YouTube has made some improvements to the app’s performance and
display with new UI updates. First and foremost, YouTube users can now zoom in
on videos with a pinch motion.
Next, what YouTube calls ‘precise seeking’ is a new functionality
that allows you to drag or swipe through a video while a row of thumbnails
displayed below the video player guides you to get to the exact part that you
want to watch in a video.
As for improved visual presentation, YouTube has launched the ‘Ambient Mode,’ that makes the color of the app’s background to adapt to the color of the video on your screen. The reason why this could be helpful is because it makes the main content stand out better. “We were inspired by the light that screens cast out in a darkened room and wanted to recreate the effect so viewers were drawn right into the content and the video takes an even greater focus on our watch page,” YouTube explains.
And for the Dark Mode lovers out there, YouTube has launched
a darker mode of the functionality, enabling you to experience more vivid colors
on the app.
Other minor tweaks introduced to the app include changes in
formats. The links in video descriptions have been converted to buttons, while formats
of the Like, Share, Download and Subscribe buttons have also been altered to reduce
distraction in playback. The most significant change among these is the Subscribe
button losing its signature red color, which may also make it less likely to be
spotted. Lastly, the color of hashtags has been changed to white from blue.
