Google launches a brand new mobile interface that works with HTML5 compatible browsers. Translation: new mobile YouTube page works with iOS, Android, and webOS mobile devices.

The “installable” web app is exactly the kind of web app Apple has been championing since launching the iPhone in 2007. As soon as web apps achieve capabilities on par with native apps, the distinction between native vs web applications erodes.

This certainly allows YouTube to add, remove, and modify features much faster than having to rely on Apple to update the built in YouTube app in the iOS. The built in app in iOS is yet to conform to the new YouTube rating system and does not allow for built-in advertising, something that Google has been pushing for on the full website.

Of course, this is in line with Google’s position that web apps are the future.

The interface on the new mobile site works really well and evokes familiarity with the Facebook app for iOS. Search is augmented with a suggestion list and everything works really fast. The landing page is laid out very clearly as you can see on the screenshot.

Supposedly the video is much better than on Apple’s YouTube app because it uses a new delivery format but I can’t tell the difference.

It probably will take over the YouTube app in how I watch videos. Also, when you install the app to the home screen, the icon is the YouTube logo. You can’t miss it.