The Android TV YouTube app is receiving a couple of welcome updates. Thanks to a server-side change, YouTube Music has come to Android TV through YouTube’s largest app: yes, it’s super weird.
This latest server-side update has been rolling out for a few days and offers some notable tweaks. Some users will immediately notice that Google has redone the icons along the sidebar in a slightly modified style. Also, some users have reported that HDR seems to work on more Android TV devices with this update. I have not come across this, but it is a nice addition if it is being widely implemented.
However, the biggest change in YouTube’s Android TV app is the addition of a music tab. YouTube Music has lacked an official YouTube Music app which, as the service prepares to wipe out Google Play Music, is obviously a bit troubling.
To get YouTube Music on Android TV, Google has simply integrated that functionality directly into the larger YouTube app. A new tab in the sidebar will include your recent YouTube Music mixes and listen to them along with your “Daily Mix” and other generated playlists. It’s not a great user interface and it lacks a lot of functionality you’d expect from a broader app, but I guess it works fine.
Kind of. There are some important deficiencies here. You can’t explore your music while it’s playing, and equally bad, you can’t let it play in the background, either.
Why did Google opt for this strange integration? I bet it’s because YouTube’s Android TV app is essentially the same one found on Roku, smart TVs, game consoles, and other platforms. Eventually, all those platforms will probably see this same Music integration.
More on Android TV:
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links that generate income. Plus.
Check 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:
