Following the discovery that many YouTube users were already using the mobile app to engage with videos while watching them on the big screen, the tech giant is now offering a new tool that allows users to link their TV to their iOS or Android device and sync videos between the two platforms.
New YouTube Feature That Connects Smartphones to TV
According to a blog posted by Youtube, a research found that over 80% of individuals use other digital devices while watching television. It then looked at how people used its own YouTube mobile app and discovered that many of them would open the video while watching YouTube on their TV and participate with the content on their device by like, subscribing, and other means.
YouTube stated that it saw an opportunity to capitalize on this user behavior in order to overcome the challenges it had in designing a big-screen experience.
Tech Crunch reported that Its designers have struggled over the years to make the TV app easier to use given that remote controls are tricky to manage. In addition to this, most TVs lack built-in web browsers, and there is frequently less space to work with - especially when users are watching full-screen videos.
However, the new mobile functionality alleviates some of these issues by allowing users to synchronize their phone with the TV via their mobile app rather than the TV itself.
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How To Use This New Feature
CNET mentioned that with a single click, you can sync your phone and TV viewing experiences.
Instead of tapping your phone's cast icon to connect to your TV, YouTube provides a new option to connect both devices. To use the function, you must first sign in to the YouTube app on both your TV and phone. Launch the app on your TV, then launch the YouTube app on your phone, where you'll be prompted to click "Connect."
YouTube said that the feature makes it "easier than ever to read video descriptions, leave comments, share the video with a friend, or support your favorite creators by sending a Super Chat or becoming a member" because users will be able to view the video content in full screen mode on their TVs.
Integration of E-Commerce in YouTube
Additionally, when your phone and TV are connected, the company is exploring options that allow you to browse or buy things that appear in YouTube videos.
However, this functionality lays the groundwork for additional YouTube experiences, such as e-commerce. According to the company, it is now testing new designs for its video watch page that will make it easier for consumers to browse and shop for products featured in videos directly from the big screen. When users are ready to buy, these designs will direct them to their mobile device, Tech Crunch reported.
In this scenario, a message on the big screen might propose that viewers open the mobile app for a "second screen experience," where they'll see a list of products mentioned in the video that they can tap to view.
YouTube also claimed it would soon roll out new livestream shopping features, such as co-streams where creators can go live together and redirection that bring a creator's audience to a brand's channel.
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