YouTube tests blurred bottom bar on Android
Key Points:
- New blurred bottom bar on Android.
- Simpler icons and no solid background.
- Only available in limited testing for now.
YouTube is experimenting with a new design on its Android app that includes a blurred bottom bar. Unlike other Google apps, YouTube has always had its unique design, and this latest update continues that trend.
The new bottom bar has a transparent background, allowing the video feed to show through. This change makes the bar less solid and blends it more seamlessly with the app’s content. The icons for Home and Subscriptions have been simplified, and the plus button has lost its circular white outline.
When using three-button navigation, the blurred effect is more noticeable as it doubles the height of the bottom bar. However, if you’re using gesture navigation, this effect is less pronounced. In the “You” tab, which has a darker background, the blurring is subtle and barely noticeable.
This update seems to be inspired by YouTube’s Ambient Mode, where the video player blends into the background. While this feature has only been spotted by one user so far, it’s not yet widely available.