Netflix is set to resemble social media more closely with the introduction of a vertical feed soon.
Netflix's mobile application is set to undergo a significant transformation this month, adopting a TikTok-inspired design. The streaming service announced in its Q1 2026 earnings report to shareholders that a revamped mobile app featuring a vertical video discovery feed will be launched by the end of April. According to the letter, "This redesign will more accurately represent our growing entertainment options and facilitate easier engagement for members at their convenience."
How will Netflix's vertical video feature assist you in selecting your next watch?
Netflix initially experimented with this feature in early 2025, although the rollout was limited. During beta testing, the vertical video discovery feed showcased scrollable clips and trailers from Netflix’s movies and shows directly on the app’s main page.
You can easily tap on a clip to start watching, add a title to your watchlist, or share it with friends. This feature will be available across all subscription tiers and will encompass a variety of genres, moving beyond just comedy like the earlier Fast Laughs feed.
The streaming sector is rapidly adopting short-form vertical video as the favored method for keeping viewers engaged on their devices. Netflix is not the only one implementing this feature; Disney+ has recently launched Verts, a swipeable vertical feed for movie and show clips within its mobile app. Meanwhile, Peacock has enhanced the experience by adding AI-driven vertical NBA broadcasts and a Your Bravoverse feed featuring a digital avatar of Andy Cohen.
What other updates are happening on Netflix right now?
In addition to the vertical feed, Netflix is releasing Netflix Playground, a standalone gaming application designed for children aged 8 and under. This app is free for existing Netflix subscribers and contains no ads or in-app purchases.
It offers games featuring popular characters like Peppa Pig and Elmo, accessible both online and offline. Playground is currently available in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, the Philippines, and New Zealand, with a global launch scheduled for April 28.
---
Manisha focuses on technology that integrates into daily life, covering everything from smartphones and apps to gaming and streaming.
---
How to stop watching YouTube Shorts?
Honestly, I struggle to exercise any self-restraint when it comes to YouTube Shorts. Whether I'm at work or casually watching TV, if one short piques my interest, I find myself caught in an endless scroll that I didn’t intend to join. This is particularly problematic when I need to concentrate. Last October, YouTube introduced a timer to help limit the time spent on Shorts, which was helpful but didn’t completely resolve the issue. Fortunately, there's now a method to completely eliminate Shorts from your feed, and I can confirm it really makes a difference. Here's how you can remove Shorts and minimize distractions.
How to remove it?
---
Following a price increase, YouTube Premium is now offered at half price if you subscribe to Google One.
YouTube Premium has become increasingly difficult to justify after recent price hikes, which also affected YouTube Music Premium. However, Google has introduced a new offer to make the cost a bit less painful. The Gemini team has just unveiled a bundle deal that allows users to receive 50% off YouTube Premium for an entire year. While this appears appealing on the surface, it’s not an entirely no-strings-attached promotion.
---
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has revealed its cast, featuring some heavy hitters alongside Jamie Dornan and Kate Winslet.
Middle-earth is making its return to the cinematic world, with the latest casting announcements from CinemaCon suggesting a blend of nostalgia and new energy. Warner Bros. has recently disclosed the ensemble for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, providing plenty for fans of the original trilogy to recognize.
Familiar faces are returning to Middle-earth.
Other articles
Netflix is set to resemble social media more closely with the introduction of a vertical feed soon.
By the end of April, Netflix will introduce a vertical video discovery feed that allows users to swipe through clips of shows and movies before watching them in full.
