Thanks a bunch, Netflix – its Windows app is about to lose downloads
www.techradar.com
But ad-supported plans will now be catered for

Netflix has managed to annoy a good number of its users with an announcement about an upcoming update to its Windows 11 (and Windows 10) app: support for adverts and live events will be added, but the ability to download content is being taken away.

Netflix must realize that it’s a huge frustration for people who relied on offline downloads to watch content without internet access: on planes, trains, and campsites, and anywhere else where Wi-Fi is unavailable or unreliable.

There’s a small chance that Netflix will change its mind if it gets enough complaints, but the streaming service seems determined to add as many money-making features as possible, while taking away genuinely useful ones.

  • morriscoxEnglish
    2•6 months ago

    Possession of stolen items and/or child porn is all that is required, no matter the reason. Crypto mining would probably be considered a you problem, unless your phone is owned by an employer. Each app has its own storage and can access shared storage.

    https://developer.android.com/about/versions/11/privacy/storage

    Access to data directories on internal storage

    Android 9 (API level 28) started to restrict which apps could make the files in their data directories on internal storage world-accessible to other apps. Apps that target Android 9 or higher cannot make the files in their data directories world-accessible.

    Android 11 expands upon this restriction. If your app targets Android 11, it cannot access the files in any other app’s data directory, even if the other app targets Android 8.1 (API level 27) or lower and has made the files in its data directory world-readable.

    • @OpenStars@discuss.onlineEnglish
      1•6 months ago

      But these rules only seem to apply to apps that follow the rules. Or perhaps on an OS that does so. Hence a custom ROM would be able to bypass it, or connecting the external storage to a computer via USB or some such? At which point it seems needlessly restrictive. But, I am no expert, and it would indeed increase security for a naive user, so likely that’s what they are aiming at.

      • morriscoxEnglish
        2•6 months ago

        The OS seems to enforce this but is above my pay grade. A custom ROM no doubt would work.

        • @OpenStars@discuss.onlineEnglish
          1•6 months ago

          A super-long time ago I got a Nexus, b/c they were awesome, and Google was still thought of as being somewhat awesome for offering those.

          Nowadays I have been dreading the thought of a Pixel - I’d more likely get a Fairphone I think - but whatever I get, it’s sad to think that a custom ROM is probably going to have to be the default for so many people:-(.

          • morriscoxEnglish
            1•6 months ago

            The longer a business is around the more people that get replaced and the new people are going to be different and which leads to a change in culture and objectives. So basically the name is the same but everything else is different, including what the company produces (since products seldom don’t change).

            If the company goes public then there’s definitely going to be a complete change since shareholders will demand as much profit as they can get, no matter how or what the consequences can be. They may complain about Prime Video showing ads when they pause a movie yet demand that Amazon give them a stronger return on their investment.

            That’s a bit long-winded. I have a Samsung Galaxy phone (and watch) and have been tempted to see about using a custom ROM (I jailbroke most of my phones) but it’s my daily driver and I’m leery of messing up.

            • @OpenStars@discuss.onlineEnglish
              1•6 months ago

              True dat.

              I also have a Samsung Galaxy, a S22, and kinda regret it. Somehow it’s always hot, like just having the screen on is enough to make it hot, and it literally hurts my fingers after a few minutes. Maybe it’s my fault somehow, but I definitely researched a lot before buying and all the text and video reviewers swore that the cooling was adequate. I’m so done with big expensive phones.:-( One day I may buy a cheapie and when I have an adequate daily driver play around to see what a custom ROM could do to improve the experience. Basically I miss my Nexus is what I guess I am saying:-).