At TechCrunch Disrupt, Netflix CTO Elizabeth Stone discussed changes including a kids’ profile redesign, more vertical videos, and integrating interactive and immersive features. The latter category includes a more immersive homepage, real-time polls and live party games, while the updated children’s profiles aim to simplify navigation. Viewing histories and watchlists for kids are now under a single My Netflix heading and recommendations will now refresh in real time. Stone emphasized that when it comes to vertical video the streamer will not directly compete with TikTok, but acknowledged there are times its viewers want “something more snackable.” Continue reading Netflix Is Testing Vertical Video and Second-Screen Features

Netflix is testing a short-form video feature for mobile to compete for the attention of those spending time on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. The news came out of the company’s inaugural product and tech event where it also shared plans for an OpenAI-powered search tool that lets users describe their desired content conversationally. Netflix plans to introduce improved real-time recommendations and a redesigned TV homepage, rolling out globally in the coming weeks and months, according to Chief Product Officer Eunice Kim, who presided over the event with Chief Technology Officer Elizabeth Stone. Continue reading Netflix Highlights Original Shows in New Vertical Shorts Feed