In a sudden and surprising move, YouTube has introduced several of its premium features to non-paying subscribers as well as launched a number of experimental features to all for free.
The update gives access to cool features like locking the screen, finding songs by humming and so much more.
The features also include the ability to double the playback speed by pressing and holding anywhere on the player, and a stable volume feature that normalises changes in sound.
In 2020, YouTube decided to test new features by giving their access to Premium users. Now, you don’t have to be a Premium user to enjoy the same features as YouTube has opened them for all.
YouTube announced in a blog post that it is rolling out dozens of new features for its mobile app.
The new features give you more control over how you watch videos and traverse through them more easily to the parts you actually want to watch.
Earlier this year, YouTube tested allowing users to long-press the right half of the video player to double the playback speed. Now, the feature has been made easier. Now, you can press and hold anywhere on the video player to 2x the speed. Once you are at the desired part, let go.
Apart from making thumbnails bigger to improve mobile browsing, YouTube has also added a lock feature to the video player. It will disable accidental taps and swipes while you watch a video.
Another handy feature comes to YouTube, if you have a song stuck in your head but don’t remember the words, you just need to hum, sing or play the tune and YouTube will figure it out. Initially it will be available only on Android phones.
YouTube has also by default introduced a stable volume feature to save you from those sudden loud noises. With this feature, there won’t be any jarring volume changes in a video.
You can adjust the feature by going to “Additional Settings”.
The Like and Subscribe buttons will also throw a sparkly animation when you tap them.
YouTube has also combined the Library tab and account page into a “You” tab. In this tab, you can find all your previously watched videos, playlists, downloads, and purchases, alongside your account settings and channel info. The You tab now replaces the Library tab on the web, mobile, and tablets.