Netflix, the American content streaming platform, has announced an update for its Android app that will bring the Play Something and Fast Laughs feature.
Play Something, a randomized shuffle play feature, was first spotted testing in May and was added as a feature to the TV app in April. On the other hand, the Fast Laughs feature is similar to TikTok, where it shows random small comic clips in rapid-fire. Fast Laughs displays a full-screen vertical video in an auto-playing feed and this first appeared for the iOS app back in March.
Netflix’s Play Something feature can be used through a new icon added to the home screen after the user has selected a profile. It is visible on the bottom right corner, above the menu bar. It is a shuffle play option that plays a movie or TV show that Netflix thinks a viewer might enjoy.
However, the shuffle play feature is not random as Netflix would only play content based on users’ interests and previous viewing behavior. The Play Something feature would allow customers to continue watching content that they had started but not finished, that they had added to their watch list, or that Netflix’s algorithm had recommended to them.
On the other hand, Fast Laughs has its dedicated menu in the bottom bar along with Home, Coming Soon, and Downloads. The clips featured here will come from the vast library of TV shows, movies, and stand-ups from the comedy genre. For now, the feature is limited to select markets and will go live in the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Malaysia, India, Philippines and the UK.
Netflix will soon release Downloads for You, a new download tool for iOS devices. The tool, which was first released on Android earlier this year, automatically downloads shows and films that users might enjoy based on their viewing history on the platform.
