A just-released version of the Android YouTube app has provided some hints at several new features that could potentially arrive on the platform in coming iterations.
In dissecting the Android Application Package (APK) of the latest version of the YouTube update — or the package file format that’s used to distribute and install apps on Android devices — Android Police reports that polling for live broadcasts, a so-called ‘AutoOffline’ feature, and picture-in-picture support for YouTube on Android TV could be in the works.
First, while livestreaming from the YouTube app has yet to fully roll out to all mobile users, an update could eventually enable broadcasters to serve their audiences polls, Android Police reports. Such a feature could presumably be used to get a quick consensus from audiences mid-stream rather than trying to gather information from a ceaseless influx of comments.
Subscribe for daily Tubefilter Top Stories
Android Police also reports that an AutoOffline feature is in development, which would automatically save videos to a user’s device every day without any action required. It is unknown how such videos might be chosen. It’s also worth noting that paying YouTube Red subscribers are already able to save videos to their devices offline, though they must be manually selected.
Finally, a long-awaited update could be coming soon to the YouTube For Android TV app — which Android Police notes has not been revamped in roughly nine months. The TV app may support picture-in-picture, according to the outlet — a feature whereby YouTube videos can be consumed in one section of a screen while viewers concurrently utilize other apps.
Fore more information about these rumored features, check out Android Police‘s report right here.
