YouTube release native PS3 app, controllable via smartphones

Starting today, Sony PlayStation 3 owners can enjoy an improved YouTube experience by way of a new native YouTube app on the home entertainment system.

YouTube has offered a tailored web experience through the PS3’s internet browser for some time now, but the native app promises a “completely new experience” – most notably the ability to control the app via any paired smartphone.

The PS3 already has a host of video streaming apps available, including Amazon Instant Video, Netflix and Sony’s own Video Unlimited service. Numerous broadcast networks have also made a portion of their content available through official apps like the BBC and Ireland’s national broadcaster RTE. YouTube, however, had been a notable omission until now.

The PS3 YouTube app offers the usual basic features that you’d expect, like search and access to your YouTube subscriptions, but improved. Search, for example, now includes suggestions as you type and Google’s now established paradigm of instant results.

Unlike the browser-based YouTube experience, users have access to YouTube’s full catalogue, including HD and official music videos. Also unlike the current browser-based version on the PS3, the app now includes ads.

This offers some parallels to the new YouTube experience we can expect with the release of Apple’s latest mobile operating system later this year. Since Apple will not be releasing iOS 6 with the obligatory Apple-built YouTube app, Google will release their own and take full control of user experience and, of course, integrate ads.

Unfortunately for us Europeans however, the PS3 YouTube app is only available in North America (downloadable via the PlayStation Store). YouTube do promise that it’ll be available in other countries though in the “coming months”.