Netflix has managed to annoy a good number of its users with an announcement about an upcoming update to its Windows 11 (and Windows 10) app: support for adverts and live events will be added, but the ability to download content is being taken away.

Netflix must realize that it’s a huge frustration for people who relied on offline downloads to watch content without internet access: on planes, trains, and campsites, and anywhere else where Wi-Fi is unavailable or unreliable.

There’s a small chance that Netflix will change its mind if it gets enough complaints, but the streaming service seems determined to add as many money-making features as possible, while taking away genuinely useful ones.

    • dependencyinjection@discuss.tchncs.de
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      6 months ago

      Well that’s mighty selfish of you isn’t it, won’t you think of the Microsoft shareholder who want to make more money from harvesting your data and Netflix for wanting to serve you ads to increase profits.

      • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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        6 months ago

        Microsoft doesn’t care if you use the app or the browser

        You’re still on their OS

        • ArtVandelay@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          I’m certainly no desktop developer, but I would imagine a native application gives you access to more intrusive data than a browser, especially considering modern browser protections. Just a theory though

          • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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            6 months ago

            They could keylog everything or screenshot every x seconds and send it to them if they wanted

            Log all network requests

            The app is most likely electron which is just Chromium

    • Kethal@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      I think the only way to get surround sound is in the desktop program. I don’t know if that’s a limitation of browsers or if the Netflix guys are just assholes.