YouTube app for Chromecast spotted, brings new UI and more functionalities

Google seems to be changing the YouTube experience for Chromecast-connected TVs, as noticed by some users. The search giant is not just bringing more functionality, but is changing the UI design on TVs as well, making it appear like a pseudo YouTube app. 

If you own a Chromecast-connected TV, you will be familiar with the process of casting a video from your phone to the TV, wherein all you see is a video player that provides basic details like channel name, view count, date, and time at the bottom-left corner. And once you are done watching the video, it takes you back to the “Ready to watch” splash screen.

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However, as reported by 9to5Google, a couple of users have started seeing a different experience. As per them, the player now lets you perform more functionalities like changing resolution, closed captions, subtitles, and accessing “Stats for nerds.” They are even able to add new videos to the queue/playlist. What’s more is that the updated version doesn’t show the splash screen anymore. It now shows a homescreen with suggestions on what to watch next, a similar experience that you get with Android TV.

While a couple of users have managed to face this new YouTube for Chromecast app, one of them named u/garethonreddit has managed to put an image of the settings screen on the Chromecast Ultra. From the image, it is worth noting that this is a web version but the “Client” notes that it is HTML5 powered. They were also able to clear watch and search history, as well as “Reset app.”

Interestingly, Google has not yet mentioned anything about a YouTube app for Chromecast users and the new interface since then has disappeared for both the users, as per the report.