How To Check Your YouTube Download Speed

Having some issues loading YouTube videos in HD? Why not check what your connection speed on YouTube is downloading at! 

It's simple to do on a desktop or laptop computer. Play a video, then right click on the video. Select "Stats for Nerds". Then see, "Connection Speed".  

The speed is listed in Kbps (kilobits per second) not Kb/s (kilobytes per second) which is what you are probably more familiar with (the speed shown when downloading a file, for example). If you want to know the the Kb/s speed is, you can search Google for "Kbps to Kb/s" and use their conversion tool.

Another great way to test your internet's download and upload speed is by using the website and app Speedtest.net

YouTube Kids App Now Available Internationally on iOS & Android

Google has today released it's YouTube Kids app internationally for certain countries outside the U.S.A. at the moment including; the UK, Ireland and Australia. YouTube Kids launched in the USA nine months ago.

YouTube Kids is a free app, designed for kids aged 5 and under. The app is designed to exclude content that may not be appropriate for a young audience - however YouTube notes that not all videos are manually reviewed.

When setting up at app, parents can choose whether they want to allow search. If you allow search, kids can search through millions of videos on YouTube (with restrictions). With search off, only the videos on the apps home screen and recommendations will be shown. However the security that keeps search off is four written numbers that the apps asks you to type in. So, if your kid can read numbers...  

The app is divided into four sections: Shows, Music, Learning, and Explore. Videos that can be expected on the app are favorites like; Thomas & Friends, Hi-5, Banana's in Pajamas, Sesame Street and more.

Also it's important to note that this app is not advertisement free. YouTube writes that the app "...contains paid ads in order to offer the app for free. Your child may also see videos with commercial content from YouTube creators that are not paid ads."

> View YouTube Kids app on the iTunes App Store. 

YouTube Material Design Comes To iOS App Store

Google has today released its Material Design makeover for its YouTube app for iOS devices, months after the update was released for Android devices.

The new update brings a redesign that skewers away from the iOS 'look' of the previous version in favor of a Android look.

The redesign offers a new three part system: Home, Subscriptions, and Account, with the buttons in a huge red bar that unnecessarily takes up around one quarter of the screen (on iPhone).

Also included in the update is new in-app editing tool, making it easy for users to create and edit a video on the fly. There is also a new app icon which is the red YouTube play button logo on a white background, matching other Google apps on iOS.

The update is slowing roiling out to users in the App Store, even the redesign may not appear immediately after updating.

> YouTube for iOS is available for free from the App Store.

Get Notified When Your Favorite YouTube Channel Updates - iOS App Tip

A new feature added to the YouTube app on iOS allows users to get notifications when their favorite Channels are updated.

A new bell icon has been added to your subscriptions' YouTube channel - that when pressed, allows notifications to be sent to you.

The first thing you may need to do is make sure you have notifications enabled for the YouTube app, in your iOS Notifications Settings. You can do this by going to: Settings > Notifications > YouTube.

Then in the YouTube app you can customize your Notifications settings. Tap the Hamburger Menu (Three Horizontal Lines), then the Settings gear, then tap Notifications.

You can choose to allow; occasional subscription updates, recommended videos, and comments and replies. To get notified from a certain YouTube channel - go to their page, then tap the 'Bell button' next to the 'Subscribe button'. This can be undone by pressing the 'Bell', again.

YouTube Mobile App Gets Redesign & Vertical Video Fullscreen Playback

New YouTube Mobile App Redesign (Android) 

Today the YouTube mobile app has gotten a new 'material design' upgrade, with added new features. The new interface is available for Android users now, with the iOS update coming soon.

The new update features include a simplified three new tab interface; Home, Subscriptions, and Account.

Also, we may hate when people record video in vertical mode, but before it was even more frustrating trying to view the thin videos on a mobile device. Well, todays new update (iOS included) also adds support to play vertical videos in fullscreen mode.

Another new added feature to the redesigned YouTube app is a new set of video creation tools. You can now use the YouTube app to trim your footage, add filters, music, and upload - all from within the one app.

-> Read more about the new YouTube app on the Official YouTube Blog.  

Best Video Downloader For iOS (iPhone/iPad) - Download Streaming Videos From Sites - App Review

Video Downloader Pro - Download Manager & Media Player by Devstar Apps is a great video downloader tool for iPhone's and iPad's.

Video Downloader Pro has recently gone FREE in the App Store (at the time of posting) - a saving of $4.99. If you interested in downloading the app (for free) - go now!

Video Downloader Pro is a great app with a bunch of useful features. The app has a built in web browser and can download videos from major streaming video sites (like YouTube, Dailymotion, Metacafe, ect...) Although be aware that unless you're downloading your own videos - it's against the policy/terms of use of many online streaming sites to download videos. Use the app with your own discretion.

The app also says it'll work on any; streaming video sites,  file sharing sites, sites with downloads, and cloud storage sites. With the ability of up to 10 simultaneous downloads.  Resuming of interrupted downloads, and downloads in background.

Video Downloader Pro also acts as a download manager. You can watch the files download, and then view all in a dedicated tab.

You can play videos, make playlists, send it out to a TV, open in another supported app, export to your devices Camera Roll, or email.

There are also the settings to transfer files to your computer via Wi-Fi. Set a pin lock on the app to keep out prying eyes. And some browser / player customization options.

The only things I can find to complain about is - You can't select video quality stream (unless the option is on the site) it's really whatever is playing. So unless the site streams the file, say in HD, you'll save whatever it streams.

Video Downloader Pro is a really good app. Easy to use. Great user interface. Works on many sites like they claim. If you want a video downloader for your iPhone or iPad - download this one!


Video Downloader Pro - Download Manager & Media Player is available for iOS (iPhone/iPad), and is regularty priced at $4.99 - but is FREE at the time of this post. - Download Video Downloader Pro from the iTunes App Store.

App to Learn How to Draw Everything On Your iOS Device From YouTube

Wanna learn how to draw a cat? Or a Alien? Maybe a Dinosaur!? Whatever you want to learn to draw, there's probably a YouTube video on that. The following app has entered the search term for you, and has categorized heaps of topics.

The app is called, How to Draw Everything FREE! Easy Drawing Lessons & Art Ideas From YouTube How To Videos by Michael Quach.

The app is all about learning to draw from videos on YouTube. What do you need this app for? That's a very good question. As all this app appears to be is a categorized, YouTube, with a banner advertisement. Which I believe is actually against YouTube's policies (Section 4.D), Because this app does not contain any real content of it's own to justify an advertisement.  

To say something positive about this app... it uses iOS 7's design, so it matches the system UI. The videos are all sorted - good for if you don't know what you want to search for. It's free, of course it is! That's about it...

So in conclusion, YouTube has a lot of great videos to help teach you how to draw. So go search on YouTube. 

How to Draw Everything FREE! is available from the App Store for iOS devices (designed for iPhone).