Latest YouTube update brings pinch-to-zoom to phones with 18:9 screens

by Milen Yanachkov / Nov 17, 2017, 7:44 AM

Latest YouTube update brings pinch-to-zoom to phones with 18:9 screens

After scoring pinch-to-zoom support on iOS 11, the Android version of the official YouTube app is getting the same treatment in its latest update. Owners of smartphones with 18:9 (and similar) will now have the option to choose between regular letterboxed mode for 16:9 content, or simply pinch with two fingers to make the video fill the entirety of the display.

Since most of the video content on YouTube is still in the standard 16:9 aspect ratio, and will likely stay that way for the foreseeable future, the pinch-to-zoom gesture is a welcome addition to the YouTube app. Keep in mind, however, that nicely filling out the display of your Galaxy S8 or LG V30 usually entails cropping to various degrees, depending on the aspect ratio of the video you're watching.

The pinch-to-zoom gesture went live in YouTube v. 12.40, but only on the Pixel 2 XL, while the latest update (v. 12.44) is enabling the feature for owners of other devices with tall screens, such as the Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+, the Note 8, and the LG V30.

source: AndroidPolice

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17 Comments

1. kobainez

Posts: 454; Member since: Apr 13, 2012

18:9 Is stupid to begin with. Why change something that is already perfect?

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 8:52 AM 3

2. PhoneCritic

Posts: 1354; Member since: Oct 05, 2011

Remember when the aspect ratio was 4:3 standard and then the 16:9 arrived and everyone ( especially those who had iPhone at that time ) where saying " 16:9 Is stupid to begin with. Why change something that is already perfect?" Well give it a year when Netflix and You tube all start producing new content in 18:9 HDR content no one will want to be on 16:9. Even Apple which is the last to jump on new emerging standards has gone 18:9 because they know that new content will begin to be mass produced on this standard and they don't want to be left out. So try to adjust to this as it is not going away.

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 9:03 AM 6

4. goatah

Posts: 11; Member since: Jun 17, 2011

Nothing can be more perfect than the Golden Ratio, and 16:9 is the closest!

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 9:38 AM 0

10. mootu

Posts: 1500; Member since: Mar 16, 2017

16:9 is as popular as it is because of TV, nothing to do with phones. If you think media creators such as Netflix are going to produce content in 18:9 just for phones then your dreaming. Only way it would change is if TV manufacrurers move away from 16:9 and if they did it would more than likely be towards 21:9 which is what most movies are filmed in and the way the pc monitor market is moving.

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 1:54 PM 0

14. joevsyou

Posts: 1091; Member since: Feb 28, 2015

i can confirm, no it's not. it's pretty nice

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 6:44 PM 0

18. R0bert

Posts: 9; Member since: May 31, 2017

16:9 was a compromise to watch cinematic and the then preavalent 4:3 TV content. This is a furthering of that compromise now 4:3 is no longer a thing for TV. Content is already being produced by Amazon in 2:1, things move on.

posted on Nov 18, 2017, 2:23 AM 0

3. sirohunter

Posts: 193; Member since: Sep 23, 2017

Fi.na.lly

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 9:08 AM 0

6. fyah_king unregistered

Works great in my G6.

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 11:34 AM 0

8. bonsly16

Posts: 94; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

Why does iOS get the updates first?

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 12:57 PM 0

9. GdgetXpert1337

Posts: 117; Member since: Oct 31, 2017

Cuz Google make mor money of iOS than Androd

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 1:36 PM 0

11. ph00ny

Posts: 2026; Member since: May 26, 2011

Beta testing... In more seriousness, less devices to test against since it's one manufacturer vs hundreds if not thousands in android

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 2:39 PM 0

13. bambamboogy02

Posts: 837; Member since: Jun 23, 2012

It's been available on the on the Pixel XL 2. So that answer is no.

posted on Nov 17, 2017, 4:30 PM 1

15. KeyserSoze

Posts: 387; Member since: Oct 06, 2014

Nice, good to see 18:9 is steadily being adopted by all who matter and can contribute in a positive way. I will enjoy watching the pizzed off 16:9 losers cry, whine, and suffer til eternity and still will never get their way. Hahahaha!