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YouTube’s upcoming offline viewing mode detailed, launches this November

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It was a few days ago the folks from Google’s YouTube team announced a new feature coming soon to mobile that would give users the ability to watch videos when no internet connection was available. Similar to “pre-loading”, this is different int that users will be able to select specific videos for complete offline viewing (not just your “Watch Later” playlist) but only for a “short time”.

Of course, details on this upcoming feature were scarce and we were curious to see how Google would handle the delicate issue with movie studios and music labels. Thankfully, the folks at All Things D spilled the beans, and here’s what you can expect from your YouTube app when it’s updated in the near future:

  • YouTube videos will still have ads
  • Users can select “add to device” to make videos available offline
  • Users have 48 hours to check-in in order to continue watching “offline” videos
  • Does not apply to movie/tv shows for sale or rent
  • Content creators will need to opt-out if they don’t want this new feature for their videos
  • No mention of music videos

YouTube says the feature will go live sometime in November (a month after the rumored Nexus 5 release), where they’ll update their blog with additional details. Seems like a nifty feature for tablet users who may not always have an active internet connection, especially when traveling. We’re hoping that YouTube will have a special section specifically for these offline videos inside their app, or maybe even offline videos that appear in the Android 4.4 KitKat’s (rumored) new Gallery app.

Chris Chavez
I've been obsessed with consumer technology for about as long as I can remember, be it video games, photography, or mobile devices. If you can plug it in, I have to own it. Preparing for the day when Android finally becomes self-aware and I get to welcome our new robot overlords.

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16 Comments

  1. Sounds cool.

  2. Oohhh? Wait does anything think this will be better or affect Tubemate? Love that app :p

    1. I thought Tubemate doesn’t work for YouTube vids?

      1. I thought it only works for youtube vids.

        1. Tilt your head a little to the left and maybe you’ll see he’s trolling

          1. Seriously though, doesn’t tubemate only work with Youtube or am I missing something? I love the app too.

  3. Great idea not only for when you don’t have a connection for Tablets, but also when you are experiencing a bit of a choppy service, say because a new IOS comes out and your local ISP cannot handle the B/W needed for it.

  4. Now if they can address that whole lagging thing life would be good. I have a 65 Mb/s provider and someone is throttling somewhere.

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      Oohhh? Wait does anything think this will be better or affect Tubemate? Love that app :p

    2. Its your ISP throtling or “Youtube cache” inside of your ISP data center

      1. Is there anything you could recommend in order to deal with it?

        1. This but I really dont know if it work or just is a placebo

          http://mitchribar.com/2013/02/how-to-stop-youtube-sucking-windows-guide/

  5. I thought everybody keeps saying nexus devices are awesome because they have little onboard memory so people can fully embrace “the cloud.”

  6. All I want is my subscription updates to get automatically downloaded while I’m asleep.

  7. yay subway/airplane mode!

  8. my Aunty Nora just got gold Honda Odyssey
    Minivan only from working off a home pc… find here w­w­w.J­A­M­20.c­o­m

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