Netflix is making it easier for friends to connect no matter where they are self-isolating in the world with the launch of its new 'party' feature.

Portrait of an elderly man streaming movie on laptop wearing headphones
A group of developers have created a new tool that allows users to host a virtual viewing party ©Getty

With so much of us staying at home to break the chain, we find ourselves with plenty of time to w̶r̶i̶t̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶n̶o̶v̶e̶l̶ , f̶i̶n̶i̶s̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶j̶e̶c̶t̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶'̶v̶e̶ ̶b̶e̶e̶n̶ ̶p̶u̶t̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶f̶f̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶m̶o̶n̶t̶h̶s̶, curl up with a good book or TV show as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts the world as we know it.

A group of developers is making self-isolating that little bit easier by introducing a new Google Chrome extension for Netflix called 'Netflix Party' which allows you to simultaneously stream Netflix with with friends and family, no matter where in the world they might be. Stay in sync by playing and pausing the show at the same time. You can even dissect all the good, funny and sad bits together in real-time through a side-bar on the screen that allows for group chat.

A screenshot of the Netflix Party add-on
Netflix Party will allow you to sync your favourite shows with friends and family ©Netflix Party

To access it, you need to install the Netflix Party extension here (it will then appear in your toolbar as 'NP'), play a TV show or movie on Netflix, launch Netflix Party and then send the URL to your friends, who also need to download the extension. Once they click on the link, they'll automatically be redirected to Netflix to join in your virtual viewing party, all while obeying social distancing rules. It's not an official Netflix feature so it's only available on laptops and desktops.

The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) is now a global pandemic. Find out what this means for travelers.

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