Many people can't do without the YouTube comments section. Even if they are other people's horrible opinions, everyone wants to read them and Google knows that. So get ready for a redesigned YouTube smart TV app that puts comments, video descriptions and other experiences front and center.
There's a redesigned YouTube app for smart TV!
Like it or not, this seems like a very useful and straightforward reformulation. Anyone who has tried to read YouTube video descriptions or comments on their smart TV knows that it is a bad experience. The comments section opens and takes up half the screen. However, the section obscures the right side of the video you are watching, so it is very difficult to watch a video and read the comments at the same time.
This redesign introduces a simple solution to YouTube's dilemma. When you open the comments section, the video will automatically resize and fit to the left side of your screen. The video will be slightly smaller than usual, of course, but it will return to normal size when you close the comments.
For those who don't know how to access video descriptions or comments on a smart TV, we'll explain. You need to open a YouTube video, press a directional button on the remote to make the video overlay appear, and click the video title. In other words, it's not the simplest thing in the world. Unfortunately this was not resolved in this application remodel. A clearly labeled “comments” or “description” button would be the ideal solution.
In any case, YouTube claims that this remodel will encourage greater interactivity on the part of smart TV viewers.
However, “interactivity” means more than just “arguing with strangers on the Internet.”
Among other things, the redesigned smart TV interface will give greater access to the YouTube shopping experience, which places product links and images next to a video's description. The shopping experience is highlighted in YouTube's announcement about the app's redesign.
Presumably, all smart TVs and game consoles that support YouTube comments will get the makeover. YouTube TV will have a similar feature for the sidebar that provides stats, key plays, results and other information about live sports games.