Google admits YouTube’s war on ad blockers is resulting in ‘suboptimal viewing’ experiences

Some YouTube viewers who use Firefox or Edge instead of Chrome have reported having to wait around five seconds every time they try to load a video. In screen recordings shared on Reddit and other online forums, users show how their screen goes blank for a short period when they click on a YouTube video before the page loads. But when they switch to Chrome, that waiting period seemed to be non-existent. Android Authority and 404media, which reported on the users' complaints, weren't able to replicate the phenomenon. We also didn't notice any difference in loading times when we accessed YouTube on different browsers. 

Based on the code found by some YCombinator and Reddit posters, YouTube has implemented an anti-adblocker mechanism that's causing the delays. We did find the snippet of code cited in those threads, but it's not quite clear what it does. In a statement that Google has provided Android Authority, it admitted that it has implemented a system that's meant to urge viewers to uninstall their ad blockers. The company said that users who have ad blockers installed "may experience suboptimal viewing" no matter what browser they choose to use

"To support a diverse ecosystem of creators globally and allow billions to access their favorite content on YouTube, we've launched an effort to urge viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad free experience," the spokesperson said. "Users who have ad blockers installed may experience suboptimal viewing, regardless of the browser they are using."

YouTube started cracking down on ad blockers earlier this year, but it went all out earlier this month when it prevented viewers around the world from watching videos unless they disable their apps, add-ons and extensions. The video hosting website is hoping to entice users who couldn't stand watching ads to subscribe to its $14-a-month YouTube Premium service. Multiple ad-blocking companies have since reported experiencing an elevated number of uninstallations per day since then, but Google has yet to reveal whether YouTube Premium subscriptions have also gone up as a result.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-admits-youtubes-war-on-ad-blockers-is-resulting-in-suboptimal-viewing-experiences-115041371.html?src=rss

New Midjourney style sliders provide more control over your AI art

Midjourney style sliders

Recently Midjourney rolled out a new way to create unique styles which you can use again and again to create similar imagery. In response to this the Midjourney community has investigated how the style selections work and created a set of innovative sliders that you can use to create different Midjourney styles. Enthusiasts in the […]

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How to use ChatGPT Vision to read and understand images in Zapier automations

Creating automations with ChatGPT Vision

Have you ever wanted to create an automation capable of reading and understanding images and ultimately taking actions upon what it sees to help improve your productivity or business workflow? Perhaps upload a photo to your Google Drive, a system instantly kicks into gear, analyzing every detail of that image and setting off a chain […]

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This slim laptop sleeve doubles as a portable desk mat and wireless charger

Working from home might no longer be a buzzword these days, but sitting down anywhere with your laptop has always been a thing even before 2020. That is also why there will always be a thriving market for accessories that help make working anywhere more pleasant, even if you don’t have all the comforts and conveniences that your office or home desk may offer. But if you can’t be at your desk, why not bring your desk with you? That’s the proposition that this slim and minimalist laptop sleeve tries to make, allowing you to set up your personal working zone anywhere while also letting your phone and earbuds charge as you type your way to productivity.

Designer: Journey

No matter how durable laptops may be, you are undoubtedly tempting fate if you don’t put some protection around it before you stash it in your bag or carry it in your hand. That’s especially true for laptops with elegant covers and finishes that will undoubtedly get scratched one way or another. A laptop sleeve is a simple yet effective solution to that problem, but it serves no function other than to take up space once you’ve started using the laptop.

NEXA is a laptop sleeve that offers value beyond just protecting your laptop, although it also does that well with multiple layers of protection for those heart-stopping accidental drops and bumps. Even with that kind of durability, however, the sleeve remains slim and sleek, sporting a vegan leather outer skin that gives it a stylish character even when it’s doing nothing. You might even be tempted to just carry your laptop by hand instead of putting it inside your bag, just to flaunt the beautiful sleeve that holds it.

NEXA’s function, however, doesn’t stop there. Once the laptop is out of the sleeve, you can rest it on the table and put your laptop on it, transforming it into a stylish desk mat not unlike what you might have on your desk. Not only does it give added protection to your laptop’s bottom, it also helps demarcate your working area, which is especially useful in public spaces. And whether you’re at your desk or outside, you can still use the sleeve in some manner, functioning as a large mouse pad for buttery smooth movement.

That’s not the end of its bag of tricks, though. The flap discreetly hides two wireless chargers, a 15W MagSafe-compatible one for phones and a 5W charger for earbuds like the Apple AirPods. All of these features come at no expense to the product’s simple and lightweight design, making the NEXA laptop sleeve a dream for laptop users who always find themselves settling down in coffee shops and public places to get work done.

The post This slim laptop sleeve doubles as a portable desk mat and wireless charger first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple Watch SE falls to another new low in Black Friday sale

There's never been a better time to buy the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen), as it has fallen to another new low on Amazon. Both sizes (40mm and 44mm) are available with discounts of $70, with the 40mm GPS Watch SE starting at just $179, or 28 percent ($70) off and the 44mm model starting at $209 (25 percent off). That's an all-time low, besting the $189 price we saw just two days ago. 

With solid performance, a familiar design and support for numerous apps, the 2022 Watch SE scored a solid 89 in our Engadget review. It looks nearly identical to the latest Watch models, and delivers smooth performance despite the slightly older processor. Most importantly, it offer all the same features you'd get in the more expensive models, like all-day heart rate monitoring, built-in GPS, fall detection, Apple Pay support, sleep-tracking and more. Battery life has also been improved over the previous model.

It doesn't include a blood oxygen sensor or ECG, nor the always-on display of the Series 8 or Series 9 models. If those things aren't terribly important, you'll still get a full Watch experience. The other main drawbacks with all Watch models are sleep tracking that doesn't quite measure up to the competition, and less than a full day of battery life.

If you want the higher-end models, there's more good news too. All the Watch Series 8 models are on sale, starting at $299 for the Watch Series 8 (GPS 41mm), $329 for the Watch Series 9 (in red only, $100 off) and $359 for the Watch Series 9 in other colors.  

Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo’s Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-watch-se-falls-to-another-new-low-in-black-friday-sale-110511086.html?src=rss

New Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric now available for £39,995

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric

Vauxhall has announced that the new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric is now available to order in the UK and pricing for the car starts at £39,995 on the road. They also revealed that from 2024, every model in their range will be available with a fully electric version. The new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer […]

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SHARKZ titanium EDC micro knife its Kickstarter

SHARKZ titanium EDC micro knife

If you are looking to refine your everyday carry (EDC) gadgets you might be interested in a tiny tool, ready to tackle any cutting job with ease. Meet SHARKZ, the micro knife that’s about to become an indispensable part of your everyday carry collection. This little powerhouse isn’t just another blade; it’s a testament to […]

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AYANEO AM01 retro styled AMD Ryzen mini PC

AYANEO AM01 AMD Ryzen mini PC

If you are in the market for a compact computer you might be interested in the new AYANEO AM01 mini PC. Blending the classic look of the iconic Macintosh with the strength of modern technology. This compact device is not merely a nod to nostalgia; it’s a fully-equipped mini PC that’s ready to handle your […]

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Fine-Tuning Prompts for Optimal Results: A Guide to Effective Communication with Google Bard

Google Bard is a large language model (LLM) from Google AI, trained on a massive dataset of text and code. It can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way. However, like any other LLM, Bard’s performance is highly dependent on the quality of the […]

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