Unless Microsoft’s chatbot knows something we don’t, David Attenborough, Ian McKellen, Michael Caine, and Julie Andrews are definitely not dead.
And neither is Star Trek actor William Shatner, for that matter. Perhaps the Copilot overhaul announced yesterday will be better informed.
As Google reengineers its cost base, The Information reports that the gold “Play Button” plaque handed out for reaching one million subscribers is now around 30 percent smaller, weighing just one pound compared to the previous four pounds. YouTube says the lighter and smaller awards resulted in a “more sustainable design.”
The new “Series” category should make it easier to filter narrative-driven shows (which are like audiobooks, but broken down into episodes) from other styles of podcasts.
Apple Podcasts is also launching a “Top Series” chart to track the most popular offerings, and a “Series Essentials” spotlight to showcase a series every month that defines the category — starting with Tristan Redman’s Ghost Story.
[Apple Newsroom]
The new features for video calls include ten filters that adjust color or add things like “Fisheye” lens and “Vintage TV” grain effects, and ten virtual backgrounds that blur your environment, or replace it entirely with a beach, cafe, office, and more.
WhatsApp says the video effects are rolling out starting today, and will be available to all users “in the coming weeks.”
