Tag: YouTube Music

  • YouTube Launches Affordable Premium Lite Plan for Viewers

    YouTube Launches Affordable Premium Lite Plan for Viewers

    Key Takeaways

    1. YouTube has launched a new subscription option called Premium Lite, which is cheaper than the standard Premium plan but offers fewer perks.
    2. Premium Lite does not provide ad-free music, which may attract users who already subscribe to other music services.
    3. Users can watch most videos without ads, but there may still be some instances of ads for Premium Lite users.
    4. Key features like background play and video downloads are missing from the Lite plan, requiring users to subscribe to the standard Premium plan for those options.
    5. Currently available as a pilot in the US, YouTube plans to expand Premium Lite to other countries, starting with Australia, Thailand, and Germany.

    YouTube has launched a new subscription option called Premium Lite, which is a simplified version of its standard Premium plan that had been rumored before. This plan is cheaper than the regular one, but it comes with fewer perks.

    Key Differences

    A significant change is that Premium Lite does not provide ad-free music, which might actually be a positive for a lot of users. Many people who already have subscriptions to services like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music may not be interested in YouTube Music. This could potentially increase the number of people signing up for Premium Lite.

    Although ad-free music isn’t included, the less expensive plan permits users to watch videos about gaming, news, fashion, and more without ads. YouTube mentions that “most videos” will be without ads, indicating that there may still be occasions where Premium Lite users encounter advertisements.

    Missing Features

    Another important point is that this budget-friendly plan lacks features like background play and video downloads. As there isn’t a middle-tier option right now, users who want those features will have to choose the pricier standard Premium plan.

    In the US, the standard YouTube Premium is priced at $13.99 per month, while the Lite version is set at $7.99. That results in a monthly saving of $6 and $72 annually. However, with some key features missing, it’s uncertain if the annual savings will be appealing to users.

    Availability and Expansion

    Currently, YouTube Premium Lite is being offered as a “pilot” in the US. The company has indicated plans to roll it out to additional countries soon, starting with Australia, Thailand, and Germany. More nations are expected to be included throughout this year.

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  • Google Podcasts Closure: Not an April Fool’s – Act Now!

    Google Podcasts Closure: Not an April Fool’s – Act Now!

    Google has made the decision to officially close down the Google Podcasts app starting from April 2. This announcement, which was first made in September 2023, adds to a list of projects that Google has discontinued over time. The Google Podcasts app has been widely used with over 500 million downloads globally.

    Transition to YouTube Music

    With the impending shutdown of the Podcasts app, Google is urging users to shift to YouTube Music for their podcast needs. The aim is to establish a more comprehensive platform for both listeners and creators. Google promises enhanced features on YouTube Music focusing on community engagement, content discovery, and the seamless transition between audio and video formats.

    Moving from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music

    For existing Google Podcasts users, there’s no need to panic about losing subscriptions. Google has laid out a process for transferring subscriptions to YouTube Music smoothly. Here’s what you need to do:

    1. Export from Google Podcasts: Navigate to the Podcasts app, tap on “Export subscriptions,” then select “Export under ‘Export to YouTube Music’.”
    2. Import to YouTube Music: Access the YouTube Music app, click on “Transfer,” then “Continue,” and once the transfer is finished, select “Go to Library.”

    Important Points

    • The transfer of subscriptions might take a few minutes.
    • Not all podcasts may be accessible on YouTube Music. In such cases, you may have to use the show’s RSS feed link to resubscribe.
    • You have until July 2024 to complete the migration process.

    While many users are expected to continue their podcast experiences on YouTube Music, the discontinuation of Google Podcasts signifies the end of a well-received application.

    The rationale behind Google’s decision to shut down a successful product, like Google Podcasts, remains somewhat unclear to its user base. The impact of this change on podcasters and their devoted audience will become apparent in due course.

    Google Podcasts Closure: Not an April Fool's - Act Now!
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