A new Senate bill would fundamentally change the internet as we know it
A new bill in the U.S. Senate could cause the internet as we know it to cease to exist by holding major tech companies like Facebook or YouTube liable for anything posted on their platforms. The proposal could destroy social media as we know it, experts said
YouTube’s new HD music videos let you relive your youth in vivid detail
You can now watch your favorite classic music videos with improved clarity with YouTube’s new remastered music videos. Effective June 19, the video-sharing website, via a partnership with Universal Music Group, will be upgrading up to 1,000 music videos to HD by the end of 2020.
YouTube could make big changes to children’s content amid federal investigation
YouTube is considering major changes to its recommendation algorithm amid an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission into how it handles videos aimed at children. The changes could include moving children's content to its own app or removing the auto-play feature
Digital Trends Live: Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 10, Harry Potter AR, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we dive into the trending tech topics of the day, including Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 10 unveiling, YouTube’s AR makeup tutorials, Niantic's new AR game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite on June 21st, building a Tesla pickup, and more.
Tesla hasn’t made a pickup, so YouTuber Simone Giertz made one out of a Model 3
There’s a new Tesla model in town (sort of). Sick of waiting for Tesla to release an electric pickup truck, YouTuber Simone Giertz decided to make her own — post a fake commercial for it on YouTube. She calls it the "Truckla."
Brush up on your makeup skills with YouTube’s new augmented reality feature
YouTube will soon let users try on makeup while watching popular makeup tutorials through augmented realtiy. Known as AR Beauty Try-On, viewers will be able to "try on" the makeup products the online tutorials are showcasing and promoting.
Kim Kardashian can get a deepfake taken off YouTube. It’s much harder for you
YouTube took down an incredibly realistic — and fake — video purporting to show Kim Kardashian West mocking her fans for violating copyright. It could give public figures a new weapon in the fight against deepfakes, but won’t help much as fake videos increasingly target everyday people.
Tesla screens may support YouTube with next software update
Tesla is planning on supporting YouTube on their cars' central infotainment screen very soon. This announcement was made today at the 2019 E3 video gaming event by Elon Musk himself during a Q&A. This further confirmation is the first time that YouTube has been named explicitly.
Digital Trends Live: Amazon’s drone deliveries, Ubercopter, and PlayStation 5
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discuss the top trending tech stories of the day, including the latest on Amazon’s planned drone deliveries, YouTube purges extremist videos, Ubercopter takes flight, more details on Sony’s PS5, the 35th anniversary of Tetris, and more.
YouTube purges extremist videos, from flat-earthers to Holocaust denial
YouTube announced its plans to remove and reduce the amount of hateful, supremacist, borderline content on its platform. As part of its new policies, YouTube will soon remove content that features hate speech, supremacist content, and denials of well-documented violent events.
How to protect your family videos on YouTube
Not everyone has good intentions when it comes to viewing videos of kids online, so keep your family videos private and away from YouTube's algorithm
YouTube VR app to bring more than 1 million experiences to Oculus Quest at launch
The untethered Oculus Quest launches later this month and a major force in media is making sure you have access to a wealth of content if you're one of the early adopters. YouTube has announced that the company's VR application will be a part of the Quest launch, delivering Emmy-award winning content.
Changing some code on YouTube could help lower its carbon footprint
The idea of saving the planet by changing a bit of code on YouTube sounds crazy. But it could actually make a surprising amount of difference to the quantities of CO2 pumped into the atmosphere -- and it wouldn’t even involve any change to the overall YouTube user experience.
YouTube is making its own Bandersnatch-style interactive shows
Not to be outdone by companies like Netflix and Walmart, which are investing more and more money into Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-style programming, YouTube has created a new division devoted to producing original interactive content in the style of Netflix's Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.
YouTube Poop is punk rock for the internet age, and you probably don’t get it
Ever heard of a YouTube Poop video? These weird, experimental pop culture montages are a kind of ground zero for modern internet meme culture. Turning 15 years old this year, is it time that we finally gave YouTube Poops the respect that their creators claim they deserve?
As Apple takes on Netflix, is YouTube ditching its original content strategy?
As Apple's new video subscription service and original content launches, Google is denying a report that YouTube is reportedly stepping away from its own original content ambitions. However some shows have been shelved, and YouTube's revenue model appears in flux.
New Zealand attack shows that as A.I. filters get smarter, so do violators
The shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand were livestreamed to social media, and networks spent the next few days trying to take down remixed videos of the horrific attacks. While stats show networks are improving at removing offending videos, as the system improves, so do the violators' workarounds.
In a bid for extra protection, YouTube disables comments on videos with children
YouTube is finally taking major action following a round of controversy where inappropriate and predatory comments were posted on videos featuring young kids. In an extra bit of protection, it will now be disabling the comments section on all videos that feature children.
YouTube struggles with inappropriate content, demonetizes videos of minors
An issue has arisen on YouTube with reports of child exploitation happening in the comment sections of videos featuring children. In response, YouTube has demonetized even innocent videos featuring children, leading content creators to worry that their incomes are at risk because of commenters.
YouTube changes its strikes system, offers softer first-offense penalty
YouTube recently announced changes to its strikes system policy. The changes will be effective February 25 and involve improvements to content violation notifications, more consistent penalties, an expansion of policy resources, and a softer penalty for first offenses.
YouTube beats Apple, Netflix as the most trusted brand by millennials
A study done by the firm Mblm finds that YouTube is now the most trusted brands amongst millennials for the first time. The popular video sharing website climbed up in the annual study, moving up from third place in 2018 and coming ahead of both Apple and Netflix in final 2019 rankings.
YouTube boss admits even her own kids gave the ‘Rewind’ video a thumbs down
YouTube's annual "Rewind" video is supposed to be a celebration of “the videos, people, music, and moments” that define the given year, but last year's ended up becoming the most disliked video on the service. And now YouTube's CEO has admitted that even her own kids thought it was pretty darn awful.
YouTube ‘Explore’ tab aims to jazz up video recommendations
YouTube is expanding testing of an Instagram-style "Explore" tab that aims to surface a broader range of interesting content. An initial trial launched last year, but following some improvements, it's now being tested with more users prior to a full rollout possibly some time this year.
Put your thumbs down: YouTube may disable downvotes to curb mob spamming
YouTube's development team could possibly be considering methods for disabling the downvote button to help eliminate mob spamming on the platform. The issue, which targets specific content creators and leaves videos with the likelihood of not being recommended, was addressed in a web series.
YouTube limiting recommendations of conspiracy theory videos
YouTube has had a problem for some time with conspiracy theories and other misinformation being spread over its platform. Now it has announced plans to reduce recommendations of content that promotes misinformation like phony cures, flat Earth theories, and false claims about events like 9/11.
Goodbye, Machinima: YouTube gaming channel pulls the plug after 13 years
Machinima, a YouTube gaming channel that was launched in 2006, has suddenly shut down, with all of its videos set to private. There was no public announcement regarding the move by Otter Media, so the #RIPMachinima hashtag is now making the rounds in social media to reminisce about the channel's content.
For Netflix, ‘Fortnite’ on YouTube is a bigger threat than HBO
In a letter to shareholders, Netflix explained that it views the video game Fortnite as bigger competition than HBO, with YouTube videos of the game drawing viewers away from the streaming platform. During periods when YouTube is offline, Netflix experiences a spike in viewership.
YouTube to crack down on dangerous stunts like the ‘Bird Box’ challenge
YouTube already bans content showing dangerous activities, but new rules published by the site on Tuesday go into greater detail regarding potentially harmful challenges and pranks. The company said it's giving creators two months to review and clean up their content, after which they could face penalties.
A quick swipe will soon let you keep bingeing YouTube on mobile devices
The YouTube mobile app has a new faster way to browse -- by swipe. Once the update rolls out, users can swipe to go to the next (or previous) video in the recommended list, even while viewing in full screen. The update, YouTube says, was in development for two years, including beta testing.
PewDiePie supporters hack printers, hope to boost his subscription numbers
PewDiePie supporters claimed to have hacked thousands of printers worldwide to print messages to ask people to subscribe to the popular YouTube account in an attempt to have it remain the YouTube account with the most subscribers. These same hackers also wish to warn others about having unsecured devices.
Google Chromecast returns to Amazon just in time for the holiday shopping crunch
It's been a chilly few years between Google and Amazon, with each company taking increasingly nasty shots at the other. But things may be improving. Just in time for the holiday shopping crunch, you can now buy two versions of Google's Chromecast on Amazon, something that hasn't be possible since 2015.
‘YouTube Rewind 2018’ is about to become its most disliked video ever
YouTube is about to achieve a record it really doesn't want — that of "most-disliked video." Yes, its annual recap of featuring popular YouTubers has gone down really badly this year. The record currently belongs to Justin Bieber, whose 2010 hit, "Baby," has so far received 9.7 million dislikes.
What do yodeling and Kylie Jenner have in common? YouTube’s top 2018 videos
In a true nod to the variety found on YouTube, the platform's top 10 list of videos from 2018 range from celebrities to sports, from perfectly tossing a picture frame on the wall to a kid yodeling in aisle 12 at Walmart. Here are YouTube's most trending videos from 2018, along with trends in live video.
The highest-paid YouTuber is currently a 7-year-old kid
He's only 7 years old and he's already earning $22 million a year on YouTube. OK, his parents set up the channel, but little Ryan is the star of the show, with his toys- and games-based channel followed by 17 million fans around the world. And the channel has only been active for three years.