YouTube’s Feature: A Better Streaming Experience
YouTube is on a mission to revamp the streaming experience. It’s introducing a bevy of new features to achieve just that. In its latest update, the video-sharing platform is set to enhance the experience for both mobile and TV users globally.
While the official YouTube blog lists a few of the newly introduced features, there are over three dozen of them, aimed at optimizing playback, providing intuitive song search, and enhancing the interaction between creators and viewers.
Revamped ‘You’ Tab
The Library and Account tabs have undergone a transformation, merging into the ‘You’ tab, creating a one-stop destination for users. Here, you can access your recently watched videos, playlists, downloads, and purchases. The same page also showcases user account settings and channel information. For users of YouTube TV, mobile, and the web, the You tab replaces the old Library tab.
Sing to Search
One of the most exciting features in the pipeline is the ‘Sing to Search’ function. YouTube has engineered this tool to let users find a song by humming or singing a tune, akin to Shazam. The feature is set to be available to YouTube mobile users in the coming weeks, initially exclusive to Android users. By humming or singing lyrics, the platform’s AI technology will precisely identify the song and display the result.
Enhanced Playback Controls
The playback controls have received significant improvements, benefiting users across web, mobile, and tablets. Preview thumbnails during video seeking are now larger, simplifying the browsing experience. Additionally, a handy feature allows users to return to the original timestamp by merely moving their finger back to the starting point and releasing it with a haptic feedback signal.
Users can also fast forward at 2x speed by pressing and holding anywhere on the screen and releasing when they reach their desired point. To ensure consistent volume levels, YouTube has introduced ‘Stable Volume.’ The ‘Screen Lock’ feature prevents unwanted interruptions during playback. The description section now boasts a clean, scrollable design with icons for social media profiles.
Creator-Friendly Features
In a bid to empower content creators on the platform, YouTube has introduced new animations. When creators instruct their followers to like or subscribe, the buttons will animate with visual cues synchronized with the video.
A celebratory animation greets viewers when they interact with these buttons. Additionally, during the first 24 hours after uploading a video, the video page dynamically updates view and like counts, providing real-time performance feedback. Top comments on the video will be highlighted, and they will automatically rotate to showcase the most relevant commentary to viewers.
Tweaked YouTube TV UI
YouTube’s SmartTV experience is continually evolving. The YouTube TV app now includes a vertical menu, offering insights such as video descriptions, comments, subscription options, and video chapters. Users can click on the video title to reveal this menu. The platform is actively working on bringing modern elements to other sections, including YouTube Kids.
