➡️ The Shortcut Skinny

• 🆕 Amazon Prime Video is getting a brand-new design

• 👀 The new look is similar to Netflix’s UI

• 📆 It’s been in development for 18 months

• 🔜 The redesign is rolling out now

Amazon is rolling out a redesigned Prime Video interface, and it’s clear the new UI takes more than a few cues from Netflix. 

According to Amazon, the redesign should make using the streamer a “less busy and overwhelming” experience. Amazon also told The Verge it spent 18 months working on the redesign and carried out “extensive usability testing and user research” before it settled on the new look.

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So what’s changed? Navigation has been shifted to the left-hand side of the screen and is presented in vertical columns, just like we’re used to on Netflix. There’s a Top 10 list on the home screen so you can quickly see what’s popular, and more visually appealing poster-style thumbnails that play a preview when you hover over them. 

⌛ The redesign is long overdue

The new update will also hopefully address one of Prime Video’s most frustrating issues: not knowing whether something is part of Prime Video or not. Users will now see a blue checkmark if a TV show or movie is included in their subscription, while a gold shopping bag indicates that you’ll need to either buy or rent that particular piece of content. 

The new version of Prime Video will begin rolling out this week and will arrive first on Android and compatible streaming devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV. The redesign will then make its way to iOS and the web later this year. While Prime Video’s redesign isn’t revolutionary, it’s a relief to see the service finally offer a more user-friendly experience. 

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Unfortunately, not every device will receive the new Prime Video design. Sony’s PS3 and third-generation Apple TVs will be at the mercy of the old UI. 

🤔 Is Prime Video hitting its stride?

While Prime Video’s redesign isn’t revolutionary, it’s a relief to see the service finally offer a more user-friendly experience. Prime Video’s content might not make as many headlines as Netflix or Disney Plus, but it’s becoming home to some unmissable shows.

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The Boys, Vikings, The Expanse, Sneaky Pete, Bosch, and LuLaRich are some of the streamer’s most critically acclaimed series. The next big hit could be The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, which premieres in September, and there’s also an adaptation of the Fallout video game on the way.