Every now and then, some of our most beloved apps undergo such significant changes that we revolt for a couple of days during a rocky adjustment period.
And then we relent, and we love it.
Related: Google wants to get rid of your passwords (here’s why)
While most apps try hard not to inflict too sharp a change on us nowadays, with many opting for more seamless, gradual transitions, every now and then big change is necessary.
Recall, for example, when Instagram introduced Reels as its flagship competitor to TikTok. Or when Apple (AAPL) – Get Free Report introduced its 2D texting interface, finally ushering out the 3D bubbles iMessages looked like before.
The fact of the matter is that most changes are now to the backend. Google (GOOG) – Get Free Report recently announced it would be shifting to a passkey approach, attempting to make passwords relatively obsolete with hopes of keeping accounts more secure.
Google’s been something on an update kick recently. In September, the tech giant announced it was giving Chrome a facelift with some snazzy new features, refreshing “Chrome’s icons with a focus on legibility and created new color palettes that better complement your tabs and toolbar,” per Google Chrome VP Parisa Tabriz.
In addition to making passkeys easier to use, it made the following changes in October:
A new Pixel 8 with a Tensor G3 chipNew Gmail prompts and catchesMore browser clearingEasier access to your dark web reportPassword capabilities on iOS
YouTube gets some upgrades
And now, Google-owned YouTube is getting some feature changes, too.
Regular users will recall that YouTube received something of an upgrade in 2022, which included “adding more modern design elements and features that helped our viewers feel more immersed,” according to YouTube.
In this photo illustration the YouTube logo is seen displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
And on Tuesday, YouTube released over 30 new tweaks to the experience. Most of them affect mobile app users, and some of them had previously only been available to premium subscribers — a $13.99 monthly expense.
Here are some of the most notable changes, per YouTube’s official page:
Improved audio control: “‘Stable volume’ will be automatically turned on to reduce jarring differences in volume, for an overall improved watching — and listening! — experience.”Press to speed up: “When watching a video either in full screen or portrait mode, just press and hold down anywhere on the player to automatically bump your playback speed to 2x.” Larger preview thumbnails: “We’re also making it easier to change your mind — if you start seeking and need to go back, move your finger to where you started and lift when you feel a vibration; We’ll snap you back to the exact part of the video where you left off.”Fewer interruptions: “We’re also rolling out lock screen on mobile and tablets so that you can lock your screen to prevent unwanted interruptions.”You Tab: “The Library tab and account page have been merged into a new home called You tab where you can find your previously watched videos, playlists, downloads and purchases, as well as your account-related settings and channel information.”Hum a song: “Users will be able to search for a song by playing, singing, or humming.”Reactions: ” Now, when creators ask viewers to “like” or “subscribe,” a visual cue on those buttons will appear in sync with the video. And once fans smash that button, a subtle explosion of playful sparkles will reward them.”Cleaner smart TV experience: “On Smart TVs, viewers can find details about a video they are watching in a new vertical menu that enables quicker access to features such as the video description, comments, the subscribe button, as well as video chapters.”
