Netflix helps manage your data use with new cellular data controls

Worried about exceeding your data cap or getting your line cut off because you spent too much time watching Netflix while on cellular data? The streaming service is introducing globally new data controls to help you manage how much you stream over data. The default setting will allow you to stream around three hours of TV shows and movies per gigabyte of data. When it comes to bitrates, this setting amounts to around 600 Kilobits per second, which Netflix says achieves a good balance between video quality and data usages. You have the option to set a higher or lower streaming quality but of course that also means better or less ideal streaming. You can set it to auto, as discussed earlier; low, which allows around four hours per GB of data; high, which allows one hour per GB of data; and unlimited for those with unlimited data plans. The last one promises to give you the highest quality possible, which also means it could use up like 1GB per 20 minutes or more depending on your device and network speeds. Of course, you can also turn this feature off and not stream over data.

To toggle these settings, simply head to the Menu icon and select App Settings. From there, head to Cellular Data Usage and then select the setting you prefer. If you set your data usage for all devices under the Playback settings on Your Account page, the streams on mobile devices will not exceed this setting.

Source: Netflix

Get suggestions on what to watch next on streaming sites with MightyTV

Stumped over what to watch next? iOS app MightyTV will help you pick out what to watch on the various streaming media services you subscribe to. You can tell the app what services you subscribe to or if it’s on your phone, it’ll find it on its own. Afterwards, register using your Facebook account and get started. Taking inspiration from Tinder gestures, you can swipe right to like, swipe left to dislike, swipe up to skip, tap to get more info and a preview, tap the “Watchlist” icon to add it your list, and tap the play icon to select episodes to watch now. This app is useful for bringing in one place all the things you want to catch. Unfortunately, there isn’t an Android version of the app just yet.

Source: Lifehacker | Download: Apple App Store (Free)

Apple might not be pushing through with its TV service

We might be getting a new show from Apple but it seems their plans to put up a standalone TV service might be on the backburner at the moment. CNN interviewed CBS CEO Les Moonves recently and he claims their network hasn’t had recent talks with Apple about its TV service. Moonves even said they’ve given Apple a notice about how the “phone is always ringing” as other companies are trying to partner with CBS for a similar streaming service.

Speculation is Apple decided to drop its TV service plans for now because networks like CBS demand too much money. While Apple is keen on keeping its rumoured pricing scheme of around US$30 to $40 and it wants to incorporate all major networks.

Source: CNN | Via: The Next Web

Netflix will only stream ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ in Canada

Image courtesy of Disney

Thanks to a deal by Netflix Canada, the streaming service in the country will be the only one who can stream the highly anticipated Star Wars film next year. Canada’s the only one who has secured streaming rights for Star Wars: The Force Awakens as their deal with Disney includes 2015 releases. Under the terms of the deal, it will happen about eight months after the movie leaves theatres. With the film debuting this December, we should expect it around August. The US premium cable channel Starz has an exclusive output deal with Disney that runs through the end of the year, Netflix’s deal with Disney kicks in for 2016 title so no new Star Wars for them.

But while The Force Awakens won’t hit other Netflix queues soon, the company is working on bringing the older Star Wars films to its service.

Source: Variety