Tag - Video

YouTube adds Periscope-style live video streaming to mobile apps
YouTube is stepping up its efforts to allow users to stream live over its service, with an upcoming update to its mobile app. Putting itself in direct competition with Facebook's own live-streaming service and the Twitter-owned Periscope, the Alphabet video site is slowly rolling out a change to its iOS app that will allow a small selection of users to broadcast video live to their subscribers, directly from their smartphone or tablet.

Facebook enables 360 photo uploads, videos added to comments
Facebook has introduced two changes to the way users of the social network can share items visually, both in still images and in video. It is possible for users to submit their own 360-degree photographs for viewing on the site, as well as through mobile apps, and while it has allowed users to upload their own videos for a while, it is now allowing for comments on posts and status updates to also include video clips for the first time.

Technically Speaking: 4K resolution
Occasionally, defining a technical term for other people to understand is deceptively easy. In some cases, the thing you are being asked about can be described in a few sentences, and with a tiny bit of prior knowledge, can even be summed up with just one simple statement. The deception lies in that it isn't just the definition you have to supply, but the obligatory follow-up questions that force you to justify why it exists. Today's subject, 4K (as in TVs, monitors, video resolutions and so forth), fits neatly into this highly-annoying category.

Pointers: Take Photos while shooting video on iPhone
This is another case of it being easy when you know how. It's also another case of being vaguely aware of a feature but only really finding it by accident. All of which means that this is a case of being inspired by Charles Martin's Pointers last week, about Five tips for iOS I learned by accident

European Commission proposes new content rules for streaming services
The European Commission has published a new proposal that would force streaming media services to invest in content created in Europe, alongside other video-related rule changes that would affect services including YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and others. Initially leaked last week, the directive would require online streaming services to ensure at least 20 percent of its catalog provided to European subscribers is made up of European-origin content.

One Week without iTunes: the results
Okay, let's not even try to contrive some drama. Last week, I was challenged to quit iTunes -- and this week I'm back, having done so and realized that technically, it's quite easy. Yet I'm also back in the sense of using iTunes again: there were problems, there were lots of recommendations, there are many people who loathe iTunes, but one week ago, I wasn't fussed: and this week, I am glad to be using it again.

Hands On: Hazel Video Field Guide
This is less a hands-on, more an eyes-on: for it's about a tutorial video. Hazel Video Field Guide by David Sparks is that fella, talking over a shot of his Mac screen, for just under two and a half hours. When we put it like that, it sounds dull, but actually it's absorbing, interesting, and we learned things from it.

Adobe refreshes Post, Slate, Voice iOS apps within new Spark suite
Adobe is increasing its push for content creation on iOS devices, by combining together some of its mobile tools into a new app suite. Adobe Spark is the company's brand for the initiative, aimed at creators of blog posts, social media posts, and other visual web content, with the renaming of three existing apps accompanied by some app updates, and a new web app for using some of the tools from within a desktop browser.

Proposal suggests EU streaming could be hit by extra 'Netflix Tax'
European customers of video streaming services could end up paying a higher subscription, if a proposal from the European Commission is adopted. According to a draft of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, expected to be revealed next week, member states within the European Union could impose a "Netflix Tax" on services operating within the country, with funds received from the levy intended to help finance local TV show and movie productions.

HumanEyes Vuze stereoscopic 360-degree camera pre-orders commence
A camera that claims to make it as simple as possible for consumers to produce their own 360-degree videos is now available to pre-order. Initially announced at CES in January, HumanEyes' Vuze camera is a compact shooter measuring 4.8 inches across and 1.2 inches thick, which is capable of capturing video from all directions using a collection of eight cameras, allowing it to create stereoscopic 360-degree videos at a 4K resolution at 30fps with relative ease.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
