Latest news with #Shorts
Campaign ME
a day ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
The platform updates you need to know from July
Campaign Middle East rounds up the latest platform updates from July. Here are the key highlights: Google: At Cannes, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced that Veo 3 would be coming to Shorts this summer. Veo, Google Deepmind's video generation model, allows users to create AI-generated backgrounds and video clips for Shorts. YouTube also announced the availability of open call, a new feature powered by YouTube BrandConnect for select advertisers. The feature allows brands to discover and partner with creators at scale by publishing a creative brief with campaign details. Once live, creators can proactively respond with video content for the campaign. This month, YouTube also highlighted that moving forward people can find the most popular content in specific categories on YouTube Charts. Today people can explore charts for Trending Music Videos, Weekly Top Podcast Shows, and Trending Movie Trailers. YouTube will continue to add more content categories to charts over time, and while it is building more charts, the Gaming Explore page will still be the go-to for the Trending gaming videos. Twitch: Twitch announced the global launch of its Arabic Right-to-Left (RTL) experience- introducing a fully localised interface for Arabic-speaking streamers and viewers across both web and mobile interface. The Arabic RTL interface enables full right-to-left navigation across Twitch's desktop and mobile services. Arabic language settings are now available to users globally and can be activated via account settings or by adjusting device language preferences. Further localisation – notifications and emails – is expected to roll out in Q3 and Q4 of this year. TikTok: TikTok and Visa announced a strategic collaboration to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the United Arab Emirates, equipping them with tools, resources, and incentives to help them thrive in the digital economy. Starting 1st July 2025, SMBs that spend $250 on their TikTok campaign using a Visa Commercial card will receive $150 in TikTok Ad Credits, unlocking even greater potential to reach new audiences and grow their business. This offer is available exclusively to first-time TikTok Ads Manager users and is valid until September 30th, 2025. Scene: Scene is a new platform designed for today's fast-scrolling audiences, delivering a new approach to Arab storytelling through micro-drama, and is launching this month. The application will be in Arabic and will have subtitles in multiple languages. Advertisers can choose to have their ads featured in-app between episodes, or partner with Scene's production team to create organic product placements Spotify: Advertisers can utilise custom audiences by uploading customer lists, ensuring they reach their most relevant consumers. Comprehensive first-party and third-party solutions, including an enhanced Spotify Pixel, Spotify Brand Lift, and integrations with partners like DoubleVerify, IAS, Appsflyer, and Kochava, to measure ad effectiveness.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Arc'teryx apparel and gear is up to $150 off at REI — and yes, I'm suddenly into hiking
As someone who isn't always so keen on hiking or outdoor excursions, I have to admit that after browsing the Arc'teryx sale at REI, I'm seriously reconsidering. From hats and shorts to hoodies and fleeces, Arc'teryx is offering deals on high quality outdoor clothing from just $34 — and it's making me want to hit the trails in style. If you're in the market for a new hat, I recommend the Arc'teryx Bird Word Trucker Hat, which is now 30% off. Need some new bike shorts? The Arc'teryx Essent High-Rise 8" Shorts (Women's) are now just $55. And if you're looking for a new weather-proof jacket, the Arc'teryx Beta SL Jacket is sporting a $150 discount. Although the brand tends to fall on the pricier side, these REI deals are making select styles more affordable. So don't wait — keep scrolling to check out the rest of my favorite finds from the Arc'teryx sale at REI. Need a new hat for the trails? The Arc'teryx Bird Word trucker hat is made with breathable mesh panels and a soft, quick-drying headband that will keep your head feeling airy and dry. It will get the job done on the toughest of routes. This tank is the optimal choice for all your adventures. It features wicking nylon knit to keep you dry and offers great stretch so you can move comfortably. There are three colors available but only a few sizes are left so be sure to grab the top ASAP. Stay comfortable on the trails when wearing these bike shorts that are super stretchy. Durable enough to withstand rubbing up against rocks and other elements, you'll love wearing these breathable shorts all day long. This stylish t-shirt features an Arc'teryx logo front and center. It's made with a lightweight, soft and breathable merino wool blend and it has a streamlined fit. It's the perfect shirt to help you move comfortably on hikes, runs and treks. Get ready to run speed, freedom and performance when wearing these shorts. From the gym to the trails, you can feel confident that the shorts will keep up. They feature abrasion-resistant fabric and have excellent stretch for comfort. This stylish quarter-zip pullover is designed with hikers and trekkers in mind. Weighing a little over five ounces, the synthetic fabric is UPF-rated for sun protection. Perfect for warmer climates, it's also plenty breathable and moisture-wicking. It's currently only available in Large and XL sizes. The Mantis Backpack is lightweight, durable, and offers a 26-liter capacity. Its water repellent finish repels moisture and it has an inner sleeve for a laptop or hydration bladder (not included). We also like its adjustable sternum strap and removable waistbelt. Designed with mountain climbers in mind, this handsome fitted jacket is ultra-breathable and stretchy. Made from Polartec Powder Dry Fleece, it also provides plenty of insulating power, despite weighing just under 9 ounces. Like the Delta fleece jacket above, the hooded half-zip version is built for maximum mobility, breathability and sweat-absorbing prowess. Ideal for a range of outdoor adventures, this cozy fleece provides ample insulating power despite its lightweight design. Arc'teryx's Sylan running shoes are engineered for trail running, combining freedom of movement and durability that ensure good performance even on the most rugged terrain. The dual-density midsole is great at absorbing shock while providing responsive rebound. This deal is on the men's Arc'teryx Atom Insulated Hoody in 'Soulsonic' (blue) with sizes ranging from small to XXL, still available. Lightweight and weather-resistant, warm yet breathable, this high-tech piece of gorpware is fully worth the hype. This vest is exceptionally lightweight and warm. It's the perfect mid-layer in cold conditions but it's also easy to stash in your pack if you get too warm. This is the same vest listed above, but it's the women's version in the Velocity purple hue. Again, it weighs just grams so it's easy to tote along in your bag or throw it on as a mid or top layer depending on the weather. Plus, it's filled with European white goose down for exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. The Arc'teryx Proton is an insulated hoodie that can be worn as a mid-layer or standalone jacket for breathable warmth on cool, windy days. It's designed to keep the wind out, with clever design features like a drawcord hem and handwarmer pockets. Lightweight, comfortable and breathable, this durable waterproof and windproof jacket will protect you from the elements without sacrificing features or packability. It's a great option for layering or wearing on its own. The women's version of the jacket is also on sale for $350.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
YouTube's cofounder said he's wary of his kids spending too much time on short videos
YouTube's cofounder and former tech chief says he doesn't want his kids to watch only short videos on platforms like TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. "I don't know if I want my kids to be watching like short-form content as their only way, and they can't be able to watch something that's more than 15 minutes in length," said Steve Chen in a talk with Stanford Business School that was published on Friday. "I think TikTok is entertainment, but it's purely entertainment," Chen, a father of two, said. "It's just for that moment. Just shorter form content equates to shorter attention spans." Chen cofounded YouTube in 2005 with colleagues he met at PayPal. He served as chief technology officer before they sold the video platform to Google in 2006. The entrepreneur has since launched several other businesses and moved to Taiwan with his family in 2019. During the talk, Chen said he knows parents who are forcing their children to watch long-form content and not showing them videos with vibrant colors and "addictive eyeballs" because these are known to get kids hooked. Chen suggested that platforms restrict the amount of time the apps can be accessed on a daily basis, based on different age groups. "There's this delicate balance between what is going to get users' eyes and what's going to monetize more versus what is actually useful," he said about short-form content platforms. Chen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chen's worries echo recent remarks from Sam Altman about social media. On a podcast that aired last week, the OpenAI CEO — and new father — said he worries about the psychological impact social media platforms could have on children. "I do have worries about kids in technology. I think this short video feed dopamine hit, it feels like it's probably messing with kids' brain development in a super deep way," he said. Academics are warning about children and scrolling, too. Jonathan Haidt, a professor at the NYU Stern School of Business, told BI in January that social media apps were "severely damaging children in the Western world." Haidt wrote "The Anxious Generation," in which he argued that social media and smartphones shorten young people's attention spans. "The decimation of human attention around the world might even be a bigger cost to humanity than the mental health and mental illness epidemic," Haidt said.
Mint
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Google brings AI photo-to-video feature to Google Photos and YouTube Shorts with Remix ready clips on Android
Google has just released a press statement announcing a major update to its Photos app. Starting today, Android users can turn old stills into remixed video clips using the new AI powered photo‑to‑video feature. The update also adds creative Remix options and ties directly into YouTube Shorts, highlighting Google's shift from static photo storage to dynamic visual storytelling. It's a clear step toward keeping the Photos app relevant in an era dominated by short form video content. The new feature takes a selection of your Google Photos and turns them into short 6 sec video clips, complete with transitions and music, without requiring any editing. It builds on what Google introduced with Gemini earlier this year in July. Now, the same generative technology is coming to Google Photos and YouTube Shorts through Veo 2, turning still images into short videos that match how people share memories today. Along with the photo-to-video feature Google is also introducing a Remix tool which will be available to Android and iOS users. What this feature does is it transforms these photos into a different style, including 3D animation, comics, and sketches. You will be able to see photo-to-video and Remix features under the new Create tab in the Photos app that will be launched soon. The Create tab places the tools alongside other creative features like collages, highlight videos, and more, so that they're all in one place and easier to find. Google warns its users that these features are experimental and may produce inaccurate results. People can give feedback on generated images and videos using thumbs up or thumbs down. Google says this will help improve the tools over time. All photos and videos created through the new features will include an invisible SynthID watermark. Videos made in the Photos app will also have a visible label, making it clear that they were created using AI. YouTube Shorts is getting a creative boost with new AI powered effects. Users can now turn rough doodles into visuals or add filters that make it look like they're swimming or appear twice in the same frame. These features are part of a new AI Playground, found by tapping the sparkle icon in the Shorts camera. According to Google, AI Playground is now available for Shorts users in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The update follows recent changes in Google Photos, where AI helps turn pictures into short videos. While Apple keeps its tools more limited, Google is leaning into playful creativity, giving people more ways to experiment with their photos and videos. Google Photos is moving beyond its role as digital lockers for memories. With this update, the app introduces AI tools that turn still images into short videos and animations, making memories feel more alive and easier to share. The Create tab will bring everything under one place and encourages users to turn their photos into remixes, collages and other things that they have saved from the past many years. The photo-to-video and Remix features are now live for Android users. iOS support is expected soon. Anyone with the app can try these tools right away as no subscription is required, making them easy to access for users with a backed up photo library. This update shows Google's broader intent. Rather than follow fleeting trends, it's leaning into how people already interact with visuals. Google is helping photos do more than sit in storage. It's turning them into moments worth sharing.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Google adds image-to-video features to YouTube Shorts, Photos
Google has added a slew of new generative AI capabilities to YouTube Shorts and Google Photos. The tech giant is using its text-to-video model Veo 2 to allow users to generate videos on these platforms. The latest addition is a part of Google's ongoing effort to integrate AI features into its apps. Creators can now use a photo as a starting point to generate a video using AI. YouTube will also offer generative AI effects for the Shorts camera. Users can access these tools from the AI playground centre. The features are presently available only in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, Google has plans to roll them out to other nations. While Google Veo 2 is currently being used for all YouTube AI video features, the company also has plans to introduce a switch to Veo 3 later this summer. Neal Mohan, the CEO of YouTube, said earlier this summer that the company would be adding generative AI to the YouTube Shorts creative tools. The next phase will be to build new video elements based on a text prompt, even if there were already tools for creating video backgrounds. On the other hand, the Google Photos app is getting the ability to animate images through the AI video-generation capabilities. Google in the future plans to upgrade the newer Veo 3. This new tool is rolling out over the next week in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with plans for more regions later this year. With the help of the new AI effects, artists can turn their drawings into beautiful pictures and their selfies into videos, like they could be twinning with someone, diving underwater, and other scenarios. By selecting the 'Effects' icon in the Shorts camera and then hitting 'AI', users can peruse all of the generative effects and discover these new effects. With Remix, the feature, you could view yourself and loved ones in anime, comics, sketches and 3D animation form. The user can just pick a photo from the gallery, choose their preferred style and transform their pictures in seconds. While Photos gets a Create Tab, YouTube Shorts now has an AI playground tab. These tabs will list all the generative AI capabilities in the app. The Create tab is now only available in the US and will likely be rolled out to other regions in August.
