Plex, a popular streaming service, is taking its social networking features to the next level with a new update. The company is now allowing users to share their profiles publicly, enabling others to view their TV and movie reviews, and comment on them. This move marks a significant expansion of Plex's social capabilities, which were first introduced in November 2023 with the "Discover Together" feature.

The "Discover Together" feature allowed users to create profiles, find and follow friends, and see what they were watching. However, it received some backlash due to its opt-out nature, with users expressing concerns about content flagged as adult appearing in their Activity feeds. Plex has since addressed this issue, ensuring that such content won't be visible in users' Activity feeds.

With the latest update, users can now share a public URL that points to their profile on the service, making it easier for others to find and connect with them. By default, users will be findable by others on Plex via the app's search, unless they've opted out of this feature in their settings. When viewing a user's profile, others will be able to see what they've been watching, what's on their Watchlist, and more, without affecting their existing privacy settings.

In addition to public profile sharing, Plex is also introducing a new setting that allows users to make their Ratings & Reviews visible to other users on Plex. Users can choose to make their reviews visible to anyone, only those signed in to Plex, Friends, Friends of Friends, or keep them private altogether. This feature is designed to foster a sense of community among Plex users, enabling them to discover new content and engage with like-minded individuals.

Alongside the social networking features, Plex is also unveiling a preview of its new user interface, initially available on Apple TV. The redesigned UI includes updated navigation, more personal media customization, easier feature access, and a richer experience with more artwork. The new UI also incorporates Plex's various social networking features, making it easier for users to discover and engage with content.

For power users, Plex Pass subscribers will gain access to HEVC hardware encoding, which was previously in preview mode with select users. This feature enables better video quality while saving bandwidth, making it an attractive addition for paid subscribers.

The expansion of Plex's social networking features and the introduction of a new UI are significant moves for the company, as it seeks to compete with other free, ad-supported streamers and dedicated social networks for movie and TV reviews, such as Letterboxd and TV Time. By offering a more comprehensive and engaging experience, Plex aims to solidify its position in the streaming market and attract new users.

Overall, the latest update from Plex demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and user engagement. With its enhanced social features, redesigned UI, and improved video quality for subscribers, Plex is poised to continue its growth as a leading streaming service.