Google is rolling out a new version of the
YouTube App for Android today that includes a number of updated features. According to AndroidPolice.com, it is, “The biggest redesign the app has seen yet.”
TechCrunch reports that the “highlight” of the new version is the ability to minimize the screen for a “picture-in-picture” effect. The app now moves videos to the bottom-right corner of the screen so that users can continue watching a video while they browse channels or perform searches, making it possible to watch videos back-to-back. No longer having to stop a video before finding a new video to watch, users can return to full-screen mode once a video has been minimized or swipe right or left to dismiss the video.
AndroidPolice.com listed a number of details around the newly updated app, including a new icon, quick access to history, favorites, playlists, uploads, and a “watch later” option now in the slide-out menu. Users will also see a new TV Queue user-interface, and a fully-functional landscape tablet user-interface. The Android-focused site says that the HD and CC toggles have been relocated from the bottom left edge of the video to the menu, while the Google+ +1 Recommend button appears to have been removed from videos.
“With the recent launch of Google Chromecast,” writes TechCruch reporter Frederic Lardinois, “It’s no surprise that the company has added deeper integration with the new YouTube app.”
While the updates are currently rolling out for Android only, a Google rep told TechCrunch that the new app will be available soon for all platforms, including iOS.
Update: Google’s announcement on the YouTube Official Blog confirmed that the new version of the YouTube app is available for iOS.
Comments