Today two major updates were released for YouTube. The first, announced in YouTube’s blog is an increase of the previous 15-minute user video length limitation. The specific amount of extra time this update adds to fully ‘legit’ users’ videos limitations was not disclosed in the blog post.

“Starting today, we’ll begin allowing selected users with a history of complying with the YouTube Community Guidelines and our copyright rules to upload videos that are longer than 15 minutes.”

Video length is not the only thing Google has been working on, as it’s also rolling out an update to its YouTube Android app.  YouTube 2.1 is now available at the Android marketplace.  In addition to carrying additional features and an improved UI, the update is also the first of updates which will now be delivered separately from Android OS releases. YouTube, as well as Google Reader, became stand-alone Android apps in recent weeks.

The update will also be included in the upcoming Android 2.3 devices.  It’s a very definitive way for Google to maintain a sufficient amount of control over its platform, as the ability to utilize one app across various devices helped the mobile video industry to flourish.

This focus on YouTube demonstrates Google’s efforts around online video, and its subsequent distribution and monetization.  Online video niche markets are flourishing and gaining global reach, including network ViKi. The Singapore start-up is centered on crowdsourcing the writing and translating of subtitles for TV shows to volunteers, as it’s looking to expand to premium video on demand services next year. ViKi along with Youku, China’s large and growing video network, are both experiencing a great deal of growth and attention on a global scale, with even more is foreseen down the road.