Netflix, apparently, is trying out new things. As per a latest report, in an attempt to make its recommendation system more user-friendly, Netflix has started testing an interactive selection assistant called Max for selected PlayStation 3 owners.
The feature was first revealed by The Noisecast, and is embedded in the latest update to the PS3 app, version 2.08, though accessibility seems to be limited for the time being.
Max makes use of pre-recorded voice prompts and a series of game-style opinion polls, such as The Rating Game and Celebrity Mood Ring, to provide users with more accurate film and television suggestions based on their interest in certain titles and actors.
Netflix representatives have also confirmed testing of Max, listing the feature as a "new user experience" in its larger suggestion algorithm, which accounts for about 75 percent of overall viewership. Wider availability of Max, however, will be dependent on the results of Netflix's current testing and whether it leads to greater subscriber interaction.
“Max immediately reminded me of an overly helpful teller at a bank. From the moment you select Max from the Netflix menu, you can tell they were trying to make the voice of Max as playful and friendly as possible. The first thing Max will ask is what genre of movie you want to watch,” stated Alberto Lima of Noisecast. “The categories provided were all categories that I’ve rated highly in the past. This will have Max start “The Rating Game” where you rate a series of movies to try to determine what mood you’re in.”
You can check out the Max walkthrough below
