YouTube Launches New Channel Sidebar Menu for Android TV

Recently, YouTube has faced accusations from users who claim that the platform is concealing the skip ad button, compelling them to watch advertisements in full. In response, YouTube announced that it is in the process of revamping certain aspects of the ad interface to enhance user experience while interacting with ads.

In the midst of these changes, YouTube has also introduced a significant update to the user interface for Android TV. The channel menu now sports a new dual-column layout that avoids obstructing the content being viewed.

When streaming a video on your Android TV or Google TV, users can utilize their remote to access additional information about a channel, subscribe, join memberships (if available), or delve deeper into the channel’s content.

To fully explore a channel, users need to long-press the channel’s icon or profile picture, prompting a menu to appear. Previously, this would display as a floating card over the video, blocking a large portion of the viewable content. This menu would remain until the user either dismissed it or selected an on-screen option.

YouTube aims to enhance viewing experiences by unveiling the redesigned channel side menu that minimizes the video playback, allowing for a complete view of the content while the side menu appears conveniently on the right. The new layout maintains essential features, such as the Subscribe, Join, and Go to Channel buttons.

According to Google, this new channel side menu for YouTube on Android TV provides “the right balance between interactivity and immersion.”Users have begun to notice this update on the newly released Google TV Streamer and Chromecast with Google TV; however, the rollout is not yet widespread and will gradually reach more devices.

Source and image: 9To5Google

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