What you need to know
- YouTube is reportedly launching two trials for premium users in its Android app, and one of which is called “One-The-Go.”
- This feature offers more convenient and friendly controls for users, with its media buttons placed front and center (and large) if it detects that you’re moving around.
- The other feature, Auto-Speed, will reportedly speed up your videos automatically to help “save time” while still maintaining comprehension.
YouTube is reportedly launching a double experiment for Premium users this week, both focused on two completely different “issues.”
according to Android AuthorityThe YouTube app on Android is informing Premium users about two new tests: On-the-Go and Auto-Speed. The report claims that the former is about all users who are watching YouTube videos while “working or multitasking”. The app’s splash page says On-The-Go offers “listener-friendly controls” that will appear in one of two ways. First, the app will automatically detect motion through your phone’s sensors.
Android Central’s Tech
I find the auto-speed test most…curious. How does it determine when to send my video automatically? I think, even at 2x speed, I can still guess what’s going on and hear everything that’s happening. Normally, sitting and watching a video for a minute seems a bit irritating, but suddenly the video gets faster.
YouTube says these controls will appear when the app detects that you’re walking or running for about a minute. If you’re listening to a video while walking, with your phone unlocked, the app will ask if you’d like to activate On the Go. These new controls are in a sub-menu of their own, which puts the play/pause, skip button, and next video buttons front and center.
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The content timeline is at the bottom along with options to save the content. The secondary option is “Manual Activation”. From the video’s settings, users can find on-the-go options. The last feature, Auto-Speed, is said to “automatically adjust playback speed throughout the video.” This may require a slightly more practical approach, as YouTube says it can “save you time without sacrificing sanity.”
Auto-speed is reportedly placed in the video’s playback settings menu.
just a test
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The publication says it found both of these tests within the experimental page in the YouTube app. However, YouTube Have not posted these tests On its general “Features and Uses” page, as is usually the case. Regardless, as the week ends, Premium may soon see these two features for its videos.
Android Central’s Tech
The “Preview” that YouTube started testing in March felt like a combination of the Shorts-style clips and muted auto-play you already got. On one hand, I can see it being useful for people who just want to see (and hear) what’s going on, but maybe they’re not interested in watching at the moment. But, if you’re subscribed to a channel and you enjoy its content, chances are you’ll tap to watch regardless of the existence of that preview.
One experiment that was posted on YouTube’s specific page is “Previews” for finding videos. The test began a few weeks ago, giving users an “Entry” card on the app’s homepage. The card is said to provide “five to 10” previews for videos that the algorithm already thinks they will enjoy. The preview will include brief, engaging moments of content. Users can decide to continue watching from there or save it for later.
If you’re looking to “reimagine” the shorts you find on YouTube, that’s not possible with Gemini and VO. Find a scene, add your own reference material, and let the VO take over for a high-quality eight-second clip.
