6 YouTube features that you should be excited about

YouTube is getting a slew of new features for its users on the web as well as mobile devices. The new features, as many as three dozen in number, promise to help with smoother playback as well as a smoother search experience on the platform.

However, out of these, there are six features that we thought are super cool and will greatly add to the user experience on the platform. Check them out.

Revamped audio controls

One of the most important new features being rolled out to YouTube users worldwide is ‘Stable Volume’. Initially released for testing in July, this feature is designed to reduce differences in volume at different points in a given clip, so as to provide for a smoother auditory experience.

Easy fast forward

Users on YouTube could only tap twice on the player interface to fast-forward a video by 10 seconds. However, YouTube will now allow users to move forward twice as fast, should they choose to do so.

While watching a YouTube video users can press and hold any spot on the player interface, and this will increase the playback speed of the video to 2x. This ensures a smoother fast-forward and ensures one doesn’t miss out on any parts of the video.

On removing your finger, your video will again begin to play at the standard speed. This feature is being made available to web, mobile, as well as tablet devices.

Easy seeking

We often want to skip to the important parts of a video, in case we happen to be in a hurry. To help users with the same, YouTube is also launching larger preview thumbnails while seeking.

What’s more, in case one ends up seeking and skipping to a different part of the video than originally intended, one can also swipe back to the point they started seeking from.

YouTube will give users a heads-up when they reach this point via a small vibration. Upon lifting their fingers at this point, the video will start playing back from there again.

You Tab

YouTube is merging the library and account tabs, into one consolidated tab called the ‘You Tab’. Over here, one can find their playlists, watch history, as well as downloads and purchases, in addition to their account and channel-related settings, all in one place.

This feature, again, will be available for users on mobile, tablets, as well as desktops.

Search by humming

Perhaps one of the coolest features on the list will now allow users to search for a song by playing an instrument, singing it, or even humming its tune.

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This is done using AI technology, which matches the sound produced by users to the original recording of the song. While it is being rolled out, the feature will be limited only to Android devices for now. If and when it will be released for iOS devices, remains unknown as of now.

Lock screen for mobiles

YouTube finally seems to have answered our prayers. In order to help users avoid interruptions, the platform will soon allow users to lock their screens while playing videos, and not pause them automatically when they do so, so as to provide a smoother and more immersive audio-visual experience.

All of the above features will gradually roll out to users on mobile, tablet, as well as desktop devices worldwide over the next few weeks. We can’t wait to try them out.