YouTube

In a legal fight which has stretched over seven years, Google seems to have finally resolved their issues with Viacom over copyright violations of videos uploaded to YouTube. Information on the details of the settlement have not been publicly released.

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Re/code received this rather bland statement from the two companies.

Google and Viacom today jointly announced the resolution of the Viacom vs. YouTube copyright litigation. This settlement reflects the growing collaborative dialogue between our two companies on important opportunities, and we look forward to working more closely together.

Google encrypting Chinese web searches, plans to do so globally to thwart NSA

Ben Lovejoy Mar 13 2014 - 6:53 am PT

Photo: Li Xin for AFP/Getty Images

The Washington Post reports that Google has begun automatically encrypting web searches carried out in China to defeat government monitoring and censorship, and plans to continue rolling out the program globally to prevent monitoring by the NSA.

China’s Great Firewall, as its censorship system is known, has long intercepted searches for information it deemed politically sensitive. Google’s growing use of encryption there means that government monitors are unable to detect when users search for sensitive terms, such as “Dalai Lama” or “Tiananmen Square,” because the encryption makes them appear as indecipherable strings of numbers and letters …
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Chromecast coming to “many more countries” in the next few weeks, millions sold

Ben Lovejoy Mar 10 2014 - 7:52 am PT

Google’s handy Chromecast dongle is to go on sale in “many more countries” in the next few weeks, according to an SXSW keynote speech by Sundar Pinchai reported by TNW.

The speech seemingly majored on ‘vague,’ with no specific countries listed and U.S. sales of the $35 device described only as in the millions.

Google announced a month ago that the UK would be the second market to get access to Chromecast, going on sale in the electrical retail chain Currys at or around the beginning of this month. At the time of writing it was not yet showing up in a search on the company’s website.

Once it does go on sale, buying one is pretty much a no-brainer if you own both a television and an Android device. Chromecast support is available in a wide range of apps, that include YouTube, Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Plex and many others – with more likely to be joining the list thanks to a Chromecast SDK, making it easier for developers to add support.

Samsung posts (very!) detailed videos for the Galaxy S5 and Gear smartwatches

Ben Lovejoy Mar 10 2014 - 5:57 am PT

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOIGUfAlMY0]

Samsung’s description of a nine-minute video as a ‘quick look’ at the Gear 2 and Gear Fit smartwatches may be about as accurate as its claim that they are everything users “loved” about the original Gear, but if you want to know everything the watches do and how to do it in full detail, this video is your friend.

The Galaxy S5 video (below the fold) is a little shorter, at a touch under eight minutes …
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YouTube tweaks site design, puts more emphasis on playlists in the sidebar

Mike Beasley Feb 20 2014 - 5:52 pm PT

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Google launched a few tweaks to its YouTube page design, which brings back a design feature long thought to be gone forever: center alignment. With the last major redesign, YouTube started pushing all content to the left side of the screen, a decision that many found so irritating they created browser extensions to revert the change.

The “What to Watch” feature and subscription list have been given more prominent placements on the home page.

Confused by Chromecast? Struggling with streaming? Google adds official support forum

Ben Lovejoy Feb 20 2014 - 6:29 am PT

With Chromecast supported by an increasing number of apps, Google has created an official support forum for the $35 device.

Judging by the number of posts made on the first day (assuming they’re not all made by Google employees), it looks like it could prove a popular resource. Though a good starting-point for anyone new to the dongle is our own how-to setup guide.

How-to: Setup and Use Chromecast to stream your content from a Mac and Android device

Sarah Guarino Feb 9 2014 - 12:00 pm PT

The Chromecast, Google’s streaming HDMI dongle came out last summer. It is compatible with any Android device running 2.3 or later, iOS devices with iOS 6 or 7, and any Mac or PC. Initially, users were able to stream Netflix or Youtube from an iOS device and Android device, Google Play on Android, or stream websites to a TV using the Chrome browser on a computer. The Chromecast works differently from Apple’s AirPlay system in that you can multitask and do other tasks on the device or you can let it go to sleep while streaming.

Very quickly after its release, Chromecast has received support for Hulu +, Pandora, and HBO GO. Last month a major update added ten new apps including Plex, Vevo, Songza, Red Bull TV, Post TV from the Washington Post, Viki, RealPlayer Cloud, Avia, Revision3 Internet Television, and BeyondPod. The most recent update the Chromecast received allowed users to stream Google Play movies and music directly from the Chrome browser on a computer.

In this How-to, we’ll discuss how to setup the Chromecast, use it with a Mac and Android device, and explore its gaming potentials.

Chromecast to go on sale in UK electrical chain Currys on or around 1st March

Ben Lovejoy Feb 7 2014 - 5:38 am PT

Google has announced that the UK will be the second market to get access to the Chromecast dongle when it goes on sale in the electrical chain store Currys on or around 1st March.

No price has yet been announced, nor is it yet known whether the device will go on sale in other retailers. Chromecast costs $35 in the US, suggesting a likely price of £25 in the UK (Britain rarely gets price parity with the U.S.).

In addition to streaming content from Chrome tabs, Chromecast support is now available in a wide range of apps, that include YouTube, Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Plex and many others. Google also just announced a Chromecast SDK, making it easier for developers to add support for additional apps.

Via TheNextWeb

Google just made it easier to find music videos with prioritized Youtube search results

Ben Lovejoy Feb 6 2014 - 5:51 am PT

Finding a playable music video can sometimes involve a bit of trial-and-error, where the top link might be only a short clip, or indeed something unrelated that was mislabelled. To solve this, Google is now offering prioritised links to the first playable music video in a separate box above the remaining search results …
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Google ad head Susan Wojcicki to head-up YouTube in bid to boost ad revenues? (Update: Google confirms)

Ben Lovejoy Feb 5 2014 - 4:31 am PT

Photo: makers.com

The Information is reporting that the head of Google’s advertising products team, Susan Wojcicki, is likely to replace Salar Kamangar as the head of YouTube.

The move would send a clear signal that Google CEO Larry Page wants to zero in on the site’s ad products. While YouTube’s growth has continued, the site has struggled to charge more for its ads as the supply of videos continues to outstrip advertiser demand across the Web …
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Google announces changes to YouTube view count validation

Chance Miller Feb 4 2014 - 1:24 pm PT

Google today announced that it will be changing the way it validates the view counts on YouTube videos. In the past, the company would scan views for spam immediately, but starting today, Google will periodically validate a video’s view count and remove fraudulent views as it finds them. Google says it is doing this to keep YouTube views authentic in order to maintain “the trust” of fans and creators.

While in the past we would scan views for spam immediately after they occurred, starting today we will periodically validate the video’s view count, removing fraudulent views as new evidence comes to light. We don’t expect this approach to affect more than a minuscule fraction of videos on YouTube, but we believe it’s crucial to improving the accuracy of view counts and maintaining the trust of our fans and creators.

Google also advises YouTube creators to be hesitant when working with third-party marketing firms, as some offer to sell fake views. You can read Google’s full blog post on its Online Security blog.

Simpsons episode parodies Google Glass (video)

Ben Lovejoy Jan 27 2014 - 6:05 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKKCTLZDWls]

An episode of The Simpsons poking fun at Google Glass has appeared on YouTube, but as it’s on an unofficial channel, don’t expect it to be there long …

The Hulu version, available in 1 country and on limited platforms is below:

[hulu id=4qhtqlup1znadj_joie4fa width=704]

President Obama hosting ‘Road Trip’ Q&A via Google Hangouts on Friday, January 31st

Zac Hall Jan 23 2014 - 6:49 am PT

Next Friday, January 31st, President Obama will embark on a Presidential Hangout Road Trip promoting his State of the Union address to Congress and responding to questions submitted via Google+ and YouTube.

The Presidential Hangout Road Trip is actually a Google+ Hangouts session allowing the President to respond online to user submitted questions and topics he addressed in Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech.

YouTube will be live streaming both the SOTU address and the Republican response starting at 9pm EST next Tuesday. Check below for how to submit a question to the President during the Hangout Road Trip:
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Google launches “Video Quality Report” to test ISP performance based on YouTube playback

Chance Miller Jan 21 2014 - 3:40 pm PT

Google today announced a new project designed to test the quality and connection speeds of internet service providers. The service, known as Google’s Video Quality Report, will be available in Canada first, though it should expand to more countries as time progresses.

To perform the test, Google uses data related to how well the ISP can handle playing back a high definition YouTube video. The ISPs are graded based on the performance of other providers in a given area. If the ISP is able to load 90% of 720p YouTube videos, then it will be branded as “YouTube HD Verified” for the area and be at the top of the verification scale.

Google updates YouTube for iOS 7 with improved search results and captions

Mike Beasley Jan 7 2014 - 5:23 pm PT

The YouTube app for iOS has been updated with a new design for iOS 7, including the new keyboard and status bar, and a blurred sidebar design like that found in other apps.

The update also includes improved search results that include videos, playlists, and channels all on one screen. Finally, the new version introduces new settings for closed captioning and subtitles.

You can grab the free YouTube app on the iOS App Store.

YouTube to show off 4k streaming with VP9 codec at CES, hardware supporters include LG, Panasonic and Sony

Chance Miller Jan 2 2014 - 10:53 am PT

Over the last few months, interest 4k TVs, monitors, and content has increased dramatically. YouTube has been streaming content in 4k for a while now, but using Flash. GigaOm is now reporting, however, that at CES next week, YouTube will introduce 4k streaming using its new VP9 codec. This is a new royalty-free codec developer by Google as an alternative to H.265 video codec used by other 4k video implementations.

Back in 2010, Google tried to gain traction with its VP8 codec, but due to tough competition and a lack of hardware support, those plans didn’t exactly pan out. In order to avoid the same issues with VP9, Google has already lined up a large number of hardware partners. At CES, LG, Panasonic and Sony will be demonstrating 4k content with the VP9 codec, while 19 other companies have agreed to support the codec, including ARM, Intel, Broadcom, Marvell, Toshiba, Sharp, and Samsung.

Photos of new LG webOS TVs look beautiful [Updated with second TV]

Ben Lovejoy Jan 2 2014 - 4:30 am PT

Usually-reliable source @evleaks has tweeted a photo of what is said to be LG’s new smart TV running webOS, as LG officially announced the world’s largest 4K OLED TV “incorporating LG’s newest smart TV platform.”

The 9to5Google top ‘Google’ stories of 2013

David Beren Dec 23 2013 - 8:46 am PT

As we look to the end of 2013 and turn around to see the Google of the last year, we know it’s been a good year. Forget concerns over Google’s purchase of Boston Dynamic’s Robotic program and the joke notion that Google and Skynet will eventually be one. This is a company that surpassed the 1,000 share price in the stock market and brought Google Glass to market as a new form of wearable technology. With these stories and more in mind, let’s take a look at the top 5 Google stories on 9to5Google in 2013. These stories were selected in order by the amount of traffic they had in a single 24 hour period and don’t necessarily reflect the importance of the story itself. In other words, these are the stories you read the most over the course of this year.

White House hosts holiday special through Google+ Hangout

David Beren Dec 19 2013 - 10:50 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARjczjvVDz8&w=640&h=420]

There’s little question the White House is one of the most familiar buildings the world over and they always go the extra mile decorating for the holiday season. That’s why it’s so notable that the White House just held a streaming Google+ Hangout to show off some of the decor that has the White House looking all festive for the first family and tourists alike.

Interactive Moto X ad in Wired magazine shows off all the colors

David Beren Dec 19 2013 - 8:35 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMrZmSPpIRw&w=600&h=400]

Grabbing the attention of customers in the wireless industry these days requires some slick moves and a creative mind. Well, Motorola has done exactly that with a brand new interactive ad in January’s Wired magazine.

Google adds a few more goodies to Glass before years end

David Beren Dec 18 2013 - 10:54 am PT

Google just dropped a few more updates for Glass via Google+ to help end 2013 in the best way possible. Included in this shiny new update are the Wall Street Journal, Weather Alerts, Winkfeed (different from yesterday), Upload to YouTube and Hangouts. All in all, it’s a pretty hefty update for Glass fans and offers a few more reasons to consider shelling out $1500 courtesy of the money you got from returning all those ugly sweaters your grandparents are preparing to give you on Christmas day.

Google releases video highlighting the best YouTube ads of 2013

Chance Miller Dec 17 2013 - 2:49 pm PT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUL4d4t17j4

Keeping up with the year-end videos, Google has just released another video, highlighting the best ads that appeared on YouTube this year. The company says that 2013 was the year in which “brands re-invented ads on YouTube – by making ads people chose to watch.”

To celebrate this amazing year, and gear up for what’s sure to be an even bigger 2014, we created this video to celebrate just some of the great work done by brands. Do you remember all of these? Which was your favorite?

The video shows off twenty ads, many of which ended up going viral. The ads are for a variety of things, such as the Honda, Oreos, Kmart, and Samsung.

Check out the video above.
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Google releases XE12 Glass update w/ wink gesture for photos, screen lock, Hangouts, much more

Jordan Kahn Dec 17 2013 - 1:00 pm PT