YouTube app for TV and gaming consoles adds adaptive thumbnails, AI labels, and more

YouTube is back at it again with a fresh batch of updates for all you Smart TV and gaming console users out there. These changes have been cooking throughout Q3 2024, and now they’ve dropped some slick improvements aimed at making your couch-surfing YouTube experience even more seamless. So, what’s new this time around?

Thumbnails that think

Ever get tired of pixelated previews when scrolling through YouTube on your big screen? Well, YouTube has rolled out adaptive thumbnails — think of them as thumbnails with brains. These thumbnails now adjust their resolution based on your device’s capabilities, so whether you’re streaming on a fancy Smart TV or a gaming console, your thumbnails will always look crisp and clear. The best part? It all happens on the fly.

Real content or AI-generated? Now you’ll know

In today’s world of deepfakes and AI-generated magic, it’s getting harder to tell what’s real. That’s why YouTube is adding Altered and Synthetic Content labels. These nifty little tags will let you know when a video has been tweaked or created using AI tools. So, you can enjoy all that awesome content with a bit more context.

A new look on homescreen

YouTube has got a few more surprises in store with an updated layout. Topic Exploration shelves now appear on your homescreen to help you discover new interests and videos you didn’t even know you needed. The goal is to get you diving deeper into the things you love — and maybe a few things you never thought you would.

And for the music lovers, there’s a new Recently Played shelf on the Music tab. This essentially replaces the pinned Music Library shelf with an easier way to relive your favorite jams. Also, family movie night just got an upgrade. YouTube’s For the Family shelf on the homescreen now pulls together all family-friendly content in one convenient spot, making it easier to find shows that everyone can agree on.

Shorts just got shorter (and easier to find)

If you love YouTube Shorts, you’re in luck. There’s now a dedicated shorts shelf on channel pages. It’s never been easier to binge-watch your favorite creators’ short-form content, and it’s all thanks to popular demand. So, keep those quick hits of entertainment coming.

One more thing — you’ll notice that signing into your YouTube account on your TV just got a whole lot smoother. No more endless prompts asking you to log in. It’s one of those “small but mighty” changes that will save you a headache in the long run.

So, grab your remote and check out these latest updates for YouTube app on TV. Whether you’re hunting for new interests, catching up on music, or just watching Shorts, YouTube has made sure it’s a breeze.

Now, which feature are you going to try first?