YouTube has rolled out several new features for its app across mobile devices, browsers, and TVs. Key updates include a sleep timer to close the app automatically, more options for adjusting playback speed, creating collaborative playlists with others, and a floating player on mobile that lets you watch videos while browsing the app.
Sleep timer
YouTube’s Android and iOS apps now include a sleep timer feature, similar to the one available on TVs for some time. Users can set a time limit in the settings, and the app will automatically stop playback once the timer runs out.
You can select intervals of 15 minutes, up to a maximum of one hour, or have it stop at the end of the current video. This is a handy feature for those who enjoy falling asleep to videos or playing relaxing playlists.
New speed options
YouTube has also introduced more precise playback speed controls. Instead of the default 0.25x increments, you can adjust the speed in smaller 0.05x steps, giving you finer control over how fast or slow you want to watch a video.
While the speed range still goes from 0.25x to 2x, users can select the perfect place for their viewing experience.
New players on cell phones
YouTube’s floating window on mobile devices has been revamped to include quick controls for pausing, fast-forwarding, and rewinding videos by 10 seconds.
This update makes it easier to navigate through content without needing to return to the main player screen to access these features, enhancing the overall user experience on the platform.
Collaborative playlists
YouTube is introducing collaborative playlists, allowing users to share a link with friends or family to add videos to the playlist. Additionally, the platform plans to roll out a QR code feature for TVs, making inviting others to contribute to playlists directly from their devices even more manageable.
Revamped look on TVs
YouTube’s smart TV app has received some interface updates, including a new layout for viewing Shorts, the platform’s short video format.
Additionally, the home screen of specific channels has been updated, automatically playing videos as soon as you access them, offering a more dynamic browsing experience.
Availability
YouTube has announced that these new features are being gradually rolled out starting today, and they should become available to users over the coming weeks. To ensure you receive these updates as soon as possible, keeping your apps up to date is a good idea.
