Welcome to the #5 Tech Updates of 05/26/2023 - 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 down comfortably, grab a cup of coffee and without further ado, let's dive into this week's exciting updates!
Netflix tightens the reins: New account sharing tariff rolls 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 via the account of your best friend, former roommate, or distant cousin? Then you should pay attention now: Netflix has decided to put an end to the account sharing party. The streaming giant has announced that it will introduce a fee of 4.99 euros per month for sharing accounts in Germany.
This means that if you use someone else's Netflix account and do not live in the same "Netflix household", you will have to pay the additional fee in the future. Incidentally, 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 has space for one additional member. And finally the basic account for 7.99 euros per month, which does not allow any extensions.
Now you're probably wondering, "When will this new fee go into effect?" Good question! The exact timing of the enforcement of the fees is still unclear, but you can expect Netflix to warn its users first.
While Netflix expects a temporary drop in user numbers, it expects to generate higher revenue in the long run by cracking down 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 June 5 to 9, 2023, Apple will roll out the red carpet for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). And what do we have in store 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, don't they?
But the real highlight could be the unveiling of Apple's long-awaited AR/VR headset. This device, according to rumors, will 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 entire armada of cameras for facial and body recognition, this headset could be the next big thing.
And that's not all: developers can rejoice because they will have the opportunity to develop apps and experiences for the AR/VR headset, which is expected to hit the market later this year.
And as if that wasn't enough, there might also be a new 15-inch MacBook Air.Yes, the rumor mill is bubbling!
But, as always with Apple, we won't know the exact details and more information until the event itself. So stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled for upcoming WWDC 2023 highlights and news, 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: YouTube Stories will be discontinued on June 26th. Yes, you heard right. From this date onwards, you will no longer be able to publish new stories on YouTube. The existing stories? They will disappear after seven days and will then be gone forever.
YouTube Stories, originally launched in 2017 under the name "Reels," were available to users with over 10,000 subscribers. Similar to stories on Instagram and Snapchat, the original inventor of this format, they were short videos that disappeared after 24 hours.
But while the story format has been a huge success on other platforms, it never really caught on on YouTube. The feature wasn't particularly heavily promoted by YouTube, and perhaps that's why it's now going into virtual retirement.
But hey, that's nothing to worry about! YouTube wants you to publish content in other areas of the platform, like 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
Those were the #5 Tech Updates from May 26, 2023! From the latest revelations about Netflix and Apple to the end of YouTube Stories - it was certainly an eventful week in the world of technology. 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!
