The YouTube app for iOS sees an update today adding support for Slide Over and Split View multitasking. Even though iOS 9’s multitasking functionality has finally reached the app, picture-in-picture support remains to be seen. Users will note that background audio is available for current YouTube RED subscribers. The newly introduced multitasking functionality should help to appease those who’ve longed for the ability to catch up on their favorite YouTubers while also flicking through email or other apps.
What’s New in Version 11.10
– Added slide over and split view support
– Moved home tabs into navigation bar for iPad in landscape mode
– Fixed bug that prevented URLs in video descriptions from opening
YouTube is available for free in the iOS App Store and is compatible with iPhones and iPads. Users still looking for a YouTube PIP solution can look at the previously covered CornerTube app, available from the iOS App Store for $1.99.
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So they’re selling multitasking as a feature of their music service yet we can get around it by dedicating some screen real estate to it. That makes sense.
Well, it seems to be the case that the fact it’s a feature of their service is why they aren’t allow PIP. With PIP you can push the video completely off the screen if you’d like, fully getting around out of app / lockscreen(?) listening.
I wonder if they could write the app in such a way that PIP is a FEATURE of YouTube Red. Not sure if they could build two custom video players like that in an iOS app.
Can confirm it is possible to limit PiP support to subscribers, Crunchyroll does it that way. It would certainly get me to pay for YouTube Red.
I am struggling with the decision.
I took back my Air 2 because I heard the next model would have stereo speakers. Sure enough it does, but it has features I also don’t need at a mark up I am unsure I can stomach.
I’ll likely still pick it up but I’m not nearly as certain as I anticipated.