Tag Archives: Youtube

YouTube Playables Expands, Bringing Casual Games Directly to the Platform in Select Regions

May 30, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

YouTube has been steadily expanding its offerings beyond video content, and its latest move caters to casual gamers. The platform recently announced the rollout of “Playables,” a feature that allows users to play a selection of lightweight games directly within the YouTube app or on their desktop browser.

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Playables offers a convenient and accessible gaming experience. There’s no need to download additional apps or create new accounts. Users can simply browse the Playables shelf on the YouTube homepage or explore the new Playables destination page accessible from the Explore menu. Here, they’ll find a library of over 75 games, encompassing various genres like trivia, racing, arcade-style action, and word games.

The game selection leans towards casual titles suitable for short bursts of play. This aligns with YouTube’s core functionality, where users often consume content in bite-sized chunks. Whether waiting for a video to load or taking a break between clips, Playables offers a quick and engaging way to pass the time.

The games within Playables are built using HTML5 technology, ensuring broad compatibility across various devices. Users with Android smartphones and tablets running Android 14 (or higher) can access Playables directly within the YouTube app. Compatibility extends to select Android 10, 11, 12 and 13 devices with high memory or 64-bit processors. For iOS users, Playables is currently available on iPhone and iPad devices running iOS 14 and above within the YouTube app. Desktop users with Chrome, Safari, or Firefox can also access Playables through their web browsers. It’s also worth noting that Playables aren’t widely available at the time of writing. In Malaysia, trying to open the YouTube Playables page leads to a “Page not Available” screen.

While YouTube hasn’t disclosed specific details on monetization, some reports suggest these games might utilize in-app purchases or advertising. It’s important to note that parental controls are available within the YouTube app, allowing guardians to restrict access to inappropriate content or limit in-app purchases for younger users.

The initial rollout of Playables has garnered mixed reactions. Some users appreciate the convenience and variety of casual games offered, while others find the selection uninspired compared to dedicated mobile gaming platforms. Regardless, Playables represents an interesting new direction for YouTube, potentially attracting new users and keeping existing ones engaged within the platform’s ecosystem for longer.

As the feature progresses, it will be interesting to see if YouTube expands the game library, explores different genres, or integrates deeper social elements within Playables. Only time will tell if Playables evolves into a full-fledged gaming destination or remains a niche offering for casual gamers within the vast YouTube landscape.

Business, News

Google Responds to YouTube Skipping Glitch for Adblock Users

May 29, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Remember the YouTube meltdown where videos kept skipping to the end for ad blocker users? Conspiracy theories flew faster than likes on a cat video, accusing YouTube of targeting ad blockers. Well, YouTube claims innocence, but the plot twist might leave you reaching for your tinfoil hat (or maybe your credit card).

Person Holding a Black Cellphone — Photo by greenwish on Pexels.com

It all started with frustrated viewers, especially those with ad blockers, whose videos were inexplicably jumping to the finish line. The internet buzzed with accusations. Was YouTube, owned by ad giant Google, punishing ad blocker rebels? YouTube scrambled to control the narrative, releasing a statement to 9to5 Google blaming a recent performance update gone awry. They reiterated their stance on ad blockers violating their Terms of Service and, not-so-subtly, encouraged viewers to support creators through ads (or that tempting YouTube Premium subscription).

While YouTube’s explanation seems reasonable, a healthy dose of scepticism lingers. The glitch’s timing, coinciding with rising ad blocker use, feels a bit too convenient. And tech companies have a not-so-stellar track record of using similar tactics to discourage ad blockers. So, is YouTube being entirely truthful?

The YouTube skipping saga highlights the constant struggle between user experience and ad revenue. Ad blockers undeniably impact a platform’s income, but resorting to underhanded tactics to force ad views is a risky PR gamble.

Social Media

YouTube’s War Against Ad Blockers Continues with the Platform Blocking Content Altogether

May 28, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

The relationship between YouTube and ad blockers has always been a bit… strained. Creators rely on ad revenue to keep making the videos you love, while viewers often find ads disruptive and intrusive. Lately, however, things have taken a turn for the inconvenient, with reports suggesting YouTube might be taking a more aggressive stance against ad blockers.

Hand Holding Smartphone with Internet Access to YouTube — Photo by Szabó Viktor

Recent user experiences paint a frustrating picture. Reports indicate that some viewers with ad blockers are encountering issues such as videos automatically skipping to the end upon playback, or being stuck in endless buffering loops. Others describe sound issues, where the video plays with no audio until the volume slider is adjusted, only to be muted again shortly thereafter. While these issues might seem like glitches, the timing coincides with growing reports of YouTube’s new tactic.

There’s no official confirmation from YouTube, but the evidence suggests a deliberate strategy. Disabling videos or making them unplayable for ad blocker users would certainly incentivize them to turn off their blockers and view the ads that generate revenue for creators.

The Creator Conundrum

Many content creators rely on ad revenue to fund their work. Without that income, the quality and quantity of content we enjoy could be impacted. While ad blockers offer a solution for viewers seeking an uninterrupted experience, they can harm the creators who rely on ad revenue to keep making the content we love.

Finding a middle ground is ideal. Perhaps a less disruptive or intrusive ad format could be explored. For viewers who still prefer an ad-free experience, YouTube Premium offers a subscription option. Ultimately, the goal should be to create a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both creators and viewers.

What Can You Do?

If you’re experiencing playback issues with ad blockers, you can try temporarily disabling them to see if it resolves the problem. Keep in mind, that doing so will allow ads to play. Alternatively, consider supporting your favourite creators directly through features like YouTube channel memberships or Super Chat donations.

This situation is still developing, and it’s unclear what YouTube’s long-term strategy might be. One thing is certain: the war between ad blockers and monetization continues, and viewers are caught in the middle. Here’s hoping a solution emerges that allows us to enjoy great content without sacrificing a seamless viewing experience or the livelihood of content creators.

News, Social Media

TikTok Tests Long-Form Videos: A Challenge to YouTube’s Dominance?

May 17, 2024 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

The short-form video king, TikTok, is making waves with a bold experiment. The platform is currently testing the ability for users to upload videos up to 60 minutes long, a significant shift from its traditional bite-sized content format. This move has sparked speculation about TikTok’s potential ambitions to compete directly with YouTube, the established leader in long-form video streaming.

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TikTok’s core identity has been built on its emphasis on short, engaging videos. The app’s initial focus was on 15-second clips, gradually expanding to 60 seconds and then 10 minutes in recent years. This latest test with 60-minute uploads marks a dramatic departure from the platform’s core format.

While some see this as a direct challenge to YouTube, the implications remain unclear. TikTok’s existing user base might not necessarily embrace hour-long content, and established YouTubers might not readily migrate to a new platform. However, the possibility of attracting new creators who prefer TikTok’s interface or community dynamics cannot be ignored.

Screencap of Post by Matt Navarra on Threads.net

The introduction of longer videos opens doors for a wider range of content formats on TikTok. Imagine educational tutorials, in-depth interviews, or even live-streamed events finding a home on the platform. This could potentially attract viewers seeking a different type of long-form content experience compared to what YouTube offers.

Whether TikTok’s foray into longer videos becomes a permanent feature or a fleeting experiment remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the landscape of video content is evolving. Users now have access to a diverse range of platforms, each catering to specific preferences for video length, format, and community engagement. This competition between platforms ultimately benefits users by driving innovation and offering a wider variety of content to choose from.

News, Social Media

Generative AI Coming to YouTube Creator Tools

September 22, 2023 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

YouTube has revealed a bevvy of features and a new app that is being introduced to simplify the process for creators. However, the new features and apps are not just focused on simplifying but also assisting creators when it comes to ideation and even getting the most from their analytics.

Dream Screen for Shorts

YouTube Shorts has become a stronghold for viewership and engagement since its introduction in 2020. The spontaneous ideas and artistic takes on content have grown to over 70 billion daily views with more than 2 billion monthly active users. To elevate this creative ecosystem, YouTube is introducing some game-changing tools.

One such tool is the experimental “Dream Screen,” set to debut later this year. Dream Screen leverages AI to allow creators to conjure video or image backgrounds simply by typing a concept into a prompt. Fancy filming in outer space, wandering through an enchanted forest, or envisioning your pug driving you to school? Dream Screen can bring these imaginative settings to life, limited only by the creator’s imagination.

AI-Powered Insights and Beyond

Video creation involves much more than just editing and production. However, the data-heavy side of content creation needs far more time than creators can allocate to it. So, they are harnessing AI to offer creators more efficient tools for generating ideas and reaching broader audiences.

AI-Powered Insights: YouTube Studio will soon leverage generative AI to spark video ideas and draft outlines, helping creators brainstorm content that resonates with their audience.
Assistive Search in Creator Music: Finding the perfect soundtrack for your video will become effortless with assistive search in Creator Music. Simply describe your content, and AI will suggest suitable music options.
Automatic Dubbing with Aloud: To expand their audience reach globally, creators often need to dub their content into multiple languages. YouTube introduces “Aloud,” an AI-powered dubbing tool designed to help creators bridge language barriers and connect with diverse audiences.

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In addition to these AI-powered features, YouTube is launching the YouTube Create app. The app is currently in beta for Android users in select markets. This app offers a range of video editing tools and access to a library of royalty-free music. It aims to simplify video production, enabling creators to focus on their creative vision.

News, Social Media

YouTube Create Here to Simplify Content Creation

September 22, 2023 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

Google has introduced a potentially game-changing tool for budding creators – the YouTube Create app. This week, Google unveiled the beta version of YouTube Create, an Android app aimed at simplifying and enhancing the video editing and production process. While it’s still in its beta phase, this app is generating significant interest and is currently available for Android users in select markets.

YouTube Create boasts a range of features designed to make video editing more accessible and efficient. Of note are features like automatic captioning, which can help creators make more accessible content by taking over the time-consuming task of manually adding captions to videos. Another feature of the app – voiceover – allows creators to add professional-grade narration to their videos easily. The app also provides access to a vast library of royalty-free music, addressing copyright concerns that content creators often encounter. Additionally, it offers a variety of effects and video transitions to help enhance the visual appeal of videos.

YouTube Create is part of a broader AI-driven initiative by YouTube. Beyond the editing app, YouTube is working on several AI-powered features set to impact content creation. One of these features is the Dream Screen, which allows users to generate AI-driven video or image backgrounds for their Shorts. This feature, expected to roll out later this year, could significantly impact content creation.

YouTube is also planning to introduce AI-generated insights and outline drafting next year. The new AI-generated insights aim to streamline the content creation process and provide creators with valuable insights and assistance. Furthermore, an AI-powered dubbing tool is in development, although details about its release are still unknown.

The app is available on the Play Store for those eager to explore YouTube Create. However, it’s important to note that it’s currently only available in specific regions.

Lifestyle, News

YouTube Is Going to Have Fewer Ad Breaks on TVs But They’ll Be Longer

September 13, 2023 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

For avid YouTube users, the platform’s abundance of ads during video playback, especially on smart TVs, can sometimes be more than a minor annoyance. YouTube appears to be listening to its viewers and is testing a new approach to ad delivery that could provide a more seamless watching experience, albeit with longer ad breaks.

couple love sitting evening — Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Less Frequent, Longer Ads

YouTube is recognizing that how we watch content is evolving. With more viewers enjoying longer videos on their smart TVs, the current frequency of ad interruptions might not align with the viewing experience. In response, YouTube is experimenting with reducing the number of ads shown but extending their duration.

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For many viewers of long-form content on TV screens, having ads scattered throughout a video can be disruptive. Google’s research reveals that 79% of viewers prefer ads that are grouped together rather than spread out in smaller interruptions. To cater to this preference, YouTube is exploring options to provide fewer but longer ad breaks, creating a more seamless viewing experience on larger screens.

Improved Transparency

In addition to fewer, longer ad breaks, YouTube is considering enhancing the transparency of its ad experience. This may include providing viewers with better information about the duration of ad breaks, allowing users to prepare for more extended interruptions.

While these changes are currently experimental, YouTube tends to introduce them if they prove successful and enhance the viewer experience. So, if you’re a regular YouTube viewer on a smart TV, you can look forward to a potentially improved ad experience in the near future. However, if longer ad breaks are not your preference, YouTube Premium remains an ad-free alternative worth considering.

YouTube’s efforts to strike a balance between ads and content are in response to evolving viewer habits. As the platform continues to lead in streaming watch time on connected TVs, it aims to provide an experience that aligns better with the expectations of its audience.

Lifestyle, News

YouTube in Combat of Ad Blockers – Three Strikes and You’re Out

June 30, 2023 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

We love YouTube, and we love using YouTube for all kinds of things. The amount of content you get from YouTube is so vast that you could technically learn everything you need to learn in the modern world on the video sharing platform. With everything we love about YouTube, there is something we also despise about YouTube – ads. While it started out as a simple played out ad at the beginning of whatever videos you want to watch, ads on YouTube have grown to become an irritation.

There is the argument that the number of ads that are being served to us on YouTube is necessary. The ads pay for the platform and help YouTube not just profit, but also pay its various creators for their contents. The ads also help keep the platform free to use for the billions of the world. As much as we hate ads being served to us, it is a necessary evil and quite inevitable to keep the platform from charging us for contents. Except, they sort of do.

There is such a thing called YouTube Premium, a paid membership to YouTube. What that offers you is things like picture-in-picture mode, and open access to YouTube Music, regarded to be one of the biggest official music libraries you can find anywhere. You also pay for the omission of ads when you consume your contents on the platform.

If you still want the free experience on YouTube but without the ads, the only way around them is through using ad blockers. There are several tools and third-party programs that skips and blocks ads on YouTube unless they are baked into the video itself. That means that you are getting a YouTube Premium-esque experience, but without paying for it, which is frowned upon by YouTube, obviously.

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In the most recent attempt to battle ad blockers, YouTube is giving users three strikes before completely blocking a user from using YouTube. There are no mentions on whether blocked users will be blocked indefinitely, but the wording leads us to believe that you can be unblocked just by disabling your ad blocker app or algorithm. Obviously if you choose to pay for YouTube Premium, you will immediately be unblocked and given fuss free experience with YouTube amongst other things.

The new measure was spotted by a user on Reddit, interestingly enough. YouTube has not commented on their new measure, but the new measure does make a lot of sense for a company that relies mostly on ads to survive. While it is somewhat aggressive, it could be a necessary step for Google to protect their platform and ensure that it is still profitable.

Android, iOS, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

YouTube ‘Add to Queue’ Button Coming Soon on Your Smartphone App

December 16, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

One of the best features that your streaming apps have added into their interface is the ‘Add to Queue’ function. It is also one of the most underrated and one of those functions you tend to take for granted because the function seems too sensible and natural not to have. You can create your own instantaneous playlist without going through the hassle of curating and naming an entire playlist just for that one moment; why would you not have the button? Your YouTube app on your Android and Apple devices does not have it though.

Do not get us wrong, YouTube has an ‘Add to Queue’ function when you go on YouTube on your PC. If you are accessing YouTube via your smartphones or tablet, you do not get that functionality for reasons we cannot understand. You cannot even access that function if you access YouTube via your smartphone’s web browser unless you switch it to desktop browsing mode. For some time now, we have been quite frustrated with the limitation because, if you think about it, most of your YouTube consumption will be on your smartphone or tablet devices via the app itself. It is probably one of the most quietly demanded functions on the YouTube app too, we think.

As the year is coming to a close, there is some good news from Google. YouTube is now testing the ‘Add to Queue’ function on both Apple and Android devices. At this time, the test looks like it will go on only for a limited time. We can only hope that after the limited time the function will go on as a default feature on the YouTube app on both Android and Apple devices.

Currently the tested feature is only available to YouTube Premium users on both platforms. If you are a YouTube Premium user and have not seen the function, you might want to try to get into your Profile settings and turn on ‘Try New Features’ to not only test that one function, but other functions they might bring to the YouTube app in the future. To see if you have the function available to you, you simply have to click on the three dots that appear on the top right of your video and click ‘Add to Queue’. You will have full control over your video playlist with a display menu at the bottom of the screen after enabling the ‘Add to Queue’ function and creating a temporary playlist.

According to sources, the test will only last until the 28^th of January 2023. Keep in mind that the function does not extend to adding YouTube Shorts into the playlist. There is no clear indication on whether or not the function will officially be available for YouTube app users in the wider scheme of things, but we are betting that it would be not too long after testing period.

Source: 9To5Google

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Tag Archives: Youtube

Google Responds to YouTube Skipping Glitch for Adblock Users

YouTube Is Going to Have Fewer Ad Breaks on TVs But They’ll Be Longer

Less Frequent, Longer Ads

Improved Transparency

YouTube in Combat of Ad Blockers – Three Strikes and You’re Out

YouTube ‘Add to Queue’ Button Coming Soon on Your Smartphone App

Tech Your Way