YouTube Music might replace the Song/Video switcher

After introducing in 2019, YouTube Music might replace the Song/Video switcher at the top of the Now Playing screen.

YTM originally introduced this capability to let Premium and Music Premium subscribers quickly watch a music video without pauses or interruptions. It speaks to the video nature of the main service. 

For several years now, this switcher has taken the form of a pill. YouTube Music for Android is now testing an alternate design that moves it to the carousel of actions. The playback position will remain synced like before.  

L-R: Current, current, new

“Video” (with an accompanying icon) appears after Thumbs Up/Down, Comments, and Save, with Share mostly likely being pushed off the screen like Download and Radio.

In making this change, YTM is not really doing anything with the freed-up space above. Cast looks a bit lonely, if not out of place, in the corner. 

This change comes as YouTube Music has not widely rolled out a Now Playing redesign that was first spotted in November. Playback controls appear first after the song name and artist. A redesigned timeline scrubber is next, while the carousel is the last row. In moving to the bottom, controls are closer to your thumb, thus aiding one-handed usability. Some people have had the latest Now Playing redesign for a few weeks, but it’s not yet widely rolled out.

Thanks Leonardo