tsupersonic Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Google has started rolling out a staged YouTube for Android update, and it's probably the biggest redesign the app has seen yet. We've gotten a hold of the APK with exact version 5.0.21 (the previous version is 4.5.17), and after playing with it for about 30 minutes so far, I can definitively say that it's hugely improved. The biggest new features I've spotted so far are: A brand new card-based UI - the app looks better than ever before. It's like Matias Duarte has reached down from the sky and graced it with his magic touch. Previously rumored in-app multitasking that's nothing like we've ever seen before. It really has to be experienced in person, but basically you can make any video you're watching turn into a small window on the bottom right by swiping it down, pressing the down arrow in the top left corner, or simply pressing the Back button. You can then navigate the app while the video is playing. You bring it back up by dragging or tapping the small window and dismiss it by swiping it sideways. The really slick part here is that as you start sliding sideways, the sound volume starts to fade. This is some top-notch UX here. Interestingly, the swipe-down gesture works only in portrait mode on phones. On tablets, it's available in both orientations. The slide-out navigation has been reworked with the latest hamburger-style guidelines in mind. Quick access to history, favorites, playlists, uploads, and watch later right in the slide-out menu. You can now search for playlists. You no longer need to tap the down arrow on the video page to give thumbs up, thumbs down, or flag. The HD and CC toggles have moved from the bottom left edge of the video to the menu. The G+ +1 Recommend button seems to be gone from videos. Update #1: A brand new app icon. Update #2: The landscape UI on 7" tablets is now no longer just full-screen like it is on phones. Say hello to a fully-functional landscape tablet UI. Update #3: At last, YouTube now honors the global auto-rotate setting and doesn't flip to landscape if auto-rotate is off. However, there's now a button in the bottom right corner of the video to force the landscape full-screen mode if you want it. I think it's the ideal solution to this previously controversial situation. Update #4: The TV Queue UI got updated as well. Source Thoughts? I think it looks good. If this app is built on HTML5, then Microsoft doesn't look too good here (re: Microsoft vs. Google on WP8 Youtube app) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djdanster Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Just downloaded it thanks! Ooooh I like the windowed video viewing :D. Go to a video in full screen and press the down arrow at the top left corner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted August 20, 2013 Member Share Posted August 20, 2013 I may have to give it a try. I'm been using Tubemate forever since I can download what I see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Frank B. Subscriber² Posted August 20, 2013 Subscriber² Share Posted August 20, 2013 Installed it on my Nexus devices last night. The update is a major improvement over the previous version in terms of usability. Could the card-based UI hint at what will await us in more applications come Android 5.0? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovetech Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 so its build using html5 then? seta-san 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seta-san Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 so its build using html5 then? silly you. google doesn't have to follow it's own ridiculous rules designed only to shut out competition. jamieakers 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakem1 Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 If this app is built on HTML5, then Microsoft doesn't look too good here (re: Microsoft vs. Google on WP8 Youtube app) And if it's not built on HTML5 then Google looks even worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichi Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Nice UI update, I'm liking the multitasking part a lot. silly you. google doesn't have to follow it's own ridiculous rules designed only to shut out competition. Surely Google doesn't feel the need to exert control through HTML5 over how their own applications stream video including ads and DRM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techbeck Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 silly you. google doesn't have to follow it's own ridiculous rules designed only to shut out competition. Google requires all 3rd party YouTube apps to be written using HTML5. And every 3rd party app is using HTML5 except for the one MS made. Anyway, I dont see the update yet. Hopefully soon. Could probably find the APK somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsupersonic Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share Posted August 20, 2013 And if it's not built on HTML5 then Google looks even worse. Yep. It sucks that BOTH companies can't cooperate. However, I think the blame is primarily on Microsoft, it seems they are just trying to make Google look bad. At the end of the day, Google can do whatever it wants to shut out WP devices. Youtube is their product, and they can set the TOS as they wish, even though it hurts consumers. Installed it on my Nexus devices last night. The update is a major improvement over the previous version in terms of usability. Could the card-based UI hint at what will await us in more applications come Android 5.0? I like the new design language. Would like to see it implemented in other core Google applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsupersonic Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share Posted August 20, 2013 I got the app. update on my Nexus 7 2013. Still no sign on my HTC One. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techbeck Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 I got the app. update on my Nexus 7 2013. Still no sign on my HTC One. i just installed the APK listed in the source. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger H. Veteran Posted August 20, 2013 Veteran Share Posted August 20, 2013 Odd, it's usually per account so if your Nexus 7 has it your HTC One should too (unless you are using a different account?) :blink: Got it on my Nexus 4 now (thanks for the reminder :p) as well as other updates too :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsupersonic Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share Posted August 20, 2013 Odd, it's usually per account so if your Nexus 7 has it your HTC One should too (unless you are using a different account?) :blink: Got it on my Nexus 4 now (thanks for the reminder :p) as well as other updates too :) Not like other app. updates - It's a staged rollout, so it makes sense. I'm using the same Google account on both devices. Edit: I went to My Apps multiple times on the One, and voila! This app is buttery smooth on the One. I can't really use it on the Nexus, since it's on the work WiFi (Youtube is throttled). I like the new app overall, it's a nice change of pace. Google is updating so many core Android apps: Gmail was recent, Maps got a makeover, now Youtube. What's next? Edit 2: Big problem on HTC One. The bottom menu bar...It shouldn't be there since there is already a menu button on the top toolbar along with the arrow down button, + button, and share button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackhearted Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Just got the update a little bit ago on my Galaxy S2 4g. The new UI ain't too bad, and the multitasking is indeed pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsupersonic Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share Posted August 20, 2013 Now available for iOS too: Linky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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