Transformed: YouTube TV for Android Swaps Design for a More Unified User Experience
YouTube TV’s New Mini-Player: A Step Forward or a Step Back?
YouTube TV, the popular streaming service, has recently introduced a new mini-player design on its Android app. The update brings a floating picture-in-picture (PiP) mini-player, similar to the one introduced in the main YouTube app earlier this year. But is this change a step forward or a step back for YouTube TV users?
The New Mini-Player
The new mini-player features a play/pause button, 15-second rewind and forward buttons, and a button to close the window. Users can also pinch to zoom the window. The design docks a floating PiP mini-player at the bottom of the app’s screen, which is similar to the one introduced in the main YouTube app.
A Step Back?
It’s strange that Google would adopt this new mini-player design for YouTube TV after the backlash it faced for a similar mini-player change it previously made on the YouTube app. In July, Google rolled out a floating picture-in-picture (PiP) mini-player in the YouTube app, which was met with mixed reviews. While some users didn’t mind the new design, many others reported that it was full of glitches and annoying.
A Return to the Old Design?
Last month, users noticed that YouTube is returning to its original design, with the stationary mini-player docked just above the app’s bottom bar. Many expressed relief over this revert and welcomed the return of the old mini-player. Here’s hoping that YouTube TV’s new mini-player design is less glitchy and easier to use than what we got with the YouTube app.
What Do You Think?
Do you think the new mini-player design is a step forward or a step back for YouTube TV? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Key Features of the New Mini-Player:
- Floating picture-in-picture (PiP) mini-player
- Play/pause button, 15-second rewind and forward buttons, and a button to close the window
- Pinch to zoom the window
- Docked at the bottom of the app’s screen
