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Netflix Is Introducing Sleep Timer Functionality On Android
Do you often doze off while watching Netflix? If so, the streaming giant has a nice surprise for you: a sleep timer feature that lets you configure when you want Netflix to automatically stop playing.
This feature is currently available only in the Android version of the Netflix app, and only select Android users have access to it. If you see a clock icon in the top-right corner (right next to the Chromecast icon) while playing a video, that means you’re one of the lucky people who have been randomly picked by Netflix to test the sleep timer.
To activate it, you simply need to tap it and choose the preferred time setting. You can pick between 15, 30, and 45 minutes, and there’s also an option to stop playback at the end of whatever content is playing at the moment.
In November 2020, Android developers and power users at XDA Developers were among the first to receive the news about Netflix potentially adding a sleep timer feature in a future update when the following string was discovered in the resource files of Netflix 7.82.1:
<string name=”sleep_timer_button”>Timer</string>
Of course, Netflix isn’t the only streaming service that has introduced this feature (Spotify, Pandora, and other music streaming services have sleep timers as well). But none of its direct competitors, including Amazon Video, Hulu, and Display+, have made it possible for their users to set a sleep timer yet, so it definitely takes the lead there.
Also Read: Wi-Fi 6 – Everything You Need To Know
Besides stopping your Android device from streaming video content until its battery reaches zero, the sleep timer can be useful if you like to watch Netflix while cooking, reminding you that your baked potatoes are ready. Once the feature leaves the testing phase and becomes globally available, we’re sure that Android users will come up with many more use cases for it.
News
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.