I’ve been consuming the hell out of YouTube video lately and I have to say coupled with Netflix and Amazon, I hardly ever look at “regular” TV. With the purchase of my new Roku, the performance of YouTube video has much improved and it’s a more enjoyable experience all around. I use my iPad (while on the couch) to queue up content in my playlists then view it from the comfort of my couch (beer in hand). I did that all day yesterday. But you know what I want more than anything? More Netflix/Amazon-like control over how I consume and resume video. The downside of YouTube video viewing is that once a video starts you have to finish. If you need to resume where you left off you either have to pause it and walk away hoping you kids or spouse come by and take command of TV, or note where you were and fast forward back to point you last left off. If YouTube wants to compete with the likes of Netflix or Amazon it needs to adopt this paradigm for all of its content – from cat videos to long-form documentaries and feature films.
Lastly, with all this original and live content coming online how about some virtual DVR capability for YouTube accounts? The whole point and success of YouTube is the fact that it casts off the shackles of “appointment viewing”. These two feature alone would make YouTube my #2 content destination (Amazon is my #1). And while you’re at it Google, make an official YouTube Channel for Roku! What the F$*K is taking so long? At the very least open some API’s for third parties to build the things I’ve described here. Then you might just become my #1.