🚫 YouTube's '3 strikes' policy

YouTube could soon implement some harsh new rules for ad blockers...

June 30, 2023 SPONSORED BY

IN THIS ISSUE 📺 YouTube has a new 'three strikes' policy for using ad blockers 🚀 Virgin Galactic just aced its first commercial rocket flight 🎨 Pokémon GO developer Niantic isn't doing so hot right now

VIDEO STREAMING YouTube is testing a new 'three strikes' policy for people that use ad blockers It's seemingly designed drive more YouTube Premium subscriptions YouTube is considering launching a crackdown on people using ad blockers.   Reports emerged last month that YouTube was using a pop-up message to warn against the use of ad-blocking tools on its site. But now it's taking the action one step further.   A revised message says that an ad blocker has been detected, but now warns that the video player will stop functioning after three video streams unless the user adjusts the ad blocker's settings to allow YouTube ads, or disables the ad blocker entirely.   Alternatively, YouTube says, users can go ad-free by joining YouTube Premium, which costs $12 per month or $120 per year.   In a widely reported statement, YouTube confirmed that it's carrying out a "small experiment globally" that prompts users to adjust their ad blocker's settings or sign up for the streaming site's premium tier.   In-stream ads are at the heart of YouTube's operation. Indeed, its notice also says that "ads allow YouTube to stay free for billions of users worldwide." It just needs people to actually watch them. Read more

SPACE TRAVEL Virgin Galactic just aced its first commercial rocket flight The milestone mission follows years of testing and multiple delays Virgin Galactic successfully launched its first paying customers to the edge of space on Thursday.   The company's debut commercial flight, which included a 2,000-mph rocket ride to a point about 53 miles above Earth, took off from Spaceport America in New Mexico.   At its highest point, two of the passengers left their seats to enjoy a few minutes of weightlessness, while the other two focused on the science research that they were conducting in microgravity conditions.   About 70 minutes after launch, the crew landed safely back at base, paving the way for the second commercial trip in August.   Shortly after returning, passenger Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force described the adventure as "a beautiful ride" and "an unforgettable experience."   Virgin Galactic posted a short video featuring some of the highlights from the mission, whetting the appetite of the hundreds of customers who've already forked out as much as $450,000 for a ride on the rocket plane. Read more

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Pokémon GO maker Niantic just laid off 230 people and closed its LA studio It blames the broader global macroeconomic slowdown for the cuts Pokémon GO developer Niantic is laying off 230 workers, shutting its Los Angeles studio, and canceling some games that include NBA All-World, the company announced on Thursday.   Facing similar challenges as other tech firms that have recently laid off workers, Niantic CEO John Hanke said it had to make the changes after it allowed its expenses to grow faster than its revenue.   Hanke said the revenue surge that it experienced during the pandemic prompted it to expand its workforce to pursue growth more aggressively. But now its revenue has dropped back to pre-COVID levels and new projects "have not delivered revenues commensurate with those investments," Hanke said.   Not surprisingly, San Francisco-based Niantic is intent on continuing to develop and support its cash cow, Pokémon GO, which is reported to have generated an average of $1 billion per year since its launch in 2016.   In a nod to where it's heading, Hanke said Niantic remains "long-term believers in augmented reality as the future form factor for computing." Read more

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