YouTube Tests Sleep Timer Feature for Premium Users

YouTube Premium members can now set a sleep timer on videos

Summary YouTube Premium subscribers can now opt in to test a sleep timer on videos. Other experimental features include the Dream Screen for YouTube Shorts and conversational AI to answer video questions. Subscribers can provide feedback on experimental features for a chance to receive a gift card as a "thank you". YouTube Premium is an add-on service that has always tried to justify its existence with perks such as ad removal or picture-in-picture features. Obviously, a big part of the subscription service's positives comes from YouTube Music, which replaced Google Play Music a number of years ago. YouTube Premium isn't the worst subscription in the world, and we think it's worth subscribing to for a specific subset of people. Subscribers get access to the oft-lesser-discussed experimental features page of YouTube, which allows eligible Premium members to test out in-development tools, such as the newly-added Sleep Timer. Related ARTICLE: YouTube Music's sleep timer is finally ready for prime time -- here's how it works Relax and unwind with your favorite songs or podcasts Navigating to YouTube's experimental features page (which is accessible to non-subscribers, too) showcases the new Sleep Timer listing. Similarly to the YouTube Music sleep timer, users can now opt in and set specific lengths of time to pause playback after. We haven't yet had the feature pop up on our accounts, but YouTube says that it will be accessible via the settings menu on videos. The feature will be available until September 2, after which it will be removed and potentially re-added at a later date. Other experiments in the lab Close YouTube updates its testing bed of experiments often, and users can access other features in addition to a sleep timer right now, given that they're subscribed to Premium. Dream Screen, which is available until August 20, allows users to create their own green screen backgrounds with AI when creating YouTube Shorts. An even more experimental feature incorporates conversational AI to answer questions users may have about videos they're watching. It's available until August 21, and YouTube notes that its "quality and accuracy may vary." Given that anyone who opts in to these experimental features is, for lack of a better term, a beta tester, Google requests users' opinions and feedback on them. Signing up and being selected to participate in research sessions will lead to most participants receiving a gift card as a "thank you" for their time. Not all experimental features have been well-received; YouTube redesigned its watch page back in June, and it ran until July 1 with heavy criticism. At least Google and YouTube are listening to people's opinions when they dislike products (see what we did?).

YouTube is testing "Sleep Timer" feature: What is it and how it will help users - Times of India

YouTube has rolled out a new experimental feature for Premium subscribers. The google-owned company has released a new sleep timer feature that automatically pauses videos after a set period. The sleep timer is a practical feature that enhances user experience and addresses a common need. "Sleep Timer lets you set a timer to automatically pause playback after a certain amount of time," the brief reads. Some users listen to podcasts, soft or relaxing music before they go to bed. But there are times when they fall asleep with the music still playing through the speaker, essentially draining the phone's or PCs battery. The feature allows users to set a timer after which the video is paused, helping users to save the battery of their device. In order to get access to this experimental feature and others like it, users must have a YouTube subscription. For a limited time, eligible Premium members can try out new features that the company is working on, including AI experiments. The feature is currently in testing and is expected to be available to a wider audience in the near future. However, it is to be noted that not all experimental features are rolled out to the masses. How to access "Sleep Timer" on YouTube YouTube Premium users can enable the timer feature by going to "Settings > Try experimental new features". After signing up, open YouTube on your mobile device or on desktop and navigate to the settings menu while playing a video to try Sleep Timer. The Sleep Timer option will then show up in the Settings menu on the video player, allowing users to choose an option from 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes or till the video ends. Once YouTube pauses playback, users will see a pop-up asking you to extend the timer. In case you are awake, you can extend it and if not, the video will remain paused and the device will go to sleep. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

YouTube's latest experiment is a sleep timer

The first of these features finally gives users a sleep timer aptly called Sleep Timer. On mobile or on desktop, you'll be able to find Sleep Timer within the settings menu. When used, Sleep Timer will automatically pause the video that's playing after a set amount of time. If you're like me and like to fall asleep to something on in the background, then this is the long-awaited feature you've been hoping for. The second feature (pictured below) is called Dream Screen and its aimed toward creators. As YouTube describes it, this feature belongs to the mobile app and allows users to create green screen backgrounds with the help of AI. To access it, you'll need to tap on the + icon to open the Shorts camera, tap on the green screen option, and then tap sparkle button. The company notes that you'll need to use English to create backgrounds as no other languages are supported at the moment.