Google is rolling out a number of new features and enhancements to YouTube apps and services across all supported platforms.
One of the main new features is the introduction of a sleep timer for all users of the YouTube mobile app. Previously, this feature was only available to subscribers YouTube Premium. Now everyone can set the app to automatically shut down after watching a video at night. Users can choose a predefined time limit from 10 minutes to an hour or set it to shut down after the current video is over.
Google has also improved the functionality of the mini-player in YouTube mobile apps. From now on, users will be able to move and resize the mini-player while watching a video and scrolling through the feed with other videos.
The changes also affected YouTube playlists. The mobile app now allows users to send links to other users to create playlists together. YouTube TV users will soon be able to add videos to playlists using a QR code. Google plans to introduce the function of voting for videos in playlists in 2024.
The company introduced new tools for playlist personalization. Users will be able to create their own thumbnails for playlists using their photos or generating them with the help of artificial intelligence.
Later this year, the YouTube and YouTube Music mobile apps will feature special badges to recognize user achievements, such as being the most active listener of a particular artist.
Other updates include the ability to change the video playback speed in increments of 0.05x and visual improvements to the app’s interface to make it easier to use.
Source: Neowin