YouTube has introduced new features across its mobile, web, and TV apps. The updates include more precise playback speed controls, a redesigned mini-player, collaborative playlist options, and badges for content creators.
Previously, users could adjust playback speed in 0.25x increments. Now, YouTube allows users to increase or decrease playback speed by 0.05x by tapping on the new playback speed control menu’s “+” or “-” symbols.
Collaborative playlists have been simplified, allowing users to share playlist links or QR codes. Users can customize playlists with their own images or use YouTube’s AI tool to generate a thumbnail. In the future, collaborators will have the option to vote on videos within playlists.
YouTube is enhancing the mobile app’s design, particularly on Android devices in landscape mode, with larger thumbnails, bigger text, and a more responsive player. These features will be rolled out to the iOS app later this year.
Improvements to the mini-player functionality allow users to adjust its size and position while browsing YouTube.
The TV app now features more engaging video previews and an improved UI for watching YouTube Shorts on larger screens.
Following a testing phase with paid users, YouTube has introduced a sleep timer for all users. This feature allows users to set a timer for automatic playback pause.
YouTube has also introduced badges on its apps to provide content creators with new engagement tools. The badges, such as “first batch of paid members” and “correctly completed a quiz,” are part of YouTube’s Communities feature introduced in September for user-creator interactions.
