YouTube has added improved video-playing functions to its mobile app on iOS and Android devices. Some of the tools are aimed at giving users more control over how they stream video to their television sets using Chromecast, Google’s new video streaming device.
One of the major changes is a new tool letting users swipe to move a video to the bottom of the device’s screen and reduce its size so they can search for other content while the video still plays. The idea behind the feature is to bring more potential videos to users as they explore within the app, even if the smaller video doesn’t command their full attention.
“You can watch a video about making the perfect fried chicken while searching for homemade salted caramel sauce recipes,” said YouTube software engineers Matias Cudich and Waldemar Baraldi.
The new version of the app includes several other enhancements to change how it displays video and interacts with other devices like Chromecast. The YouTube app already has a “Cast” button to let users send videos from their smartphone or tablet to their TV through Chromecast, Google TV or PlayStation 3 console. With the updated app, there is a preview screen users will see when the app is connected to their TV.
The new version of the YouTube app also lets users search and browse channels for playlists. Previously, users couldn’t search or watch playlists within the YouTube mobile app, a spokesman said.
The last time YouTube received considerable changes on mobile was last year, when the iPhone 5 and iPad version of the app got an enhanced look. Last year the Android version also received some speed improvements and an improved interface for channels.
Finally, the updated app features a cleaner, simpler look that will be seen in other apps from Google, YouTube said.
Source: IDG News Service
