Google Drive’s Video Player is Getting a Material You 3 Makeover

• Google is rolling out a new video player for Google Drive with a smoother, more modern look.
• The updated player features a Material You 3 design style. 
• Until now, videos on Google Drive used a YouTube-style layout with the familiar red progress bar.

Google Drive’s Old Video Player

The new player adopts a design similar to Apple TV+, featuring a gray and white color scheme, larger playback buttons, and dedicated fast-forward and rewind buttons. Even the progress is now white and a vertical line, instead of a circular playhead. All of this makes it easier to use the video player, captions, and scroll bar.

Google Drive’s New Video Player

The updated player promises faster video loading times and introduces automatic transcription, making it perfect for content creators. 

Google is also integrating Google Vids, its new video editing tool designed for marketing videos and sales pitches, with the updated player. Users will soon be able to make minor edits directly on Google Drive, improving both the viewing and editing experience.

Currently, Google Drive’s new video player is available for Workspace Labs subscribers. A gradual rollout is planned for all users –  Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google account holders starting from October 22, 2024. Expect to see the changes over the next few weeks as the rollo1ut continues globally.

Ravi Teja KNTS

From coding websites to crafting how-to guides, my journey from a computer science engineer to a tech writer has been fueled by a passion for making technology work for you. I've been writing about technology for over 3 years at TechWiser, with a portfolio of 700 articles related to AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. When I'm not demystifying tech, you can find me engrossed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.