YouTube announces changes on app - What to expect

In celebrating its 17th birthday, YouTube has announced an array of features that will roll out on its platform.

The application will have a vibrant look, precise seeking, a pinch-to-zoom feature, new buttons, and a dark mode that is even darker.

A splash of color

YouTube is introducing ambient mode, a subtle effect so the app background color of the video you are playing adapts to match the video.

“We were inspired by the light that screens cast out in a darkened room and wanted to recreate the effect so viewers were drawn right into the content and the video takes an even greater focus on our watch page,” they said in a Blog.

The ambient mode will be available on desktops, Smart TVs, and mobile even on YouTube’s dark theme. It will also be available on video playlists.

Change of buttons

YouTube has said it has made changes to the buttons on the player including; like, share, and download as well as the subscribe button.

“The subscribe button is also getting a touch-up the new shape and high contrast make it stand out, and while it’s no longer red, it's easier to find and way more accessible to everyone on both watch pages and channel pages.”

The subscribe button will now appear as a black-and-white pill-shaped button instead of the bright red “SUBSCRIBE.”

Pinch to zoom

With pinch to zoom, the firm says users can now easily zoom in and out of a video.

Users of iOS or Android phones can access the feature.

“Even when you let go, the video stays zoomed in so you can enjoy the rest of the video in greater detail,” they said.

This feature will be a bonus for people who would want to see more details; eg. Art tutorials.

Precise seeking

YouTube says the feature will enable users quickly find parts they are interested in in the video.

“Simply drag or swipe up while seeking to display a row of thumbnails in the video player and you’ll be able to make fine-tuned adjustments to get to the exact part in each video.”

Users can long press anywhere on the player to seek and double tap with two fingers to skip chapters.

They also added a graph that shows frequently replayed moments in a video.

Features are expected to roll out globally.

Precise seeking

YouTube says the feature will enable users quickly find parts they are interested in in the video.

“Simply drag or swipe up while seeking to display a row of thumbnails in the video player and you’ll be able to make fine-tuned adjustments to get to the exact part in each video.”

Users can long press anywhere on the player to seek and double tap with two fingers to skip chapters.

They also added a graph that shows frequently replayed moments in a video.

Features are expected to roll out globally soon.