We all know how much YouTube loves to experiment, especially when it comes to the app’s Premium tier.
Now, we’re getting more information about a new test for a sleep timer feature that pauses your video, after a fixed period. We agree it’s not exactly earth-shattering but it’s going to be useful for those who love sleeping while long podcasts are playing.
The app says Premium users can benefit by enabling the timer through the page’s desktop or simply by going to settings. They can then click on Try experimental features on the mobile device.
The option for Sleep Timers will pop up across Settings on video players. You can set this for pausing videos after a fixed period. For instance, it could be 10 minutes, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or until the video is finished.
Once that is done, the user will get another alert about timer extensions in case they would like more time. It’s totally up to the user and their sleeping habits.
We agree the feature is a little old, compared to other counterpart apps. We’ve seen Spotify and TikTok add similar features in the past. Spotify included sleep timers while TikTok began experimenting with sleep nudges depending on the preset bedtime option from 2023.
YouTube says the new and useful sleep timer feature will be launched starting next month. We do hope the video-sharing app makes the feature a permanent one as that would better the chances for a free extension to others.
Other experiments from the platform included AI assistants that reply to video queries and a new lock screen rollout that prevents accidental taps.
Read next: Researchers Warn of Persistent Malware Using Fake Downloads to Hijack Chrome Browsers
Now, we’re getting more information about a new test for a sleep timer feature that pauses your video, after a fixed period. We agree it’s not exactly earth-shattering but it’s going to be useful for those who love sleeping while long podcasts are playing.
The app says Premium users can benefit by enabling the timer through the page’s desktop or simply by going to settings. They can then click on Try experimental features on the mobile device.
The option for Sleep Timers will pop up across Settings on video players. You can set this for pausing videos after a fixed period. For instance, it could be 10 minutes, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 or until the video is finished.
Once that is done, the user will get another alert about timer extensions in case they would like more time. It’s totally up to the user and their sleeping habits.
We agree the feature is a little old, compared to other counterpart apps. We’ve seen Spotify and TikTok add similar features in the past. Spotify included sleep timers while TikTok began experimenting with sleep nudges depending on the preset bedtime option from 2023.
YouTube says the new and useful sleep timer feature will be launched starting next month. We do hope the video-sharing app makes the feature a permanent one as that would better the chances for a free extension to others.
Other experiments from the platform included AI assistants that reply to video queries and a new lock screen rollout that prevents accidental taps.
Read next: Researchers Warn of Persistent Malware Using Fake Downloads to Hijack Chrome Browsers
