YouTube revamps mobile and desktop offerings

YouTube is rolling out a number of new features for the mobile and desktop versions of the service, in the latest stage of the video site’s evolution.

The updates are designed to offer a consistent style across devices and include new gesture controls on mobile and the wide rollout of YouTube’s new ‘dark theme’ for desktop.

“Over the last few months we’ve started releasing updates and will continue to throughout the rest of the year,” said YouTube chief product officer, Neal Mohan.

“When all is said and done, we’ll bring a new level of functionality and a more consistent look across our desktop and mobile experiences”

The new features on the mobile app include: a new design with navigation tabs moved to the bottom of the bottom of the app; and the ability for users to change the speed of videos, in the same way that they can on desktop.

YouTube said its mobile player will soon “seamlessly change shape” to match the video format being watched – such as vertical, square or horizontal videos.

In the coming months, Mohan said YouTube will also experiment with a feature that lets users “jump between videos with a simple swipe of your hand: just swipe left to watch a previous video or swipe right to watch the next one.”

On desktop, YouTube has rolled out a new design that aims to provide a “simple and intuitive user experience that lets content shine”.

This includes the global rollout of ‘dark theme’ – a setting YouTube first previewed earlier this year and that turns the background dark while users watch for a “more cinematic look”.

YouTube is also yesterday introduced a new logo and icon, creating a “more flexible design that works better across a variety of devices, even on the tiniest screens”.

“We know this is a lot of change, but we want to make clear that there’s one thing that stays the same: YouTube’s mission. We’re here to give people a voice and show them the world – no matter what device they use,” said Mohan.