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‘Picture-in-Picture’ feature on YouTube

Picture-in-Picture Picture-in-Picture on YouTube

The much talked about ‘Picture-in-Picture’ feature is finally coming to YouTube app, however only for iOS users. Even though Picture-in-Picture (so called previously) feature was previously available on YouTube, this one’s going to be a bit different.

Many users of YouTube, considered the previous feature (where you could minimise the player video while browsing other videos), as Picture-in-Picture, however that was only a player minimise feature. This one’s going to be actual ‘Picture In Picture’ feature.

What is ‘Picture-in-Picture’?

Picture-in-picture, also know as PiP, lets the user watch a video in a small window pinned to a corner of the screen while navigating between apps or browsing content on the main screen.

Isn’t that cool! 😎 Well, all cool things come at price! So, here’s the catch –

Picture-in-Picture feature would be available only to YouTube Premium subscribers.

Yes, that’s true! In the initial launch stage, the Google owned platform is planning to monetise the feature, hence they have kept it available only to Premium YouTube subscribers.

What is YouTube Premium?

Picture-in-Picture

Youtube Premium is a subscription service offered by the video platform YouTube.

It includes –

  • 100% ad-free video
  • Background playing (you can play songs on YouTube and minimise the app)
  • Premium Music & Video downloads
  • Access to YouTube original movies
  • Access to YouTube original TV shows
  • & now, Picture-in-Picture.

All this comes at –

INR 139 per month1 screen
INR 399 per quarter1 screen
YouTube Premium subscription plans in India

YouTube is going to continue with all the premium subscription offers, however it promises that the Picture-in-Picture feature would be available to all the users, whether, premium or non-premium, in due course of time.

The feature seems really good, and can allow you to work on different apps, simultaneously, however, we envisage some small issues while using this feature. This does not mean that the user experience would be hampered in any way. But, minuscule concerns that a very small fraction of users might feel.

  • Picture-in-Picture feature will open your video in a small app, while you browse other apps on your smart phone. The small video may cover a considerable portion of you mobile screen and working on other apps, might a little squeezy.
  • Video playing on mobile devices has proved to consume a lot of battery power. When someone plays a video on YouTube, we tend to close or forward the playlist when one doesn’t want to hear a song or watch a video. In the case of Picture-in-Picture, users generally show sluggish behaviour and let the video play while working on another app. This will considerably consume the battery energy and in the long run will reduce the battery life.
  • If you are not using wi-fi and are using data services to play the videos, you might end up having an empty data bank.

On the flip side, any users might find the feature quite useful as any of tend to work with music playing in the background. However, if that’s the case, you call always play music on Apple Music or some other music playing app, or best you can play it on your laptop or desktop, whatever you work on.

Whatever you do, KEEP ROCKING and KEEP PLAYING! 😀

How did you like this article? Are you tempted to use the feature and buy YouTube premium just to experience the Picture-in-Picture feature? Well, we neither recommend, nor want to keep you away from purchasing the same. If you are a YouTube lover or spend a lot of time on the app, its worth a try!

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