Youtube gets Holo'd - Android UI spreads

Posted by Fumar on December 6, 2012 10:55 pm 21

YOUTUBE - CLEANED UP

Youtube received a refresh today. I like the direction Google is heading with design wise. I wanted to highlights Youtube's new abilities and cleaner look.

Refreshed Youtube

As you can see in the screenshot above, the background is now predominately white. I like the spacing between elements. They removed the shading between the buttons on the actual player. They added ≡, they call it a guide, as a menu on the left sidebar. If clicked it shows personal subscriptions, watch later, history, and playlists.

Last Search on the left

Search Results

The left sidebar now shows results from your last search. For instance, I searched Boards of Canada. Then I clicked on the video you see in the screenshot. It is a good way to save me clicks. I do not have to go back to view more of the results. I also do not have to scroll to the bottom to see more recommendations. You can scroll through the results on the left pane. The actual search page has been cleaned up as well. It is now easer to skim through the results.

Holo design

Google is implementing the style of Holo in their web apps. It is nice to see this integration of style and consistency. If one clicks on the share button, gives allows one to start a hangout. I wonder how many people use Google Hangouts on Youtube... One other big change is in the comments. The pages are gone and now it is an infinite scroll. This is a big change. I am unsure as to why the felt the need to alter comment system. It sure looks nice, but it makes it harder to go through the comments quickly.

Infinite Scroll on Comments

Overall, the tweaks make Youtube a little more user friendly. I like that they are using the left pane to show users more relevant content. One can linger longer on Youtube going through videos. The cleaner look is more consistent with their new design language. Many people dislike the direction Gmail took, but I think this will be a welcome change to Youtube.

What do you guys (HN) think of the change?

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