YouTube is currently testing new features exclusively for Premium subscribers, offering experimental tools that may or may not become widely available. The platform, known for frequently experimenting with upgrades, is introducing features like high-quality audio playback, faster video speeds, picture-in-picture (PiP) mode for shorts, and more.
Premium users can now enjoy music videos with a 256kbps bitrate, matching YouTube Music’s ‘high’ audio quality setting. Additionally, a new 4x video playback speed option has been added, doubling the previous 2x limit.
The “Jump Ahead” feature, launched last year to help users skip to the best parts of a video using machine learning and feedback-based timestamps, is now accessible on the web version of YouTube.
Short-form content fans on iOS can look forward to PiP mode for Shorts and the ability to enable smart downloads for Shorts, features already available on Android.
The Jump Ahead feature on the web will remain in testing until February 5, while PiP for Shorts and Shorts Smart Downloads are available to try until February 19. These experiments allow YouTube to evaluate user feedback and determine whether these features should become permanent.
