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While the new design has been implemented, it’s being gradually introduced in phases.
Google frequently updates its apps and services, often focusing on both their visual appeal and functionality. The latest change comes to YouTube, where the previously angular corners in the video player have been replaced with rounded edges. This alteration aims to enhance the application’s aesthetics, creating a more modern and pleasing look.
In the most recent update, the main video player’s appearance now resembles that of the mini player and the video suggestions found in the left panel. The shift from sharp edges to rounded ones brings about a softer visual quality. However, this rounded edge design won’t apply to theatre mode, where maximizing a video will likely fill the entire screen.
YouTube spokesperson Allison Toh confirmed this development to The Verge. She mentioned that all users will eventually experience the rounded corners in desktop site videos. The rollout of this change will occur gradually at the account level. The update is already underway, and many users are already witnessing the new player design.
While the new look certainly has its visual benefits, it’s not without its drawbacks. Reports indicate that YouTube is sacrificing some pixels from the original content, resulting in cropped videos. Additionally, design experts raise concerns about the compatibility of rounded corners with desktop monitors that typically have squared-off corners. A number of users have taken to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction with this new design.
Interestingly, a similar adjustment is reportedly being tested on YouTube’s skip ads button. Earlier this month, Google Maps also adopted rounded corners in its layout. This suggests that the tech giant might extend this softer aesthetic approach to its other products and services.
