Following Google Panda, the search engine algorithm reboot, the Gee have just given a facelift to its YouTube online video network. Continuing in the bear sized footsteps of its predecessor the new view currently in trial is called Cosmic Panda.
One first impressions it’s just a new look to the way you watch videos and how your favourites and uploads are laid out, as well as incorporating the black and grey uniform that recent popped up on Google’s search. But going a little deeper you’ll find a few new features coming to the surface.
Browse a channel and you’ll have large previews of available videos and a new way to view a playlist, which resemble what YouTube were gradually introducing into their “regular” style viewer. Select a video to watch your chosen video dominates the top part of the frame – scroll down you’ll find the familiar features such as commenting and suggested clips. Everything in check, it just looks a whole look slicker.
You can also resize the video you’re watching in a selection of sizes and if you happen to use Google Chrome you’ll be able to search for new video whilst you’re watching another. TV is getting a push too, with a “Catch Up” section heavily featured on the homepage – further promoting YouTube legitimacy as a broadcast media contender.
Giving a little time to the popular YouTube service whilst Google+ is the buzz of the social internet might suggest some kind of crossover is in the works, but for now the Cosmic Panda YouTube “experiment” is available to try at http://www.youtube.com/cosmicpanda
If you don’t like the new set-up you can simply turn it off. This isn’t a permanent deal, not yet anyway.
Read the official YouTube Blog release below and be sure to leave your tweets and comments on the Official Gadget Helpline Twitter as well as our Official Facebook page!
[spoiler]Check out Cosmic Panda, a new experimental experience for videos, playlists and channels
With nearly 8 years of video uploaded and 3 billion views logged every day on YouTube, it’s clear you like to watch and share YouTube videos. While you’re watching your favorite or new videos, we at the ‘Tube are obsessing night and day over how those videos are presented. Our team is constantly experimenting, tweaking and playing with new ways to make your experience exactly what you’re looking for.
Today, we’d like to invite you to play along with us by participating in one of our latest TestTube experiments: Cosmic Panda. To take this experiment for a test drive go to http://www.youtube.com/cosmicpanda and click “Try it out!”
Once you’re in the experiment, much of YouTube will look different, including videos, playlists and channels.
We’re eager to hear your feedback as it’s a great chance for us to incorporate your ideas into future designs for YouTube. To give us your thoughts, click on the blue flag on the left hand side of the page labeled “Feedback.” We’ll be making changes to the experiment regularly, so check back to see if some of your suggestions have made it onto the site or to give us more feedback on the latest updates. You can go back to the older design by returning to Cosmic Panda and selecting to go back to the “older version.” For YouTube Partners, we’re especially excited to hear your feedback, so stay engaged throughout these experiments!
We look forward to seeing your feedback and hope you enjoy hanging out with our Cosmic Panda.[/spoiler]