YouTube for Android TV Unveils Refined Aesthetics with New Animations and Sidebar Enhancements
YouTube for Android TV has just released an update that brings a number of noticeable changes to the user interface. These include a new animation for accessing the menu sidebar and updated highlighting for the different sections. The changes aim to improve the overall usability and aesthetics of the app.
Sidebar Animation Overhaul
When accessing the YouTube sidebar within the Android TV app, you’ll now be greeted with a new slide-in animation. As you navigate the different sections, the current tab will slide off to the right while the section headers slide up. This animation provides a smoother and more visually appealing transition compared to the previous static movement.
Pill-Shaped Icons Gain Prominence
Another notable change is the addition of more prominent pill-shaped icons in the sidebar. This design element is consistent with the recent Material You design language that Google has been implementing across its products. The pill-shaped icons stand out more against the background and feature increased spacing between each option.
Additional Changes
- The new sidebar animation appears to have a smaller icon-led sidebar with only the “Search,” “Home,” “Music,” “Movies & TV,” and “More” icons initially visible. Using your remote to access this section adds the missing options.
- The sidebar animation and pill-shaped icons are purely cosmetic changes and do not affect the functionality of the YouTube app on Android TV.
- The update is likely a server-side change, but it is currently available in YouTube for Android TV version 4.31.300, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
Overall, the latest update to YouTube for Android TV brings a number of subtle but significant improvements to the user experience. The new animations and sidebar enhancements make the app more visually appealing and easier to navigate.
Stay tuned for more updates on YouTube and other streaming platforms from 9to5Google.