Tag: youtube

  • ‘While we were dating, Ranbir told me not to wear lipstick’: Alia’s Vogue interview sparks outrage

    ‘While we were dating, Ranbir told me not to wear lipstick’: Alia’s Vogue interview sparks outrage

    Alia Bhatt’s recent Beauty Secrets interview with Vogue has gone viral, but for all the wrong reasons. A clip from the interview has sparked backlash, in which the actress reveals that while she was dating her now husband, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, he didn’t allow her to wear lipstick when they were going out.

    “When we used to go out at night he would say ‘Wipe that off’”, the actress commented.

    It should be good to mention here that there is a 10-year age gap between the two. Alia was 17 years old when she began working on ‘Student Of The Year’ when Ranbir dropped by on set, and joked to director Karan Johar about whether he should marry her.

    Since the clip went viral on Twitter, users have expressed outrage on Ranbir’s relationship with his wife. A few months ago, the actor was slammed for body shaming Alia during a livestream, while she was pregnant with their daughter Raha. Then, he was criticized for saying that he hopes Raha doesn’t have Alia’s personality, because “she talks quite loud and is vivacious.”

    READ MORE: Ranbir Kapoor under fire once more after comment on Alia Bhatt goes viral

    “I would dump his a**,” one user commented.

    Many users pointed out how Ranbir Kapoor has qualities similar to a toxic boyfriend, as one user put it:

    “Ranbir is one of those toxic men who finally settle with much younger women they can easily manipulate. she might be happy doing whatever he wants but it’s still a sad situation esp with her background.”

    https://twitter.com/rubypinkpark/status/1691663918530535450?s=20
  • Ad-free entertainment: YouTube Premium launches in Pakistan at Rs479 per month

    Ad-free entertainment: YouTube Premium launches in Pakistan at Rs479 per month

    On Wednesday, YouTube announced the much-awaited launch of its premium and music services in Pakistan, bringing an array of exciting features to its users in the country. With these new offerings, viewers can now enjoy an uninterrupted and enhanced video-watching and music-listening experience.

    YouTube Premium, the flagship service, promises an ultimate viewing experience by allowing users to watch videos without being interrupted by pesky ads. Moreover, subscribers can continue watching their favorite content even while using other apps or with the screen locked.

    The service also facilitates the option to download videos for offline play, ensuring that entertainment is accessible even in areas with limited internet connectivity. Additionally, YouTube Premium subscribers gain access to YouTube Music Premium, a music service that offers ad-free music, background play, and the ability to download music for offline listening.

    In a statement, YouTube emphasised the significance of their premium service, which sets a new standard for video-watching convenience and ad-free enjoyment.

    The pricing for YouTube Premium is set at an affordable Rs479, which also includes a membership to YouTube Music Premium. For those looking to share the perks of Premium, YouTube offers the Premium Family Plan at just Rs899, allowing up to five members of a household to access the premium features.

    For the music enthusiasts, YouTube Music Premium is available at Rs299, offering an ad-free experience, background play, and downloads for music. Similarly, the Music Premium Family Plan comes in at Rs479, allowing families to share the enjoyment of ad-free music and music video streaming.

    As part of its commitment to the student community, YouTube offers a Premium Student Plan at a discounted price of Rs329. Eligible students can access the Premium service with all its features, making their entertainment experience even better. The Music Premium Student Plan is also available at a reduced rate of Rs149 for students who love uninterrupted music streaming on the web and Android devices.

    This launch comes at a time when YouTube’s presence in Pakistan has been growing exponentially. According to Google’s country head for Pakistan, the number of YouTube channels with over one million subscribers has increased by an impressive 35 per cent, reaching a total of 400. Additionally, there are now 6,000 channels with more than 100,000 subscribers, reflecting an annual growth of over 30 per cent.

    With the introduction of YouTube Premium and Music services in Pakistan, users can now enjoy a seamless and immersive experience while exploring their favourite videos and music. The new services are expected to garner significant popularity and add to YouTube’s already robust user base in the country.

  • Google plans to generate more revenue with online games on YouTube

    Google plans to generate more revenue with online games on YouTube

    Google is exploring the possibility of earning revenue through online games on YouTube, as per a recent Wall Street Journal report.

    YouTube, a well-known platform for hosting videos, has apparently invited its employees to test a new feature called Playables. This feature allows users to play games directly on YouTube itself. Notably, this feature can be accessed on different devices such as mobile phones and desktop computers, as mentioned in an internal email obtained by the Journal.

    Users will have the convenience of playing these games either through a web browser on the YouTube website or via the YouTube app on both Android and iOS devices. Although the report suggests that several games are currently available for testing, it specifically highlights one called Stack Bounce. This arcade game, supported by ads, challenges players to demolish layers of bricks with a bouncing ball.

    While YouTube already generates revenue through gaming livestreams, this new product will provide an additional avenue to capitalise on the gaming industry, particularly as advertising spending experiences a downturn.

    It is worth noting that this venture differs from Google’s unsuccessful Stadia games streaming service, which was eventually discontinued. With YouTube’s existing vast and dedicated user base, attracting attention to this new feature should not pose a challenge.

    Playables bears some resemblance to Netflix’s gaming offering, where paying subscribers gain access to casual mobile games. In a similar vein, Netflix is reportedly exploring the expansion of its gaming initiative beyond mobile devices by testing TV games that employ smartphones as controllers, demonstrating ambitious plans for the future.

  • YouTube is introducing a new AI-powered tool to translate videos in different languages

    YouTube is introducing a new AI-powered tool to translate videos in different languages

    YouTube is introducing a new AI-powered feature to facilitate video dubbing in different languages. During the VidCon event, the company announced its collaboration with Aloud, an AI dubbing service developed by Google’s Area 120 incubator.

    Aloud’s website explains the process: First, the tool transcribes the video, providing a transcription that can be reviewed and edited. Then, it proceeds to translate and generate the dubbed audio. A demonstration video showcasing the details is available.

    According to YouTube’s Amjad Hanif, the tool is currently being tested with numerous creators, and Aloud already supports a select number of languages, including English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Additional languages will be added in the future, as confirmed by spokesperson Jessica Gibby.

    Despite the current limitations in language availability, Aloud holds promise for content creators who seek to incorporate multi-language dubs in their videos. To experience the results firsthand, you can listen to the Spanish dub track in a video from the Amoeba Sisters channel by accessing the gear icon and selecting “Audio track.”

    YouTube has plans to enhance the translated audio tracks further. By 2024, they aim to make them sound more natural, capturing the creator’s voice, emotions, and lip sync, as mentioned by Hanif. Gibby also confirmed that these features are on YouTube’s roadmap for the future.

  • Mobile data service suspension to cost Pakistan’s IT industry $3-4 million in daily losses

    Mobile data service suspension to cost Pakistan’s IT industry $3-4 million in daily losses

    The suspension of mobile data services in Pakistan is expected to result in a daily loss of $3-4 million to the country’s IT exports.

    The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has called on the government to restore mobile broadband services, which have been suspended since Tuesday due to the political turmoil that erupted after the arrest of the PTI party’s chairman, Imran Khan.

    The government has blocked 3G/4G mobile broadband services and major social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, as well as slowing down YouTube services to control the spread of “unwanted information” that could cause disinformation and panic among the masses.

    According to The News, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, the Chairman of P@SHA, warned that the suspension of mobile broadband services could result in significant losses for the IT industry, which relies heavily on internet connectivity.

    The IT industry has come to a standstill since Tuesday evening, and professionals are working from home due to the precarious law and order situation in the entire country. Zohaib urged the government to resume internet services to the IT industry immediately, saying that the sudden blockade of broadband services has completely halted IT operations, and the IT industry is already facing pressure due to poor governmental policies.

    Zohaib requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene directly and asked for the support of the Ministry of IT and Telecom, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and Tech Destination Pakistan administrations to request the premier to issue categorical instructions.

    The suspension of mobile broadband services has also affected individuals who rely on digital apps for commuting or ordering/delivering food and other products. However, an official stated that it is difficult to calculate the losses at this stage.

  • ‘Pasoori’ crosses 500 million views on YouTube

    ‘Pasoori’ crosses 500 million views on YouTube

    Coke Studio’s season 14 smash hit Pasoori has crossed 500 million views on YouTube, making it the first ever song from the music juggernaut to reach this milestone.

    Taking to Instagram, lead singer Ali Sethi shared the news of the record with his followers alongside a few pictures and videos from a close-knit party commemorating the achievement. In the clips, Sethi can be seen happily celebrating with many others including Shae Gill, Abdullah Siddiqui and Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan.

    The official YouTube channel of Coke Studio also shared a heartwarming video to hail their latest accomplishment. The description of the video included a touching note to their supporters.

    “Celebrating your ever-growing love for Pasoori, helping us transcend borders and boundaries and making it a global phenomenon. Congratulations to all of you on helping Pasoori achieve more than 500 Million views across YouTube,” said the statement.

  • YouTube to launch free ad-supported TV channels

    YouTube to launch free ad-supported TV channels

    YouTube is testing new content on its platform with a hub of ad-supported TV streaming channels. The company is actively working with various companies in order to bring TV shows and movies to the platform. While it is currently just being trialed, there is the possibility that it could be offered to the public for free at a later date.

    A YouTube spokesperson corroborated the report with The Wall Street Journal, stating that “a small experiment that lets a subset of viewers watch free, ad-supported channels” is currently in progress and that it is “using it to gauge viewer interest.” The addition of free and ad-supported channels could be a big one, adding to the already large amount of revenue that the platform generates from ads.

    Similar to its agreement with content creators on its platform, YouTube is seeking to collect a 45 per cent cut of the ad revenue while talks are still in progress. Despite the fact that this would be an uncharted area for YouTube, businesses like Roku, Samsung, and others have long provided free, ad-supported TV channels through their own platforms. The ability for YouTube to seamlessly provide consumers with simple access to a range of other material on its platform might differentiate the user experience.

    The recent multi-year agreement that was signed to provide NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels starting in 2023 is just one example of the extensive work that YouTube has done in recent years to enhance its content.

    Additionally, the company has grown by introducing YouTube TV, a distinct online TV streaming service that offers over a hundred TV channels much like your local cable or satellite provider. The platform has expanded to include short-form user-created videos in addition to more traditional user-generated content.

    It launched Shorts last year in an effort to take on TikTok, and it appears to be succeeding. As YouTube has begun the process of sharing ad revenue with Shorts producers by altering the conditions of its YouTube Partner Program, this year might be even better. This might be a significant step over the coming year that puts TikTok and its neck and neck. Things might get hotter for YouTube in 2023 if it is successful in integrating free ad-supported channels into its platform.

  • Twitter approves of Abrar-ul-Haq’s new song for PTI

    Twitter approves of Abrar-ul-Haq’s new song for PTI

    Pakistani singer-turned-politician Abrar-ul-Haq has sung a song titled “Hai Haq Hamara Azaadi” for his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The song was released by Haq’s YouTube channel on 26 November and has managed to get more than 70,000 views so far.

    The party chief Imran Khan also shared the song on his official Twitter account and said “it’s a great Tarana about Haqeeqi Azadi”.

    He further wrote that only truly free (Azad) nations “fulfill their immense human potential to rise and become Iqbal’s Shaheen.”

    After the release, Twitter couldn’t help but praise the song while some argued that “Kinnay Kinnay jaana PM day ghar would have been a banger”. Here is how people on Twitter are reacting :

    https://twitter.com/iKarachiwala/status/1598261695549345792?s=20&t=SDVwaOX3JCyDwTeIM40lXw

    https://twitter.com/FaryalG07152520/status/1598275141490073600?s=20&t=SDVwaOX3JCyDwTeIM40lXw
  • EliteGate; Twitter has loads of fun with Muzamil Hasan’s podcast

    EliteGate; Twitter has loads of fun with Muzamil Hasan’s podcast

    Digital creator Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi is under fire again for not acknowledging his privilege, and trying to prove that he belongs to a “middle-class family.”

    During Tuesday’s episode of Shehzad Ghias Shaikh’s podcast Muzamil talked about his early life and his education at one of the most renowned and expensive schools, The Beaconhouse School System.

    Ghias pointed out that Muzamil portrays him as a self-made man and talks about his struggles, however, his sister has studied at an elite private university, Lahore University of Management Sciences, and he always lived in an elite area.

    Responding to this, Muzamil said that his sister studied at the university only with financial aid and stressed that he had grown up in a middle-class household.

    When asked by Ghias that when did he go to the United States (US) for the first time, he replied, “In 9th grade.”

    Following the interview, Twitterati was of the view that even if Muzamil belongs to the upper class he should admit it while others shared several memes related to the situation.

    https://twitter.com/superkhadijaman/status/1597914479366647814?t=sVDn2u8cwe6v7RPCqGRO2g&s=19

  • YouTube rolls out new design with better features

    YouTube rolls out new design with better features

    A new look, a pinch-to-zoom function, precise seeking, new buttons, ambient mode, and a dark option that is “much darker” are all part of YouTube’s interface update unveiled on Monday.

    The changes will be gradually rolled out to all users.

    Users of iOS and Android devices may zoom in on videos on YouTube using the new pinch-to-zoom function to see additional information. In August, Premium members had access to this functionality as a test.

    Users will be able to quickly locate a certain segment in a video with precise seeking. Users can drag the cursor or slide up on the video to see a row of thumbnails on both desktop and mobile devices. Users can utilise this to locate the precise place in the video they need to revisit.

    The new version of YouTube includes a feature called “ambient mode” that uses “dynamic colour sampling” to match the background colour of the app to the colours in the video being watched. In the official blog post, YouTube’s UX Director Nate Koechley wrote.

    According to what we gather, the new impact is extremely modest and only intended for aesthetics. The idea is to engage the audience and draw attention to our watch page, Koechley continued.

    With YouTube’s dark theme, ambient mode will be accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. Additionally, video playlists will have it available.

    New buttons under videos are among the extra modifications. We will soon see buttons in place of video links in the video description, reducing distractions. Furthermore getting updated and exhibited in a smaller size are the like, share, and subscribe buttons.