Netflix up to 81.5 million subscribers

Netflix had a solid start to 2016, reporting that it now has 81.5 million subscribers worldwide. But that wasn’t good enough for Wall Street.

The streaming giant, in reporting its first quarter earnings on Monday, also forecast that subscriber growth in the second quarter would be below industry expectations. That news sent Netflix (NFLX, Tech30) shares down 11%.

Netflix added 2.23 million subscribers in the U.S. last quarter, and revenue was up 18% over last year. The company said that 42% of its subscribers are outside the United States.

The disappointing forecast for the next quarter looks to be due to a weaker than expected international subscriber projection in the second quarter.

The first quarter was helped by several series including “House of Cards,” “Fuller House,” and Marvel’s “Daredevil.”

Netflix also said that its implementation of a $2 price hike for its long-time subscribers will be rolled out “slowly over the year, rather than mostly in May” so that the company can “learn as we go.”

“We particularly don’t need the revenue in the short term, so it’s fine to just spread it out,” Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said during the company’s interview with analysts following the earnings report.

Meanwhile, Netflix rival Amazon announced Sunday night that its monthly subscription option for its bundle of Prime services, like free shipping and

Apple unveils MacBook update with Rose Gold colour option and faster processor

Apple has revealed the first hardware revision for its 12in Retina MacBook range, which it proudly announced is still the "thinnest and lightest Mac" ever. The latest iteration also features upgraded 'Skylake' Intel Core M processors, a Force Touch trackpad, a USB-C port and a Rose Gold colour variant – the first time the popular iPhone and iPad finish has appeared on a Mac.

Measuring just over 0.5in (1.3cm) and weighing in at approximately two pounds, the minimal form-factor combined with Intel's Skylake chipset – only previously found in the premium versions of its late-2015 iMac 5K range – make this out as a significant upgrade. Plus who doesn't want a pink, sorry... Rose Gold MacBook?

The update is available from Apple's online store from today (19 April) and you will be able to try it out for yourself from tomorrow (20 April) when it hits Apple retail stores. The price starts at £1,049 for the base model and £1,299 for a version packing higher specs, although only configure-to-order models will house the more powerful 1.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core m7 processor.

As well as upping the memory from 1600MHz to 1866MHz modules when compared to the original 12in MacBook, Apple are also touting the improved battery life, which it claims will offer up to 10 hours of web-browsing over WiFi and up to 11 hours of video playback. In a press release, Apple noted that these

Huawei P9 uses Leica dual-lens camera tech to refocus

Huawei has unveiled an Android smartphone that uses dual-camera technology to let owners refocus photos after they have been taken.

The feature is the result of a collaboration between the Chinese tech firm and German camera-maker Leica.

It means the P9 can create shallow depth-of-field shots more commonly associated with larger lenses.

Analysts say the innovation could help Huawei promote itself as a