Connect with top headlines happening across the web in the world of tech! From Updates on YouTube to Threads on the Web and more, we have you covered. Read on for our weekly round-up of major changes and leading stories in technology and media.
Google, Amazon, Nvidia, and Additional Companies Invest $235 Million in Hugging Face
Hugging Face, an AI-focused platform raised $235 million in Series D funding. Its valuation now stands at $4.5 billion. Major investors include Google, Amazon, and Nvidia. CEO Clement Delangue stresses the significance of open-source AI. The company collaborates with Amazon’s AWS and hosts renowned AI models. The platform is often compared to GitHub, serving as a repository for machine learning. With its new funding, Hugging Face aims to further expand its offerings and solidify its position in the open-source AI community.
A New Hum-to-Search may soon be underway on Youtube
Google is trialing a new feature on YouTube. The feature allows users to hum or record short song snippets for identification, similar to Apple’s Shazam. During the test phase, only a select group watching YouTube on Android will have access. This hum-to-search capability was previously introduced in the Google app and Google Assistant in 2020. However, TechCrunch reports that YouTube’s version is faster. Additionally, Google is experimenting with a “channel shelf” feature on YouTube, bundling multiple uploads from a single creator, aiming to enhance user experience and lessen upload pressures on creators.
Audeze Acquired by Sony’s PlayStation division
Sony Interactive Entertainment is acquiring Audeze, a premium headphones manufacturer. This move is intended to bolster the audio experience of PlayStation games. While Audeze will remain autonomous and produce for various platforms, they’ll benefit from integration into the PlayStation ecosystem. Audeze headphones utilize unique planar magnetic drivers for enhanced sound, a feature Sony recently touted for its new PlayStation audio products. These products also leverage a novel technology, PlayStation Link, offering seamless audio for the PS5 and the new PlayStation Portal streaming device.
Threads on the Web
Meta has rolled out an enhanced web app for Threads. The web version enables users to post, interact with content, and view their feeds. Previously, Threads’ web version had limited functionality, essentially just viewing profiles without interactive features. Although the updated web interface resembles the mobile app, it lacks certain mobile capabilities like editing profiles or sending posts to Instagram DMs. Notably, there are discrepancies like the absence of a notification dot and quote post feature. Despite these gaps, which Threads’ team acknowledges and promises to address, many users, who prefer desktop browsing, appreciate even this basic level of functionality for convenience.
Podcasters Now Able to Customize Show Page on Spotify
Spotify is rolling out new features for podcast creators, allowing them to customize their show pages, highlight episodes, and access in-depth analytics. This revamp, focused on enhancing the creator experience, coincides with Apple Podcasts updating its subscription services for creators. With these changes, both companies emphasize the growing importance of podcasting as a significant business avenue. Previously, podcasters on Spotify had limited promotional options, but now they can link to social media, emphasize introductory episodes, and feature other Spotify content, enhancing their visibility and listener engagement.
Say Goodbye to Required Group Names on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is introducing a feature allowing users to create group chats without naming them, as revealed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. These unnamed groups will automatically receive a name based on the participants, streamlining the process for short-term or event-based chats. However, these auto-named groups will have a cap of six participants, and the group name will vary depending on how individual contacts are saved in participants’ phones. The feature is set to roll out globally on various platforms and adds to a slew of recent WhatsApp updates aimed at enhancing user experience.