Google is trying to connect more closely with its Indian users and has announced the YouTube Go app. It’s an app which has been developed to help users lacking access to reliable data connections. It’s also there to assist those who want to download content for later playback, thus saving their data allowance.
Why YouTube Go?
Google has always provided quality YouTube apps for both the Apple and Google Play stores. However, it has continually seen competition from third-party apps which give people the ability to save a video for later. Right now the official YouTube app does not support this feature, but with YouTube Go (initially just for the Indian market), Google has finally added this feature to its repertoire.
Google took the wrapper off of it at a recent Delhi conference and confirmed that it’s aimed at the mobile market. But why only mobile and India? It’s a country where low-income mobile users are looking for apps to use on their handsets without eating up their data plans. YouTube Go will help them save money by not streaming videos, which eats up their personal data allowance.
How does YouTube Go work?
Earlier this year, Google rolled out Smart Office Technology. Th feature was integrated into existing Google software and offers the added functionality of being able to save a video for later.
How does this relate to YouTube Go? Being smart, it can inform a user how much data a particular video will use while downloading. Additionally, it can determine the quality of the video and provide other accurate information.
Offline viewing
Furthermore, there’s no need to have a data connection when using YouTube Go. Instead, data can be shared locally with other users.
At the Google event in Delhi, YouTube Vice President of Product Management, Johanna Wright said, “YouTube Go is a brand new app to help the next generation of users share and enjoy videos. YouTube Go was designed and built from the ground up with insights from India, to bring the power of video to mobile users in a way that is more conscious of their data and connectivity, while still being locally relevant and social.”
In addition to viewing content offline with the app, YouTube Go will also support other data conservation features. As it stands now, these are thought to be video quality controls (low/mid/high), previews, and new sharing features which will allow a user to send videos from one handset to another without the need for a data connection.
When will the app be available?
If you’re in India, you can sign up to use the beta version of the app right now at YouTubego.com. Google has not yet announced a date for the app to be released, neither is there any word on when everyone outside of India will be able to use the app.
Will you use YouTube Go when it’s finally available in your country?
