New update makes it easier to use YouTube Music on TVs

Source: YouTube

YouTube has released a new update for its YouTube Music app on TVs running on Android TV and the new Chromecast with Google TV. Smart TV users can now access saved playlists and liked songs in their available libraries. This option is visible in the YouTube Music tab located within the YouTube TV app. There are also new visuals to display albums and playlist artwork. YouTube Music Premium users will soon be able to continue playing music in the background after exiting the app.

As for Android TV OS users, music uploads are now directly accessible in your library. YouTube also revamped the playback interface to show relevant information like the artist's name. There's also a progress bar for the song playing. Those with the Android TV home screen can browse content quickly with the new YouTube Music row.

Source: YouTube | Via: The Verge

YouTube Music gets new features, including Google Assistant recommendations on Nest speakers

Google is integrating YouTube Music more into its ecosystem. Now, the streaming app gains new features for Google Assistant, Android TV, and Google Maps.

Google Assistant on newer Nest speakers can now recommend music. All you need to say is, "Hey Google, play recommended music from YouTube Music." It will then offer personalized music suggestions, like favourite artists and genres, based on your listening history. The same feature won't work on Google Home devices, though.

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YouTube Music gets Android TV integration through YouTube app

It's a solution, but a hastily put together one, it seems. YouTube Music comes to Android TV through a server-side update that introduces a new Music tab in the app with YouTube Music's logo on it. It shows a lot of your regular YouTube recommendations and the content taken from your account. You'll get access to things like "Your likes" and playlists you've subscribed to, "Your mix," "Discover mix," some genre and mood stations, your playlists, artists stations based on your listening habits, and recommended playlists. And it has an instant playback function that starts when you highlight a mix, playlist or artist station. 

Beyond that, though, it's basic integration, lacking a lot of features that would be better introduced through a dedicated YouTube Music app. It doesn't offer background playback, shuffle or repeat, audio/video toggle, playlist management, full library access including to your uploaded music, and synchronized lyrics. Here's to hoping Google fixes these lapses and give its subscribers a better app to work with.

Source: Android Police

YouTube Music tests new 'Recent activity' section

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The latest feature to land on YouTube Music introduces is a "Recent activity" carousel that shows the newest additions to your library. At the top of the "Library tab," there is an album artwork carousel that shows what you last listened to. According to 9to5Google, YouTube Music is now A/B testing a broader section to include albums and playlists you've saved to your library. Additions you've made from the new Explore tab will show up in this section after a refresh. Since it's being tested, it's not yet a widely available feature. It's seen as similar to the "Recents" page in Google Play Music, allowing you to browse through your history quickly.