In April 2023, Google announced a redesign of the YouTube app for TV, stating that the updated user interface (UI) would be available later that summer. Although there wasn’t any indication that the redesign would also come to the desktop version of YouTube, many users began noticing similar changes on their browsers. Initially, these updates were limited in scope, but it appears they are now being implemented more broadly. Recently, numerous users have reported receiving access to the new UI, though feedback has mostly been negative.
Many users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the redesign. The traditional red and white media player UI has remained unchanged for nearly ten years, making the shift to the new design a significant departure from what users have grown accustomed to. While some users have compared the new interface to Apple’s TV UI, one user, Macaroon_12345, made a more relevant comparison to Apple’s Liquid Glass design language. This new YouTube UI incorporates elements of Google’s Material 3 design language, featuring commonly used controls such as Play/Pause buttons and the timeline within pill-shaped buttons.
A notable change with the redesign is the relocation of the volume slider, now positioned on the opposite side of the screen. Additionally, reports from earlier interactions with the new UI indicated that the volume slider has changed from a horizontal layout to a vertical one, and it seems that the previous ability to hover, scroll, or use keyboard keys for volume adjustments may have been removed. The new UI has not yet rolled out to all users, so specific details regarding these changes remain unconfirmed. Have you experienced the redesigned UI?
Do you prefer it to the classic red and white layout? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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