YouTube redesigns mobile app and logo

For the first time in the 12 years of its existence, YouTube is taking on a new look and an updated logo. The new logo also doubles up as YouTube's app icon and can be seen on the website as well. The earlier logo displayed a ''tube-in-a-tube'' design in which the red patch covered the second half of the logo.

The new design sports a much brighter red colour and the play button sits on the left of the brand name.

The video streaming service itself has undergone a design overhaul with new colour schemes, typeface, and a clutch of major changes to the look, feel, and functionality of its desktop and mobile app.

The mobile app now gets a much cleaner design with gestures such as double tapping on the left or right side of a video in order to forward or rewind it by 10 seconds. Further, a new feature in the offing will allow users to directly ''jump'' from an ongoing video to another with a swipe.

The first difference one can notice on the website aside from the new logo, is the material design that, according to You Tube, delivers a fresh, simple and intuitive user experience. YouTube said the changes are necessary as they are aimed at delivering a new level of functionality and a more consistent look across users' desktop and mobile experiences. The new desktop design offers a Dark Theme, which turns the background dark, as users view videos or movies on YouTube.

YouTube said on its official blog yesterday: "When YouTube launched 12 years ago, it was a single website that supported one video format, 320x240 at 4:3 aspect ratio. Fast forward to today, and YouTube lets you watch any combination of SD, HD, 4K, 360, 3-D, and live video on nearly every device with an internet connection – from desktops to phones, tablets to TVs, game consoles, and even VR headsets.

"We've also introduced apps and services that give you new ways to watch and get even closer to the content and creators you love.

"Music fans, gamers, and TV lovers each have unique experiences specifically tailored for their favorite content with YouTube Music, YouTube Gaming and YouTube TV. For families looking for the best way to watch together, we launched the YouTube Kids app. And for fans who want an uninterrupted, ad-free experience, and exclusive original content from creators, there's the YouTube Red membership."