YouTube continues to refine its mobile app with fresh design updates and new features, and the latest experiment is the introduction of a “Play Something” floating action button (FAB). This feature, currently in testing, aims to make content discovery even easier and more intuitive for users.
A Button Designed for Convenience
The “Play Something” FAB is hard to miss, featuring white text and a play icon on a black background that stands out prominently on the app. Positioned as a floating button, it’s accessible no matter where you are in the app, inviting users to jump straight into a video with a single tap.
When tapped, the button launches a video in the Shorts player interface, but this isn’t limited to YouTube Shorts. It also pulls up regular videos, playing them in a portrait layout with large, easy-to-access controls. These include buttons for liking, disliking, commenting, and sharing on the right side of the screen, along with a timeline scrubber at the bottom for quick navigation.
One noteworthy design aspect is that the FAB disappears when the app’s miniplayer is active, maintaining a clutter-free interface.
A Smarter Way to Explore Content
The “Play Something” button appears to align with YouTube’s mission of simplifying the user experience. By leveraging YouTube’s algorithms and your personal viewing preferences, the button likely serves up videos tailored to your interests. It embodies the app’s primary purpose—content consumption—in an easy and engaging way.
An Evolving Feature
While the use of a floating action button is not a common sight in YouTube’s UI, it makes thematic sense here, offering a quick and visually distinct way to access videos. The feature has reportedly been in testing since last year, but this latest iteration was spotted in version 19.50 of the YouTube app for Android.
A Step Toward Enhanced User Engagement
YouTube’s ongoing experiments, like the “Play Something” FAB, reflect its commitment to optimizing user interaction and content discovery. This feature could become a game-changer for viewers looking for a more streamlined way to jump into engaging content, especially as the platform continues to blend its traditional long-form content with the rise of Shorts.
As the feature rolls out to more users, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and whether it becomes a permanent part of the YouTube experience. For now, it’s another intriguing step in the platform’s journey to improve its mobile app and cater to diverse viewing preferences.
