YouTube Premium has become more expensive in the past year, but it continues to add features regularly. YouTube Music, in particular, has received numerous upgrades in 2023, and the company is now announcing a variety of experimental features and offers for subscribers to explore.
One of the most noteworthy updates is that YouTube’s “enhanced” 1080p playback feature is now available to all users, regardless of the device they are using. Initially exclusive to iOS, the enhanced 1080p setting has now expanded to Android, the web, and smart TVs, offering improved bitrate and more information per pixel.
Additionally, the “continue watching” feature, which was initially launched for phones and the web, is now rolling out to tablets and smart TVs. This feature allows users to seamlessly continue watching a video from where they left off on any device.
YouTube is also integrating AI-generated content into the Premium experience, with tests underway for AI-generated comment summaries and a chatbot that can answer questions about the content being watched. Users can sign up to participate in the chatbot test, as spots are limited.
YouTube is also offering several perks to Premium subscribers, including three-month trials for Discord Nitro, Walmart+, and Game Pass for PCs, with the latter “coming soon.” There is also a four-month subscription to the Calm meditation and sleep app, as well as an “in-game loot bundle” for Genshin Impact. Additionally, new achievement badges have been introduced to highlight user activity.
In the announcement, YouTube revealed that it now has 80 million paid and free trial users of Premium worldwide. While these new features may not attract new subscribers, existing users are encouraged to make the most of the platform, especially in light of YouTube’s recent crackdown on ad blockers.
