YouTube Music, a favored alternative thanks to the removal of ads on the platform, is receiving a worthwhile update that enhances its functionality. Google has been diligently working on improving this music service, and the latest version, 8.26.51, brings a feature that brings it closer to competing services like Spotify. With this update, users can now seamlessly resume listening to tracks across different devices, allowing for greater flexibility. For instance, you can start a song on your phone and pick up right where you left off on your PC, or vice versa.
This device-hopping capability, while already a standard on Spotify, has been long-awaited for YouTube Music users. According to reports from Android Authority, the update includes an interesting addition to the Speed Dial feature. Songs played on other devices now display a progress bar underneath, allowing users to easily resume playback from their last listening point. This is particularly convenient for those who enjoy music while multitasking, such as when taking a break to grab a drink.
While this new feature is appreciated, it still does not match the comprehensive cross-device controls offered by Spotify. The latter allows users to manage playback on different devices more fluidly, such as controlling their smartphone from the desktop app. Nonetheless, this enhancement may prove to be beneficial for YouTube Music users and could help maintain subscriptions, especially as YouTube Premium Lite rolls out globally. Ultimately, the effectiveness of this update will be judged by actual user experience.
In the past, Speed Dial has sometimes presented unexpected song options, which could detract from its utility. While this update is a welcome step forward, it may still serve as just a helpful, rather than transformative, addition to YouTube Music.
Leave a Reply