YouTube is one of Google's money magnet. Back in its earlier days, the streaming giant received its money from ads.
Things are different with Youtube Premium, because with the subscription service offered by the video platform, users can pay to have the privileges of streaming videos in an ad-free experience, as well as access to premium YouTube Originals programming produced in collaboration with the site's creators.
Users can also download videos and experience background playback of videos on mobile devices.
Among other perks, YouTube is ramping things up.
In order to make YouTube Premium subscription even more valuable, and worth users' expense, Google announced that YouTube Premium members on iOS are able to stream 1080p video quality by default in a higher bitrate.
"While all users will still have access to 1080p, this enhanced 1080p quality setting will look extra crisp and clear, especially for videos with lots of detail and motion. Whether you're an avid sports fan or locked in on the latest gaming videos, this new feature will bring an even deeper visual quality to our members!" YouTube said in a blog post.
Then, there are more than just that.
Besides an enhanced bitrate playback, YouTube also said that its YouTube Premium subscribers could also take control of what to watch with queuing on their phone or tablet.
With the feature, subscribers are able to queue videos, and decide what to watch next, as oppose of letting YouTube's algorithms decide,
"Queuing puts the control back in your hands allowing you to decide exactly what video you want to play next," explained YouTube.
Then, there is the ability to watch YouTube together on Android and iOS.
Here, YouTube is making sharing even easier, in which through Meet Live Sharing on Android devices, YouTube Premium subscribers can host Google Meet sessions where all attendees, regardless of whether they are Premium or free users, can watch YouTube videos together.
"In the coming weeks, we’re also rolling out this experience for FaceTime users on iOS via SharePlay. No matter where your friends and family are, you can experience the joy of YouTube together," said YouTube
Next, is the ability to "jump back" into YouTube across devices.
This feature allows YouTube Premium users to continue what they were watching on device, on another device they also own.
"Sometimes life can get in the way of your YouTube viewing. Maybe your morning commute ends before you’ve finished that new podcast episode. Perhaps you need to switch that cooking tutorial from your laptop to your tablet in the kitchen. Now available on Android, iOS and Web, Premium members can continue watching YouTube videos wherever they previously left off even as they switch between devices, allowing you to jump back in without a single interruption," explained YouTube.
Lastly, YouTube Premium also improves the service when users are offline.
In this case, YouTube Premium has what it calls the Smart Downloads feature, which should come in handy when users are going offline, or off the internet.
While users are connected to Wi-Fi, the feature will automatically add recommended videos straight to users' library, ready for offline viewing.
"Forgot to download your favorite content before boarding that long flight? Don’t worry! With this feature you can watch videos on-the-go, whenever you want, while also discovering new content without the hassle of searching," said YouTube.
At this time, Google said that it has around 80 million YouTube users subscribing to Premium, who pay $11.99/month to get the privilege of being premium members. Google wants to make sure that the money they pay, is worth their expense.
