Under one roof only
Netflix cracks down on password sharing
Netflix is cracking down on password sharing in over 100 countries. Last week, Singapore users received an email from the streaming service, which states that accounts are meant to be shared by people living under the same roof. If Netflix detects (via your IP address and what not) that a device is streaming outside of the household, users will likely have to enter a verification code sent via email. Users can add a member outside the household for a fee (S$6.98/month).
After years of encouraging users to share their accounts, this is quite the turnaround from Netflix. The company is betting that the crackdown will increase the number of subscribers and boost revenue. But it could also backfire. Some may choose to downgrade their subscriptions plans to a cheaper one supporting fewer concurrent users. Others may even cancel Netflix entirely. No doubt, Netflix has done the math, and thinks it will come out ahead. One thing’s for sure: Other streaming services will be looking at this rollout with interest. Could this become the norm in an industry that’s struggling to be profitable?
This week, we went on a tour of gadgets from local brands. On our list: Aftershock’s latest entry-level gaming laptop, an Omnidesk chair, and Creative’s upcoming live-streaming dual-camera product.
The Aftershock Forge 15X offers a simple proposition: A no-frills laptop that focuses on providing top performance per dollar. And it definitely succeeded, though given its ~S$2,000 price tag, you’ll have to forgo some perks like per-key keyboard backlighting.
If all you want is a basic open mesh chair to sit in comfort in the humid weather, the Omnidesk Embrace Pro fits the bill. It has all the expected ergonomic features, and has plenty of adjustable components. But it lacks the standout features that make for a great chair.
Creative’s upcoming Project Watcher is a crowdfunded dual-camera device that combines two video streams into one. It’s quite the departure from the usual audio products from the firm. The best thing about it is the simplicity — no fiddling with software such as OBS Studio, or having to install drivers.