YouTube's New Strategy to Combat Ad Blockers: Integrating Ads into Video Streams YouTube is reportedly developing another way to counter third-party ad blockers, as the video streaming platform aims to increase revenue from users who don't subscribe to YouTube Premium. Speculations suggest that this change may integrate the video and ad streams, preventing popular browser plugins from blocking these ads. This news comes weeks after users reported videos automatically skipping to the end when using third-party ad blockers on the Alphabet-owned platform.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), SponsorBlock, a plugin that skips past sponsored sections of YouTube videos, claims that YouTube is merging ads directly into the video stream. Currently, videos...
17 Jun 2024
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Bewakoof and Google Cloud Join Forces to Launch AI-Powered Customizable Fashion Platform The renowned Indian clothing label Bewakoof has teamed up with Google Cloud to infuse generative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning elements into its infrastructure. The Indian brand revealed this partnership at the Google Cloud Summit India 2024. Bewakoof is leveraging technologies such as Gemini AI to create new content, including text, images, and code for its platform. A standout user-focused feature will be an AI T-shirt designing tool that enables users to generate custom artwork.
Bewakoof teams up with Google Cloud
Google Cloud is extending its generative AI tech stack to the Indian apparel brand to introduce new features for users...
17 Jun 2024
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Google Rolls Out Android Enhancements: Editable RCS Messages, Instant Hotspots, and More Google Unveils New Features in Latest Android Update Including RCS Message Amendments and Seamless Hotspot Connectivity
Google recently unveiled a suite of seven new features coming to Android platforms including Meet, Home, Messages, and Wear OS this Thursday. Among the array of updates, the standout is the new capability allowing users to amend RCS messages for up to 15 minutes after they've been dispatched. This update marks a departure from the exclusivity seen with announcements at Google I/O 2024, as these new functionalities are slated for a broader rollout across various Android gadgets and territories, with certain limitations being region-specific.
RCS Message...
03 Jun 2024
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Samsung Galaxy Ring Set to Revolutionize Smart Accessory Location with Innovative 'Lost Mode' The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Ring feature for tracing a misplaced smart accessory has been revealed in a recent development update. Slated for unveiling at the forthcoming Galaxy Unpacked event, this innovative smart ring is destined to share the stage with the latest iterations of foldable smartphones. Not only is this device expected to incorporate advanced health and sleep analysis features, but emerging details also hint at its potential capabilities currently making waves online. A notable discovery within the software of Samsung's locating application has brought to light code entries indicative of a novel function devised to aid users in swiftly...
03 Jun 2024
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RetroArch Elevates iOS Gaming with Free, Ad-Free Emulation Solution on the App Store Following a period filled with applications plagued by advertisements and unexpected removals, RetroArch has made its way to the App Store, offering comprehensive retro emulation services at no cost. Apple made it known in April that emulators for vintage gaming consoles are permitted on the iOS App Store. However, the initial offerings have been swamped with intrusive advertisements and tracking from third parties, not to mention their tendency to vanish without a trace. The emulation interface RetroArch has become available, promising to be an ideal, inclusive solution for fulfilling your vintage gaming desires.
"RetroArch presents itself as a gratuitous, advertisement-free, open-source,...
20 May 2024
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Netflix's 3 Body Problem Series to Receive Additional Episodes for a Grand Finale The acclaimed Netflix series 3 Body Problem, based on the science fiction trilogy by Cixin Liu, has been granted an extension to conclude its narrative journey. During the recent Netflix Upfront announcement, it was disclosed that an unspecified tally of brand-new episodes had been confirmed, featuring talents such as Jovan Adepo, John Bradley, Eiza Gonzalez, and Benedict Wong, among others, to provide a fitting finale to the series.
David Benioff, Dan Weiss, and Alexander Woo, the creative minds behind the series, expressed their excitement in a shared statement, "We’re exhilarated to have the opportunity to see this story to its magnificent...
20 May 2024
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Manor Lords Patch Revolution: Taming Villager Festivities and Welcoming the King's Tax The latest update to the critically acclaimed Manor Lords doesn't just tweak and refine; it fundamentally alters the gameplay dynamic, bringing new challenges and systems that will reshape every lord and lady's approach to managing their medieval fiefdoms. Among the most talked-about changes is the drastic reduction in villagers' ale consumption, a tweak that promises to liberate your economy from the shackles of endless barley cultivation and importation nightmares. Yet, even more impactful is the introduction of the King’s Tax, adding a layer of fiscal responsibility that extends beyond the borders of your burgeoning township.
The King's Tax promises to be...
15 May 2024
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Meta Shakes Up Digital Ecosystem: The Tumbling Tide of Facebook Referrals to Publishers In a pivot that speaks volumes about the evolving digital landscape, Facebook has significantly reduced its referral traffic to media publishers, igniting conversations about the future of online content dissemination. Recent studies have brought to light a startling 50% dip in the platform's referrals to news websites over the past year. This shift underscores a profound change in how content is curated and consumed, steering away from traditional news to a new era dominated by entertainment and user-generated videos.
The heart of this transformation can be traced back to Meta's strategic decisions over recent years. Phasing out its Facebook News project...
15 May 2024
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WWE 2K24 u-turns on modder ban following community backlash Game developer 2K has reinstated popular modder WhatsTheStatus to the WWE 2K24 community following a vocal backlash from fans. Last week, the modder was banned for allegedly violating the game's terms of service by creating mods that were thought to detract from other players' experiences. Nevertheless, the community rallied behind WhatsTheStatus, sparking a movement with the hashtag "FreeStatus," which successfully caught the attention of the game's creators.
The team behind WWE 2K24 acknowledged the outcry and engaged in discussions with WhatsTheStatus. These talks focused on addressing the concerns about the stability and performance impacts of his mods. Following fruitful negotiations, they...
28 Apr 2024
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Silent Hill 2 Remake developer is "excited" and "very confident" In their latest annual shareholders meeting, the team behind the eagerly awaited Silent Hill 2 Remake shared their enthusiasm and confidence about the project. They conveyed an unmistakable sense of importance tied to the game, emphasizing that it stands out as a major evaluative moment for them. Both internally and externally, the significance of this undertaking is openly acknowledged.
During 2023, nearly half of the studio's resources were devoted to what they described as the "currently loudest project in the industry." They've been working closely with Konami on revitalizing Silent Hill 2, a game that enjoys a legendary status within the...
28 Apr 2024
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Respawn Acts Against Cheating in Apex Legends with New Ranked Restrictions The competitive scene of Apex Legends, particularly in its higher echelons, has been plagued by a persistent issue that has troubled players and developers alike: cheating. The anticipation surrounding the changes introduced in season 20 was quickly overshadowed by the encroachment of unfair practices, especially with cheaters infiltrating top-tier lobbies through lower-ranked accounts. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Respawn Entertainment has initiated a pivotal step toward curbing this issue by amending party restrictions in ranked play—an adjustment aimed at striking a balance between maintaining the competitive integrity of the game and allowing players the liberty to team up with...
09 Apr 2024
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Spotify's Innovative Leap: Introducing AI Playlist Creation In the rapidly evolving world of digital music streaming, Spotify continues to stand out as a beacon of innovation and personalization. The platform has once again pushed the boundaries by introducing artificial intelligence (AI)--a powered feature that significantly enhances user experience. This groundbreaking tool, dubbed the AI Playlist feature, enables users to craft personalized playlists through simple text prompts. Following the success of the AI DJ launched the previous year, this feature represents Spotify's continuous effort to integrate AI technologies to revolutionize music listening and discovery.
The AI Playlist feature is a testament to Spotify's commitment to creating a more interactive...
