In September 2016, Google released a preview of YouTube Go in India, a lightweight version of the YouTube app designed for users in developing markets. Since then, the company brought the app to 14 additional countries, including Indonesia, Nigeria and Thailand, and this week announced that YouTube Go is available in over 130 countries around the globe.
"We've been working hard to build a YouTube app that works for you, with brand new features designed with your preferences, aspirations and needs in mind," Jy Akkad, YouTube's product manager, wrote in a blog post. "We can't wait to see what you can do with the power of YouTube in the palm of your hand."
YouTube Go is the culmination of Google's efforts to improve the mobile YouTube experience in markets where data is expensive or not widely available. That app works offline, without a connection, and gives users control over mobile data consumption on a per-video basis. The key features include a trending videos hub, video previews, and the option to download any video instead of streaming it.
This week, Google added more features to YouTube Go. The app now allows you to download, stream, and share videos in High Quality, which hadn't been possible until now. (The High Quality option is available in addition to basic and standard quality resolutions.)
In addition, you can access new personalized content by swiping down on the app's homescreen, and the app now notifies you when new videos are uploaded to channels you're following. The sharing capabilities have been improved, as well -- Google says it's made it easier to access the "Share Nearby" feature, which lets you send videos to YouTube users via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct. And multiple videos can now be shared at once.
Google recently launched a whole bunch of "Go"-branded apps, including Google Go, Files Go, and more. It's part of the company's Android Go initiative -- we've written about how Android Go helps older phones run Android 8.1 Oreo, and the Android Go phones that are coming soon.