#TikTok says it’s restoring service in the US

#TikTok says it’s restoring service in the US

Barely more than 12 hours after TikTok went dark in the United States, the video-sharing app is coming back online. “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” the company said in a statement. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers…

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#Matt Mullenweg deactivates WordPress contributor accounts over alleged fork plans

#Matt Mullenweg deactivates WordPress contributor accounts over alleged fork plans

Automattic CEO and WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg has deactivated the accounts of several WordPress.org community members, two of whom he says planned to spearhead a new fork of the open source WordPress project. While community criticism of WordPress’s governance isn’t new, the latest brouhaha kicked off back in September when Mullenweg publicly chastised WP Engine, a…

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#What’s behind ballooning video game budgets?

#What’s behind ballooning video game budgets?

Why does it cost some companies hundreds of millions of dollars to develop a popular video game? A couple weeks ago, The New York Times blamed the never-ending quest to deliver more photo-realistic graphics— and it suggested the industry is beginning to see diminishing returns, leading to layoffs and studio closures. However, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier…

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#Peacock is experimenting with mini-games and short videos

#Peacock is experimenting with mini-games and short videos

As Peacock continues to trail behind major players in the entertainment industry like Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube, the streaming service is adopting strategies similar to its rivals with two new initiatives: mini-games and a short-form vertical video feed. The company announced these experiments at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday. Starting this…

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#Spotify’s partner program for podcast hosts is now available

#Spotify’s partner program for podcast hosts is now available

Spotify announced Thursday the launch of its new “Partner Program” that lets popular podcast hosts monetize their video content. Spotify’s new program gives qualifying creators on its platform opportunities for extra income beyond just advertising revenue, such as video payouts. The program was initially announced back in November and is officially available in the U.S.,…

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#Revisiting 19th-century Paris with VR

#Revisiting 19th-century Paris with VR

While I have fond memories of past efforts to combine VR content with real-world locations, I’d assumed the pandemic had put those ambitions to an end. If I wanted VR in 2024, I thought I’d have to buy a headset, and it would be a largely solitary experience at home or in the office —…

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#The abject weirdness of AI ads

#The abject weirdness of AI ads

“I’m trying to find holiday gifts for my sisters. I open a bunch of tabs, I want my wife’s advice.” That’s CEO of the Browser Company, Josh Miller, in his company’s latest ad for its new AI browser, Dia. Consulting your spouse to find gifts for your siblings is a pure – and dare I…

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