YouTube for mobile gets more editing tools, and vertical videos can be enjoyed in all their full-screen glory

Google has given the YouTube mobile app a major spit-shine this week, one that introduces a handful of handy new features.

Above: YouTube Android

The updated app is available for Android and the mobile Web today (iOS receiving the full update “soon”), with the most obvious change being three tabs along the top.

“Home” is your main screen for searching out new videos, and it’s where you’ll be served recommendations based on your history.

“Subscriptions” is your own personalized feed based on the channels you’ve actively elected to follow. “Account” is where you can see your playlists, viewing history, and any videos you’ve uploaded.

Above: YouTube Android: Edit

With that in mind, YouTube now also includes a number of editing tools for those who upload their own videos.

YouTube has let you trim videos in-app since February, but you can now add a range of filters to the images, including “Silver Screen,” “8 mm,” “Docu,” and “Sketch.”

While many other video apps already offer such features, it’s notable that YouTube — the most popular user-generated video platform in the world — has been slow to offer much in the way of editing features through its mobile apps.

With this update, you can also now add music to your videos through the app, including generic royalty-free tunes, or songs stored directly on your device. Just be mindful of copyright restrictions though, yeah?

Elsewhere, both YouTube for Android and iOS now let you watch full-screen vertical videos. As annoying as vertical videos can be, the fact is many people record videos with their phones in a portrait position, so this at least makes them a little more palatable.

YouTube now claims more than half of its viewing is on mobile devices, and with smartphones playing an increasingly crucial role for creators too, this latest update will undoubtedly go down well across the board.