YouTube iOS app now available for iPad, adds AirPlay streaming and iPhone 5 support

Published on December 5 2012

After Gamil refresh on Tuesday, Google has just announced made its YouTube iOS app available for Apple's iDevices, bringing an optimized user experience for iPad and the iPhone 5's 4-inch screen as well as other enhancements.

YouTube iOS app now available for iPad, adds AirPlay streaming and iPhone 5 support

When Google launched the first standalone YouTube for iOS app in September, the effort was largely considered to be a stopgap until the company was able to build a universal version that would work on both the iPad and iPhone, including the then-unreleased iPhone 5.

Until now, iPad users wanting access to YouTube were forced to download third-party apps or use the ubiquitous web video service's web client through Safari. With Tuesday's update, YouTube is now native on all iOS devices, including the Retina display-toting iPad. The app also supports the iPhone 5's 4-inch display, meaning the app no longer has black "handlebars" when viewing videos in landscape mode, a major gripe some had with the original version released before iOS 6.

The software also takes full advantage of the iPhone 5′s bigger display and lets you stream YouTube clips to your badass TV through the Apple TV hockey puck and using AirPlay, a wireless media streaming technology from Apple. Accessibility, video playback improvements and other perks come included with the package

Google’s Horia Ciurdar says that more than 25 percent of all YouTube watching happens on mobile. Since the launch of the YouTube app back in September, Ciurdar says Google has “been hard at work to improve the app based on your feedback.”

Now the YouTube app will get ‘enhanced’ AirPlay support, letting you shoot your videos over to your Apple TV. Videos are also said to start faster and play more smoothly. Google has also improved VoiceOver support for those with visual impairments.