Categories
Mobile Syrup

YouTube Premium family plan getting big price increase

Google has announced that it will be raising the price of its YouTube Premium family plan.

In an email to subscribers, the company confirmed that starting November 21st, the family plan will cost $22.99/month, up from the current $17.99 monthly cost. The family plan allows six users to share the same Premium account and watch YouTube videos ad-free.

It should be noted, however, that this doesn’t seem to apply to the individual YouTube Premium membership, which costs $11.99/month. Google also confirmed to The Verge that those who were grandfathered into a lower price for YouTube Premium as former Google Play Music subscribers will keep their reduced rate until April 2023.

For now, though, it’s not yet clear whether this change will take effect in Canada. We’ve reached out to Google for confirmation and will update this story once a response has been received.

In other YouTube Premium news, YouTube recently rolled back a controversial test on a Premium paywall for a 4K resolution.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Via: The Verge

Categories
Mobile Syrup

YouTube 4K resolution paywall experiment has been ‘fully turned off’

In the first week of October, YouTube scared us by locking 4K resolutions behind the YouTube Premium paywall for some users. 

At the time, the limitation didn’t seem to be affecting all users, and might have just been a region-based test.

Now, in a reply to a Twitter user, YouTube says that the 4K paywall was an experiment that has been “fully turned off.” “Viewers should now be able to access 4K resolutions without Premium membership,” writes YouTube.

The platform does not explain why the test was conducted or why it isn’t going through with the change. It’s likely that a ton of negative feedback regarding the paywall caused YouTube to walk back the test

YouTube Premium is priced at $11.99/month or $111.99/annually in Canada and allows users to play videos completely ad-free, in the background, download videos for offline viewing and provides access to YouTube Music Premium.

Source: @TeamYouTube

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Heritage Minister fires back at Google following streaming Bill C-11 opposition

Canada’s Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez is butting heads with tech goliath Google over Bill C-11. The Alphabet-owned company pushed back against the Canadian government’s proposed online streaming bill. Rodriguez says Google is “trying to intimidate Canadians.”

The House of Commons recently voted to pass the Online Streaming Act, and now the Bill is in the hands of the Senate. Google believes that “thousands of creators shared their concerns” with Bill C-11, but they have gone unaddressed. Because of this, the company believes the proposal may be of “disadvantage [to] the Canadian creators.”

The Online Streaming Act, which the Senate is now considering, could force platforms to promote Canadian TV, movies, music, and other content. Bill C-11 was created and positioned by the government as an effort to help fund Canadian-made content. At its core, the proposal hopes to see streaming services and platforms better contribute to Canadian culture.

Earlier this year, YouTube, which is under Google’s umbrella, also outspokenly opposed the Bill. The company argued that the Online Streaming Act could cause creators to lose foreign revenue opportunities if forced to promote Canadian content.

In September, YouTube executive Jeanette Patell spoke to the Senate committee. Patell urged that the Online Streaming Act gives Canadian broadcasting regulators far too many ways to make demands. “We strongly believe that we have a responsibility to inform Canadian users and creators of how this bill could impact their YouTube experience, and in some cases, their livelihoods,” Patell said.

This past June, the House of Commons passed Bill C-11. During the process, the Online Streaming Act saw over 150 amendments made. As it transitions over to the hands of the Senate, it appears that a lot of time and consideration was taken before passing a vote.

If the Senate votes in favour of Bill C-11, it once again heads to the House of Commons prior to becoming a Canadian law.

Image credit: CPAC (screenshot)

Source: CP24

Categories
Mobile Syrup

YouTube and TikTok want the government to address their definition of Canadian content

Steve de Eyre, TikTok’s director of public policy and government affairs in Canada, said Bill C-11 makes content creators “collateral damage.”

Also known as the Online Streaming Act, the bill focuses on regulating streaming services and promoting Canadian content, or “CanCon.” It has faced fierce backlash since Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez introduced it. One point of contention is how it will benefit user-generated content, with Rodriguez and CRTC chair Ian Scott seemingly making opposite statements.

Speaking at the Transport and Communications Senate committee, de Eyre said the bill wasn’t written to protect digital creators.

“This is why it’s so important that the Senate take a sober second look at this bill and carefully consider the impact it will have on digital first creators.”

de Eyre believes the committee, which is currently studying the matter, can make some changes to the bill to address ongoing concerns.

His first concern surrounds the promotion of CanCon. As mentioned, platforms will be required to promote Canadian content. But de Eyre argues TikTok has concerns if much of the content created by Canadians would be considered CanCon.

“CanCon rules are largely meant to support artists in the performing arts like music and acting.” However, he said most of the popular Canadian TikTok creators don’t fall into these categories, including bloggers and gamers.

The creators are “subordinated behind traditional legacy players that can check the right boxes with the CRTC.”

Jeanette Patell, YouTube Canada’s head of government relations and public policy, raised similar concerns. She told the committee the diversity of YouTube’s content, creators, and users makes Canadians on the platform successful. But that will change with Bill C-11.

Bill C-11 would require YouTube to surface content according to the CRTC’s priorities, rather than those of Canadians. And that hurts everyone that uses our platform,” Patell said. 

She added the CRTC’s ability to control algorithms to promote CanCon “would actually backfire for the very creators that it attempts to support.”

“[It]  explicitly gives a government regulator authority over what content is prioritized and how and where content is presented to Canadians, handing the CRTC the power to decide who wins and who loses.”

de Eyre’s second concern would be to clarify that short clips containing music, video, or amateur performances, don’t equal professional content.

The CRTC, which will be responsible for enacting the bill, will use three sets of criteria to determine if content can be regulated:

  • if the content generates revenue
  • if the program is broadcasted through traditional forms like radio, for example
  • if the content has a unique identifier under any international standards system.

Patell said the criteria would include “effectively everything on YouTube.”

de Eyre echoed that statement. “As written, any video on Tiktok that includes music, which is the majority of content posted on our platform, would meet all three criteria to be considered professional.”

Various other parties have spoken to the committee on the matter in the past, including Canada’s Privacy Commissioner, and Disney.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

Categories
Mobile Syrup

YouTube is adding shorts to its partner program

YouTube is adding creators who post ‘shorts’ on the platform to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Shorts refer to YouTube’s short-form video sharing feature that hosts videos under 60 seconds.

Launched in 2007, YPP pays creators who meet specific criteria for the content they produce. YouTube has paid creators more than $50 million in the last three years, Neal Mohan, chief product officer, revealed at Made on YouTube 2022, where he shared details of the new program.

The announcement gives YouTube a slight edge in the crowded short-form video market. While it’s not the only platform of its kind to offer compensation for videos, it differs in how it pays creators.

Ads on shorts run between videos instead of within a video, as seen with long-form YouTube videos. The company will pool revenue from ads that play after a creator’s shorts and pay them 45 percent.

Creators with 10 million views on their shorts in the last 90 days can apply for the partnership.

The funds will also cover music licenses under a second new program, Creator Music. The program will allow creators to use copyrighted music without giving up the revenues they earn from videos where they use the music. Music creators and writers will also be paid for their work. YouTube creators will have access to a music library and an easy way to license music.

The program is in beta and will launch in the U.S. in the fall. It will expand to other countries next year.

Image credit: YouTube 

Categories
Mobile Syrup

YouTube Canada and HXOUSE create new program to help emerging Canadian content creators

YouTube Canada and HXOUSE have partnered to launch CNCPT.

Pronounced “concept,” the program features free resources and networking opportunities for emerging Canadian creators, helping them grow their YouTube channels, tackle monetization, and find new opportunities.

Creators can take part in remote or in-person programs. Graduates will also be able to apply for grants under a $100,000 fund from YouTube to support ideas that will help grow their channels.

“We know that YouTube is the lifeblood for creatives and entrepreneurs alike to get their message and brand out to the world, and that’s why we’re extremely excited to celebrate this historical partnership and program,” Ahmed Ismail, CEO of HXOUSE, said.

“Learning how to commercialize creativity has been a missing gap in Canada that we can now fulfill. CNCPT will be an excellent accelerant to our already thriving community at HXOUSE, and we welcome the opportunity to help even more Canadian creatives reach their potential.”

The partnership comes following recently released research from Oxford Economics showing YouTube supported more than 34,000 jobs in Canada in 2021, contributing $1.1 billion to the country’s GDP.

Those interested in joining the program can find more information on CNCPT’s website.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

The Ziyhun Weebill 3 is an expertly designed gimbal

On the MobileSyrup YouTube channel we use gimbals as an essential filmmaking tool. These advanced camera stabilizers allow for smooth motion from almost any camera, and interesting camera movement, if you can figure out how to use it.

During the last month, we’ve been testing out the Ziyhun Weebill 3, and not only does it work great, but it’s also the most comfortable gimbal we’ve ever used, with the addition of the wrist rest and an adjustable handle.

Other improvements include a built-in microphone and light, which can come in handy when you don’t have a lot of space or forget some of your gear. As a filmmaking tool, the Weebill 3 takes gimbals to the next level.

Why is comfort so important?

Anyone who uses a gimbal, no matter the form factor, will know that working all day with one can significantly stress your arms. It’s a lot of holding 3-5 pounds of gear in front of you for hours and hours. Sometimes shooting quick shots is easy, but prolonged takes can get brutal on the arms.

The wrist rest is supercritical. Not only does it make holding the gimbal and balancing its weight comfy, but it also allows you to set the gimbal down on a table without attaching tripod feet. This seems like a small perk, but the fact that this gimbal packs down so small and can be ready to go with such minor assembly is a huge bonus.

The Sling Mode 2.0 adjustable handle is also beneficial since it can be re-positioned to make it easier to get low-angle shots without bending over. To improve the handle this year, Zuyhun made it extendable. Just twist the handle, and it pulls out another few inches to help get the shot.

Other perks

Compared to my older DJI Ronin SC gimbal, the new Weebill 3 offers similar performance and holds up my Fujifilm X-T3 and the hefty 16-55mm lens. There are a few modes which give you different amounts of tension and float when you move the camera, and you can adjust these in the ZY Play app (Android/iOS).

Inside the app, you can also take panoramic photos, long nighttime exposures, time-lapses and many other fun gimbal perks.

The light on the front of the gimbal is decently bright and adjustable between 2600 and 5400 kelvin, so you can go from a warm orange glow to a more standard white light easily. I didn’t find myself using the light very often since I didn’t have many night shots this month, but I know the next time I have to shoot the interior of a car, it will be handy not to have to rig up a bulky light.

The Mic I used even less since I’m typically using wireless lav mics for filming, and I have the small Sennheiser MKE 200 that fits nicely on top of my camera when using a gimbal. That being said, it is better than the in-camera Mic on both the Fujifilm cameras I use, so it’s nice to have as a backup.

Other small improvements include a large battery that is rated to last for 21 hours and can fast charge in as little as two hours. It can even pass power through to your camera. I’ve yet to run it dead, but I did forget to charge it once, and it made it through two days worth of shoots so it should be more than enough power for most people.

The gimbal to get?

YouTube filmmakers or anyone shooting a run-and-gun style will be incredibly thankful for all the handles and comfort perks packed into this compact gimbal. However, it should be noted that the gimbal starts at $579, but the model that comes with the extra handles costs $679, which is likely the model to get.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Beavis and Butt-Head need TikTok and YouTube videos for their bunghole

Beavis and Butt-Head are making their way back to the small screen. As part of a Paramount Plus revival, the titular characters are here to mock modern-day content creators on TikTok and YouTube.

Following the release of Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe, Paramount has ordered Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head, a series revival of the two moronic teenage slackers that became icons in the 90s. Created and voiced by Mike Judge, Beavis and Butt-Head originally ran for seven seasons. In 2011, Beavis and Butt-Head returned for another season before being cancelled yet again.

While making fart jokes and laughing at the misfortune of others, the duo would regularly react to MTV music videos. Converting to the modern age, Beavis and Butt-Head will now react to TikTok videos and YouTube clips.

Paramount has released an eight-minute-long look at the new series. In it, Beavis and Butt-Head react to a TikTok in which someone reaches the audience on how to make tattoo ink in prison. The two mock the creator’s accent, calling it a “prison accent,” and state that he looks like someone who should be in jail.

Of course, Beavis and Butt-Head need two things and two things only — T.P. and music videos. The latter of which is most certainly integrated into the show. There are reports that a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive clip of Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head shows the two reacting to a BTS music clip. In it, Beavis attempts to hide the fact that he enjoys the song from Butt-Head.

If you’re itching to see the return of The Great Cornholio, you don’t have to wait long. Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head debuts on August 4th on Paramount Plus. The streaming service is available in Canada for $5.99 a month.

Image credit: Paramount

Source: Paramount+

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Studio MDHR releases Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course soundtrack on YouTube

Ontario-based developers Studio MDHR have finally released Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course. As the long-awaited piece of DLC is now available, the studio is celebrating by releasing the entire soundtrack of new music on YouTube.

The official soundtrack for Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course spans just over an hour. It’s comprised of 30 tracks brought to life by Canadian composer Kristofer Maddigan. Studio MDHR and Maddigan previously collaborated on the core soundtrack of Cuphead.

Studio MDHR states that the soundtrack to Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course is comprised of over 110 musicians. For fans of the original Cuphead game, the new soundtrack features similar music drawing back to an era of jazz and ragtime. It features a mix of fast-paced tunes that accompany the many boss battles as well as some more laid-back tracks.

Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course was first announced in 2018. The new piece of DLC has launched across all PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Contributing writer Chris Brown states that the new content is “a must-play for fans of the original game.”

If you can’t get enough of the new Cuphead soundtrack and want an alternative way to listen, Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course’s soundtrack is also available on Spotify.

Image credit: Studio MDHR

Source: Studio MDHR

Categories
Mobile Syrup

YouTube Music can now recommend songs when you connect to earbuds

YouTube Music has been constantly updating its features, with the most recent one being the new shuffle and offline mixtape control features added to the media recommendations on Android 12.

In a report from 9to5Google, YouTube Music will allow users to shuffle through music in the suggestions panel to their liking as well as select their downloaded offline playlist without it being a recommendation.

YouTube Music added recommendations and suggestions back in 2020. However, YouTube Music now leverages Android 12’s media recommendations feature to make suggestions more accessible through parts of the Android OS, such as the lock screen and notification shade.

The media recommendations feature can pop up when users connect earbuds or other audio devices over Bluetooth.

Image credit: 9to5Google

They will show up in the same location as the recommendations screen on your phone as long as your YouTube Music app is updated on Android 12.

9to5 notes that some Spotify users have seen recommendations appear.

Sources: 9to5Google Via: Android Police