The main new feature is called “Jump Ahead.” It lets users skip to the most interesting parts of a video with one tap. YouTube uses artificial intelligence and data on what parts of videos most people watch to figure out the best moments. Jump Ahead is available now for Android users in the US and will come to iPhone users soon.
Another big change is picture-in-picture for YouTube Shorts. This lets Android users watch short videos in a small floating window while using other apps. Users can now multitask, like texting or checking email, without stopping their Shorts.
YouTube is also testing some experimental features that Premium members can try out:
– Smart Downloads for Shorts automatically saves short videos to watch offline later
– A conversational AI assistant that can answer questions about videos and suggest related content
– A new design for the video watch page on computers to make finding related videos and comments easier
These updates are only for YouTube Premium subscribers. YouTube Premium removes ads, allows offline viewing, and includes YouTube Music. It costs $11.99 per month in the US.
The new features seem aimed at people with short attention spans who like to multitask. They make it easier to quickly find interesting content and watch videos while doing other things.
YouTube did not say when these features might come to other countries. The company is likely hoping the new perks will convince more people to pay for Premium as it tries to increase subscribers.
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