YouTube is updating the look of the video player to be “cleaner and more immersive” starting this week. “This includes updated controls and new icons to make the viewing experience more visually satisfying while obscuring less content,” YouTube explains. It began testing changes to the player earlier this year. A screenshot from YouTube shows how the new look includes rounded on-screen buttons with a bit of translucency, although the effect isn’t as intense as Apple’s Liquid Glass. YouTube says the new player will be available on mobile, web, and TV devices.
The company is also introducing many other updates. YouTube says the “double tap to skip” feature will be “modern and less intrusive to your video watching experience.” A new “structured system for comment replies” aims to “provide a more focused reading experience within the replies panel.” And on some videos, pressing the Like button will display a “dynamic” animation, like a musical note when you like a video clip.
