TV-focused YouTube update brings AI upscaling, shopping QR codes (arstechnica.com)

YouTube is rolling out a TV-focused update that bundles several features aimed at big-screen viewers and creators: larger thumbnail uploads (jumping from 2MB to 50MB), immersive “channel surfing” navigation, shopping QR codes for on-screen purchases, and an official AI upscaling pipeline. Google says the platform’s TV growth has driven higher creator earnings (channels making over $100K rose 45% year-over-year), and these tools are meant to improve discoverability and viewer experience on TVs. On the technical side, YouTube will automatically upscale lower-resolution uploads to 1080p initially, with a planned “super resolution” option up to 4K later. Creators are automatically opted in but retain both the original and upscaled versions and can opt out; YouTube also promises clear labels on super-resolved videos so viewers can choose the original. That transparency addresses earlier creator complaints about an artificial look during prior tests. The update signals Google’s push to dominate living-room viewing while balancing automated enhancement with creator control — a practical use of AI that raises important questions about aesthetic intent, quality trade-offs, and monetization on large displays.