VidCon: YouTube Introduces Tip Jar-Style Fan Funding Among New Features

Google Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) YouTube video service is adding several new features aimed at enhancing the site’s experience for both content creators and viewers.

YouTube announced the new features on Thursday at VidCon, an online video convention held in Anaheim, California, where it said it expects to release them in the coming months. For example, YouTube content creators will soon be able to manage their videos and channels on the go with the YouTube Creator Studio app, which it will soon launch for Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and Google's Android devices. YouTube also added sound effects to its audio library, it said, which YouTube content creators can use for videos they upload to the site.

Among the most intriguing new features is the added support for videos running at 48 and 60 frames-per-second (FPS). With 48 and 60 FPS video support, YouTube channel owners will be able to upload videos that run at a higher frame-rate, giving viewers a smoother and more detailed video experience. A couple of sample videos have already been uploaded to YouTube, but the frame rate changes can only be seen if the user chooses to watch the videos in HD quality.

Taking a cue from Twitch, a video streaming site centered on video game-related content, YouTube also introduced fan funding. The feature enables YouTube channel viewers to directly support their favorite content creators by contributing any amount of money for any reason.

YouTube’s parent company, Google, was rumored to be in talks to acquire the Twitch video streaming service, but the rumors so far have been unsubstantiated.

The new YouTube features arrive as the video streaming service is seeking new ways to generate revenue through original content and content partnerships with musicians and artists.