YouTube is gaining support for several new features and improvements as part of the latest updates to the video streaming service. The Alphabet-owned company announced it is rolling out “three dozen new features and design updates” to users across platforms. With these improvements, users will have access to improved volume controls, better video searching, and a better experience when liking videos and subscribing to creators on YouTube. A new You tab has also been added with account information and a user’s viewing history.
In a blog post, YouTube Director of Product Management Matthew Darby stated that the service has introduced a new feature called Stable Volume, aimed at simplifying the process of changing the volume while watching a video – removing the sudden jumps that occurred in the past. This setting is already being rolled out to users, is enabled by default and can be found in any video settings menu below Additional settings > Stable volume.
Searching while watching a video will also become easier, according to the company. While users are watching a video in portrait or landscape (full screen) mode, they can tap and hold the right side of the screen to play the video at twice the speed – until they let go.
Meanwhile, viewers can move their finger while scrolling through the video search bar, back to the point they were previously watching, with haptic feedback. Mobile and tablet users can also “lock” the screen to prevent accidental touches while playing a video.
When a video is playing and YouTube creators ask users to like the video and subscribe to their channel, the relevant buttons are displayed with a visual cue, along with animations when users interact with them. According to the company, users will see the video count updated in real time for the first 24 hours after a video is uploaded.
YouTube is also introducing a new You tab in the bottom right corner of the screen, in place of the Library tab. This page lists previously viewed videos, playlists, downloads and purchases, according to the company, along with settings related to your account and details about your channel.
Android users can also sing, hum or play a song directly from the YouTube app to search for it. This is a feature also available in the Google app that allows you to quickly search and identify a song using AI, the company said. The film will be available on the YouTube app for Android smartphones in the coming weeks.
