YouTube will soon learn how to fully utilize the screen space of foldable smartphones
By ForGeeks Foldable smartphones are becoming increasingly popular, but apps that make effective use of the larger screens are still rare. Even Google apps like YouTube haven’t been properly optimized for foldable devices. But that looks set to change soon: an upcoming update to YouTube could redesign the interface to make better use of the extra screen space.
An upcoming update to YouTube could redesign the interface to make better use of the extra screen space.
Current YouTube interface issues
The YouTube app in landscape orientation currently suffers from:
- Inconvenient placement of elements: Subscription feeds at the top, subscription feed at the bottom.
- Poor thumbnail adaptation: some thumbnails are displayed incorrectly, which leads to loss of useful space.
- Excessive empty space: important elements often appear «recessed» on a large screen.
What’s new in the update?
Application researcher AssembleDebug has discovered the following interface changes being tested in YouTube’s 19.50.36 version:
- Two-column design for tablets and foldable devices:
- Left: list of subscribed channels.
- Right: video feed.
- Benefits:
- Miniatures will be displayed in full.
- The amount of empty space will be reduced.
- Optimization for phones in landscape orientation:
- Ability to display two videos (with thumbnails) side by side instead of one.
- Adapt the interface depending on the screen width of the device.
When to wait for the update?
Although the update hasn’t started rolling out yet, Google is likely testing it on a limited number of users. This is standard practice for YouTube.
Other recent YouTube changes
- Redesign of the bottom bar: Google recently freshened it up a bit, making it less boring.
Why is this important?
The new adaptation of YouTube’s interface for foldable devices and tablets could significantly improve the user experience. This is especially true for users of premium, large-screen devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold or Google Pixel Fold.
Conclusion: Google is finally starting to pay more attention to larger screens. If the update lives up to expectations, it could be an important step to better integrate apps with the new smartphone form factors.
Smartphone form factors.
