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Netflix is finally pushing out the major TV app redesign it started testing last year, with a top navigation bar and new recommendation features. It’s also experimenting with generative AI and TikTokstyle vertical video clips on mobile devices. Netflix first teased the new TV app in June 2024, with Reuters calling it the company’s biggest redesign in a decade. It’s unclear why the rollout has taken this long, but Netflix says users will start seeing it in “the coming weeks and months.” “Our redesigned homepage is simpler, more intuitive, and better-represents the breadth of entertainment on Netflix today,” Eunice Kim, Netflix’s chief product officer, told reporters. Netflix’s new menu The most obvious difference with the new design is the top navigation bar, with some different menu options than before. You can still filter for TV shows and movies, but the “New” section is gone and there’s an extra tab for Netflix’s gaming endeavors. Netflix is also replacing the “My List” menu with new section called “My Netflix,” which covers both watch list items and shows-in-progress. A new spotlight design at the top will also help Netflix highlight live events, such as its Christmas NFL games. [Image: Netflix] Netflix is making some subtler changes as well. Instead of using the entire top half of the screen for details on the current selection, the app will simply expand the selected cover art and put the description right underneath. The app will also use badges such as “Emmy Award Winner” or “#1 in TV Shows” to explain why it’s recommending something. But the most interesting change is one you might not really even notice. With the new home screen, Netflix says it will adapt recommendations on the fly based on how you’re interacting with the app at that moment. If you’re stopping to watch a lot of romantic comedy trailers, for instance, the recommendation rows further down the app may update to reflect that. “Because everything will happen seamlessly in the background, you won’t even notice it happening,” Elizabeth Stone, Netflix’s chief technology officer, told reporters. “It’ll just be magically easier to find something to watch.” AI and vertical video Netflix is also playing around with some new mobile app features, though these seem to be in the earlier stages. For instance, the company announced that it’s testing generative AI search on iOS as a “small opt-in beta,” confirming earlier reporting by Bloomberg. Stone says Netflix is using large language models from OpenAI for the feature, which will allow for queries like “I want something scary, but not too scary, and also maybe a little bit funny, but not, like, ha-ha funny.” [Image: Netflix] Netflix plans to test a vertical video feed on mobile devices as well, with clips that users can scroll through and tap on to watch full content. That feature will start to appear in “the coming weeks.” What it all means The new design follows a set of across-the-board price hikes for Netflix, whose standard ad-free plan jumped from $15.49 per month to $18 per month in January. Nonetheless the company reported 13% earnings growth last month, beating estimates. While Netflix no longer discloses subscriber numbers, it’s playing a somewhat different game now, squeezing customers for more revenue while also chasing engagement for its ad business. As such, serving up the right content to each user may be more important than it’s ever been. Much like Amazon Prime a few years ago, Netflix’s new design will help emphasize live events, but it’s also leaning into the idea that any two users could see completely different things when they open the app. The new recommendation system could mean that you see completely different things on subsequent visits as well.
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E-Commerce
Welcome to Pressing Questions, Fast Companys workplace advice column. Every week, deputy editor Kathleen Davis, host of The New Way We Work podcast, will answer the biggest and most pressing workplace questions. Q: How can I improve my teams morale?A: Team morale isnt an extra or a nice to have. Its critical to a functioning company. And its not looking good out there. According to the latest Gallup report, only 36% of employees say they feel engaged at work. That means 64% of employees are feeling some degree of unhappy at work.Low morale can take a lot of different formsfrom feeling less enthusiastic, less motivated, or less satisfied with work, all the way to feeling burned out, apathetic, and resentful.It probably goes without saying that when employees have low morale they do a worse job. Not only are they less productive, but theyre certainly not feeling inspired to come up with creative or innovative ideas, and theyre more likely to quit or spread the negative vibes to the rest of the office.If youre a manager, here are three things you can do to help boost your teams morale: Treat your employees like adults The number-one bad boss complaint is micromanaging. Most people like to have a sense of autonomy in their work lives. At the same time, most people crave structure. So the best thing a manager can do is give their employees clear (and reasonable) expectations, and get out of their way.That doesnt mean you are absentee, it means you make yourself available to help address questions and issues, and set up regular check-ins, but otherwise trust that employees will complete their work in their own way. (Remember, that might not be how you would do it.) One important part of that equation is letting employees work where they work best. Many surveys have found that employees want more flexibility to work from home, while more bosses are demanding they come into the office. Unless there is a compelling need for someone to be in the office, an easy way to boost morale and give employees a sense that you trust them is to trust them to get their work done even if they arent clocking eight hours in a cubicle. Make people feel like they belong Remember the Great Resignation? Back in 2021, when people were quitting their jobs at a higher rate, there were a lot of contributing factors. But beyond the obvious thingslike fair pay, benefits, flexibility, and work-life balancethere was a deeper issue that hasnt gone away just because the job market has tightened. One of the top reasons people resigned during that period was that they didnt feel a sense of belonging at work. Especially in a climate where the very concept of equity and inclusion is under attack, its important to help employees feel like their workplace is a place where they are valued. Contributor Mita Mallick says that one way to help employees feel included is to be intentional about building community. Share regular updates and ensure people feel like they are part of the mission, she advises. Talk about your organizations failures and struggles, and celebrate the big and small wins. Make everyone feel like they own a piece of the mission to deepen engagement and commitment.Another tip from Mallick: To make sure new hires feel included, pair them with current employees and help facilitate introductions to employees in other parts of your company. If your company has employee resource groups, thats another good place to help employees build community. Add perks that show meaningful appreciation Oftentimes managements ideas of perks and fun make employees roll their eyes. Awkward happy hours and cheesy employee appreciation events do little to boost employee morale because they dont feel genuine or give employees something they really value. What do employees actually value? Time, money, and genuine appreciation.There are pretty simple and low-cost ways you can give all of those things. To give the gift of time, consider offering summer Fridays, or even a year-round four-day workweek. Fewer working hours doesnt have to mean less work getting done. It will likely mean that people will be more efficient (and less tired) in the time that they are at work. Another way to give the gift of time is the option for remote work. Not only does it give employees more autonomy (see above), it cuts down on commute time, giving people back an hour or two of their day.The gift of money might seem hard in lean times, but if you cant give raises as you have in the past, you might still be able to offer monthly spot bonuses for those who do exceptional work.Finally, genuine appreciation costs you nothing and can go a long way. If employees have low morale its likely that they feel what they do isnt noticed and doesnt matter. Remembering and recognizing work anniversaries and life events is baseline for employees to feel seen. Praising and celebrating work is equally importantand not just the big splashy projects that bring in money. Pay attention to those who solve problems, toil away at the necessary but unglamorous behind-the-scenes work, manage relationships, and more. Want some more advice on building your teams morale? Here you go: Employees who quit have realized this 1 missing thing about their job This workplace perk may boost your employees morale New study finds that hybrid work boosts moraleand profits 10 ways managers accidentally destroy team morale
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E-Commerce
The whole world mourned when news broke of Pope Franciss death on April 21. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church was admired even by nonbelievers as a man of progressive values leading the church into the modern era. While some wished his policies had gone further, most agreed that the late pope acted as a much-needed moral leader to humanity. His death leaves a void that must be filled through an election process known as the conclave, which starts today (Wednesday, May 7, 2025). Lets take a deeper look at that procedure, the frontrunners, and how the Catholic Church moves forward from here. Who is in charge after the pope’s death? Almost immediately after the popes death, his signet ringalso known as the fishermans ringis destroyed along with the popes lead seal. This is both symbolic and practical as these items are used to authenticate documents created by the pope. While the Catholic Church waits for new leadership, the College of Cardinals is temporarily in charge, but no major policies are made until a new pope is elected. Officially, this period is known as sede vacante, which translates to the seat is vacant. When does the conclave begin? The 2025 conclave begins today (Wednesday, May 7, 2025). It begins with a pre-conclave mass at St. Peter’s Basilica at 10:00 a.m. Vatican time (4:30 a.m. ET). Vatican News has a full conclave schedule on its website, including start times. You can also livestream certain activities at St. Peter’s Square courtesy of Vatican Media Live, the official YouTube channel of the Holy See. Finally, you can follow live news coverage of the conclave with most major news outlets. USA Today has an extensive roundup of where to watch. How does the conclave work? Eligible cardinals, prominent church leaders, and former advisers to the pope are locked awayfree from the influence and distractions of the outside worldin the Sistine Chapel to vote. The word conclave comes from the Latin phrase cum clave, which means “with a key,” so it’s a fitting name. In order to be eligible to vote in the conclave, cardinals must be under the age of 80. It is important to note that only men are allowed in the Catholic priesthood. There are 135 eligible cardinals for the conclave but Archbishops Antonio Caizares and Vinko Puljiĉ will not participate due to poor health, as Catholic News Agency reported. Francis appointed 80% of the cardinals voting for his successor, expanding the decision-making process to 71 countries and eliminating European dominance. For the first time ever, countries such as Rwanda, Myanmar, and South Sudan will also have a vote, the Washington Post reports. Upon entering the conclave, cardinals take an oath of secrecy, making the process even more mysterious. Outsiders eagerly await the results of the votes by watching the color of smoke emitted from the Sistine Chapel. On the first day after mass, the initial secret ballot is cast. In order for a winner to be declared, a two-thirds majority must be won. If not secured, the ballots are burned along with a chemical to make black smoke. After the first day, up to four ballots can be cast daily, two in the mornings and two in the evenings. The process repeats until the new pope is elected. White smoke, bells ringing, and a declaration of “Habemus Papam!” signal a new beginning. How long does the conclave last? This depends on how long it takes to reach a two-thirds majority. The longest conclave dragged on for almost three yearsfrom November 1268 to September 1271. Eventually Pope Gregory X was elected, as the Associated Press points out. Thankfully, modern conclaves in the 1900s and beyond have been much less suspenseful, lasting under four days. Pope Francis was elected in two days and many predict a similar situation for his predecessor. Who are the frontrunners to be the new pope? Although there are only two requirements for being elected pope, being male and a baptized Catholic, no one outside of the Cardinals has been elected since 1378, so President Trumps AI-generated image is a bit of a pipe dream, as this election will also likely promote from within as well. There are four cardinals whose names are swirling around as front runners: Seventy-year-old Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy served under Francis as the Vatican’s secretary of state. He has a global worldview yet is still considered a moderate. As Franciss former right-hand man, his odds are good going into the conclave, perhaps even too good. There’s an old Italian saying: “He who enters a conclave as a pope, leaves it as a cardinal,” so lets not put the horse in front of the cart. If 64-year-old Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines is elected he would be the first modern Asian pope. His election would also signal the churchs continuation of Franciss legacy. Tagle, who is a favorite among TikTok users, also spoke out on social issues and migrant rights. He urged the Catholic Church to be more inclusive and less harsh on the LGBTQ+ community, single moms, and divorced individuals. Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana, age 76, is an energetic conservative who once played guitar in a funk band. In 2013, he claimed not to want the top job in an interview with the BBC, but we are pretty sure hed take it if it was offered. His election may mean more old-fashioned family values, but Turkson did speak out against the criminalization of homosexual relationships in Ghana. Cardinal Péter Erdġ from Hungary, age 72, is also considered conservative, but has the respect of many more liberal members of the conclave. This makes him an ideal compromise candidate if voting comes to that. What will the final choice say about the future of the Catholic Church? With the world at large currently at a crossroads between traditions and progressive ideals, the new pope will signal how the Catholic Church plans to move forward. Will it continue with Francis’s more liberal ideals or will the pendulum swing the other way toward habit and convention? Only the white smoke can tellthe rest is secret.
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E-Commerce
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