YouTube is doubling down on its distracting ambient mode

AnActOfCreation@programming.dev to Technology@lemmy.world – 124 points –
androidpolice.com
  • YouTube recently added ambient mode to its full screen video player, which complements its new rounded video player design.
  • Ambient mode works by illuminating a glow around the video window, similar to LED backlights for TVs, to create a more immersive experience for users.
  • A recent update has made ambient mode more vibrant on Android devices, extending the glow below and above the video player, but it can be disabled in settings if not preferred.

And the worst part (to me):

if a video is not formatted to take up your entire screen, an ambient glow has been added to the black filler bars

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I don't understand the hate for ambient mode. I've barely noticed it exists.

My main issue is that it's a buggy mess. The bars will be different shades and get stuck. I have to close the app to fix it (or at least had to now that I know I can disable it)

Also, not really a big thing, but I bet it uses a little more battery than it otherwise would

I noticed immediately because I thought I had a giant smudge on my glasses. Super distracting and I always disable it.

Personally, I dislike it because it makes my older devices lag noticeably, so I just keep it off out of habit.

I disabled it after noticing it exists, which took a while tbh (it made some text harder to read)

Same, and when I have noticed it, I think it looks pretty nice at times. This is one of those cases of people just complaining for the sake of it.

If people want to complain about actual dumb UI changes; aim it at the new Discord mobile UI.

Some people do, some people don't. I do, and find it distracting because it's not subtle enough.