YouTube TV adds resizable Miniplayer on Android and Pixel users struggle with quick phrases bug
YouTube TV for Android just introduced a new resizable, picture-in-picture (PiP) style mini player, offering a smoother and more user-friendly experience. Meanwhile, some Pixel users are battling a frustrating notification bug caused by a glitch in Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases feature. Here’s a breakdown of both updates.
YouTube TV’s Resizable Miniplayer on Android
YouTube TV is catching up with its main YouTube app by rolling out a redesigned in-app miniplayer for Android phones and tablets. This update brings a picture-in-picture (PiP)-style player that improves usability and aligns with the broader YouTube ecosystem.
What’s New in the Miniplayer?
- The new miniplayer now functions like a PiP window within the app.
- It includes play/pause buttons, 15-second rewind/skip controls, and a close option in the corner.
- A central button allows users to expand the miniplayer back to full-screen mode.
- The player supports pinch-to-zoom, letting you adjust its size and even stretch it to span the full screen width.
This upgrade is a significant improvement over the old miniplayer, which displayed only a narrow bar at the bottom with limited controls. Now, browsing through YouTube TV while watching live TV or videos feels much more intuitive.
Update Rollout Details
The redesigned miniplayer is included in version 8.47.0 of the YouTube TV Android app. This change unifies the interface across YouTube apps and makes multitasking while streaming content more enjoyable.
Pixel Phones Hit by Persistent Quick Phrases Bug
While YouTube TV is improving, Pixel users are dealing with a persistent bug linked to Google Assistant’s Quick Phrases. This issue is causing repeated and stuck notifications that interfere with regular phone use.
What Are Quick Phrases?
Quick Phrases simplify voice commands for tasks like stopping alarms or answering calls. For example, saying “Stop” can silence an alarm, and “Answer” can pick up a call—no “Hey Google” needed.
The Notification Glitch
The problem arises when Quick Phrases notifications refuse to disappear, even after completing the task. Here’s what users are reporting:
- Alarms and Timers: The “Say Stop” prompt remains on the screen after alarms are turned off.
- Incoming Calls: A toast notification asking users to “Say ‘Answer’” stays on the screen even after calls are answered or dismissed.
This issue has been spotted across various Pixel devices, including the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 Pro XL, on both stable and beta versions of Android 15.
How It Impacts Users
The stuck notifications can lock up areas of the screen, block the caller ID, or persist on the lock screen, making them not only annoying but also disruptive.
What’s Causing the Bug?
The glitch appears to stem from the Google app, which powers features like Gemini and Google Assistant. Since the issue is tied to this app, it’s not dependent on specific Pixel models or Android versions.
Workarounds and Fixes
Until Google releases a permanent fix, users can try the following solutions:
- Restart the Device: A simple reboot can temporarily clear the notifications.
- Force-Stop the Google App:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Google.
- Select Force Stop to reset the app.
- Disable Quick Phrases:
- Open Google Assistant settings.
- Navigate to Quick Phrases and turn them off for specific tasks.
While force-stopping offers a temporary solution, disabling Quick Phrases altogether prevents the issue from recurring.
Conclusion
With YouTube TV’s improved miniplayer, Android users get a better viewing experience. However, Pixel owners facing the Quick Phrases bug are left waiting for Google to roll out a fix. In the meantime, temporary solutions can help manage the glitch, but it’s clear that a robust update from Google is needed to resolve this annoyance completely.