When Apple introduced iOS 6, it distanced itself from Google by removing Google Maps and YouTube. In the past, both of these applications were baked right into the operating system. While iPhone users have enjoyed a dedicated YouTube app for months, iPad users had to use third party apps or the YouTube website in a browser to get their streaming video fix.
Today, Google released an updated version of their YouTube app that finally supports the iPad and the iPhone 5. I had previously wrote about using the Jasmine iPad app to get your YouTube fix but now you can use Google’s dedicated offering.
Here’s what it’s like to use on the iPad.
When you launch the app, you’ll notice the that your account, subscriptions, and categories are kept in a persistent column on the left. Tap on a section and a list of videos will show up on the left.
You’ll find the search bar up top. Type in your search and you’ll be given a list of videos that are relevant. There’s even a little microphone button that activates voice search, which works great.
Once you’ve logged in, you have access to all of your YouTube account settings. The biggest addition the addition of cross-device history. Any videos you’ve watched while logged into your YouTube account on any device will show up here. This is great if you forgot the title to a video you watched earlier.
In the settings, you’ll notice that you there is an option to open links in Chrome. This means you can avoid using Safari all together if you’re living in Google’s universe.
Video pages look and feel like the website. Videos play while you have access to the video description, comments, and suggested videos. You can leave comments directly from the app. There are buttons to like, dislike, and share/favorite/add to playlist.
Videos can be played full screen and emulate the look and feel of the full screen YouTube player on the web. There are buttons to like, dislike, and share, all while in full screen mode.
Be sure to check out our in-depth review and download the app here.
