Dave Parrack
Verified
As seen in:
MSN,
Yahoo Entertainment,
Yahoo Life,
Yahoo Finance,
Flipboard,
PCWorld,
MUO,
SlashGear,
Tom's Guide,
New Atlas
and
Freelance writer and editor. Bylines at MakeUseOf, New Atlas, and others.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Dave Parrack
I let the Netflix algorithm pick everything I watched for a week. It was great ... until it wasn’t
Netflix logo on a television screen with algorithm graphics from Gemini. Netflix constantly claims to know what I like. It thinks it understands my viewing habits to the point where it can confidently serve up movies and shows it knows I will willingly lap up. But is that actually true? Most of us open the app with at least a vague idea of what we want to watch—scrolling past endless rows of recommendations or searching directly for a specific title.
Netflix users are ghosting shows after season 1 — and I'm part of the problem. Here's why I'm one of the statistics
Netflix on TV with remote control in foreground. Netflix has a serious retention problem. According to internal data surfaced by Bloomberg, Netflix subscribers are abandoning shows after just one season at an alarming rate. Why? Because in an age of short attention spans, the multi-year wait between seasons is a total momentum-killer. The numbers from the first four weeks of release tell a brutal story: "One Piece": Shed more than 30% of its audience between seasons 1 and 2.
Netflix users are ghosting shows after season 1 and I'm part of the problem
Netflix has a serious retention problem. According to internal data surfaced by Bloomberg , Netflix subscribers are abandoning shows after just one season at an alarming rate. Why? Because in an age of short attention spans, the multi-year wait between seasons is a total momentum-killer. The numbers from the first four weeks of release tell a brutal story: "One Piece": Shed more than 30% of its audience between seasons 1 and 2. "The Night Agent": Lost 50% of its viewers.
10 Key Smartphone Photography Tips (And Why You Should Be Using Them)
We all carry smartphones with us at all times, and most modern smartphones boast powerful cameras capable of shooting beautiful photos. However, no camera can take great photos alone, and the photographer needs to know what they're doing to a certain extent to get the best results from the incredible technology.
I used to watch every new Netflix show on day 1. Here's why I'm never doing it again
Man watching Netflix on TV. I used to be Netflix’s ideal viewer: the type who bought into the hype, tracked the trailers, and streamed a new release on day one. I would wax lyrical about a show on social media and blitz through the episodes just to avoid spoilers. I was the quintessential early adopter, a viewer who helped generate buzz and served as a massive tick on a corporate engagement metric. Now, I refuse to watch shows the moment they drop.
Jag tröttnade på Windows uppdateringar – och gjorde något åt det
Jag är långt ifrån ensam om frustrationen över Windows-uppdateringar som dyker upp vid sämsta möjliga tillfälle. De små, löpande uppdateringarna är oftast inga problem, men de större uppdateringarna som kommer då och då kan vara riktigt stressande – åtminstone tills du tar kontroll över dem själv, vilket jag till slut lärde mig att göra. Missförstå mig inte: Windows-uppdateringar är viktiga. Utan dem blir datorn mer sårbar för skadlig kod, instabilitet och prestandaproblem.
I'm saving $180 a year by switching to Disney+ and Netflix with ads, and I don't regret it at all
15 hours ago Shirilla is serving two concurrent 15-year-to-life sentences for the 2022 crash that killed Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan. The case is the focus of the Netflix documentary “The Crash.” Mackenzie Shirilla was dubbed “Hell on Wheels” for a devastating 2022 Ohio crash in which she drove into a …
I'm saving $180 a year by switching to Disney+ and Netflix with ads, and I don't regret it at all
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Like many of us, I find myself subscribed to a small army of streaming services. For me, that lineup includes Netflix, Disney+" and Prime Video (a perk of my Amazon Prime membership). While each individual fee feels manageable, the cumulative cost of maintaining these subscriptions starts to add up significantly over the course of a year.
5 best stand-up comedy specials on Netflix to stream right now
Netflix streaming logo red. Many of us suffer from a chronic inability to choose what to watch the moment we open Netflix. However, stand-up comedy specials are the perfect antidote when nothing else appeals. Generally clocking in at about an hour, they are low-commitment one-offs that you can enjoy casually — even if you’re just looking for something to keep you company while you’re doomscrolling (if that’s your thing).
12 Must-Have iPhone Apps That Are Totally Free Without Any Hidden Subscriptions
iPhone users have a huge number of apps to choose from. The old adage that "There's an app for that," stated after just about every use case imaginable, has come true. It was true in 2009 when Apple coined it for an iPhone 3G commercial, and it's even more true now. There are millions of apps available on the Apple App Store. Many are paid apps, but many are completely free to download and use. The problem is, with so many apps to choose from, it's difficult to sort the good from the bad.
ChatGPT im Alltag – 16 lästige Aufgaben, die KI für Sie erledigen kann
ChatGPT ist dabei, die Welt zu verändern. Dieser Prozess ist längst im Gange und er wird sich nur noch beschleunigen, wenn die Technologie verbessert wird, mehr Menschen Zugang dazu erhalten und lernen, sie zu nutzen (auch wenn einige KI am liebsten abschalten würden). Es ist schockierend, wie viele Aufgaben ChatGPT bereits für Sie erledigen kann (das klappt übrigens auch hervorragend, ohne dass Sie ChatGPT dafür bedrohen müssen).
Is AI making streaming worse? Why 'cold objectivity' will ruin great TV
Wall of streaming screens. With AI creeping into every corner of the tech landscape, it was only a matter of time before it started reshaping the streaming world. We are now officially entering the era where AI is "infecting" the services we subscribe to daily. While this shift isn’t inherently a disaster in every case, it’s increasingly unlikely that it will be for the better.
Why I completely ignore Netflix's top 10 lists —and you should, too
Man watching Netflix on TV. I know I’m meant to care about Netflix’s Top 10 recommendations, but ... I just don’t. In fact, I ignore them on purpose, regardless of how front and center the streaming service places that list. Whether it’s the daily Top 10 movies or the most popular TV shows in my country, these lists are designed to be the first thing we see when we log in, acting as a definitive guide for what is "must-watch" television.
Why I refuse to binge-watch TV shows —and why you should too
Watching TV with remote control in hand. Binge-watching has become the default for many people now, and I can understand why. Streaming services love it and encourage it, being set up to play the next episode as soon as the previous one finishes. And many viewers have obviously taken to it, sitting there for hours consuming multiple episodes of whatever show they’re currently watching. However, I detest the idea of binge-watching, and prefer to watch one or two episodes of a show at a time.
5 best Netflix sports documentaries to watch during the 2026 Winter Olympics
The following Netflix sports documentaries are so compelling that they are worth watching twice. On your first pass, you can soak in the high-stakes drama and the quest for victory. On the second, you’ll begin to notice the deeper nuances — the shifts in psychology and the complex human emotions that drive these athletes to be the best. These selections span a diverse range of disciplines, from basketball and soccer to the intense worlds of wrestling and freediving.
2026 could be the year to cancel your streaming subscriptions — and Netflix is the ‘worst offender of all’
Man watching Netflix on TV. I love Netflix, and have paid for my subscription for many years. I also subscribe to Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, and use them regularly too. However, it feels like some rot has started to set in at most streaming services, with many frustrations taking away from the joy of watching great content on demand. So much so that I have suggested that 2026 could be the year to cancel your streaming subscriptions.
5 underrated Prime Video shows that deserve more attention
Prime Video logo . Not all shows get the attention they deserve. Some seem to get overlooked and ignored despite the best efforts of the show’s producers. Streaming services seem to suffer from this in particular; whether due to the sheer number of shows they release or the decline of appointment viewing, who's to say? Prime Video is no exception to this, and it has more than a few shows that slipped through the cracks despite being incredible.
5 underrated Prime Video shows that deserve more attention
Tom's Guide and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Prime Video; Shutterstock Not all shows get the attention they deserve. Some seem to get overlooked and ignored despite the best efforts of the show’s producers.
Stop binging! 5 Netflix shows you should watch slowly
Tom's Guide and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Shutterstock While many of us have embraced the habit of binge-watching, some series simply aren't designed for back-to-back viewing.
Why 2026 may be the year to cancel your streaming subscriptions
Computer with logo: Netflix , HBO MAX, APPLE TV PLUS, NETFLIX, PRIME VIDEO are online video streaming services. If you’re reading this article, it likely means that you subscribe to multiple different streaming services. And while that isn’t necessarily a problem, at least a small part of you must be wondering whether it’s time to cut back a little. Otherwise, this headline probably wouldn’t have caught your eye.
Why 2026 may be the year to cancel your streaming subscriptions
13 hours ago Daniela Mullins was having skin issues after giving birth to her daughter and decided to go see a new dermatologist for a regular check-in. When she went in for a full-body scan in April 2025, her dermatologist took note of the mole on her face, which Mullins tells PEOPLE she first noticed around …
5 underrated sci-fi movies on Prime Video you (probably) haven't seen
Tom's Guide and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Prime Video; Shutterstock The science fiction genre covers a wide gamut of subjects, from time travel to aliens, and from artificial intelligence to genetic engineering.
5 movies under 90 minutes worth watching on Netflix
Tom's Guide and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Netflix; Shutterstock Movies have been getting steadily longer over the past few decades. What once clocked in at a breezy 90 minutes now routinely stretches past two hours, with some films feeling like a full evening commitment rather than a casual watch.
3 best Christmas movies on Prime Video to get into the holiday spirit
Prime Video logo on glowing background. Living in the U.K. means winter can be a downright miserable time, at least as far as the weather is concerned. The days are short, the rain feels endless, and the occasional snowfall only adds to the chilly gloom. The holidays can even take on a slightly sombre mood. The natural response? Retreat indoors and hibernate. We swap the carefree summer day trips for warm blankets, cozy corners and the simple pleasure of staying dry.
Why 'Stranger Things' is the greatest show of the streaming era
Tom's Guide and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability are subject to change. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Netflix We’re now fully ensconced in the streaming era, where most shows worth watching are available on one of the major streaming services.
20 fun, creative ways to use ChatGPT when you're bored
You're stuck in 2020 mode while the world races toward 2030. Maybe you're still manually scheduling meetings and writing every email from scratch. Or you're watching new players enter your market with prices you can't match and speeds you can't believe. What if those hungry startups aren't smarter …
These Are the 11 Most Misquoted Movies Ever—How Many Do You Really Know?
There are some movie quotes that have become so iconic that you don't even need to have seen the film to know them. And yet, you may only think you know the actual quotes, when what you're really parroting are famous (and infamous) misquotes.
The End of an Era: AOL Is Shutting Down Its Dial-Up Internet Service
After 34 long and (mostly) fruitful years, AOL is finally shutting down its dial-up internet service. And while this could leave some users in parts of rural America struggling to connect to the internet, the end of AOL's dial-up service is probably well overdue. A Dial-Up Explainer for Younger Readers... For the uninitiated (likely, anyone under the age of around 25), dial-up meant that you literally had to tap into your landline to access the internet.
ChatGPT's new Study Mode makes me actually use my brain. I love it!
I Asked ChatGPT When I Could Retire — I Couldn’t Believe the Answer ChatGPT seemingly has an answer for everything, but you should be prepared that it might not always tell you what you want to hear — especially when it comes to determining when you can retire. If you’re like the bulk of Americans who are behind the curve when it comes to saving for retirement, for …
9 creative ways to use ChatGPT that are outside the box
New iOS 18.6 Update Is Out: Change These 10 Essential Settings Now Customize your iOS 18 settings to make the most of your everyday iPhone experience. In what may be the final big iOS update before iOS 26 arrives in the fall (for which you can install the public beta now), Apple has released iOS 18.6 with important bug fixes and security updates. Any new version …
11 dead-simple ChatGPT prompts that are surprisingly useful
How to Create Coloring Pages of Your Kids, Your Pets and Other Things They Love Make the coolest gift for your child to keep them busy this summer, with AI's help. TikTok is a treasure trove of ChatGPT trends. One of the latest viral sensations is creating a coloring book of your child with their favorite TV show. Who said artificial intelligence can't help get kids off screens …
You're Probably Listening to AI Music Without Realizing-Here's How to Spot It
AI-generated artists are gaining popularity on streaming services, to the point that you're probably listening to AI artists without even realizing it. Thankfully, however, there are ways to spot AI artists. AI Bands Such as The Velvet Sundown Are Increasing in Popularity In case you missed it, a band called The Velvet Sundown has been in the news recently. Not because they have big gigs coming up, or because one of their members has left the band under mysterious circumstances.
Gmail Has a New Way of Combating Spam
Google has started rolling out a new Gmail feature designed to make it easier to manage your subscriptions and keep your inbox free of clutter. Gmail's latest way of helping its users control the amount of spam they're receiving is a new Manage Subscriptions tab. This will display all the senders you currently subscribe to (whether intentionally or not), alongside the frequency at which they send you emails.
Spotify's Discover Weekly Turns 10, and Gets Some Big Improvements
Incredibly, Discover Weekly has been a part of the Spotify app for 10 years now. Which, in terms of tech, makes it an ancient feature. And if you're not yet familiar with Discover Weekly despite subscribing to Spotify, the latest update means that now is the time to check it out. Spotify Is Improving Its Discover Weekly Playlists If you're not yet familiar with Discover Weekly, it's Spotify's way of getting you to listen to new (to you) music.
I Let ChatGPT Make Tough Decisions for Me-Here's How It Works
I'm sure I'm not alone in often struggling to make decisions. It's not just the big decisions, such as whether to move house or change jobs, but also everyday minutiae, like what to eat for dinner or what to watch on TV. Our lives are all punctuated by a never-ending succession of decisions, both big and small. And that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Thankfully, artificial intelligence, and (in my case) ChatGPT in particular, can help.
After 40 Years, the Windows Blue Screen of Death Is No More
Microsoft is killing the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) that Windows users the world over have been familiar with for decades. But wait, what's that on the horizon? Yes, it's the all-new, all-singing, all-dancing Black Screen of Death! Windows' Blue Screen of Death Is Going Away The Blue Screen of Death has been part of the Windows experience for 40 years, having debuted on Windows 1.0 in 1985.
6 Dead Giveaways the Video You’re Watching Is AI-Generated
Generative AI is improving at an astonishing pace, to the point that many of us would struggle to distinguish whether we are talking to a human or an AI chatbot. AI-generated images and videos have also come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years, and the best AI photos and videos are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Almost, but not quite.
Amazon Prime Day Will Last Longer Than Ever in 2025
Amazon has announced the dates and details of Prime Day 2025. And not only is this year's money-saving event longer than ever, early deals are starting now, weeks before the main event. In a post on the Amazon Press Center, the giant online retailer has announced the dates and details of Prime Day 2025. The main event will, for the first time ever, last for four full days, kicking off at 12:01am on July 8 and lasting until 11:59pm on July 11.
Why Amazon Prime Video Has Got More Annoying Recently
Amazon Has Increased the Number of Ads on Prime Video As first reported by Adweek, Amazon has doubled the ad load on Prime Video. When Amazon added ads to Prime Video programming in January 2024, the company promised loads of around three minutes-per-hour. However, now, the ad load has increased to up to six minutes-per-hour. Adweek's source for this is an email that an Amazon representative sent to an ad buyer earlier this month.
9 menial tasks ChatGPT can handle for you in seconds, saving hours
ChatGPT is rapidly changing the world. The process is already happening, and it’s only going to accelerate as the technology improves, as more people gain access to it, and as more learn how to use it. What’s shocking is just how many tasks ChatGPT is already capable of managing for you. While the naysayers may still look down their noses at the potential of AI assistants, I’ve been using it to handle all kinds of menial tasks for me. Here are my favorite examples.
9 mundane chores ChatGPT can handle in seconds, saving you hours
ChatGPT is rapidly changing the world. The process is already happening, and it’s only going to accelerate as the technology improves, as more people gain access to it, and as more learn how to use it. What’s shocking is just how many tasks ChatGPT is already capable of managing for you. While the naysayers may still look down their noses at the potential of AI assistants, I’ve been using it to handle all kinds of menial tasks for me. Here are my favorite examples.
9 menial chores ChatGPT can handle in seconds, saving you hours
ChatGPT is rapidly changing the world. The process is already happening, and it’s only going to accelerate as the technology improves, as more people gain access to it, and as more learn how to use it. What’s shocking is just how many tasks ChatGPT is already capable of managing for you. While the naysayers may still look down their noses at the potential of AI assistants, I’ve been using it to handle all kinds of menial tasks for me. Here are my favorite examples.
9 menial tasks ChatGPT can handle for you in seconds, saving hours
10 hours ago 41 of the best AI courses you can take online for free Learn to master ChatGPT, Copilot, DeepSeek, and so much more without spending anything. TL;DR: Find a wide range of free AI courses on Udemy. Learn about ChatGPT, Copilot, DeepSeek, and so much more without spending anything. We all know that there is a small possibility that AI is going to take over … 2 hours ago Are you as self-aware as you think? Here’s how to improve.
I Like This New Daily Puzzle Game Even More Than Wordle
Revealed Is Both Puzzling and Educational Encyclopedia Britannica has a new daily puzzle game available to play. It's called Revealed, and it's a fitting name given the nature of the game. Revealed asks you to guess a topic in the fewest number of Reveals and Hints. Reveals are when you choose to reveal one of the hidden words, and Hints are letters from the topic in question. You'll be shown a couple of paragraphs of text, with most of the important words redacted.
Google’s Best AI Tool Can Now Create Video Explainers
Google’s AI-powered note-taking tool is getting a new feature that will make it more useful than ever. Alongside its existing Audio Overviews, which turn your notes into a podcast with AI hosts, Video Overviews will turn your notes into video explainers. NotebookLM Creates Video Overviews At Google I/O 2025, Google announced that NotebookLM is now capable of generating Video Overviews.
Google's Best AI Tool Can Now Create Video Explainers
NotebookLM Creates Video Overviews At Google I/O 2025, Google announced that NotebookLM is now capable of generating Video Overviews. While the feature isn't yet ready for public consumption, with Google only able to say that it's "coming soon," the company has felt comfortable enough to preview the feature in a couple of different ways. This official announcement confirms the Video Overviews feature that was spotted in early May.
Apple Maps' New Expert Ratings Make It Easier to Find the Best Places to Eat Original
Experts have come in for some stick in recent years, but ultimately, their insights are invaluable, and we should listen to them more. Which is why Apple is now utilizing experts to improve Apple Maps for users. Apple Maps Users Can Now Make Use Of Experts Apple Maps has long lagged behind Google Maps when it comes to usability and user-friendliness. In fact, at one point, soon after launch, Apple Maps was seen as a joke.
How Your Next Airbnb Could Be Much More Than Just a Home Rental Original
Airbnb Services to Make Your Stay Special The first thing that Airbnb is doing is adding services to its offerings. Services are, as the name suggests, services designed to make your stay more special. Airbnb Services include everything from professional chefs to spa treatments, from personal training to hair stylists. The people providing the services are all vetted, and boast an average of 10 years of experience. Prices start at $50, and at launch will be available in 260 cities.
Netflix's New App Makes It Easier to Find Stuff to Watch
If you watch Netflix on your TV or a streaming device, you're about to get treated to a whole user experience. Netflix is also testing a couple of new innovations for its mobile app. Netflix Unveils a New TV App for the Masses In a press briefing, Netflix unveiled a whole new TV experience designed to make the streaming service simpler and easier to use than ever. The biggest change is more contextual information on each tile, making it easier to make a quick decision over what to watch.
Why I Erased Everything Amazon Alexa Knew About Me (and How to Do It)
If you interact with Alexa in any meaningful way (or even in non-meaningful ways), then Amazon holds information on you, from the conversations you've had with Alexa to the skills you've installed, and more besides. That's why it's a good idea to erase Alexa's data occasionally in the name of privacy. Why I Erased Everything Alexa Knew About Me I have several Echo devices dotted around my house.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Dave
Contact Dave, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack