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YouTube is rolling out its 1080p Premium streaming quality to users on Android, smart TVs, and the web client. It is also bringing the “Continue watching” reminder to Premium subscribers on tablets and TVs. The new features are expanding to more devices amid an international price increase for YouTube Premium.
YouTube Premium users get enhanced 1080p and more new features
Earlier this year, YouTube debuted an enhanced 1080p streaming quality for Premium users. Aptly called 1080p Premium, it upgrades the bitrate of the video rather than its resolution. This makes the image look sharper with more detail and better overall quality. The Premium-exclusive tier was initially only available on iOS.
YouTube later rolled it out to the web version but didn’t formally announce the expansion. The firm has now revealed that the enhanced bitrate version of 1080p streaming resolution is available on the web, as well as the Android app and smart TVs. The new tier kicks in “automatically based on your connection and viewing settings.” You can always manually change the streaming quality.
YouTube’s blog post also confirms a wider availability of the “Continue watching” reminder for Premium users. The feature lets you seamlessly switch between devices without interrupting your video. If you watch a portion of a video on your phone and open YouTube on your TV, you will get a reminder to continue watching the video on the big screen. It will begin from the point you left off on the phone.
“Start your favorite podcast on the subway during your morning commute, switch to the web on your laptop as you take a break at work, and end your day by watching on your smart TV at home,” YouTube says. The company adds that Premium badges are now available to all Premium users who are 18 years and older. You can find these badges on the Your Premium benefits page.
Premium users get early access to experimental features and promotions
YouTube Premium users also get other exclusive benefits such as early access to experimental features and promotional offers from partners. In the US, paid members can currently take advantage of an in-game loot bundle for Genshin Impact, 3-month trial of Discord Nitro, 3-month trial of Walmart+, 4-month trial of Calm Premium, and 3-month trial of PC Game Pass. Head over to Your Premium benefits page to pick up these deals.
As far as experimental features are concerned, YouTube is currently testing a “Conversational AI” tool. It adds an “Ask” button below videos and lets you ask questions about the video. You can select a suggested prompt to begin the conversation. The tool is available to Premium users in the US using the Android app in English. Slots for this experiment are limited, so head over to youtube.com/new and sign up quickly.
