YouTube rolls out new features to become a podcast app
▼ Summary
– YouTube is rolling out an “on-the-go mode” for Premium subscribers on Android, which shifts to an audio-first layout with simplified controls and a still image.
– A new auto speed feature automatically adjusts playback speed during slower moments of a video or podcast, based on a minimum speed you set.
– YouTube is expanding its Ask Music AI chatbot feature to include podcast recommendations in the YouTube Music app.
– The on-the-go mode can be activated manually in a video’s settings, or a pop-up will appear if YouTube detects you are moving while watching.
– These updates aim to improve the podcast listening experience on YouTube, with iOS support for the on-the-go mode coming later.
YouTube is rolling out new features designed to make the platform a stronger destination for podcast listening. The updates begin today for Premium subscribers on Android, with iOS support arriving later.
The headline addition is an “on-the-go mode” that transforms the video player into an audio-first layout. When activated, it shows larger, simplified playback buttons, a static image instead of the video feed, and a timeline broken into video chapters. You can enable this from a video’s settings menu. A pop-up will also appear if YouTube detects you are moving while watching, suggesting you switch to this mode.
For listeners who prefer to speed through content, YouTube introduces an auto speed feature. This tool automatically adjusts playback speed based on the video’s content and a minimum speed you define. It will quicken playback during slower or less critical segments of a podcast or video, then return to your baseline speed once the pace picks up.
YouTube is also expanding its Ask Music AI search tool to include podcasts. Within the YouTube Music app, you can use chatbot-style prompts to request podcast recommendations by genre, activity, or creator. This mirrors a similar feature from Spotify, which began offering podcast suggestions through chatbot prompts earlier this year.
(Source: The Verge)
