Waymo in Japan, Veo 2 AI video, Snapchat Monetization ...
Google DeepMind has upped the game in AI video generation.
Here’s the scoop:
DeepMind unveiled Veo 2, the successor to its flagship video model, Veo.
This new AI can generate 4K videos up to 2 minutes long—pushing past the capabilities of OpenAI’s Sora, which maxes out at 1080p and 20 seconds.
But wait…
For now, Veo 2’s tools, like VideoFX, are capped at 720p and eight seconds per clip. (Scaling is a journey, not a race, right?)
Here’s what makes Veo 2 special:
• Sharper visuals, fluid motion, and cinematic effects. Think shadows, reflections, and lifelike textures.
• Improved camera control. Pan, zoom, and angles that feel almost human.
• Creative-ready designs. Collaborations with artists like Donald Glover and The Weeknd are shaping its evolution.
The potential? Game-changing.
But… it’s not perfect yet. The uncanny valley looms, and complex long-term prompts still trip it up. Even Google acknowledges Veo 2’s room for growth.
DeepMind is setting the pace for AI creativity, blending technology with artistry.
ChatGPT Search is live for ALL users!
Here’s what’s new:
1️⃣ Automatic web search for your toughest questions.
2️⃣ Summarized answers paired with rich media like photos and videos.
3️⃣ Advanced Voice Mode: Ask questions in real-time and get up-to-date web info.
(Yes, even non-paying users can now access these features!)
But it’s not just about more access.
It’s about more speed, smarter answers, and better mobile usability.
What’s the big picture?
OpenAI is building tools to make AI your go-to for everything from finding news to refining your business ideas.
What do you think?
Will this change how search online?
100 million daily users.
300 million monthly users.
Threads just hit a major milestone, and Mark Zuckerberg announced it for the first time yesterday.
Meta’s Threads is not just big—it’s growing. Fast.
To compare:
• Threads: 300M+ monthly users
• Bluesky: ~25M total users
What’s driving Threads’ growth?
• Meta’s focus on rolling out features people want (like custom feeds).
• Users returning after early interest faded.
• The simple power of being where the people are.
Ads might be coming to Threads soon. Love it or hate it, monetization is inevitable.
Starting today, YouTube creators can decide who gets to use their content to train AI models.
With a simple toggle in YouTube Studio, you can grant permissions to 18 top AI companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Adobe—or choose to keep your content off-limits entirely.
Here’s why this matters:
For years, creators have voiced concerns about their videos being used for AI training without consent. YouTube is now making the process more transparent and putting the power back in creators' hands.
But there’s more:
1️⃣ Default settings protect your content from unauthorized third-party use.
2️⃣ You get the option to monetize your content for AI training partnerships in the future.
3️⃣ This is just the beginning—YouTube’s also enhancing AI detection tools to safeguard creator likenesses and intellectual property.
Starting February 1, 2025, Snapchat is launching a unified monetization program that could reshape how influencers earn on the platform.
Here’s the breakdown:
• Stories and Spotlight (Snapchat’s TikTok-like feed) will now be part of the same program.
• Creators can earn ad revenue from eligible content on both.
But, it’s not for everyone. Here’s what you’ll need to qualify:
• 50,000 followers, plus one of the following in the past 28 days:↳ 10 million Snap views↳ 1 million Spotlight views↳ 12,000 watch hours
• Consistency: 25 posts/month and activity on at least 10 of the last 28 days.
(These thresholds are higher than before – big shift ahead.)
Snapchat joins TikTok and YouTube in evolving creator programs to compete for talent and keep platforms fresh.
Will this move drive more creators to Snapchat? Or will the bar feel too high?
Waymo is taking its robotaxis international.
(And they're starting with Tokyo in 2025 🚖)
For the first time ever, Waymo’s self-driving vehicles will hit public roads outside the U.S.—and they’re headed straight for Tokyo.
Why Tokyo?
Because Tokyo presents two major challenges:
Left-hand driving
A dense, urban environment
And Waymo isn’t doing it alone. They’ve partnered with:
GO (a taxi-hailing app)
Nihon Kotsu (a taxi service that will manage Waymo's fleet)
Here’s what’s happening step by step:
Human drivers first: Nihon Kotsu drivers will map Tokyo’s streets manually.
Autonomous mode testing will follow, with human safety operators onboard.
This move comes just a week after GM scrapped its Cruise robotaxi expansion plans in Japan. A stark contrast.
Why it matters:
Testing in Tokyo means Waymo is serious about expanding globally.
Meanwhile, companies like Cruise are pulling back.
Would you ride in a Waymo robotaxi?
Where do you think they’ll launch next?