Tag: YouTube

  • Ricoh GR IV and GR Mono: New APS-C Cameras Coming Soon

    Ricoh GR IV and GR Mono: New APS-C Cameras Coming Soon

    Key Takeaways

    1. Diverse Content: Samuel Streetlife’s YouTube channel, DPReview, features a variety of videos, including camera reviews and photography tutorials for all skill levels.
    2. User-Friendly Approach: His engaging style makes complex photography concepts easy to understand, catering to both beginners and experienced photographers.
    3. Technical Insights: Samuel provides clear explanations of camera specifications, such as ISO, shutter speed, and aperture, helping viewers make informed choices.
    4. Community Building: He actively engages with his audience through comments and social media, fostering a strong community among photography enthusiasts.
    5. Popular Resource: Samuel’s channel has become a trusted source for learning about cameras and photography techniques.

    Samuel Streetlife has a YouTube channel called DPReview. He shares a lot of interesting content there. His videos often focus on camera reviews, tips for photography, and other related topics. This channel has become quite popular among photography enthusiasts. Samuel is known for his engaging style and deep knowledge of the subject.

    Engaging Content

    On his YouTube channel, viewers can find various types of videos. These range from in-depth camera reviews to useful tutorials for capturing better photos. Samuel makes sure that his content is easy to follow, which makes it great for both beginners and more experienced photographers. His enthusiasm for photography shines through in every video he creates.

    Technical Insights

    Another great aspect of Samuel’s channel is the technical insights he provides. He often discusses camera specifications and how they impact photography. For instance, he breaks down features like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture in a way that’s simple to understand. This helps his audience make informed decisions when choosing their camera gear.

    Community Engagement

    In addition to his video content, Samuel also engages with his audience through comments and social media. He encourages viewers to ask questions and share their own experiences. This interaction helps build a sense of community among photography lovers. Samuel’s channel has become a go-to place for those who want to learn more about cameras and photography techniques.

    Source:
    Link

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  • YouTube’s 3-Hour Unskippable Ads: Not a Glitch

    YouTube’s 3-Hour Unskippable Ads: Not a Glitch

    YouTube users have been sharing their experiences of encountering incredibly long, unskippable ads, some stretching from 57 minutes to as much as 3 hours. Screenshots posted on Reddit even show ads that are longer than the videos being played. This has left many users feeling frustrated, raising questions about whether this is a deliberate strategy from YouTube or simply a technical issue.

    The Missing ‘Skip Ad’ Button

    Some users have pointed out that the typical “Skip Ad” button is absent in these cases. In certain instances, it appears below the video, leading to theories that ad blockers might be affecting how ads are shown. This has sparked worries that ad blockers could be changing the visibility of the skip feature or impacting the length of the ads themselves.

    YouTube’s Response to User Concerns

    YouTube clarified that these lengthy advertisements mainly target users who have ad blockers activated. The platform noted that regular users can still skip ads after a wait of 15 seconds. YouTube stressed the importance of ads for supporting content creators and stated that the use of ad blockers goes against its Terms of Use. Users are encouraged to either turn off their ad blockers or sign up for YouTube Premium to enjoy an ad-free experience.

    YouTube’s Actions Against Ad Blockers

    Lately, YouTube has taken strong steps against ad blockers, which include:

    – Adding ads when users pause videos.
    – Slowing down the site for those with ad blockers.
    – Restricting video views for ad-blocking users.
    – Promoting YouTube Premium with large banners.

    Reports from Reddit users indicate that ads have reached outrageous lengths, ranging from 58 minutes to even 10 hours. One unverified report even claimed there was a 90-hour-long ad. A standout case involved a user who encountered a 2-hour 52-minute ad before a 49-minute video. This has led to more speculation that ad blockers might be adjusting ad displays or concealing the skip option.

    Google’s Position on Long Advertisements

    Google stated that normal users usually encounter unskippable ads lasting up to 15 seconds on mobile devices and 60 seconds on televisions. However, the company acknowledged that extended ads are specifically aimed at users with ad blockers, as part of a worldwide initiative to combat ad evasion. Google mentioned that users must either watch the ads or subscribe to YouTube Premium, with additional restrictions likely to be enforced for those who persist in blocking ads.

    YouTube is making it harder to experience ad-free content without subscribing to YouTube Premium. As the platform continues its crackdown, users who use ad blockers may soon face even tougher regulations.

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  • M4 MacBook Pro Leaked Again to YouTuber, No Fake Flags This Time

    M4 MacBook Pro Leaked Again to YouTuber, No Fake Flags This Time

    Apple’s product leaks before launches are not new. Yet, seeing retail versions of the M4 MacBook Pro in the hands of two Russian YouTubers nearly a month ahead of schedule is quite shocking. If Apple has a leak issue, this isn’t just a minor concern; it’s a serious supply chain disaster waiting to happen.

    Leaked Details

    Earlier today, we reported on a YouTube video from a well-known Russian creator who unboxed what they claimed to be the M4 MacBook Pro and tested it using Geekbench. The performance numbers are impressive, but honestly, this isn’t surprising since the chip was showcased in the OLED iPad Pro about four months back.

    Suspicious Circumstances

    The unboxing video raised some eyebrows, though. For starters, the packaging featured the same old wallpaper from the M3 era, and the MacBook’s system details were cleverly obscured. There was also an additional Thunderbolt port, which was only available on the M3 Pro and M3 Max models. Just a few hours later, another YouTuber named romancev768 also displayed an ‘M4 MacBook Pro’ and made sure to reveal the ‘About the Mac’ screen on his 14-inch model, clearly showing the M4 SoC alongside 16 GB of memory.

    The Big Question

    This leads us to a puzzling question—how are retail versions of these yet-to-be-released MacBook Pro models finding their way to Russian YouTubers almost a month before the official release? The answer eludes me, and maybe it’s better to leave it unanswered. Nevertheless, Apple appears to be facing a significant supply chain issue that could cause quite a stir among its executives. Is this reminiscent of the iPhone 4 situation? It’s tough to determine.

    Romancev768V via YouTube.

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  • YouTube Tests Community Notes Feature for Video Context

    YouTube Tests Community Notes Feature for Video Context

    YouTube is introducing a new feature called Community Notes to help combat misinformation by providing additional context for viewers. This initiative, inspired by a similar feature on X, allows users to contribute brief explanations or background details for specific videos.

    The pilot program is currently available to a select group of users in the United States, who will receive invitations via email or through YouTube Creator Studio. To join, users need to have an active YouTube account in good standing. During this initial phase, YouTube will use “third-party evaluators” to judge the usefulness of the submitted notes, which will help train the system to ensure only the most valuable contributions are shown publicly.

    Rating System and Algorithm

    When the pilot program expands, viewers will be able to rate the helpfulness of Community Notes using a three-tier system: “helpful,” “somewhat helpful,” or “unhelpful.” They can also specify reasons for their ratings, such as the credibility of cited sources or the clarity of the note.

    A unique “bridging-based algorithm” will decide which notes appear under videos. This algorithm favors notes that get positive ratings from a diverse group of viewers, including those with differing opinions. Although there is always a risk of misuse, YouTube aims to reduce the spread of misinformation through this approach.

    Community Notes’ Concept and Future Plans

    The idea behind Community Notes is similar to a feature that Twitter introduced during Jack Dorsey’s tenure and expanded globally under Elon Musk‘s ownership. While Twitter’s notes haven’t fully resolved accuracy issues, YouTube believes that this crowd-sourced method has potential. The pilot program will start on mobile devices for users in the United States. YouTube acknowledges there might be challenges as the system is refined, and a broader rollout in the US is anticipated in the upcoming weeks and months.

    (Via)

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  • Sundar Pichai Addresses OpenAI’s Alleged Unauthorized YouTube Use

    Sundar Pichai Addresses OpenAI’s Alleged Unauthorized YouTube Use

    OpenAI has introduced an impressive text-to-video tool named Sora, capable of generating lifelike video clips from simple text prompts. Since the release of this tool, there has been ongoing curiosity about the data used to train the model.

    Training Data Controversy

    When asked in an interview if YouTube videos were used to train the model, OpenAI's CTO couldn't provide a definite answer, saying, "I’m not sure about it." Similarly, the COO declined to confirm whether the model was trained using YouTube content. Despite these ambiguous responses, reports have surfaced alleging that OpenAI utilized YouTube videos for training Sora.

    In recent developments, Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the issue, stating that he would resolve it if the allegations prove to be accurate. According to a New York Times article, OpenAI employed over a million hours of YouTube content for Sora's training.

    Google's Response

    When questioned about potential violations of Google’s terms and conditions, Sundar Pichai responded, "Look, I think it’s a question for them to answer. I don’t have anything to add. We do have clear terms of service." He further mentioned, "And so, you know, I think normally in these things we engage with companies and make sure they understand our terms of service. And we’ll sort it out."

    Reportedly, The New York Times has already taken legal action against OpenAI for using their copyrighted content in AI training. However, Pichai did not disclose his strategy for addressing this issue.

    Creator Rights and AI Training

    Ideally, content creators should have the right to opt in or out of having their material used by others. AI training necessitates a vast amount of data, typically sourced from the internet, but this should be done with proper permission. When asked if YouTube content was used by OpenAI, the company’s COO hinted at future plans. He mentioned that alongside developing a tool to detect AI-generated images, they are also working on a "content ID system for AI" that would allow creators to see where their content is being used, who is training on it, and to opt in or out of such training.

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  • Color-Coded Video Feeds: YouTube’s Newest Experiment

    Color-Coded Video Feeds: YouTube’s Newest Experiment

    YouTube is shaking things up with a colorful new experiment. Imagine opening your YouTube app and being greeted not just by the usual mix of videos but by streams of content curated by color. That’s right, YouTube is currently trying out a feature that sorts videos into red, blue, and green feeds, aiming to offer a unique and visually engaging browsing experience.

    This experiment is available only to a few Android & iOS devices

    Reports from 9to5Google and user discussions on Lemmy shed some light on this concept, where users are prompted to select a color theme for their video feed. This approach is still in the testing phase, available to a handful of users on both Android and iOS devices. YouTube’s own Allison Toh has confirmed the experiment, though the reasons behind this move and its potential rollout remain a mystery.

    The idea is simple yet intriguing

    When you choose a color, a new feed springs up, adding a splash of your selected hue to your homepage without overtaking your existing feed. The specifics of how videos are chosen for each color filter are a bit of a puzzle, with the selection seemingly based on the dominant colors in video thumbnails or possibly even the video content itself.

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  • YouTube Premium and Music Surpass 100 Million Subscribers

    YouTube Premium and Music Surpass 100 Million Subscribers

    YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Surpass 100 Million Subscribers Milestone

    YouTube Premium and YouTube Music have recently achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 100 million subscribers, including trial users. Launched in 2015, YouTube Premium offers an ad-free experience and access to a vast music library, making it a popular choice among users.

    The Success of YouTube Premium

    YouTube Premium's success can be attributed to its additional features and expanded offerings. Subscribers enjoy an uninterrupted experience, background play, downloads, and access to an extensive music catalog. The recent rebranding and availability in over 100 countries have further contributed to its popularity.

    Adam Smith, the Vice President of Product Management at YouTube, expressed his excitement about the achievement and highlighted the importance of creators and artists in YouTube's success. He stated, "Beyond features, we know what truly makes viewers and listeners keep choosing YouTube – it’s the incredible content from our creators and artists. YouTube Premium helps maintain a thriving creator and artist community, providing them with an additional source of revenue from subscriptions."

    AI-based Features and Enhanced Quality

    YouTube has embraced artificial intelligence and introduced several AI-based features. It also offers enhanced bitrate 1080P HD quality videos, ensuring a seamless viewing experience across devices.

    Exciting Features on YouTube Music

    YouTube Music, the subscription service launched alongside YouTube Premium, has also seen significant growth. It recently introduced the Samples tab, which allows users to discover new music in a reel format. The integration of podcasts and a customized radio-building experience has enhanced the platform's appeal. Additionally, YouTube Music now enables users to find music by singing them, adding a unique and interactive element.

    Supporting the Creator and Artist Community

    In addition to benefiting users, the YouTube Premium subscription model has proven to be a valuable source of revenue for creators and artists. By providing an additional income stream through subscriptions, YouTube contributes to the prosperity of the creator community.

    Continued Commitment to Excellence

    YouTube remains dedicated to delivering a best-in-class experience for its users and supporting the thriving creator and artist community. As YouTube continues to evolve, users and creators alike anticipate the introduction of more useful features that will further enhance their experience on the platform.

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  • TikTok Challenges YouTube Dominance with 30-Minute Video Uploads Testing

    TikTok Challenges YouTube Dominance with 30-Minute Video Uploads Testing

    ByteDance is shaking things up on TikTok by introducing a new feature that allows for 30-minute-long videos on the platform. This move marks a departure from TikTok's original format of short-form videos and could potentially position the platform as a competitor to YouTube. The feature was first discovered on the iOS Beta App and Android App in the UK by social media consultant Matt Navarra.

    TikTok is widely recognized for its short videos, initially starting with a 15-second limit and later expanding to a minute. In response to user demand, the limit was further revised to three minutes and then to 10 minutes. Prior to the introduction of the 30-minute video limit, the company had already experimented with 15-minute videos, although this limit is not currently in effect on TikTok.

    The introduction of a 30-minute limit is part of TikTok's strategy to attract more users and content creators to its platform. This move directly challenges YouTube, which allows for videos of any duration. With this expansion, TikTok opens up opportunities for users to post full episodes of TV shows and other long-form content.

    Despite its reputation for short videos, TikTok is taking steps to accommodate longer content. Users will have the ability to fast-forward through videos by tapping and holding the right side of the screen, a feature that was also introduced with the 15-minute video test. Additionally, TikTok has recently added a horizontal full-screen mode in preparation for longer videos.

    It will be interesting to see how users react to the introduction of longer videos on a platform that is primarily known for its short-form content. However, it remains uncertain when or if this feature will be widely launched for all users.

    In addition to these developments on TikTok, ByteDance is expanding its global presence with new offices in Canada, Australia, and the US. The company's sales in 2023 reached approximately $110 billion, slightly surpassing those of Tencent Holding.

    Overall, ByteDance is making significant strides to position TikTok as a formidable competitor to YouTube by introducing a 30-minute video limit and expanding its global footprint. These developments have the potential to reshape the landscape of online video content consumption.

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  • Premium Users Receive Access to YouTube Playables: An Interactive Game Arcade

    Premium Users Receive Access to YouTube Playables: An Interactive Game Arcade

    YouTube Introduces Playables: Arcade Games for Premium Users

    YouTube is aiming to attract more users to its paid Premium service with the launch of a new feature called Playables. Playables is a dedicated section within the YouTube app and desktop website that allows users to play arcade games directly, without the need for any downloads.

    Playables: A New Gaming Experience on YouTube

    Upon entering Playables, users are greeted with two tabs: Home and Browse. The Home tab showcases a list of recently played games, as well as a curated selection of popular titles. On the other hand, the Browse tab provides access to a wider range of games, currently numbering around 37.

    Convenience at Your Fingertips

    The standout feature of Playables is its ability to allow users to play games directly within the YouTube app or website, eliminating the hassle of downloading. This seamless experience makes it incredibly convenient for users to jump right into a game without any additional steps.

    Currently, Playables is in its beta testing phase and is only available to a limited group of Premium subscribers. However, YouTube has plans to gradually expand access to Playables in the coming months, ensuring more users can enjoy this new gaming feature.

    A Growing Library of Games

    The initial selection of games available on Playables includes popular titles like Angry Birds Showdown, Brain Out, and Daily Solitaire. Although the current library is relatively modest, YouTube is expected to introduce more games in the future, further enhancing the gaming experience for its users.

    Competition in the Streaming World

    YouTube is not the first streaming service to offer a game arcade to its subscribers. Netflix introduced its own game arcade in November 2021, but it has not gained significant traction. It remains to be seen whether Playables will fare better than Netflix’s game arcade.

    The Future of Playables

    YouTube plans to continue offering Playables until March 28, 2024. After this date, the company will evaluate its performance and make a decision regarding its future. If Playables proves to be popular among users, it could become a permanent fixture on the YouTube platform, providing ongoing gaming entertainment for its subscribers.

    Pricing and Availability

    Playables is currently only accessible to Premium subscribers and is in beta testing. As YouTube gradually expands access, more users will be able to enjoy this new gaming feature.

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  • Firefox and Edge Users Experience Slow Load Times due to YouTube’s Ad Blocker Crackdown

    Firefox and Edge Users Experience Slow Load Times due to YouTube’s Ad Blocker Crackdown

    YouTube’s Battle Against Ad-Blockers: Google Slows Down Browsers to Punish Users

    In its ongoing battle against ad-blocking programs, YouTube has taken a new approach to discourage users from blocking ads. The company insists that users who do not wish to see ads should pay for its Premium service. To enforce this, YouTube has started issuing warnings to users who have ad-blockers enabled. However, it seems that the measures taken by YouTube are disproportionately affecting users who use browsers other than Chrome, putting them in a difficult position.

    Slower Loading Times for YouTube Videos on Non-Chrome Browsers

    Google Chrome is the most popular web browser worldwide. However, there are still a significant number of users who prefer alternative browsers for various reasons. Unfortunately, YouTube’s recent measures against ad-blockers seem to be causing slower loading times for videos on browsers other than Chrome. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Google had introduced a deliberate five-second delay specifically for users of Firefox and Edge when visiting YouTube.

    Technical Necessity or Deliberate Measure?

    While some users speculate that this delay is a deliberate attempt to discourage the use of ad-blockers, Google denies these allegations. According to Google, the delay is a technical necessity to ensure that ads can still be loaded and displayed properly. However, it remains unclear how long Google intends to continue implementing this delay.

    The Impact on Users

    The introduction of this delay has put users of Firefox and Edge in a difficult position. Those who rely on ad-blockers to enhance their browsing experience now face slower loading times when accessing YouTube. This has sparked frustration among users who feel that their choice of browser should not affect their ability to block ads.

    In conclusion, YouTube’s battle against ad-blockers is intensifying, with the company implementing measures to discourage users from blocking ads. While Google claims that the five-second delay on YouTube is a technical necessity, users of non-Chrome browsers are experiencing slower loading times. As the battle between YouTube and ad-blockers continues, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved and whether alternative browser users will be able to enjoy ad-free YouTube browsing without any penalties.

    Source: 1, 2

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