Google’s popular YouTube service is releasing a new app for Android devices on Monday aimed specifically at kids. The app will be called YouTube Kids and will feature kid friendly content and a simpler interface.
“Parents were constantly asking us, can you make YouTube a better place for our kids,” says Shimrit Ben-Yair, the project’s group product manager, noting that family-friendly fare is a booming business on YouTube. “(Year over year) we’ve seen 50% growth in viewing time on YouTube, but for our family entertainment channels, it’s more like 200%.”
The interface removes viewer comments and other elements, and offers additional features including a parent-controller timer that can be set to turn off the app after a specified amount of time. After the app turns off, it can’t be restarted until the password is entered. As for the interface, the images have been increased in size, and the main screen shows a row of tiles to different channels, as well as 5 icons representing TV shows, music videos, educational programming, and exploring top videos.
Not only will the app feature regular searching, but a child can also search using voice. As well, if a child searches for an inappropriate word, the app will prompt them to search for something else.
YouTube is extremely popular, and it’s about time that a kid-friendly version of the service was released allowing parents to breath a bit easier when handing their devices off to their kids for YouTube browsing.
YouTube Kids will be available on February 23rd for Android tablets and phones. Let us know what your thoughts are on YouTube Kids in the comments below, or on Google+, Facebook, or Twitter!
[button link=”http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/19/youtube-for-kids-new-android-app-out-feb-23/23707819/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: USA Today[/button]Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
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