code across the selection. Although not every movie available on Netflix can be downloaded, Netflix’s choices are diverse enough to satisfy any viewer.
A primary concern with the feature is that the download service is not available to desktop computers or laptops. By restricting the feature to merely tablets and phones, the quality of the full Netflix experience is diminished to users that enjoy watching Netflix on their computers.
Netflix users will find themselves delighted with the addition of an offline streaming system. Although the feature is unavailable on computers, the offline streaming section contains a pleasing selection of content, high video quality, and reasonable download times that allow subscribers to enjoy Netflix anywhere.
The offline streaming feature was released on Nov. 30 is accessible through the “Netflix” app on iOS and Android.
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