YouTube Aims to Be More Like TV

8 Jul, 2010 By: Chris Tribbey

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YouTube just made things easier for its members.

Instead of searching through videos, YouTubers can now let the Google-owned site pick clips for them right when they log on, thanks to a new initiative dubbed Leanback (youtube.com/leanback).

Videos are specifically tailored to users’ interests via their preferences and begin playing in both full screen and high-def the moment users log on. Users also will see videos their friends post and can link to the videos from their Facebook profile.

Recommended videos will play continuously until the user stops them.

“Just as its name implies, YouTube Leanback is all about letting you sit back, relax and be entertained,” said Kuan Yong, senior product manager for YouTube. “Videos tailored to your interests play as soon as you visit the site, and they play in full screen and high definition, continuously. There’s no need to click, search or browse, unless you want to, of course. Watching YouTube becomes as easy as watching TV.”

Leanback is in beta, though users can try it out and comment on what they like and don’t like.

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