From working out how long a binge-watching session is going to take, to selecting something to watch at random, these out-of-the-box features can augment your favorite streaming apps in a variety of useful ways.
Can I Binge?
Before you sit down to start streaming a new show, it’s useful to know how long it will take you to cruise from start to finish—you might be after something you can wrap up in a week, or an epic tale that takes months to watch in full. Can I Binge? is perfect for this: Type in a show and how much time you can commit to it, and it will tell you how many episodes you’ll have to watch each day, week, or month, so you can pace your bingeing accordingly. For example, if you want to get through the entirety of Twin Peaks in a month, you’ll need to settle in for two episodes a day.
Teleparty
You can’t always be in the same physical space as other people when you want to watch something on a streaming app together, and that’s where Teleparty comes in. Formerly known as Netflix Party, this browser extension for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge can set up virtual watching parties in minutes and sync content across services including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max. It also includes a chat box so you can discuss what’s happening with your friends or family members. The core features are free, but throw the developers $5 a month and you’ll unlock the ability to use emojis in the chat box and participate in real-time voice chat for an even more intimate feel.
Reelgood
Netflix Codes
This is just for Netflix, but it’s a good one: Netflix Codes gives you access to a host of hidden categories that Netflix uses to sort its library, from sports documentaries to experimental movies. All you need to do is type the URL “www.netflix.com/browse/genre/” into your browser’s address bar, followed by the category code. Netflix Codes makes it easy to see what’s available (with direct links to the categories so you won’t actually need to do any typing), and these codes can lead you to content you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise—from movies with martial arts in them to flicks based on children’s books.
