YouTube is introducing new features to help creators make Shorts. Two new updates will help with audio-to-text capabilities, with a new auto-generated captions feature and the ability to change copy into narrated text.
Image credit: YouTube
The platform is also adding an ‘Add Yours’ sticker prompt to encourage viewers to create content related to another creator’s video and a new remix tool will allow users to incorporate another user’s video into their own – similar to TikTok’s ‘Stitch’ feature. Also, a new auto layout tool is being introduced to turn longer YouTube videos into Shorts. The tool will automatically track the subject of the video and crop it to the Shorts format.
Image credit: YouTube
YouTube is also adding new effects to celebrate Minecraft’s 15th anniversary. ‘Minecraft Spring’ allows users to record video inside the world of Minecraft while ‘Minecraft Rush’ is a new mini-game playable in the Shorts player.
Pinterest updates its AI text-to-image abilities
Pinterest is developing an AI text-to-image generator that will provide alternative options for product backgrounds without altering the image of the product. Pinterest’s current AI model already has an understanding of what objects look like, their names and how they usually appear in different scenarios. But, Pinterest is training the model further so that it can “visualise or reimagine real ideas or products in new contexts.”
Image credit: Pinterest
Pinterest will use its existing database of product images to establish common framing, placement and background types, then use its new segmentation model to separate the foreground and background of an image to prevent editing the product in the text-to-image process.
X tests new post layout
X is testing a more minimalistic layout by removing function buttons and metrics from in-stream X posts. Users will need to swipe left on posts to engage with posts and swipe right to reply. X is also experimenting with a simplified “tap to expand” function, to easily read longer posts and adding new video tools such as a long press feature to switch to 2x speed.
Here is what X is going to look like without any like/repost buttons on the timeline, all gesture based:
Swipe left and right to like and reply or Force Touch to see a menu with more actions pic.twitter.com/imfgi0ouvV
X could be facing large fines after the European Commission said its blue-tick system is deceptive and in breach of social media rules. The regulatory board claims that X has misled users by giving blue ticks, which previously signalled an account’s reliability, to untrustworthy accounts. X is also being investigated for preventing researchers from having access to publicly available data such as posts, and for running an ‘inadequate advertising library’.
X faces fines of up to 6% of its global turnover, with X owner Elon Musk responding to the investigation with “We look forward to a very public battle in court.”
