Netflix has been spotted testing an option to offer variable playback speed to let you consume a large part of your favourite series or movie in the shortest time possible. Multiple users have reported that the new feature is making way to the Netflix app for Android devices. However, it is unclear whether the company would offer the option to adjust playback speed on other platforms, too. It appears that Netflix is initially testing the variable playback speed feature through a server-side update for select users. It is also uncertain whether the feature will ever leave testing and be broadly rolled out.
YouTube has a similar variable playback speed option that many aren’t aware even exists.
Doing the same with video might seem a bit harsh but eh, that’s what testing is for, right? I personally wouldn’t be interested in watching a video at an accelerated pace as it would feel comically unnatural and destroy the immersion the storyteller is looking to build. But hey, to each their own.
It’s unclear exactly when this feature went live although based on Twitter mentions, it may have been in play for a week or so now.
