The Framasoft development team has announced the release of version 2.2.0 for the PeerTube mobile app. The new release adds multiple new features for Android and iPhones, including the ability to cast videos from the open source streaming platform that isn't centralized like YouTube and its competitors.

What's new

• Chromecast/AirPlay support: Now if you have a TV or another display that supports Chromecast or AirPlay, you can cast PeerTube videos from your smartphone to that device.
  • This makes switching between devices while watching PeerTube videos more seamless.
  • Framasoft noted in a Mastodon toot that Chromecast is not supported in the F-Droid version of PeerTube.

PeerTube (@peertube@framapiaf.org)

Attaché : 1 image 📱 We just released version 2.2.0 of the PeerTube app! 🥳 This update adds the ability to cast videos via #Chromecast or #AirPlay. Plus, video creators can now access moderation tools and statistics right within the app. ⚖️ 📥 Download the app on #Android and #iOS: https://joinpeertube.org/#mobile-app-section 🆕 Check out all the new features: https://framagit.org/framasoft/peertube/mobile-application/-/releases/v2.2.0

FramapiafPeerTube

• Tools for creators: If you upload videos to PeerTube, the mobile app now lets you access creator tools including watch statistics and community moderation.
• Mirror mode: You can now enable mirror mode for a video from the mobile app, letting you horizontally flip the video like you can in the PeerTube website.

What's getting better

• Performance: Framasoft says that image caching has been improved, which should allow for faster loading. It also says the number of HTTP requests has been reduced, as have rebuilds and memory leaks.

Meshy, a Linux-native MeshCore client, is looking better

In addition to a new app icon, the app for LoRa mesh communications also brings improvements for region selection and for message routing.

New In LinuxJordan Gloor

Zooming out

Why this update matters: If alternative, federated video platforms like PeerTube are going to get off the ground, their apps are going to need to at least get close to feature parity with YouTube. This update inches a little bit forward.

My take: I want to like PeerTube, but so far, as a video watcher, the experience has been middling at best, especially on the Android app. Here's hoping this update's "user experience improvements" go a long way.

Diving in

The fineprint: They're pretty sparse, but you can read the full PeerTube mobile app v2.2.0 release notes on GitLab.

Get it now: You can download the PeerTube Android app from F-Droid or from the Google Play Store. An iPhone app is available through the App Store.

• If you've never watched videos on PeerTube before, you can learn about it and start watching on the JoinPeerTube website.