YouTube is selectively testing the new version of the app

May 15, 2015 09:27 GMT  ·  By

YouTube has been under Google’s patronage ever since 2006. At the moment, the search giant is prepping a new version of the application for iPhone and iPad, which will boast some distinctive Material Design characteristics.

The new update will probably be widely made available soon enough, but some users have already started seeing the changes. The folks at Tech Invasion have posted a video showing us a glimpse of the new, redesigned YouTube app.

In the clip, you’ll be able to see how Google is trying to infiltrate Android Material Design changes into the iOS application for YouTube. It’s a pretty sneaky move from the search giant, but not something that wasn't to be expected.

The new Material Design for YouTube involves flattened design elements within the application interface, exactly like in the case of Android.

We've been hearing rumors about an YouTube update set to bring Material Design elements to iOS for a few months now, as Google was testing these changes internally, but we haven’t seen them in real life until now.

YouTube for iOS will finally get similar Android treatment

YouTube updated the Android application with Material Design since December 2014, and iOS users will be getting the same treatment soon. YouTube seems to be using a tactic similar to that employed by Facebook, which involves testing changes by exclusively offering them to some users.

Since YouTube is such a popular application, the addition of Material Design elements into its interface will certainly draw a lot of attention. Google is also preparing to implement new types of gestures in its YouTube app, which is now getting a Back button so users can easily return to the pages they previously visited.

Since the new version of the app is being tested with select users, don’t fret if you don’t see any changes on your device just yet. You will probably do soon enough.

In the meanwhile, take a moment to look at the video we embedded for you below if you’re curious to see what Google has in store for iPhone and iPad users. We’ll keep you updated as the feature starts becoming widely available.