Google Announces Offline Video Viewing and Sharing App 'YouTube Go'

[MacRumors]

Google has announced YouTube Go, a new app that lets users save videos for offline viewing and allows sharing of videos with nearby users over Bluetooth (via The Verge).

The app includes options for previewing videos before download, and controlling video quality and file size, all of which are intended to benefit users concerned about cellular data limits and those who are located in areas with limited connectivity.

The announcement was made at a Google event in Delhi, India, where the app will launch initially for users to test, before a broader rollout at a later date. The app will also make use of YouTube's Smart Offline feature, which automatically downloads videos overnight so that they can be watched at a later time in areas without a data connection.

YouTube product management VP Johanna Wright said in a statement:

YouTube Go is a brand new app to help the next generation of users share and enjoy videos. YouTube Go was designed and built from the ground up with insights from India, in order to bring the power of video to mobile users in a way that is more conscious of their data and connectivity, while still being locally relevant and social.

Users in India can sign up to YouTube Go immediately, but it's unclear exactly when the app will launch in the country or elsewhere.

Article Link: Google Announces Offline Video Viewing and Sharing App 'YouTube Go'

 

[djbuddha]

This will be great for helping to save data connections .. imagine downloading these like podcasts? .. I feel like we're on the bleeding edge of 2005 with this level of innovation

 

[adamneer]

Wow, super original name, YouTube.

 

[RowellE]

This should be built into the YouTube app instead of a new app. This would also be a good feature for YouTube Red.

 

[Harmonious Zen]

This should be built into the YouTube app instead of a new app. This would also be a good feature for YouTube Red.

You can already save videos for offline video in YouTube Red.

 

[stiligFox]

It's getting a bit out of hand for YouTube apps... isn't this the 4th one now? Shouldn't these all be combined into one app?

 

[jonnysods]

Is it just me or is there a lot of fragmentation with Google and their apps? So many things could be blended into one.

 

[rekhyt]

Is a new app really necessary...?

Why can't you just use a 'save' option in the normal YouTube app?

What next, Google Inbox for receiving emails, and Google Send for sending emails?

 

[techpr]

This is why I love the Vimeo app. You can upload, edit description, save for offline etc...all from the same app.

 

[Jimmy James]

I used to have an iOS app that allowed one to save for offline viewing. Shame Google changed the API's. Can still do it on the computer, though.

 

[JohnGrey]

You can already save videos for offline video in YouTube Red.

Which makes me wonder how they're going to justify $9 per month for only rubbish 'exclusive content' and no ads.

 

[Rigby]

Hopefully this will spur others to think about offering offline playback too. Would be great to have this capability in apps like Netflix and Hulu for long flights etc.

 

[Icestorm815]

This should be built into the YouTube app instead of a new app. This would also be a good feature for YouTube Red.

This feature is already available in the YouTube app. However, it's only available for those who have a subscription to YouTube Red. This looks like it's going to expand this feature to everyone.

 

[doboy]

You can use Red Browser already to download vids and even extract audio from it (for music vids)

 

[Kajje]

Puts what was available since 10 years by 3rd party in an app.
Gets frontpage mention on competitors' rumor site front page.

 

[bayxsonic]

Which makes me wonder how they're going to justify $9 per month for only rubbish 'exclusive content' and no ads.

Uh, like the fact that Google Music All Access is also included? Also Google Music has the features of both Apple Music and iTunes Match.

In theory it has a much better value than Apple Music. In practice they have no native apps