YouTube for iOS update includes ability to select video quality over Wi-Fi

YouTube has released version 2.2.0 for its iOS app with new features and upgrades. Users can now choose video quality of clips they watch over Wi-Fi. There are also some unspecified accessibility and iOS 7 compatibility upgrades.

YouTube to hold first music awards

YouTube is sponsoring its first YouTube Music Awards this November 3 and will feature big names like Lady Gaga, Eminem, and Arcade Fire. The show will stream live online from Pier 36 in New York City and be hosted by actor Jason Schwartzman. 

The show will be honoring “artists and songs that YouTube fans have turned into global hits over the past year.” The nominees will be announced on October 17. There are also going to be events at Seoul, Moscow, London, and Brazil.

Source: Huffington Post

SNL opens official YouTube channel for all markets except US

It’s official. Saturday Night Live is now on YouTube for all markets except the U.S. to help promote and potentially land syndication deals outside its current availability in 170 countries. Over 2,500 clips spanning the show’s 38 seasons are on the channel, with additional 2,000 to be uploaded soon.

The U.S.-exclusion is a result of a one-year deal between Broadway Video, SNL’s production company, and Yahoo! to allow exclusive streaming access of the show’s clips on the site.

YouTube to roll out offline viewing feature for mobile devices

YouTube is testing out a new feature that will enable users who watch videos on the site’s mobile app to do so even if they’re offline. You will be able to add videos to your devices that you can watch for a short period of time even if you aren’t connected to the internet. Think of it as a good morning commute companion. The said feature is going to be available in November. We’ll keep you posted on any developments.

UPDATE: According to Variety, Vevo is opting out of this functionality that gives you 48 hours of offline playback. 

Source: YouTube’s Creator & Partners blog