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

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. 

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.

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.

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.