Netflix for the Apple TV was updated today to add a new "Up Next" feature, which lets users automatically select the next episode of a television show for playback. While easy playback of the next episode in a series has been long available on the web and in the Netflix app for iOS devices, it's been noticeably missing from the Apple TV.
Prior to today's update, Apple TV users were forced to return to the main series menu to initiate the playback of the next episode of a television show, a task that required several extra button clicks. As of today, episodes in a series will play automatically, requiring far less interaction with the Apple TV remote.
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"Play Next Episode" on the Apple TV works similarly to the same feature on iOS devices and on the web, playing the next episode in a series automatically after a short countdown timer. It appears that the countdown timer is only available after a user initiates the "Play Next Episode" feature manually for the first time.
Netflix's new Apple TV feature comes as the company announces its Q2 financial results, with a total 50.05 million subscribers, up from 37.56 million in Q2 2013. Netflix saw $1.34 billion in total revenue during the quarter, with net income of $71 million.
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Prior to today's update, Apple TV users were forced to return to the main series menu to initiate the playback of the next episode of a television show, a task that required several extra button clicks. As of today, playing the next episode of a series requires only a single click on the remote as the "Play Next Episode" option pops up as soon as an episode ends.
This has to be the most first world problem paragraph I've ever read.
As of today, playing the next episode of a series requires only a single click on the remote as the "Play Next Episode" option pops up as soon as an episode ends.
"Play Next Episode" on the Apple TV is slightly different from the playback feature on iOS devices and on the web, which begin playing the next episode in a series automatically after a short countdown timer. The Apple TV still requires user interaction to play a new episode.
It does play the next episode without user interaction... in fact, it seems to play the next episode too early for me so I can't watch the last few seconds of anything now.
I don't care about automatically playing it but I do mind the extra clicks to go back to the main list of episodes every single time.
I'm actually glad it doesn't automatically play the next episode for you, personally.
Up next works like crap too. Keeps popping up and then switching waaaay before an episode is over and you have to hit menu to stop it. I hate it.
You can't even dwell on the end of an episode / film anymore without being instantly kicked out of the moment by the screen shrinking to a tiny size and it force feeding you more TV / Films.
I'd love an option to 'let the credits roll'
This has to be the most first world problem paragraph I've ever read.
Pretty much applies to all of Netflix in general, or much of personal computing overall really.