Welcome to the #5 Tech Updates for June 26th05.2023 – your one-stop shop for everything happening in the world of technology, smartphones and culture! We know how quickly the digital landscape is changing, which is why we bring you the hottest news, the most exciting rumors and the most fascinating stories straight to your screen. Sit comfortably, grab a cup of coffee, and without further ado, let's dive into this week's exciting updates!
Netflix is tightening the reins: new account sharing tariff is rolling out to Germany
Are you a "Stranger Things", "The Crown" or "Bojack Horseman" fan? And do you enjoy these and many other series on Netflix through the account of your best friend, your former roommate or a distant cousin? Then you should pay attention now: Netflix has decided to put an end to the account sharing party. The streaming giant announces that it will introduce a fee of 4.99 euros per month for sharing accounts in Germany.
This means: If you use someone else's Netflix account and don't live in the same "Netflix household", you will have to pay the additional fee in the future. By the way, Netflix defines a “Netflix household” as devices that connect via the same Internet connection.
You may already know that Netflix offers different pricing models. For example, there is the premium account for 17.99 euros per month, which allows you to add up to two additional members. Or the standard account for 12.99 euros per month, which offers space for an additional member. And finally the basic account for 7.99 euros per month, which cannot be expanded.
Now you're probably wondering, "When will this new fee come into effect?" Good question! The exact timing of when the fees will be enforced is still unclear, but you can expect Netflix to warn users first.
Netflix expects a temporary decline in user numbers, but expects higher long-term revenue from the crackdown on account sharing. So, be ready for this new era of Netflix and stay tuned to see how this change will impact the streaming landscape.
Apple ushers in the mixed reality era: The highlights of WWDC 2023
It's that time again: from the 5th. till 9. June 2023, Apple will roll out the red carpet for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). And what do we have on our agenda this year?
As usual, Apple is launching a wave of new software updates. iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10 and tvOS 17 sound very promising, right?
But the real highlight could be the presentation of Apple's long-awaited AR/VR headset. This device will, according to the rumors, support both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). With features like an external battery pack, lightweight and comfortable design, 4K micro-OLED displays, powerful Apple Silicon chips, and an armada of cameras for facial and body recognition, this headset could be the next big thing.
And that's not all: developers can be happy because they will have the opportunity to develop apps and experiences for the AR/VR headset. Because in all likelihood it will come onto the market this year.
And as if that wasn't enough, there could also be a new 15-inch MacBook Air. Yes, the rumor mill is churning!
But, as always with Apple, we will only find out the exact details and further information at the event itself. So stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming highlights and news from WWDC 2023, which you can follow online on the Apple website.
YouTube opens a new chapter: The end of YouTube Stories
Now it's official, dear readers: from June 26th. June is the end of YouTube Stories. Yes, you heard that right. From this date you will no longer be able to publish new stories on YouTube. The existing stories? They disappear after seven days and are then gone forever.
The YouTube Stories, originally introduced in 2017 under the name “Reels”, were for users over 10.000 subscribers available. Similar to the stories on Instagram and Snapchat, the original inventor of this format, these were short videos that disappeared after 24 hours.
But although the story format was a huge success on other platforms, it never really caught on on YouTube. The feature hasn't been promoted particularly heavily by YouTube, and perhaps that's why it's now in virtual retirement.
But hey, that's nothing to worry about! YouTube wants you to publish content to other platform areas such as community posts and shorts instead. So, get ready to explore these areas and express your creativity in new formats. It's time to write a new chapter in your YouTube story!
Tech Updates #5
These were the #5 Tech Updates from June 26th.05.2023! From the latest revelations surrounding Netflix and Apple to the end of YouTube Stories, it's certainly been an eventful week in the world of tech. We hope you enjoyed this journey through the latest developments and trends as much as we did. But don't worry, the world of technology never sleeps and there is always more to discover. So stay tuned and look out for the next updates. Until next time!
