Over the past few years, Plex has gained increasing attention for its Media Center and Media Server software. While the transition has been subtle, the company is clearly looking to monetize its platform beyond donations. So, it should come as no surprise, but PlexPass is a new subscription service offering early access to premium features.
"Over the years, many of you have supported Plex in different ways; you’ve contributed bandwidth, time and knowledge in the forums, and you’ve donated repeatedly and generously. And we truly appreciate it," reads a post on the Plex blog. "Up until now, though, we haven’t had any means of distinguishing the die-hard Plex supporters from the more casual users. Today, that's changing."
Now, if you're a long-time devotee of the media management features of products like Plex Media Center, don't freak out about the new subscription service just yet. You can still access the current features without spending a dime. But paying $4 a month (or $30 yearly), will get you into the Plex software betas.
The Plex team is planning to add some "premium" features to the Media Center, and PlexPass subscribers will receive those updates while they're under beta. Once the premium features are released into the wild, subscribers will receive a discount on the upgrade. PlexPass members also gain access to a special members-only forum.
The company has already launched a beta version of its web-based media center. According to Plex, the idea is to get the new, online manager to run just as fast as the current Mac OS client. The beta also offers increased filters, maximizing search effectiveness when you're searching for just that right piece of entertainment. The abilty to view media right in the browser is also a big boon.
All in all, PlexPass looks like a good deal for Mac users already devoted to Plex Media Center and Media Server. But while the subscription service doesn't immediately take anything away from non-members, mentions of "premium" features likely point to changes in the company's approach to offering software.
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