youtubeWhile a fully redesigned YouTube app with Google's Material Design, an emphasis on subscriptions and creation tools is coming soon to iOS, YouTube has, in the interim, issued a minor update to its current app with fullscreen playback for vertical videos.

Vertical videos are videos that are shot in portrait mode on smartphones. Previously, viewing a vertical video in the YouTube app added two black bars to the sides of the video, shrinking the actual image and making it difficult to view. Now, vertical videos play in full screen the same way they were filmed, allowing users to have a better experience on mobile devices.

YouTube is a universal app available for free on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Tag: YouTube

Top Rated Comments

138 months ago
Omg YouTube!! Don't encourage them! Just as I thought the tides were shifting in favor of horizontal...
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
138 months ago
A required Public Service Announcement on Vertical Video Syndrome ('http://youtu.be/Bt9zSfinwFA'):

Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DJTaurus Avatar
138 months ago
Is it so difficult for them to add audio continues play outside the app.......?.... the most requested feature.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
138 months ago
Don't encourage vertical video Google! Accommodating bad video practices is not a good practice in general. It's prejudice against people that like to use their phones sideways! Soon we'll have to buy 9:16 aspect ratio TVs to view 9:16 broadcast TV. lol
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Westside guy Avatar
138 months ago
I'm not sure this counts as "progress"...
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JesterJJZ Avatar
138 months ago
Smartphones should've never allowed it to begin with.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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