Amazon Prime Video brings the shuffle button, but what does it mean?
Amazon Prime Video is taking an idea from Netflix and bringing it to its own service. The shuffle button is coming, but what does it do?
The shuffle button is one of those features that not everyone is going to like. However, there seems to be a call for it. Personally, I’m in two minds.
The button, which will be coming to the Android app through an update, according to Android Central, will allow viewers to let Amazon Prime Video pick the content. Available for one session, you’ll be able to let Amazon take control and randomly pick an episode in a title.
It sounds a little like when TV shows get reruns or air through syndication. The episodes don’t necessarily run linearly, or you may only pick up a random episode because you’re off work one day and channel hopping. With the shuffle button, you can just have Amazon pick a random episode so it feels like the old days of reruns.
It’s not going to work for serialized shows, which arguably rules out the majority of Amazon original content. It could work very well for procedural dramas and sitcoms, where you don’t necessarily need to watch episodes in order.
Cutting down on the choice on Amazon Prime Video
It also sounds like from statements that Amazon Prime Video is going to make it possible to let it pick the title for you. In other words, you don’t flick through all the options and suggestions available.
Instead, Amazon picks something from its home screen and puts it on for you. That element of choice is taken out, which can be overwhelming at times. How often do you look elsewhere for suggestions of what to watch because you just can’t pick from the multiple titles on the home screen.
It’s not exactly clear when the update is coming. I haven’t seen it on my Android app.
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What do you think about the idea of a shuffle button on Amazon Prime Video? Which features would you like to see Amazon add to the apps? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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