YouTube introduces dozens of new playback and interface features

[Daniel Sims]

What just happened? Many users are likely frustrated with YouTube's recent aggressive push against ad blockers and its ad-free subscription price hike. These decisions appear to be small parts of a significant refresh that the platform is currently rolling out, which adds numerous features for a smoother playback experience.

Google has announced the rollout of over three dozen new features beginning this week. The most notable additions should make playback, seeking, search, and other functions easier across mobile devices, PCs, and smart TVs.

One upcoming feature gives viewers quicker access to faster playback. Instead of accessing a dropdown menu, full-screen or portrait mode offers fast forward at double speed by clicking and holding anywhere on the screen. Playback will return to normal as soon as the user lets go.

A new seek function displays larger thumbnails, making specific sections of videos more visible. Returning the cursor to its original position produces a haptic vibration so viewers can quickly return to where they left off.

A mobile feature called "Stable Volume" will minimize sudden volume changes to prevent ear damage when watching with headphones. The function is accessible in the settings menu under "Additional Settings."

Mobile viewers can now lock the screen to prevent interruptions or accidental taps by tapping "Screen Lock" in the settings menu. YouTube will make exceptions for certain ads and in-app notifications.

The platform will also add a Shazam-like music search, allowing users to find songs on YouTube Music by playing, singing, or humming the tune. The feature will debut on Android devices and come to other platforms later.

Across all devices, YouTube is consolidating the library and account sections. The new "You" tab, replacing the library tab, contains a user's history, playlists, downloads, purchases, and account information.

Furthermore, interactions with creators receive new animations for a flashier experience. When someone in a video says something related to the platform, like the usual "like and subscribe," the corresponding buttons will glow, triggering a celebration sequence when users click them. The company is likely aiming for an experience similar to viewer interactions on Twitch.

YouTube is also replacing the static comment rankings with a dynamic system that rotates through the most liked posts to give viewers and creators a more comprehensive look at feedback. The company said many more features are coming without elaborating on them.

It's unclear whether this significant update will soften the blow of increased YouTube premium prices as the platform aggressively pursues Adblock users.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/100573-youtube-introduces-dozens-new-playback-interface-features.html

 

[toooooot]

When are we getting account bans for using ad blocks though?

 

[Zsoltblabla]

What about an EQ? I was asking fir it since YouTube started. To many songs sound flat without custom EQ settings…

 

[Timoo]

When are we getting account bans for using ad blocks though?

I have a videoplayer block. I cannot play video's on YT anymore.

I've tried everything; stealth scripts as well as disabling all kinds of ad-blocking add-ons. But I didn't get to the point of making YT play again. So, that was the end of YT for me. If I have to endanger my browser to the point of disabling all malware-detecting software, it's not worth doing so.

 

[VaRmeNsI]

I have a videoplayer block. I cannot play video's on YT anymore.

I've tried everything; stealth scripts as well as disabling all kinds of ad-blocking add-ons. But I didn't get to the point of making YT play again. So, that was the end of YT for me. If I have to endanger my browser to the point of disabling all malware-detecting software, it's not worth doing so.

Use ublock origin.

 

[RudyBob]

Youtube is great. So much to watch. All I would like is the same interface on PC and TV.

 

[brucek]

I have a videoplayer block. I cannot play video's on YT anymore.

I've tried everything; stealth scripts as well as disabling all kinds of ad-blocking add-ons. But I didn't get to the point of making YT play again. So, that was the end of YT for me. If I have to endanger my browser to the point of disabling all malware-detecting software, it's not worth doing so.

Switching to a different browser where I had no previous YouTube usage (Firefox) and setting up uBlock with current filters (purge & update) first resulted in a YouTube that's still working for me.

I also saw somewhere a trick about setting your User Agent string to be for MacOS/Safari works but haven't tried it myself.

I don't know why YouTube is holding out for $14.95. If they asked for something more reasonable like say $3/month I probably would have taken it for nuisance value (especially if they softened the entry by having first month free, a trick I fall for more often than I should.)

 

[yRaz]

I have a videoplayer block. I cannot play video's on YT anymore.

I've tried everything; stealth scripts as well as disabling all kinds of ad-blocking add-ons. But I didn't get to the point of making YT play again. So, that was the end of YT for me. If I have to endanger my browser to the point of disabling all malware-detecting software, it's not worth doing so.

Open a video you want to play in a private browsing window

 

[Mr Majestyk]

I am no longer getting ads on YT on Firefox. Back to normal. I use Enhancer for YT and an anti-popup extension. I need to check if ublock has been updated and can also block the ads, as it couldn't a few days ago.

 

[Dustyn]

When are we getting account bans for using ad blocks though?

Sooooon.

 

[toooooot]

Switching to a different browser where I had no previous YouTube usage (Firefox) and setting up uBlock with current filters (purge & update) first resulted in a YouTube that's still working for me.

I also saw somewhere a trick about setting your User Agent string to be for MacOS/Safari works but haven't tried it myself.

I don't know why YouTube is holding out for $14.95. If they asked for something more reasonable like say $3/month I probably would have taken it for nuisance value (especially if they softened the entry by having first month free, a trick I fall for more often than I should.)

That. YT is one thing I would actually pay for, especially if they increased payouts to tubers that are good. But $15...
Make tiers, allow people to exclude YT music, and other benefits.
I would pay them too, the only streamign service right now beside Para+ which I use to watch football streams.

 

[RaXelliX]

I am no longer getting ads on YT on Firefox. Back to normal. I use Enhancer for YT and an anti-popup extension. I need to check if ublock has been updated and can also block the ads, as it couldn't a few days ago.

Enhancer for YT works normally for you?
Because for me it does not on every video anymore. I assume this is due the the Youtube code changes that require extension update. Mostly it fails to expand descriptions and in some cases is unable to set playback quality and speed.