Tech Desk
Aug 17, 2024
A rumour has surfaced that the popular messaging app, Google Messages, is dropping the support for YouTube picture-in-picture playback. The feature was added in October 2022 and allowed users to watch videos from YouTube directly in the app while maintaining the conversation.
Google Messages included a YouTube PiP feature for enhanced User experience. When a user received a link from YouTube, it showed a thumbnail with an inkling of the content from the video.
A tap would bring in a floating PiP playback window and hence let the user view the video without ever having to leave the conversation.
However, it seems to be like this feature didn't gain much traction among the users.
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The removal of the YouTube PiP support would mean that the users would not be able to see or watch YouTube videos within the Google Messages app.
Reportedly, after this update when the users would be sending a YouTube link, the receiver would only be able to view the thumbnail of the video, and taping on it would redirect them to the YouTube app.
While Google hasn't officially confirmed the removal of the YouTube PiP feature, if certain steps have been taken by the tech giant then it must be due to low usage and feedback from the users. Probably the users have found this facility as something unnecessary or redundant since one is able to watch videos on the YouTube app itself.
