YouTube provides an outlook on a variety of fresh features, which will be introduced gradually from October. An overview of the particularly relevant innovations.
Google usually introduces a major update for YouTube every October and has a wealth of new features in store again this year. The company has announced that a total of over two dozen innovations will be made available to users in the coming weeks. However, it is still unclear when exactly these will be activated for all users. Google doesn’t provide exact timelines and has only released some of the changes so far. Here’s an overview of the most significant changes coming to the video streaming platform.
Fine adjustment of playback speed and new views
One of the innovations announced by Google for YouTube is the ability to control the playback speed even more precisely. While it was previously only possible to change the speed in increments of 0.25, users can now change the speed of the videos in increments of 0.05. According to Google, this function was frequently requested and is intended to make the viewing experience more individual.
In addition, the design of the app has been revised to optimize access to the content. Larger preview images and larger fonts should provide a better overview, especially on portable devices. This feature is rolling out to iOS users first and is expected to be available later this year. Whether and when this innovation will also be released for Android devices remains to be seen.
Optimized mini player for simultaneous browsing
An additional highlight is the optimized mini player, which allows users to simultaneously search for other content while playing a video. The mini player can now be resized and moved flexibly on the screen. This feature is primarily aimed at users who often watch a series of videos in a row or who want to update their queue while a video is playing.
Customized playlists and AI-powered features
In addition, the playlist function receives fresh functions. In the future, it will be easier to create playlists together with others. This innovation should not only be available on portable devices, but also in the YouTube app on smart TVs and streaming devices. Users also have the opportunity to personalize playlists: With the help of AI-based tools, they can create individual thumbnails that use either their own images or automatically generated images. In addition, users will soon be able to rate playlists by voting on the videos within a playlist.
Sleep timer and new rewards for loyal viewers
An additional innovation is the implementation of the sleep timer. Users can set a length of time after which a video will automatically pause. This feature has been tested with YouTube Premium subscribers since the beginning of the year and is now available to all smartphone and tablet users. It is aimed at everyone who watches YouTube before going to sleep and doesn’t want the videos to continue playing continuously.
In addition, the YouTube experience is refined with a new badge system. These badges can be given out by creators to their viewers to recognize special achievements or interactions. Users can earn badges, for example, for successfully answering quiz questions or for subscribing to a channel in a timely manner. They will then be able to view their badges in the section of the app that will be rolling out in the next few weeks. Google intends to roll out this feature gradually and create more interaction opportunities for the community.
YouTube on the screen: More film feeling and activity
Finally, there are also updates for the YouTube app on smart TVs and other streaming devices. The visual design will be aligned with the interfaces of Internet browsers and portable devices, and in the future, when a channel is accessed, a video will automatically be played to give users a quick overview of the channel’s content. According to Google, this feature was developed in response to numerous user requests to make using YouTube on the TV more intuitive and unique.
From (fski/spot)
