YouTube Premium is expanding its functionality by integrating picture-in-picture (PiP) support for YouTube Shorts across various devices, enhancing multitasking capabilities for its users.
What’s New with YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium, traditionally offering ad-free viewing and background play, now allows users to watch Shorts in a floating window while navigating other apps on their devices. This feature, previously available for regular YouTube videos, has been extended to Shorts, marking a significant enhancement in user experience.
Technical Implementation
To activate PiP for YouTube Shorts, users must first enable PiP in their device settings. On iPhones, for example, this involves navigating to Settings > General > Picture in Picture and toggling it on. Once enabled, playing a Short and then switching to another app will automatically transition the video into a small, movable window on the screen. This feature is particularly useful for those who like to multitask, allowing continuous video play while interacting with other applications.
Expanded Accessibility
Initially, PiP was available for standard YouTube videos on premium accounts, but the inclusion of Shorts underscores YouTube’s commitment to enhancing short-form video interaction, mirroring the competitive features seen in platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The rollout began on iOS and is anticipated to extend to Android users later in the year.
User Reception and Feedback
The response to this new feature has been largely positive, with many appreciating the ability to consume Shorts in a more flexible format. However, there have been calls from the user community for this feature to be made available without a Premium subscription, especially considering its utility and the precedent set by other platforms offering similar functionalities for free.
YouTube’s update to include PiP for Shorts as part of its Premium package significantly boosts the app’s utility, aligning it more closely with user habits that favor multitasking and continuous content consumption. This development not only enhances the user experience but also solidifies YouTube’s position as a versatile platform in the competitive social media landscape.
