Sigh... this was quite an annoying thing to discover. I have subscriptions to Netflix, Disney, and Prime... and I do use the download feature quite often on my Windows laptop to collect things to watch whilst I was travelling and had absent or patchy access to the internet for streaming. Generally, that was during plane flights or on interstate coach rides with really slow mobile internet that would keep dropping out.

And this last time, I went to load up some movies to watch... and I couldn't find the download option.... hmmm, that is weird... and so I started to poke around a bit.

Apparently, the streaming services have been moving away from Windows apps to lighter Electron "web apps"... and that means that there is no option to download for viewing later. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure why this decision was made... probably by people who have constant internet access. But it is a real pain in the bum, and it means that I'm not watching movies and TV while travelling, instead... it will be gaming and reading comic book on the e-reader instead... both of which are offline possible!

So, what is the rationale behind removing offline options? Is it a cost cutting measure, is it an attempt to cut piracy... because in the end, it sort of mostly affects people who are just using the feature to load up movies and TV on their legitimate account in preparation for travel.. and travel is going to be one of those times when you are most likely to be watching videos, that's when you have the time to do that sort of thing!

... but it is also the time when you are most likely to have pretty poor or non-existent internet access!

And to top it all off, all three of my subscribed services have all decided to do the same thing! ARGHGHGHGHGHGH... anyway, I hope that the powers that be will come to their senses and reinstate the download options. But I'm really not holding out hope for that....

So, if you are planning on travelling soon... bring a book.

Handy Crypto Tools

Ledger Nano S/X: Keep your crypto safe and offline with the leading hardware wallet provider. Not your keys, not your crypto!
Coinbase Wallet: Multi chain wallet with lots of opportunities to Learn and Earn!
Binance: My first choice of centralised exchange, featuring a wide variety of crypto and savings products.
WooX: The centralised version of WooFi. Stake WOO for fee-free trades and free withdrawals! This link also gives you back 25% of the commission.
GMX.io: Decentralised perpetual futures trading on Arbitrum!
Coinbase: If you need a regulated and safe environment to trade, this is the first exchange for most newcomers!
Crypto.com: Mixed feelings, but they have the BEST looking VISA debit card in existence! Seriously, it is beautiful!
CoinList: Access to early investor and crowdsale of vetted and reserached projects.
Cointracking: Automated or manual tracking of crypto for accounting and taxation reports.
KuCoin: I still use this exchange to take part in the Spotlight and Burning Drop launches.
MEXC: Accepts HIVE, and trades in most poopcoins! Join the casino!
ByBit: Leverage and spot trading, next Binance?
OkX: Again, another Binance contender?