YouTube is trialling a Sleep Timer feature designed to automatically pause video playback. The aim is to enhance the viewing experience for users who may fall asleep while watching.
The new feature is available exclusively to Premium users as part of a limited-time experiment. Depending on user feedback, YouTube may consider a broader rollout.
YouTube has introduced the Sleep Timer function, allowing viewers to set a timer that pauses playback after a designated period. Users can activate the feature by navigating to the settings menu (gear icon) in the video interface on either the YouTube app or the web client. Options for pausing playback include intervals of 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, as well as ceasing auto playback once a video concludes.
To access this experimental feature, Premium users must enable experimental settings. This involves going to the Settings from the YouTube home page and selecting the option to try experimental new features. It is important to note that this feature is only available until September 2.
Additionally, YouTube is testing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool powered by Gemini, designed to assist content creators in generating video outlines from text prompts, including video title and thumbnail suggestions.
The introduction of the Sleep Timer feature caters to users who enjoy videos before sleep but prefer not to leave playback running throughout the night, addressing concerns over unnecessary battery drain.
