YouTube adds three new features to podcasts for Premium subscribers
YouTube podcasts get enhanced controls and automatic playback speed. In some countries, users can also ask for podcasts.
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YouTube has announced that it will expand its app for Premium subscribers with some features that are particularly important for podcasts. These include an on-the-go mode with enhanced controls for listening on the move and the setting of an automatic playback speed. While these features will be available to paying users worldwide, “Ask Music,” the ability to search for music and podcast recommendations, is initially limited to a select number of countries.
YouTube owner Google had its podcast player for several years, but discontinued this podcast app in 2024 and integrated podcasts into YouTube Music. Now YouTube is bringing back some features that are particularly useful for listening to podcasts while running, walking, or commuting. The YouTube Music app will receive an on-the-go mode, which is intended to be particularly useful for listening to podcasts on the move.
Easier podcast control on the go
According to the official YouTube blog, the on-the-go mode is activated in the settings and contains prominently placed, slightly easier-to-reach controls such as skipping forward and backward. Previously, these were located at the bottom of the mobile device's screen. Additionally, the buttons will be displayed larger even when the screen is locked, making control easier in this state.
Videos by heise
The automatic playback speed, on the other hand, is intended to help users not miss podcasts while saving time. Instead of manually speeding up the podcast's playback speed for slower speakers or slowing it down at important moments, this function does it automatically. Like the on-the-go mode, automatic playback speed will initially be available for Premium subscribers on Android and later also for iOS.
“Ask Music” already makes it easier for Premium subscribers to find music within the YouTube Music app. This feature is now being extended to podcasts. However, the function is only available for now in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Latin American countries (excluding Brazil), Mexico, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the USA. YouTube does not say whether this will be extended to other countries in the future. All these functions also remain exclusive to Premium subscribers.
On the heise online channel on YouTube, podcasts such as #heiseshow, c't Uplink, c't 3003, and the German Darknet Diaries are also available.
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