Without an official announcement today at the Google I/O keynote, Google has quietly rolled out a nice looking update to their YouTube app for Google TV. A new UI is featured, which makes navigation a bit easier and more user friendly.
Improved Playback video controls are also included, and subscription options are much easier to use as well. Check out the link to the app in the Google Play Store after the break. » Read the rest
Although Google Glass is not yet in the hands of many owners and retail availability may be a year away, developers are moving full steam ahead with the development of apps. Fullscreen Labs has jumped into the fray with a new app called Fullscreen BEAM that enables users to upload videos from Google Glass directly to their YouTube account. » Read the rest
Earlier today, ASUS revealed their latest PadFone device, the ASUS PadFone Infinity, and now they released a promo video.showcasing it’s attributes. The promo makes note of all the features of the PadFone including the 5-inch full HD display of the phone as well as the 10.1-inch tablet dock. It shows how a veterinarian and designer use the PadFone to be efficient on the go, so check out the video after the break.
The YouTube app for Android was updated recently and along with it came some long overdue features. One of these features includes more Google+ integration that allow users to +1 videos from within the app itself. You can now pause and skip videos in your queue via the notification tray. Last but not least, the full screen button bug is fixed. If you haven’t already, click the Play Store link below and update your YouTube app now.
It’s no surprise that Facebook reigns king among the masses out there in terms of daily active users, but it appears that Google+ and YouTube are certainly trending towards overtaking Facebook as the most widely used social networks in terms of active users. According to a report done by UK market research firm Trendstream, Facebook’s active users in December 2012 was at 693 million, compared to a more modest 343 million for Google+ and while the report does not give an exact number of YouTube active users, approximate estimates seem to have the figure somewhere in the neighborhood of 280 million. So while the exact number of combined active Google+ and YouTube users seems to fall short of the number of active Facebook users, the approximate number would almost certainly be greatly larger than the current 343 million Google+ users. Seems like all those clever integration ideas Google implemented recently are finally coming to full fruition as Google+ and YouTube each experienced tremendous growth in terms of active users… and it probably doesn’t hurt that the Android platform continues to grow and grow— giving Google+ and YouTube and extra leg up on the competition.
You’ll find more details and fun charts in the interesting report once you hit the source link.
source: Forbes
In case you haven’t noticed, in the world of consumer electronics there is a continual effort going on to enable consumers to share content between their mobile devices and non-mobile devices like TVs. An example of this is Apple’s AirPlay system that gives users the ability to mirror iPad or iPhone content to their Apple TV. Apple’s solution enables some other features as well like initiating playback of remote content. Key to this is the ability to discover AirPlay capable devices. Great if you are part of the Apple ecosystem, not so great if you use other solutions or have hardware from other manufacturers. Netflix and YouTube hope to provide an alternative for non-Apple consumers and have launched DIAL with the backing of several other parties. Companies like Samsung, Sony, Hulu and the BBC are backing the effort to develop and implement the DIAL protocol. » Read the rest
Google has released a fresh update to the official YouTube application for Android which features an entirely new UI for 10-inch tablets like the Nexus 10. Similar to the current smartphone application, the refreshed two-pane interface offers a more intuitive experience, allowing users to navigate the app by swiping through channels and genres on the left, while browsing content on the right.
Other than the noticeable visual changes, the update to version 4.2.16 brings a swath of much appreciated bug fixes. If you haven’t already received a notification from Google Play, you can manually retrieve the update via the download link or QR code below.
In commemoration of the availability of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on the HTC Rezound, Verizon Wireless released a video on YouTube to celebrate the end of the long wait. The video is a cross between a music video and a flash mob. The storyline follows a buyer of a new HTC Rezound as she walks and dances her way through city streets unaware of a mob of dancers following behind her. The “flash mob” comes to an end when the main character receives a phone call. I’m not really sure this is effective advertising for Verizon. If you would like to judge for yourself, hit the break to view the video. » Read the rest
Watching videos on YouTube has been a social experience for a number of years now. It started with a little crowd of people squeezing in around a 4″ screen which we all know is less than ideal. Thankfully the experience has evolved with YouTube making its way on to the big screen. Applications for Xbox, Tivo and various Blu-ray and media players have become common place in the average lounge.
Ps3 owners are in for a treat this week as their big-screen YouTube experience has just been bumped up a notch. The Ps3 YouTube application has been treated to a completely new UI overhaul which is focused on making it easier to access your preferred content. Search now offers suggestions and instant results whilst you type and if you sign-in to the application you’ll have quick access to all of your subscribed channels. If that isn’t enough, you can now sync your Android device with your PS3 giving you the ability to use your phone as a remote control. All in all it’s a juicy update!
Source: YouTube blog
Apple users will notice more than Google Maps missing from iOS6 when it rolls out later this year. The latest beta versions reveal a standard YouTube app will not be included. Apple says it is a case of the license expiring. What they say may not really be what then think though. This could be another step in Apple’s scorched earth policy to rid iOS of all Google apps. Apparently Apple believes they can overcome user affinity for the YouTube app by providing YouTube access via the Safari web browser.
In response, Google is now working on sorely needed upgrades to their own standalone YouTube app to be made available through the App Store. This may actually be a benefit for users who will likely end up with a better app and YouTube experience now that Google’s hands are not tied by Apple’s requirements for the operating system included app.
source: The Verge