YouTube launches new features: Miniplayer, custom playback speed, sleep timer, and more
YouTube has officially rolled out several new features that were recently in testing, improving the user experience on both Android and iOS devices. The updates include enhancements to the mini player, playback speed controls, playlist features, and more. Here’s a breakdown of the latest additions:
Redesigned Miniplayer for Mobile
The YouTube app now features a redesigned mini-player that resembles a picture-in-picture window. Previously, users saw a small bar above the bottom navigation with a cramped design. Now, the video floats above with a close button at the corner, while the controls for play/pause and 10-second rewind/forward sit just below. A key improvement is that users can now resize and move the miniplayer around the screen for a better viewing experience.
Sleep Timer for Better Control
YouTube has introduced a sleep timer for both free and Premium users. This feature can be accessed in the player’s settings menu, allowing users to set the video to stop playing after 10, 15, 20, 30, or 45 minutes, one hour, or at the end of the video. This update is especially useful for those who watch videos before sleeping, ensuring the app doesn’t run all night.
Fine-Tuned Playback Speed Controls
Another significant update is the new fine-tunable playback speed feature. On mobile, instead of selecting speeds from a rigid list (like 0.25x to 2x), users now have a slider for more precision. The speed can be adjusted in 0.05x increments, offering more flexibility. For quick adjustments, plus and minus buttons are also available, along with some preset speed options for convenience.
Playlist Enhancements
Several playlist features are also part of YouTube’s update. One of the most exciting changes is the ability to create custom thumbnails for playlists. Users can now upload their own images or use AI-generated ones to personalize their playlists. This feature is also coming to YouTube Music and will soon be available on the main site for web users.
Collaborative playlists are another upcoming addition, allowing users to create and share playlists with others using a link or QR code, which will be especially useful on smart TVs. Later this year, YouTube plans to let viewers vote on videos within these playlists, enabling better curation by ranking the most popular content.
YouTube Badges for Recognition
YouTube is rolling out special badges that celebrate user achievements. These badges will highlight unique milestones, such as being among the first paid subscribers to a creator’s channel or completing quizzes accurately. In YouTube Music, badges will recognize top listeners or those who have received hearts from creators on their comments. These new badges will appear in the “You” tab over the next few weeks, providing users with more recognition for their engagement.
Conclusion
These new updates from YouTube aim to improve the overall user experience with more customizable options, better controls, and enhanced playlist features. The ability to personalize thumbnails, collaborate on playlists, and earn badges adds a layer of interaction and recognition that makes the platform even more engaging. Whether you’re using YouTube to watch, listen, or curate content, these updates provide new ways to enhance your experience.