Facebook is planning to launch a new full-screen video player. According to the report, the upcoming video player will offer a more consistent design and experience for all types of videos, including short loops, long videos and even live content.
According to a report by TechCrunch, the updated players on social media platforms aim to make watching and sharing video content easier.
The video player will initially be available in the US and Canada, but there is no information on when it will be available in other countries.
It’s important to note that video players display content vertically by default. However, the player allows users to access the full screen landscape option to watch videos in landscape mode.
Facebook also recommends users the most relevant videos to watch next, regardless of length.
The more people watch on Facebook, the more time they are likely to spend on the platform. Additionally, video players also have the potential to increase views, clicks, etc.
How is this video player “problematic” for other platforms?
The video player is also expected to provide Facebook with a better opportunity to compete with other popular video platforms such as:
YouTube and TikTok also rely on algorithmic recommendations.
It’s important to note that TikTok is also experimenting with horizontal videos and 30-minute content to compete with YouTube and other sites.
This is how the video player works
This change could impact key factors important to creators and advertisers, including watch time, views, and reach.
According to the report, these improved recommendations will also appear outside of the player in areas such as the Facebook feed and the video tab. Separately, Facebook will reportedly show more loops to users in the coming days as demand for short videos is expected to increase.
Facebook says the updated player offers new controls, including a slider to skip parts of longer videos and options like pause, 10-second skips and fast-forward.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.