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Google's Mobile YouTube App Doesn't Go Far Enough

Today Google made a new mobile YouTube application available to the Windows Mobile and S60 3rd Edition smartphone platforms. While it's great for consuming video on the go, it would be far better if it gave users the power to upload directly to YouTube.

When I first saw the news that Google had created a new mobile YouTube application for Windows Mobile and S60, I was very excited about the possibilities. Alas, my hopes were dashed upon learning that the application only supports searching for and viewing content, not uploading it.

I downloaded the application on both the WinMo and S60 platforms to give it a whirl nonetheless. It lives up to the basic promises made by Google.

Searching for and viewing videos is a breeze. I performed several specific searches and was taken to the exact videos I was looking for. If you get several results for the same search, they'll be displayed in a horizontal carousel that you can browse through quite easily. There are also quick links to the most recent videos, the most viewed videos, and the top rated videos.

As a video-viewing application, it gets the job done. But I was hoping for more.

Users are unable to log into their YouTube accounts, as far as I could determine. Having even partial access to your user account -- such as your inbox or the ability to moderate comments -- would be very helpful.

The ultimate utility for a mobile YouTube application would be, of course, the ability to upload videos directly to YouTube from the application. In its current form, this is not possible.

I understand that mobile network operators probably don't want to see multitudes of users uploading content from mobile phones to YouTube via their wireless networks, but what about some middle ground?

Network operators already allow subscribers to send 15- to 30-second video clips via MMS. Why not allow users to submit short video clips to YouTube accounts via MMS or other similar delivery mechanism? What about restricting video uploads to Wi-Fi for starters until 4th generation wireless networks are available?

Google leaves the door slightly ajar, and says in a recent blog post, "The application will alert you as more improvements become available, so keep an eye out for updates." You can bet I'll be keeping a watchful eye to see how far Google pushes this new application.

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