Google is launching updates to YouTube for Google TV with the goal of making it faster and easier to find good content.
“First you’ll notice the app works faster with smoother navigation for a better experience,” says product manager Jurek Foryciarz. “Next, we’ve added a new feature called Discover, which lets you browse YouTube channels by categories. Whether you’re looking for hilarious comedy, delectable cooking content, or the latest news, you can find great channels for any of your interests.”
“We’ve also updated the YouTube app with new channel pages. You can navigate through playlists and videos in your favorite channels, and you can subscribe to channels from the YouTube app with just a click,” adds Foryciarz. “We’ve made improvements to allow even more interaction with your favorite channels. You can now see related videos and more videos from the same user by pressing the up or down arrows on your remote.”
Users can use the up and down arrows on their remote controls to find the Info screen, where they give the video a thumb up, add it to a playlist or leave a comment.
Google TV users will be able to update the YouTube app via Android Market.
Google will be running a workshop at its TV App Hub at the IP&TV World Forum in March.
Ossama Alami, Global Manager, Developer Relations and Developer Advocate at Google, will open the actual event, and the workshop will be 2 hours long. He will use the event to “explore how the developer communities can embrace” Google TV as the next stage of Android development,” according to an official announcement from the event.
In other words, it sounds like Google will use the event to find partnerships that can make Google TV better, particularly in terms of its Android integration.