The topic of YouTube Music rolls out split-view Now Playing redesign on Android, iOS is currently the subject of lively debate — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
The split-view Now Playing redesign that YouTube Music has been working on since last year is now widely rolling out.
At the top, you’ll notice how the “Song” and “Video” switcher now uses icons, while the cover art is slightly larger than before.
The placement of the button carousel and main controls is unchanged, but the progress bar switched from a thin line and playhead to a thicker container. The line gets thicker when you tap and scrub.
Meanwhile, YTM has removed “Lyrics” and “Related.” The bottom part of Now Playing is now dedicated to your Up Next queue. You can swipe anywhere in the player (including the very top) to slide it up halfway.
This redesign introduces a new dual-pane design that lets you see cover art, controls, and what’s next. Swipe up again to get the previous fullscreen design.
You’ll find Lyrics just after the thumbs up/down capsule, while Related can be opened by tapping the song title and right-facing chevron.
The split-view Now Playing redesign is now widely rolling out to YouTube Music for Android (version 9.14) and iOS (9.15). This is a server-side update, with dismissing the queue and force stopping the app triggering the new look.
Why it matters
News like this often changes audience expectations and competitors’ plans.
When one player makes a move, others usually react — it is worth reading the event in context.
What to look out for next
The full picture will become clear in time, but the headline already shows the dynamics of the industry.
Further statements and user reactions will add to the story.