Streaming services are growing in popularity. Consumers get even more out of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Co.
Uncomfortable weather and partial lockdown: It's time again for long evenings on the couch. In this way, you can get even more out of popular streaming services such as Netflix, Disney +, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV +.
Streaming on almost every TV
There are users who actually only perceive streaming offers on their PC, smartphone or tablet, but it is often much more comfortable and also more impressive to watch exciting series and action-packed blockbusters on the television. Anyone who owns an older television that does not yet support smart functions or apps can still easily display the relevant content on the screen.
On the one hand, many streaming services now offer apps for game consoles such as the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, on the other hand there are solutions such as Apple TV, Google's Chromecast or Amazon's Fire TV, with which the offers can be easily streamed to the television. As a rule, only TV sets with HDMI and USB connections and a WiFi connection are required.
Recommendations for individual users
Amazon Prime Video only introduced a convenience function in the summer that competitors such as Netflix or Disney + have to offer. Users who live in a shared apartment or with their family, for example, can create multiple profiles for individual people. The different users are then offered various recommendations, adapted to their individual preferences.
In addition, the services then remember the respective progress with series or films. For example, while Sohnemann has seen almost the entire new season of a series, papa and mum are shown that they still have five episodes open. Child profiles can also be set up, for example to hide unsuitable content.
Watch films and series with friends
Since the end of October, the so-called "GroupWatch" function of Disney + has also been available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In this way, groups can view content together, even if they are not in the same place. Participants can comment on individual scenes using emojis, for example. The playback is synchronized so that everyone sees the same thing at a time. Even short toilet breaks are not a problem thanks to a break function.
Thanks to browser extensions such as "StreamParty", a joint film or series evening is also possible with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or YouTube. The best known extension of this kind is probably "Teleparty", which became known as the "Netflix Party".
Save content offline
Apple TV + and virtually all other providers make it possible to download series and films onto tablets or smartphones so that content can be viewed without a continuous Internet connection. This function can be used, among other things, for households who have to struggle with connection problems from time to time – or for commuters who do not want to strain their data volume on the way to work.
Never miss a series
For licensing reasons, films and series are repeatedly disappearing from the programs of the individual providers. If there is a date in the "Details" of a title on Netflix, then this indicates when the offer is no longer available. For example, Amazon Prime Video also has the "No longer included in Prime in less than 30 days" category, which also shows which content will soon be withdrawn from the program.
What do we want to see?
With additional apps and websites such as "JustWatch" or "WerStreamt.es", users can quickly find out where certain films or series can currently be viewed for free. So you can see at a glance that "Joker" with Joaquin Phoenix (46) is currently only included in the stream in Germany with Sky Ticket or Sky Go and must also be purchased from other providers.
Apps and websites like "Upflix" take a different approach. With the application, users can find new films and series that have a good rating in the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). There is also a "roulette" function. Users set, for example, that they are only looking for a sci-fi or fantasy film with a rating of at least 7/10 stars and they will randomly receive a proposal that meets the requirements.