New YouTube app now available in the Market

 

Google just updated the YouTube app to version 2.0.26 and made it available in the Market. The new version brings a new interface, and several new features, including rotate-for-fullscreen, the ability to browse comments while the video plays, video uploading right from the app, and quick access to videos you've previously uploaded.



In addition, this marks yet another core Google app that has been decoupled from the Android OS and made available in the Market. This will allow Google to update the app separately, instead of needing a full OS update to bring new versions of apps. YouTube now joins Gmail, Maps, Street View and Search, in being made available through the Market.

The new YouTube app is available now to devices running Android 2.2, Froyo. It won't show up in your Downloads as having an update available, though, so be sure to look for it. To download, search the Market for YouTube, tap here from your phone, or scan this QR Code.

The new YouTube app is really cool. I love the ability to play videos without being forced into fullscreen. I also love that I can quickly access my own videos...great for showing a friend that video you uploaded earlier. And it's great to see more apps being moved from the OS to the Market. Hopefully, this will allow people who may not be receiving timely OS updates from their carrier to continue using the newest versions of these apps.

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Yeah, I'm not a big YouTube viewer on my phone, but I know a lot of people are, and this sounds like it has a lot of cool new features. And I agree that moving it to the Market is a good move. Since the manufacturers can't get their acts together with these updates, Google has to take matters into their own hands, which I'm glad to see that they're doing.