YouTube's getting a makeover, and it is cosmic. With all the new designs Google's rolling out for its sites, the search engine giant is now waving its styling wand over YouTube. The new design was released last Thursday, and it's called the Cosmic Panda. Users can try it out on www.youtube.com/cosmicpanda.

Dedicated YouTube users will be in for a surprise with the Cosmic Panda interface. There's no more white background; instead, the video player is now set against a less-distracting, dark grey backdrop. It's now easier to change frame size with the new icons at the bottom of the frame. The new interface also gives more room to advertisements, which appear at the side of the player.

Users will find it easier to customize channels because the playlists and channel lists have been moved to a bar below the player. Google Chrome users can switch channels or playlists and still keep the video playing. Editing a channel template is easier too, with a choice of layouts for more discerning users and a general-use template for everything else.

Users can still comment in the comment page below the playlist channel. However, if you're sick of seeing rude comments on your videos, you can actually disable the comment view. If you like giving comments or recommendations ,you can fill up the comment page with a bigger screen for video recommendations.

The YouTube player is still the same player from the old interface with all the same disadvantages -- such as having no way to skip forward or backward. The slider in the Cosmic Panda is actually a bit smaller than that of the old version.

Overall, one could consider the streamlined Cosmic Panda an improvement over the old YouTube interface. Like any change, this will take some getting used to -- but better functionality will make the transition easier. Of course, those who prefer the old interface can simply use that instead.