1

For the last month or so I've had a dark YouTube player

enter image description here

It doesn't appear for all my computers/locations, and I haven't been able to find any news or announcements about it. I like the new skin, and I'm interested to know more about it:

  • Why move to black instead of white?
  • Can I enable/disable different skins?
  • Is anyone else getting to use this new player?
3
  • Google do have a habit of rolling things out to small test groups without telling anybody, and the black UI would match their new header bar, so could be.
    – Phoshi
    Jul 6, 2011 at 18:16
  • you're not the only one who is getting the new YT skin Jul 6, 2011 at 18:28
  • Needed pruning to less of the "what does everyone else think?" "Why is Google doing this?" which would have made your question off topic. Edited it to be more of the applicable question for this site. Jul 6, 2011 at 18:30

3 Answers 3

1

The redesign is called "Cosmic Panda". To enable/disable it go here: http://www.youtube.com/cosmicpanda

If it's not yet enabled, you have the option to do so:

enter image description here

If it's enabled, you have the option to disable it:

enter image description here

2
  • To add to this: make sure you're not in the HTML5 trial, otherwise you wont get to see the cosmic panda layout (it's flash only). Hopefully they'll make an HTML5 version of this too.
    – zzzzBov
    Jul 7, 2011 at 22:25
  • Mine works even after entering the trial. I also tried enabling the HTML5 trial after Panda and it worked.
    – Alex
    Jul 7, 2011 at 22:35
1

Google is testing their new designs to a small group of users first. There is no possibility to decide whether you want to be in the test group or not. What works however sometimes is deleting your cookies and trying to visit YouTube again. Nothing is guaranteed though.

You can try not using YouTube anymore or not interacting as much as before, if enough people do then Google might decide to rollback the design, of course this is not a real solution.

1

I haven't seen that ever since they had the power saving day, where you could turn the whole page black, "turning off the lights".

I really liked it too, but they removed it...

It's also possible that they selected your account for some testing, without you knowing it. Facebook does this as well.

EDIT: Apparently, they are testing this new player

The black is probably to match the new google theme.

I don't think you will be able to turn this off.

2

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.