Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip just got its own special YouTube ‘flex’ mode

A not-so-weird flex from Samsung and Google

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While the folding smartphone concept is seen as a gimmick by many, it must be said thatSamsung’sGalaxy Z Fliphas done a decent job of ensuring its bendy design is practical as well as functional – the ability to video chat hands-free by placing the half-folded handset on a table is one especially clever example.

Having already collaborated on foldable versions of Maps and thePlay Store, Samsung andGoogleare teaming up once again to bring similar functionality toYouTube’s Android app,announcingthat it’s now compatible with Galaxy Z Flip’s ‘Flex’ mode.

When viewed on a partially folded Galaxy Z Flip, the YouTube app will now split in two, with the top half of the display becoming a dedicated video player, allowing the user to simultaneously read comments and search other videos on the bottom half.

According to Samsung, the YouTube app was redesigned “from theoperating systemlevel,” a feat that involved “integration of the Android Support Library”, which will in turn make it “easier to bring Flex mode to more third-party services.”

Admittedly, widescreen videos will continue to look as small as they normally would when viewed on a phone held in the portrait implementation, but the ability to watch content hands-free is cool nonetheless.

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Stephen primarily covers phones and entertainment for TechRadar’s Australian team, and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming in both print and online for over a decade. He’s obsessed with smartphones, televisions, consoles and gaming PCs, and has a deep-seated desire to consume all forms of media at the highest quality possible.

He’s also likely to talk a person’s ear off at the mere mention of Android, cats, retro sneaker releases, travelling and physical media, such as vinyl and boutique Blu-ray releases. Right now, he’s most excited about QD-OLED technology, The Batman and Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga.

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