Items tagged with YouTube
YouTube TV in recent years hasn't exactly been an incredible value play when it comes to streaming TV services. What started as a service that cost $35 per month in 2016 now costs subscribers $65 per month, which is getting closer to the pricing that "cord cutters" sought to escape in the first place. This week, Google announced that it's adding new [optional] features to YouTube TV that push its price even higher. YouTube TV is adding what it calls 4K Plus, which as its name implies, allows you to consume 4K content. At this time, there is not exactly a lot of 4K content available. However, Google says that "major sports events" will broadcast in 4K this summer (i.e., the Olympics) and that...
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We've been covering the ongoing war of words between Google and Roku over YouTube TV negotiations for the past few weeks. And unfortunately for customers caught up in the drama, it's starting to devolve into an unsavory war of words. Most recently, Roku was accused of lying about allegations that Google made anticompetitive requests regarding YouTube TV and YouTube. Google admonished Roku by saying, "To be clear, we have never, as they have alleged, made any requests to access user data or interfere with search results. This claim is baseless and false." The company also acknowledged that it did ask Roku to support the open-source AV1 codec, which would raise hardware costs for Roku streamers...
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Smart TV users, take note! The Google Play Movies & TV app will soon no longer be available on Roku, Samsung, LG, and Vizio smart TVs. The app will officially be inaccessible on June 15, 2021. Google’s streaming services will also be entirely removed from NetCast and LG SimpleSmart devices by this same date. The app itself does not appear to be entirely disappearing and will still be available on Android TVs, Apple TVs, and iPhones and iPads. Google is encouraging customers to instead use the YouTube app and YouTube TV. Customers will be able to access their former purchases by logging into the YouTube app with the account that was previously used for Google Play Movies & TV...
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The move from traditional cable and satellite TV packages to streaming options was supposed to give consumers more freedom and control over video plans. However, the streaming landscape has become muddied with multiple competing services and rising prices over the years. One of the biggest offenders concerning price hikes has been Google's YouTube TV. YouTube TV started at $35/month in 2016 and rose to $40/month in 2018. By 2019, Google raised the streaming TV service's price to $50/month, and last year, it rose yet again to $65/month. YouTube TV nearly doubled in price in four years, which is far more egregious than anything we've seen in the cable/satellite industry. To help ease the burden...
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Its widely understood that Google will collect data about people to customize and better-target ads for each person with a Google account. What you may not have realized is that the data gathered about you for tailoring ads is also only a Google search away, and you too can see what Google thinks it knows about you. A few days ago, TikTok user @yorgoandlea posted a video that has since amassed thousands of comments and hundreds of thousands of views. In the short video, she showed that all you need to do, to see what Google knows about your internet-connected travels and search activity, is perform a simple Google search for the text string “ads settings google.” The search will...
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Back in early November, Nintendo Launched its diminutive Game & Watch portable console, which brought the joys of playing the original Super Mario Bros. game that first launched nearly four decades ago on the NES. Besides Super Mario Bros., the console also included Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels. In addition to the usual D-Pad and B/A button controls, the Game & Watch includes a USB-C port for charging and not much else. Needless to say, tinkerers ripped off the case and started mucking around with the PCB to upload their own NES ROMs to play on the console. Some even went one step further by loading Doom on to the Game & Watch, although its performance left much...
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Following the absolutely shocking and horrifying events yesterday when a mob of protestors stormed the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., America's top social media companies have cut off President Donald J. Trump's most frequently used tools to reach the masses. Twitter struck the first blow yesterday after it removed President Trump's video that addressed the mob, which was at the time occupying the US Capitol. In the video, he called the protestors "special people" and asked for them to "go home” as they ravaged House and Senate offices and even took to the floor of the Senate. The President also continued to spread misinformation, stating that the he actually won the election and...
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Streamers and YouTubers have recently come under the microscope of both the U.S government and music copyright holders. The popular streaming platform Twitch wrote that thousands of DMCA notifications have been pouring in since May. This has sparked a mass movement on the platform to stop playing copyrighted music during livestreams for fear of being issued a takedown notice. Now, it is reported that streamers may have to face up to 10 years in prison if they illegally stream, but that may not entirely be the case. Earlier in December, Sen. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, released what he called “bipartisan legislation that would punish large-scale criminal streaming services that willfully...
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Last month was a rather sad time for James Bond fans when it was announced that Sean Connery, the first (and best) 007, passed away at the age of 90. Connery made a total of five Bond films (six if you count Never Say Never Again) and left his stamp on a movie franchise that continues to this day. Now, you can watch all of Connery's [official] Bond movies plus 15 more courtesy via YouTube. MGM is offering the first 20 Bond movies for free via its YouTube channel after removing its paywall. The company hasn't revealed how long it will make the movies available, but we'd suggest you start binge watching now before MGM decides to pull back from its generosity. You'll find all of the classics...
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The Dr. Disrespect saga, from his Twitch ban to his return to YouTube, has gripped the streaming community and taken the gaming world by storm. The good doctor seems to have done well in his return, though, averaging millions of views and attaining 2.6 million subscribers. To put a cap on his first week back, the egomaniacal persona of Herschel ‘Guy’ Beahm IV went toe-to-toe with the largest personality on YouTube, Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie. This competition ultimately led to Dr.Disrespect’s loss, but it was fun to watch nonetheless. Dr. Disrespect opened this stream with an over-the-top introduction with music, lights, and sweet animations. In this intro,...
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Both times when LeBron James was pondering whether to stay in Cleveland or take his talents elsewhere, there was intense interest on where he would land. He chose Miami the first time he left Ohio, and then L.A. Likewise, there are a lot of eyeballs on Dr. Disrespect to see where he will land after being banned from Twitch, and later today, he will participate in his first livestream since that happened. So, where is he going to end up? He might still be deciding on a permanent home, but right now he's on YouTube. Well, sort of. Dr. Disrespect announced in a Twitter post yesterday that, "Tomorrow, we arrive," with a link to his YouTube channel. His stream then went live yesterday as well, though...
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Sony's PlayStation 5 made its big debut yesterday, and the results were definitely mixed with regards to its design. The console's design is definitely more "out there" than the now seemingly quaint Xbox Series X, and has drawn a lot of criticism in the process. The console has a central strip that is black, which is flanked by white "wings" that curve outward at the top. The design has been likened from everything to the original Nintendo Wii attempting to cosplay as Batman to a modern interpretation of the original Xbox 360 (the RRoD-prone one). Gathered below are some of our favorite social "burns" of the PlayStation 5 that have rolled through since the console was officially unveiled:...
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In what is a humorous turn of event, an 8-year-old has seemingly found a bug in Apple’s parental controls that allowed her to view YouTube videos despite the fact that Screen Time was enabled. Screen Time allows parents/guardians to block off access to certain apps, or all apps on an iPhone or iPad after a set amount of time has passed, or during a certain time block (i.e. between 10pm and 7am). The bug involves using the Messages app, which for some reason is allowing unauthorized access to flow through its pearly gates. Pulling off this trick is relatively simple if you follow these steps. Open the Messages app Start a new text message Using the iMessages mini app bar, slide over and...
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Google is channeling its inner Bart Simpson and has a message for TikTok, the insanely popular short-form video service: "Eat my Shorts!" That is not a direct quote, mind you, but is the first thing that came to mind when we found out Google is launching a rival short-form video feature of its own through its YouTube division, called Shorts. It is easy to see why Google would be interested in doing this. TikTok has taken the social media scene storm with 800 million active users worldwide. Collectively in Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store, the TikTok app has been downloaded over 1.5 billion times. And according to data from Influencer Marketing Hub, TikTok has the highest follower engagement...
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Many of us have lately found ourselves working more home and relying more on digital entertainment. However, this greater need for the Internet can also lead to network congestion. Several streaming services are currently looking for ways to ease this congestion. Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube have all recently announced that they plan to reduce bit rates in Europe. European Union Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton recently posted a tweet that stated, “To secure Internet access for all, let’s #SwitchToStandard definition when HD is not necessary.” Netflix was the first to jump on board. The company has promised to decrease bitrates in Europe and believe that...
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YouTube Premium is the paid version of the ever-popular YouTube streaming service that offers ad-free and background playback of videos and music along with offline downloads. A new offer page has been seen by some YouTube Premium subscribers that offers paying viewers one free channel membership per month. Channel memberships are a way for fans to support the creators they like. The channel member subscriptions start at $4.99 per month, while some of the creators offer different levels that cost additional money. A paid subscriptions give access to things like member-only videos, streams, community posts, or live chats along with custom channel badges and emoji. The first signs of the new channel...
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Activision Blizzard and Google have announced a multi-year strategic relationship that will see Google Cloud services as the preferred provider for Activision Blizzard's game hosting infrastructure. YouTube will act as the exclusive streaming partner globally, excluding China, for live broadcasts of Activision Blizzard's popular eSports leagues and events. Activision Blizzard says that it sought a partner to help enhance its gaming infrastructure while delivering superior, low-latency player experiences. It says it turned to Google Cloud because of its highly reliable global footprint, advanced data analytics, and AI capabilities. Benefits for players under the new arrangement include low...
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YouTube has included long-standing restrictions for video that has violent gaming footage. YouTube has now announced that it will change its guidelines to allow it to be more permissive in allowing depictions of violence in video games. The caveat is that the violence can't be the sole focus of the video. The rule change started on December 2 with YouTube stating that on that date, scripted or simulated violent content found in video games will be treated the same as scripted content in TV or movies. YouTube announced the change in its policies on Twitter, noting that it had heard gamers "loud and clear" that its policies needed to change. Gaming Creators: We’ve heard loud and clear that...
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Amazon and Google have settled their spat that has been going on for over a year now. YouTube was pulled from Amazon Fire TV devices back in late 2017. Google pulled YouTube from Fire TV devices in part because of Amazon's business practices that involved not selling Google products like Chromecast and not offering Prime Video for Chromecast users. Things have turned around, and the spat is now over with Google announcing the availability of Prime Video on Chromecast and Android TV. Google says that YouTube is also back on Fire TV devices; the apps are on both platforms starting today. Google brags that Chromecast and Chromecast built-in users now have access to over 2,000 apps for...
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Summer is here, which means that many children around the country are out of school and waiting for September to roll around to get back into the daily grind. With this in mind, there are lots of students, teachers, and folks on vacation who want something to watch on those long, hot, lazy summer days. If you are a cord cutter finding something to watch can be a challenge, but YouTube TV subscribers have something to binge on. YouTube TV has announced that it is giving away months of free Showtime to subscribers. That will give you plenty of time to binge on Ray Donovan, Billions, and other shows and movies the premium cable network offers. It's not clear right now if all YouTube TV subscribers...
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There was plenty of applause and copious cheers at Apple's WWDC event earlier this week, where it unveiled several OS updates, a burly refresh of its Mac Pro, and a fancy 6K monitor. Apple also announced a $999 Pro Stand, but to a different reaction—boos and groans swept over previously excited developers in attendance. In the aftermath of the event, it seems Apple is seeking to silence YouTubers who focus on that particular part of the keynote. Some videos on YouTube that highlighted the boos and groans have been taken offline. It appears as though Apple has been sending takedown requests to YouTube, on the basis of copyright infringement. We can't recall Apple ever doing this before,...
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If you've ever questioned your financial worth or how much you're making at your current job, you might want to stop reading at this point. A new report is detailing just how much the world's top streamers can earn for a few hours of streaming, and it is a staggering amount. The report from the Wall Street Journal claims that some of the top game publishers like Electronic Arts, Activision Blizzard and Take-Two are paying streamers upwards of $50,000 to stream. And no, we're not talking about $50,000 for a week's or even day's worth or work. Instead, these companies are paying $50,000 per hour. Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins These publishers are counting on the huge followings...
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