Netflix has launched offline viewing for films and TV series with its latest app update. The new feature will let users download content in both HD and SD on Android & iOS phones and tablets. The feature is not available on desktops/web version of Netflix. Users will also need to have a device updated to iOS 8.0 or later or Android 4.4.2 and above to use the feature. There is still no guarantee it will work - we couldn’t see the download feature on our device, and on asking the help center, were told that the feature is currently available only on some devices, without specifying which ones. Not all shows and movies are available for download either. Currently some shows like Narcos, The Crown, Black Mirror etc. (essentially Netflix originals), are available for download, and the company mentions that it will keep adding to the list. Note that the downloaded content will take up as much bandwidth as if the user had streamed the content, and will additionally require spare space on the user’s device to store the files. The download will be by default in SD quality, depending on the screen size and resolution it's being downloaded on. Interestingly, Netflix will use its own DRM format to ensure the content it not pirated. Users will not find the video on their devices in any playable format, but the file will rather be saved in a proprietary format that will expire at a predefined time. Saved downloads have variable…
