Streaming company Netflix today introduced a new set of "cellular data controls" that will give its customers control over the quality of video streaming on cellular networks so as to avoid overcharge fees with data-capped plans. The launch follows an admission of throttling video by Netflix earlier in March, when the company also confirmed the data saver feature would debut in May.

According to Netflix, the default control setting will let users stream approximately 3 hours of TV and movies per gigabyte of data, which it determined as the sweet spot setting that "balances good video quality with lower data usage to help avoid exceeding data caps and incurring overage fees." Of course, since the whole point is personal customization, the controls let users on higher data plans up the streaming quality at their will, and vice versa.

Netflix iOS update

Netflix's cellular data controls (left) and new 3D Touch Quick Actions (right)

The cellular data controls can be found in App Settings, with the various customizable controls available once you toggle off "Set Automatically." From there users can choose Low (4 hours per GB), Medium (2 hours per GB), High (1 hour per GB), or Unlimited options for streaming video in the app. An alternative also exists to shut off cellular data playback completely -- and only use Wi-Fi -- within the menu.

In addition to the cellular controls, the 8.4.0 update to Netflix on the App Store also brings 3D Touch support for Quick Actions right from the Home screen, VoiceOver improvements to navigation, and various bug fixes. Those who have yet to do so can download Netflix from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tag: Netflix

Top Rated Comments

joueboy Avatar
103 months ago
How about offline viewing like Amazon. That saves a lot of data for your customers.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KALLT Avatar
103 months ago
Weird that something like this wasn’t there from the beginning. Surely, it must have occurred to someone before that limiting or adjusting mobile data usage of a data-heavy app is something a lot of people care about?

Porn sites have been doing this for years, so I've heard.
You seem to be well-informed. o_O
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimmy James Avatar
103 months ago
What I really want is offline viewing.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2457282 Avatar
103 months ago
Seem like a smart move. I don't watch Netflix on my cell phone and my iPad is wifi only, so about the only time this will apply is when traveling and not having access to wifi. That happens when Hotels charge extra for wifi, so I am happy to know that this option is there.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bruinsrme Avatar
103 months ago
Weird that something like this wasn’t there from the beginning. Surely, it must have occurred to someone before that limiting or adjusting mobile data usage of a data-heavy app is something a lot of people care about?



You seem to be well-informed. o_O
Just repeating what I have heard.;)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Smith288 Avatar
103 months ago
Im over here on my TMobile just chilling.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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