Lifestyle
Netflix is testing engagement by putting ads between episodes
Netflix, no chill
How would you feel if, after a long day at work, you were relaxing and catching up on a series you’ve been excited to binge, and it gets interrupted by “But first, check out…” followed by a trailer of another show? If you’re miffed at the thought then you should sip your most calming tea, because that’s exactly what Netflix has started to do.
The streaming big shot has confirmed to Ars Technica that this move is a test to see whether or not inserting these ads would help speed up viewers’ discovery of new titles that they’ll like. Right now, these ads only appear for some people globally, but Netflix did not confirm how long this test will last.
The move has garnered some backlash from users encountering the ads, but Netflix has said that, although they are aware of the “chatter on social channels,” their focus is more on the engagement to these ads and that this is what will determine a wider rollout in the future.
Hey @netflix , we pay a subscription so we don’t have to see ads for shit.
We.
Don’t.
Want.
This.You have a lot of market share right now. You do this, and you will quickly learn that we users don’t have brand loyalty when a competitor without commercials pops up.
— Jason Folkers (@hypothetical6) August 17, 2018
I hope it’s not true that @netflix is introducing ads into its programming. I literally pay money to Netflix so that I don’t have to see ads. I’d rather stop watching Netflix than have them run ads. Swear to god the first one I see I’m cancelling.
— InformationAnemone (@Info_Anemone) August 17, 2018
Hey @netflix putting ads for your other shows between episode of something I am watching ruins what makes Netflix good. It makes me want to switch to other services. Please stop.
— Adam Cullen (@Fictonia) August 17, 2018
If you find yourself faced with these ads though, apparently you can opt out of these tests. That way, you’ll still be able to Netflix, chill, and binge watch the night (and/or day) away.
HYROX drew people from all over the world for a single purpose: finish the course. In Hong Kong, athletes showed up at AsiaWorld-Expo ready to run, row, and push through 8 stations of pure functional fitness.
So, we brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to capture one of the most demanding fitness races on the planet.
The Expo floor is a lighting nightmare, a mix of harsh overheads and deep shadows, but the 32.5MP sensor handled the contrast without breaking a sweat.
The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already capturing the moment half a second before we consciously decided to press the shutter.
Covering a race means staying mobile, and the 8.5-stop IBIS let us move freely alongside athletes without losing the shot. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked on athletes even when they were squinting through the final stretch.
What came out were stories of triumph and determination. Even when their bodies were screaming, they pushed through anyway.
This is what HYROX Hong Kong looked like from the inside.
Words by MJ Jucutan. Photos by Sky Rodillas.
Apps
The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping
Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale
The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.
Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.
From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.
Lock in the baseline discounts
Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.
You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.
True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.
Filter for authentic value
Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.
Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.
To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.
If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.
Outsmart the noise with built-in tech
Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.
The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.
Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.
Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.
Entertainment
X-Men ’97 returns to Disney+ for second season
Emmy-nominated series to continue mutant team’s story
Marvel Animation’s Emmy-nominated X-Men ’97 is returning to Disney+ for a second season, starting July 1.
Along with this announcement, a trailer and poster have been made available. The first season of the animated series was one of the most-watched Disney+ originals, and a hit with fans and critics alike.
Season 2 continues with the heroic mutant team of X-Men, divided and thrown across different eras in time as they struggle to navigate their return home.
Meanwhile, back in the 1990s, suspicious foes and new strains of mutant intolerance are on the rise in the wake of the protagonists’ absence.
The second season will be comprised of nine episodes. The voice cast includes:
- Ross Marquand as Professor X
- Matthew Waterson as Magneto
- Ray Chase as Cyclops
- Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey
- Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm
- Cal Dodd as Wolverine
- Lenore Zann as Rogue
- George Buza as Beast
The series is executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Julia Lewald, Eric Lewald, Larry Houston, and Beau DeMayo.
Jake Castorena serves as the supervising producer. Episodes were written by JB Ballard, Beau DeMayo, Bailey Moore, Antony Sellitti, Brian Ford Sullivan, and Mariah Wilson.
The episodic directors are Emmett Yonemura and Chase Conley.
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