YouTube has developed a whole host of new features. This time, however, there are a few that you should definitely know. TECHBOOK presents the most practical innovations.
The fact that services like YouTube are constantly working on new functions is nothing new in itself. It is also not surprising that not every innovation is really as useful for users as the company promises. Some improvements simply get lost in the constant fire of updates. Or did you know that you can zoom in on YouTube videos on your smartphone with two fingers? With its latest feature bundle, YouTube is bringing some improvements to the table that can significantly increase streaming convenience.
Many advantages for mobile users
After an initial test phase that ended on July 30, 2023, YouTube is now gradually rolling out three dozen new features and designs. The company published a specific schedule on its website official blog not, but speaks of a worldwide release in the coming weeks. Many functions particularly affect those who use YouTube on their smartphone or tablet. But YouTube has also planned a change for Smart TVs.
The first innovation almost goes in the direction of health protection. Especially if you often stream with headphones, you will quickly experience something painful in your ears if the sound of the video is poorly mixed. Explosions, raised voices, the soundtrack or something similar suddenly become uncomfortably loud. With the new “Stable Volume” function, such annoying differences in volume will be automatically ironed out in the future.
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One click, twice the speed
A whole set of innovations is intended to improve navigation within a video. Especially with videos like tutorials, the actually interesting part of the clip is hidden behind an introduction that is often minutes long. The increased playback speed is a blessing, especially for impatient users. But to get there, you first have to click on the gear icon, then on the “Playback speed” tab to select the desired tempo. Once you have reached the right place in the video in this mode, you can repeat the path to return to the standard speed.
This is much easier now. Because YouTube has apparently recognized that impatient users prefer simple operation. The new function means that in full screen mode or portrait mode, a click or tap is enough for the video to be played at twice the speed. Once you have found an interesting spot, you just have to let go and the pace slows down again. This function should come to smartphones and tablets as well as to web players.
More convenient navigation
However, if you want to specifically call up a specific point in the video, you can navigate using the playback bar. To make this more successful in general and especially with small smartphone screens, the thumbnails, the small preview images, should be significantly larger. However, if you want to jump back to your starting position in the video, YouTube has a special feature. When you reach your starting point, the device vibrates briefly – if it is capable of doing so. This would put an end to the fiddly search for the right moment to continue the video. However, smartphone users in particular benefit from this new function.
Another innovation that could prove useful in everyday life for users with mobile devices is the “Lock Screen”. It happens so quickly: in the jerky subway, holding your smartphone with one hand, an unwanted tap on the display and the video is gone, reduced in size or stopped. In the future there will be a display lock option via the settings wheel. This function is intended to prevent unwanted commands from interrupting the stream in full screen mode.
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Humming to song search
Of course, there is also an AI function at the start of the big innovation. With the help of the Shazam function, users will be able to search and find songs even more easily in the future. All they have to do is sing or even hum the song. The AI recognizes the piece you are looking for and suggests corresponding search results. Theoretically. How musical you actually have to be for the function remains to be seen. The new search function is currently only intended for Android devices. Google is currently keeping a low profile about its expansion.
New organization
A lot will also change visually. YouTube says it wants to become more modern and cleaner in terms of design. In addition, the previous areas of library and account are to be merged – regardless of the device. The new tab is then called “You” and combines your own account settings as well as all videos, playlists, comments and downloads you have seen. The everything-at-a-glance organization is intended to make using YouTube even more intuitive.
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On Smart TVs, too, a vertical menu that brings together relevant information such as the video description, chapter division, comments and the subscribe button should provide a better overview. You can access this menu by clicking on the video title. A similar design will follow for the mobile and web views. While the trend here is towards more clarity and clear lines, YouTube elsewhere doesn’t skimp on glitter and sparkle. If a YouTuber asks you to like or subscribe, the corresponding buttons appear. If you click on them now, you can get a small sparkling fireworks display as a reward. A touch of gamification is intended to round off media consumption in a playful way. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether this function is actually useful.