Now you can download Netflix shows for offline playback on Windows 10 PCs

Why it matters to you

If you often find yourself with your laptop in an area without Wi-Fi, this should help keep you entertained.

Late last year, Netflix introduced a feature that many people had been begging the service to add: offline playback. The service initially launched on iOS and Android, which makes sense, as phones and tablets are the devices people are most likely to have with them on the go. Of course, people also travel with laptops, but at launch, those were left in the lurch.

You still can’t catch up on your favorite shows on your MacBook without Wi-Fi, but Windows 10 users can now stock up before they head out. The Netflix app available in the Windows 10 app store now features support for offline playback, Windows Central reports. For the time being, this only applies to PCs, as the Windows 10 Mobile version of the app has not added offline support.

More: LeEco, the ‘Netflix of China,’ ramps up U.S. push by offering products at retailers

The best part is that Netflix hasn’t limited this feature to just some subscription tiers — rather, regardless of what plan you may have, you can start downloading and watching offline today. As long as you’re using a compatible devices and software, offline viewing is now a possibility.

There are some stipulations, of course. As mentioned above, Netflix’s own series are the first to be available for download, and it’s not yet clear how many titles outside of Netflix’s own creation will be available. The service is also currently limited to mobile devices and won’t work on a laptop, so those who want to watch a larger screen will need to do so on a tablet. Still, this is a major move for the service, especially for those in areas where high-speed internet is hard to come by.

You will, of course, have to update the Netflix app on your device to the latest version in order to take advantage of the new feature, but that hardly seems like a steep price to pay for binge watching your favorite programs just about anytime, anywhere. So consider this an early holiday present from Netflix.

Updated on 04-03-2017 by Kris Wouk: Added that offline playback is now available on Windows 10 PCs. This story was originally published on 11-06-2016.

Samsung Galaxy S8 vs. Galaxy S7: Should you upgrade?

The relentless march of smartphone upgrades continues.

The hot new Galaxy S8 is here, and suddenly people with perfectly good Galaxy S7s are looking longingly at the order page considering an upgrade after a year (at most) with their phone. The Galaxy S8 introduces a fresh design, new hardware features and a few pieces of altogether new software, but that doesn’t mean the Galaxy S7 feels like a fossil.

Let’s take a look at the Galaxy S8 and see what you’re missing out on, and whether or not it make sense to make the jump to the latest version.

Hardware, specs and features

The Galaxy S8’s hardware design may not be as mind-blowing revolutionary as Samsung claims, but it has definitely progressed nicely from its predecessor. The biggest changes are actually not altogether new to the Galaxy S lineup, but more so the function of Samsung is using the same design for both sizes of the Galaxy S8 and S8+. In 2016, the smaller Galaxy S7 was the “standard” or “flat” model, while the Galaxy S7 edge was curved and a bit more futuristic — now, both models adopt that future-looking design, and it makes the Galaxy S7 look a tad old by comparison.

This just reiterates that the core Galaxy S7 experience is still strong in 2017.

The Galaxy S7’s display is plenty large for its body size, but the Galaxy S8 really stretches things out to give you a ton of extra display for not much extra size. The Galaxy S8, despite being taller, is the same width as the Galaxy S7 — so there aren’t many usability issues with bumping up to the larger size. In return, you just get more screen to look at every day. You also get a more modern on-screen navigation bar, finally leaving behind the capacitive keys — you can even switch the order to have the back button in the “right” place … to the left of the home button.

Speaking of display, the Galaxy S8’s is definitely a step up — Samsung improves each and every year — but the Galaxy S7 could easily still be considered one of the best panels out there. Aside from the nice-looking subtle curves that give it a bezel-free look on the sides, there isn’t too much to be jealous about here.

When it comes to specs and hardware features, the Galaxy S8 doesn’t exactly leave its predecessor in the dust. The new phone has the same rear camera experience, same 4GB of RAM, 3000mAh battery capacity, waterproofing, SD card slot, wireless charging and single speaker. The Galaxy S8 of course has a faster and more efficient processor and 64GB of storage, along with a forward-looking USB-C port, but none of that is game-changing over the already capable Galaxy S7.

Software and experience

A year on from release, the Galaxy S7 has actually kept up with the times having just received its Android 7.0 Nougat update. When it comes to daily use and the general look-and-feel of the Galaxy S8, things haven’t changed much from that latest GS7 update. There’s a new launcher layout and fresh icons throughout, but the main interface hasn’t changed a whole lot. You’ll find a tweaked camera interface, some features brought over that were originally in the Note 7 and a bit of tidying up all around, but not much altogether new software here. There’s a good chance the fresh icons and launcher could come to the Galaxy S7 in its next major update, but this isn’t something you should be upgrading your phone for.

Where the Galaxy S8 steps ahead is in its handful of new headline features — though each one is part software, part hardware, meaning they can’t come back to the Galaxy S7 in full with a software update. Iris scanning and facial recognition are new in the Galaxy S8, and they’re tied into the new sensors as a one-two punch of quickly getting you into your phone and then providing biometric security for proper authentication in the software.

There are some big hardware-backed features, but nothing majorly new in the interface.

Then there’s Bixby, the on-device voice assistant interface, is more of a forward-looking feature than one that provides immediate utility, especially as Samsung continues to expand it to the entire interface and all built-in apps. While the voice assistant could technically come back to older models like the Galaxy S7 through a software update, the chances are slim — Samsung even includes a dedicated hardware button on the GS8 for Bixby, and that’s something it can’t add to previous phones.

DeX is the Galaxy S8’s pseudo-desktop interface that brings your phone’s capabilities to a larger screen, and this is also something that’s going to stay on the Galaxy S8 line. The DeX dock is a USB-C peripheral, so it’s hard to see that Samsung would go through the trouble of creating a different version for the Galaxy S7 — not to mention porting back all of that advanced software — even though the Galaxy S7’s hardware could likely handle such features.

Bottom line

As much as we lust after the newest devices and want to have the latest technology, there’s actually a good chance that your Galaxy S7 still does what you need it to do a year into its life. If you’re still happy with the performance of your Galaxy S7 and don’t need any of the fringe features on offer in the Galaxy S8, you’ll feel right up to date there. The Galaxy S8’s performance will be a little better and it has a larger, better display, but the battery life will shape up to be similar and the rest of the hardware features and specs are nearly the same.

You may actually want to save your money this time around.

When it comes to the software, the combination of subtle interface changes aren’t worth buying a new phone for. And even if you’re bullish on the future prospects of Bixby and DeX, you may not see the features of either platform being important enough in the near term to warrant jumping to the Galaxy S8 right away.

The only real changes that could get you to drop your GS7 for a shiny new GS8 are in the design and size. Perhaps a year on your Galaxy S7’s 5.1-inch display is feeling a bit small and you want something larger — the Galaxy S8 has you covered there, and the display is fantastic. The Galaxy S8 is also just downright beautiful and feels futuristic. There’s something to be said for that weighing into your decision.

The Galaxy S8 is going to set you back a solid $750, and your Galaxy S7 is probably only worth a few hundred dollars to sell and cover some of the cost. Only you know how much these handful of subtle changes are worth — but be sure to do the calculation before you jump to the Galaxy S8 from your Galaxy S7.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

• Galaxy S8 and S8+ hands-on preview!
• Galaxy S8 and S8+ specs
• Everything you need to know about the Galaxy S8’s cameras
• Get to know Samsung Bixby
• Join our Galaxy S8 forums

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Android surpasses Windows as the world’s most popular OS

Android is the world’s most popular operating system, according to internet usage statistics.

According to the independent web analytics company StatsCounter, Android reached a very big milestone in March, overtaking Windows as the world’s most popular operating system in terms of total internet usage across desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile combined. It was marginal, but Android topped the worldwide OS internet usage market share with 37.93%, with Windows just behind at 37.91%.

According to StatsCounter CEO Aodhan Cullen, the main drivers of this breakthrough have been the global growth of smartphones usage for connecting to the internet, decline in sales of traditional PCs, and the impact of Asia on the global market. Microsoft Windows still owns the majority market share among desktop operating systems (PCs and laptops) and also remains the dominant operating system across all platforms in North America (Windows at 39.5%, iOS at 25.7%, Android at 21.2%), but Android’s growth on the global stage does highlight our growing reliance on mobile technology.

“Windows won the desktop war, but the battlefield moved on,” said Cullen. “It will be difficult for Microsoft to make inroads in mobile, but the next paradigm shift might give it the opportunity to regain dominance. That could be in Augmented Reality, AI, Voice or Continuum (a product that aims to replace a desktop and smartphone with a single Microsoft-powered phone).”

While Windows will likely continue to dominate the desktop market, it will be interesting to see whether Samsung’s new Dex dock will catch on and eat into Microsoft’s market share further.

You can dive into StatCounter map deeper statistics and maps from March here.

Apple Discounts Beats Speakers and Headphones in New Promo

Apple today debuted a new promotion for some of its older Beats products, dropping prices by as much as $50 depending on the item.

The Beats Solo2 On-Ear Headphones in the Luxe line of colors are available for $149.95, a $50 discount off of the regular $199.95 price. Beats Solo2 Headphones are the previous-generation model without wireless connectivity and Apple’s new W1 chip. All Luxe colors are discounted, including Red, Silver, Blue, and Black, but other Solo2 models are not available for a lower price.

Apple’s lower-priced Beats EP On-Ear Headphones are available for $99.95, $30 off the regular price of $129.95. Also available in Red, Blue, White, and Black, the Beats EP are a newer budget product line that was unveiled in September.

Along with the two sets of headphones, Apple is also discounting its Beats Pill+ Portable Speaker, dropping the price from $229.95 to $199.95. The Pill+ is available in Red, Black, and White.

Apple does not say how long the discounts on its Beats products will last, so customers hoping to get a deal on a speaker or a set of headphones should purchase right away. Discounts are also available in Apple’s retail stores.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Tags: Beats, Beats by Dre, Beats Pill+
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Offline Netflix belatedly hits Windows 10 PCs

Android and iOS users have been able to download content from Netflix since late last year, but the service’s Windows apps conspicuously lacked the feature. Well, that’s starting to change. Windows Central reports that the Netflix app for Windows 10 PCs now has the ability to download certain titles for offline watching — just hit up the Windows Store and get that update going.

As usual, the list of stuff you can save for your next flight skews pretty heavily toward Netflix’s own lineup, but that’s more broad than some would think. I, for instance, never expected to fall in love with the eminently addictive Terrace House. The assortment of non-Netflix originals is fairly healthy, too: there are plenty of BBC documentary series available (especially if you like animals), not to mention every episode of The Office and My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Given Windows’ global popularity, it’s not hard to look at today’s update as a push for greater relevance overseas. After all, desktops and laptops often can’t be found without stable internet connections nearby, and Netflix is itching to expand its reach to wherever it can find a screen and some extra bandwidth. Unfortunately, there’s no word on when the feature will go live for the Windows 10 Mobile and Xbox Netflix apps. Here’s hoping the mobile version is only taking a little longer because it’s getting a Continuum-friendly reboot — what’s the point in being able to hook up a Lumia 950 to a bigger screen if you can’t kick back and make fun of Iron Fist?

Via: The Verge

Source: Windows Central

ESPN’s new Apple TV app behaves like your cable box

As great as the streaming TV era may be, it frequently lacks the immediacy of conventional broadcasts. You can’t always flip to your favorite network and start watching right away like you can with cable or satellite. ESPN, however, wants to recreate some of that experience. It just released a revamped Apple TV app whose centerpiece is automatic live streaming. If you’ve authenticated with a TV provider, the app will start playing a channel as soon as you hop in. This won’t help much if it’s playing the wrong channel, of course, but it could make the difference between catching a big play live and having to visit the on-demand video. Thankfully, that last part should also be easier.

The refreshed app now has a collection of curated on-demand video from both studio shows like 30 for 30 as well as sporting events like the X Games. Interface tweaks also help you browse clips by the channel or sport if you’re looking for something specific.

By itself, the upgrade isn’t likely to have you rushing to subscribe to conventional TV service if you’re a cord-cutter. However, ESPN is betting that internet-first content will give you a reason to check out the app when you’d otherwise reach for your regular TV remote. The app will give authenticated TV users partial access to the Chicago Bears-themed We the Fans miniseries on April 9th, two days before it its broadcast date. While ESPN may be hesitant to embrace the future and offer internet-only streaming, it at least acknowledges that you shouldn’t always have to wait for a broadcast.

Source: ESPN

With Amazon Cash, you can shop online without a bank card

Internet shopping is great, but most of it is off-limits if you don’t have a credit or debit card. Unless you thrive on gift cards, you’ll have to settle for whatever is in physical shops. Today, though, Amazon is removing that barrier. It’s launching an Amazon Cash service that lets you apply cash toward your online account. It’s a bit convoluted — you have to visit a participating store, show a barcode (either on your phone or on paper) and fork over your money. There are no fees, however, and you can contribute between $15 to $500 at a time.

You can find your barcode both on the web and through Amazon’s mobile apps, and there are shortcuts (such as a home screen icon or Apple’s Wallet app) if you use it often.

The cash option is only available in the US and is limited to a handful of retailers (CVS and Speedway are among the examples). It’s safe to say that Amazon’s most direct competitors (Best Buy, for example) aren’t about to cooperate. Still, it’s a big deal for both Amazon and shoppers. As TechCrunch points out, more than a quarter of American consumers rely primarily or exclusively on cash. This lets Amazon reach a wider audience, and gives these cardless customers a chance to buy products that are either hard to get offline or more affordable than they are at retail. In other words, they won’t be cut off from one of the internet’s bigger advantages.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Amazon

Amazon wants social media influencers to sell you products

Amazon’s always kicked a few cents the way of its unpaid salespeople if they convince family and friends to purchase something. Now, however, the company is making a big play for people and companies with large social media followings. The retailer has launched an “influencer program” that enables folks that are big on the internet to set up their own branded stores.

Let’s imagine that you’re a YouTube star, called Davina Internet, with a following in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. If Amazon accepted your invitation to join its program, you’d be able to set up a storefront at amazon.com/Shop/DavinaInternet. You’d then curate a list of products from Amazon’s site that you recommended on your channel or otherwise think would be neat for other people to buy.

Of course, this does mean that there’s yet another link between social media stars and the murky world of advertising. One of the way that many Instagrammers can make some serious bank is by recommending a product as if they used it. In fact, Kim Kardashian has had a few stern looks from the FTC and FDA for promoting products without disclosing that she was paid to do so.

Source: TechCrunch

Google gives devs a way to prove they can build fast mobile sites

Google hasn’t been shy about promoting its vision of faster mobile web browsing. The company’s Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) project is focused entirely on developing “light-weight” mobile sites that load more quickly on phones and tablets. Now, it’s giving developers a way to show off their efficient design skills with the Google Mobile Sites certification. After reading up on the company’s design guidelines and passing an exam, devs will snag a certification on their Google Partners profile.

“Through codifying best practice in mobile site development, we hope to improve the general standard of mobile design and speed, and make it easier to find the best talent,” wrote Chris Hohorst, Google’s head of mobile site transformation, in a blog post today.

Sure, it’s just a small certification, but it’ll make it easier for potential clients to find developers who can build them AMP-ready sites. While AMP has earned its fair share of criticism — to some, it seems like Google is trying to obfuscate where articles really come from with its own links — the company has been slowly addressing complaints. For example, it recently added the ability to share original URLs instead of needlessly hiding them.

Try ‘Dishonored 2’ for free on April 6th

It’s common to see big game studios offer free multiplayer weekends in a bid to reel you in, but you don’t see that quite so often for single-player titles. You either have to trust reviews or go in blind. Bethesda is offering an olive branch in the case of Dishonored 2, at least: the publisher is offering a free three-mission trial of the stealth action title on April 6th. PC, PS4 and Xbox One owners can all participate, and any progress you make as part of the trial will carry over to the full game if you decide to buy.

The concept isn’t that revolutionary, but this is a game that still tends to sell at or near full price. It’s a good way of deciding whether or not it’s worth handing over $60 for a title with no multiplayer option. And frankly, it might be — Dishonored 2 was one of the runner-ups in our best-of-2016 picks, and it picked up its fair share of awards elsewhere.

Source: Bethesda