YouTube Premium subscribers are now given five new features that will make their subscription more worthwhile than free YouTube. These five features are streaming at 1080p Premium settings, Queue, Live Sharing, connecting video viewing on multiple devices and Smart Downloads.
Through 1080p Premium, FHD content can be viewed at a higher bit rate. In theory the video will look sharper and clearer. This is especially important in video content with fast action such as car racing or football. This feature was given to iOS users only at the time before it will also be offered to users of the web browser version.
Next is Queue which allows several videos to be arranged to be watched consecutively in the YouTube application. Previously this feature could only be used on a smartphone app for viewing on a TV app. Premium customers can watch one video before going to another video for it to play after the first video.
Then Live Sharing allows YouTube viewing in a group Google Meet session. For those who want to watch the same video with friends who are far away this feature is definitely useful. In just a few weeks, this shared viewing feature will be available in FaceTime via Apple SharePlay.
Cross-device viewing is also available to Premium subscribers today. You can start viewing on a smartphone before continuing viewing on a TV or web browser. With this uninterrupted cross-platform viewing can be enjoyed.
Last but not least is the previously tested Smart Downloads feature given to all. Smart Download guesses what content you might want to watch and then automatically downloads it whenever the device connects to a WiFi network. These videos can then be watched offline.