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If you’re constantly on YouTube, then you’ve got a surprise coming to you. Right now, YouTube is in the process of bringing a major update that will drop some new features and design elements across the YouTube mobile and web app. What’s coming with this new update? Should you be excited?
Well, this piece will answer those questions and more. Here’s a rundown of the new stuff coming in this new YouTube update. Some changes will either only affect the web version while others will only affect the mobile version, so just know that. Also, some of these features are still rolling out, so you won’t see them just yet. You’ll want to keep an eye out for these features over the coming weeks and months.
What’s coming with this major YouTube update?
YouTube has decided to bless us with a massive feature drop. It consists of some substantial changes and new features along with cosmetic changes. So, if you’re an avid YouTube watcher, then you’re sure to enjoy most of them.
Stable Volume
This is a feature that you’ll like if you don’t like sudden spikes in volume while using YouTube. They can startle you or be a nuisance if you’re trying to keep quiet. Well, YouTube is bringing the new Stable volume feature.
This is like a built-in compressor for YouTube. It will minimize the volume of louder parts of the video you’re watching. This way, you’ll have a more balanced listening experience. The Stable Volume feature is only for the mobile version of the app. YouTube will enable this by default.
If you want to turn it off, go to the settings and tap on the Advanced settings button. There, you’ll see the toggle that will switch the feature off.
Press to 2x
There are times when you want to speed up your video, so the company has a way of doubling the play speed of your video. You can do so from the video’s options. However, what if you don’t want to have to go back and forth between the options just to change the speed?
Well, YouTube is bringing a new Press to 2x feature. In order to use this feature, all you have to do is hold your finger down on the screen. The video will then double in speed. In order to change it back to regular speed, just lift your finger. This feature will work in both portrait and fullscreen modes.
Easier seeking
This feature actually brings two changes. First off, don’t you hate it when you’re trying to find a specific part of a video, but the thumbnail preview is too small while seeking? This makes it harder to find that sweet spot you’re looking for. Well, with the new update, the thumbnail preview will be much bigger. In fact, it will take up pretty much the entire screen. No more squinting to see if you passed that one part in your favorite video.
As for the second change, if you have a change of heart, and you want to go back to the spot you were at, it could be a challenge. You can try finding that exact point you left off at and miss the mark. Well, the new update alleviates this. When you go back to the spot you left off, your phone will vibrate when you reach the spot. After you lift your finger, the seeker will snap right back to where you were.
Screen lock
When you’re watching a video, it’s easy for you to accidentally tap on the screen and interrupt your content. Maybe you mistakingly tap on the Next video button or you minimize it. That’s frustrating, but YouTube has a solution.
This feature has been in testing for a little while, but it’s finally making its way to the public. The screen lock tool will make it so that your fingers don’t interact with the screen while the video is in full-screen mode. This way, when your fingers touch the screen, you won’t affect your video.
To activate it, tap on the little gear icon on the upper right of the screen. Under the settings, tap on the Lock screen button. If you want to disable it, you can simply tap the screen to bring up the unlock button. You’ll find the button right under the video timeline.
The ‘You’ tab
The You Tab is the new layout on YouTube that combines your Library and Accounts page. In the tab, you’ll see all of the content that you’ll find in your Library. This includes your videos, history, playlists, etc. Also, above that content, you’ll see a collection of chips containing your account settings.
These chips will have options like the switch account, Google account, Incognito search, and more. It’s an all-in-one section with some of your most important options and content.
Search by voice or song
We heard about this feature not too long ago, and it’s finally making its way to the public. If you’re looking for a song, but you don’t know the name of it, you’ll be able to find it by using just a short audio sample. If you can play a short recording of the song, the app will use AI to identify it. After that, it will pull up search results for that song.
However, what if you don’t have access to the song? Don’t worry; you can either play the song or just hum it. The app will try its best to find the song based on what it hears.
New animations
Now, here come the cosmetic changes. We’re used to hearing YouTubers say this line “Be sure to subscribe for more content”. Well, when the creator says those magic words, you’ll see a visual effect on the actual subscribe button urging you to subscribe. Also, when you tap on the button, you’ll see a little sparkle animation play. It adds a little visual flair to such a mundane action.
Also, when a video is newly posted, the app will show you the “like” counter update in real-time for the first 24 hours. Not only that, but the top comments now rotate, so you will always see fresh comments at the top.
YouTube’s new look on TVs
When you’re using YouTube on your TV, you’ll see details about the video you’re watching in a vertically scrolling panel. This panel shows you information like the description, comments, subscribers, etc.