New features for YouTube users
New functions for the largest video portal
The video streaming portal YouTube has been online since 2006.
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YouTube has announced several functional and design innovations. Users can look forward to these features.
YouTube has a number of new features announced that are intended to improve the viewing experience and stimulate interaction with videos. According to YouTube, the innovations are based on feedback from viewers and the people who publish their content on the platform. Which features YouTube will roll out in the coming weeks and why the design is affected.
Just press for double speed
YouTube users who like to watch videos at twice the speed have reason to be happy. The Press to 2x feature allows you to easily double the playback speed of a video in full screen or portrait mode. All you have to do is hold your finger down anywhere on the video and the playback speed will automatically double. YouTube offers this feature for websites, tablets and mobile devices.
Easier to find what you’re looking for
To make it easier to find the best moments in videos, YouTube is introducing larger thumbnails during searches. If you are looking for a specific point in the video and cannot find it, move your finger to the starting point of the search and lift it when a vibration is felt. YouTube then returns users to where they last stopped.
The new “You” tab is also intended to make it easier to search for YouTube content. In the future, users will find all of their YouTube content in one place. To do this, the Library tabs and the Account page have been merged into a new tab called You. Previously viewed videos, playlists, downloads and purchases as well as account settings and channel information are bundled there.
The “Search by voice or song” function also falls into the “Search” category. This allows YouTube visitors to search for a song by playing, singing, or humming it. This feature uses AI to match the sound to the original recording. “Search by voice or song” is announced for Android devices in the coming weeks.
Lock screen and animated overlays
Accidental touches disturb the video on your mobile device? The lock screen, available on mobile devices and tablets, allows you to lock the display to prevent unwanted interruptions.
In order to make the video experience more lively, the site will respond to what its creators say in the future. For example, when a creator asks viewers to “like” or “subscribe,” a visual indicator appears on those buttons that sync with the video. When fans click this button, they will be rewarded with a subtle explosion of playful sparks.
In addition, the top comments automatically rotate to the top. New video uploads also feature a new animation that updates the number of views and likes in real time over the first 24 hours to show how many users are engaging with the content being viewed.
TV design adjustments
YouTube is also taking on the experience on smart TVs. In the future, users will find information about a video in a new vertical menu that allows quicker access to functions such as the video description, comments, the subscribe button and video chapters. To do this, simply click on the video title while a video is playing to display the menu. Similar improvements have also been announced for websites and mobile devices and will be gradually released over the next few weeks.