Sandhya Gupta

LinkedIn to test ad product for video streaming services

LinkedIn, which is owned by Microsoft Corp., announced on Thursday that it was developing a video advertising solution that would enable advertisers to target LinkedIn users as they watched content on streaming platforms.

In an effort to grow its advertising business during a period of economic uncertainty, LinkedIn has released AI technologies to aid marketers in creating ad content.

Penry Price, vice president of marketing solutions at LinkedIn, told Reuters that in-stream video advertisements might alter how businesses and consumers connect with and engage with their audiences.

Also Read: Google launches AI-powered advertiser features

With trailing 12-month sales of over $14 billion and an 8% year-over-year revenue growth as of the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, LinkedIn is doing well.

LinkedIn makes money by selling ads and subscriptions to salespeople, job searchers, and recruiters. A significant revenue stream for LinkedIn is its Marketing Solutions.

This includes advertising and marketing tools such as Sponsored Content, Sponsored InMail, Text Ads, Dynamic Ads, and Display Ads. These offerings enable businesses to promote their content, products, and services to LinkedIn’s professional user base, reaching a targeted audience for their marketing campaigns.

It provides advertising opportunities for businesses and marketers to reach its professional user base. One of the key advertising products available on LinkedIn is Sponsored Content, which enables businesses to promote their content directly in the LinkedIn feed.

Sponsored Content can consist of text, images, and videos, allowing companies to increase brand awareness and engage with their target audience effectively.

Another advertising option is Sponsored InMail, which allows businesses to send personalized messages directly to LinkedIn users’ inboxes. This feature facilitates targeted messaging and can be used to promote events, products, or content.

Text Ads are also available on the platform, appearing on the right-hand side of the desktop version of the app. These ads typically include a headline, description, and a small image.

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Additionally, it offers Dynamic Ads that utilize a user’s LinkedIn profile data to create personalized and engaging ad experiences. Banner-style Display Ads are another option, appearing on the website and mobile app with images, videos, and interactive elements.

Video Ads, which can be placed within the feed and autoplay while users scroll, are also part of LinkedIn’s advertising offerings. It’s advisable to visit LinkedIn’s official website or contact their advertising team directly for the most up-to-date information on their advertising products and features.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

Why is Microsoft Teams integration being removed from Win11?

Nearly two years after the first announcement of the integration, Microsoft is getting ready to remove the built-in Microsoft Teams client from Windows 11.

This integration aimed to provide seamless communication and collaboration for Windows 11 users, enabling them to connect with colleagues, join meetings, and share files easily.

The more adaptable free edition of Microsoft Teams, which is also accessible as a Windows 10 app, will replace the Chat capability. Microsoft revealed the improvements this week in a fresh Windows 11 test build.

Also Read: Why Music Publishers are suing Twitter?

According to a blog post by Microsoft’s senior program manager Brandon LeBlanc, “Starting with his build, Chat is now Microsoft Teams – Free.” “Microsoft Teams – Free is pinned to the taskbar by default and can be unpinned like other apps on the taskbar.”

The operating system was tightly integrated with the first Teams integration in Windows 11, known as Chat. The Chat app was pinned to the taskbar by default and has to be disabled by navigating to Settings.

Up until now, Microsoft has been steadily introducing new features to Chat inside of Windows 11, including enhanced video conferencing capabilities in October, Discord-like communities in early November, and an AI art tool.

The Microsoft Teams 2.0 client served as the basis for the new MS Teams software that is currently being sent out to organizations, and it also served as the basis for the built-in Chat capabilities in Windows 11.

Days after announcing intentions to discontinue support for Cortana on Windows 11 later this year, Microsoft has decided to remove the built-in Teams client from the operating system. Microsoft is almost at the beginning of a new fiscal year, and it is evident that the corporation is concentrating its resources on brand-new Windows initiatives, such as its AI-powered Windows Copilot tool.

When speaking at CES earlier this year, Windows CEO Panos Panay hinted at the significance of AI for Windows, saying that “AI is going to reinvent how you do everything on Windows.” Undoubtedly, AI will be a significant component in Windows 10 as well.

Also Read: Why are other automakers chasing Tesla’s ‘Gigacasting’?

Additionally, Microsoft apparently agreed to discontinue bundling Teams with Office only a few months prior to the modifications to Teams. In an effort to placate EU regulators, Microsoft has decided to stop requiring Office customers to install Teams on their devices in April, according to The Financial Times.

After competitor Slack complained about Microsoft’s bundling of Teams in 2020, the European Commission opened a formal antitrust investigation on Microsoft’s practices.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

CD Projekt to launch Cyberpunk 2077 expansion on Sept. 26

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Sandhya Gupta

The most well-known video game developer in Poland, CD Projekt revealed on Sunday at the Xbox Games Showcase that the much-awaited “Phantom Liberty” expansion for its flagship title Cyberpunk 2077 will arrive on September 26.

Phantom Liberty’s upcoming release on September 26th is announced in a new teaser for Cyberpunk 2077. A preview of what V will encounter when she travels to the brand-new neighborhood of Dogtown to save the president is also provided.

The new character portrayed by Idris Elba, who previously portrayed Stringer Bell in The Wire, Luther in Luther, and Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, is also introduced in the teaser.

Also Read: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth launches in early 2024

The release will be CD Projekt’s first significant debut following the buggy release of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020. Keanu Reeves, who will once again play Johnny Silverhand, revealed the trailer for the next expansion. Idris Elba, another well-known actor, will appear in “Phantom Liberty” and play the entirely new role of Agent Solomon Reed.

The expansion is the final project to be created using CD Projekt’s proprietary RED Engine; moving forward, the firm will use the third-party Unreal Engine. PCs and next-generation consoles will both receive “Phantom Liberty” upon release.

Phantom Liberty shows V yearning for the chance to be able to preserve her life in return for accepting a mission to save the president of the New United States. In addition to teaming up with Idris Elba’s outstanding NUSA agent Solomon Reed, Keanu Reeves’s best nemesis Johnny Silverhand is back as well.

In addition to the main plot, CD Projekt Red notes that “the expansion also comes with a slew of new content, including new quests, gigs, and gig types; new vehicles, tech, cyberwar, and weapons; a brand new Relic skill tree for even more freedom in crafting one’s own unique playstyle, and more.”

Cyberpunk 2077 is an action role-playing video game developed and published by CD Projekt. Set in a dystopian future in the year 2077, the game takes place in Night City, a sprawling metropolis in the Free State of California. Players assume the role of V, a mercenary outlaw who can be customized in terms of appearance, skills, and backstory.

The game offers a vast open world with a mix of exploration, combat, and story-driven quests. Players can engage in various activities such as hacking, driving vehicles, and engaging in gunfights. The gameplay incorporates both first-person and third-person perspectives, providing an immersive experience.

Cyberpunk 2077 garnered significant attention prior to its release, but it also faced controversy due to technical issues and performance problems on certain platforms upon launch in December 2020. CD Projekt has since released several patches and updates to address these issues.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

Why Music Publishers are suing Twitter?

Leave a Comment / Story, Tech Story / By Sandhya Gupta

On Wednesday, 17 music publishers filed a lawsuit against Twitter in federal court in Nashville, Tennessee. They claimed that by allowing users to upload music without a license, the company was complicit in thousands of copyright violations.

The lawsuit claimed that “numerous infringing copies of musical compositions” are used on Twitter to increase user engagement.

For claimed violations of nearly 1,700 copyrights, members of the National Music Publishers’ Association, including Sony Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, and Universal Music Publishing Group, are suing for more than $250 million in damages.

Also Read: Google launches AI-powered advertiser features

Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October, the long-standing violation, according to the lawsuit, has gotten worse, since other significant platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube have legitimate music licenses from the publishers.

According to the NMPA President David Israelite, Twitter “stands alone as the largest social media platform that has completely refused to license the millions of songs on its service.” The lawsuit includes Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Ed Sheeran, the Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, and Rihanna among the artists it represents.

The lawsuit claimed that Twitter “routinely ignores” repeat infringers who send out messages containing illegal music. The publishers claimed that Twitter encourages user infringement, giving it an “unfair advantage” over platforms that purchase music licenses by raising engagement and ad revenues.

He slammed Twitter for consistently failing to take action against individuals who repeatedly violate the terms of service by tweeting lyrics from unlicensed songs.

The claim made by the music publishers is that Twitter actively promotes user infringement, using it to raise user engagement, boost advertising revenue, and obtain an unfair competitive advantage over other platforms that pay for music licenses.

The publishers said that, since Musk took over, “Twitter’s internal affairs regarding matters pertaining to this case are in disarray,” pointing out significant staff reductions to the company’s legal and trust and safety departments.

In general, music publishers and copyright holders can take legal action against various platforms, including social media platforms like Twitter, if they believe that their copyrighted music is being used without proper authorization or licensing.

This could involve users on the platform sharing copyrighted music without permission or platforms allowing the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material.

Music publishers typically hold the rights to the songs and compositions created by songwriters and composers. They rely on licensing agreements and copyright protection to ensure that they are compensated for the use of their copyrighted material.

If they believe that Twitter or its users are infringing on these rights, they may choose to take legal action to protect their interests and seek damages.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

Google launches AI-powered advertiser features

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Sandhya Gupta

Google announced on Wednesday the debut of two new features for advertisers powered by artificial intelligence. These features will help advertisers identify the most effective ad placements for their brands across all of Google’s services.

The tech industry has been dominated by AI in recent months as a result of Google and other companies creating inventive chatbots that can engage people in open-ended conversations. In order to better serve advertisers, who provide companies with money, AI is also being used more and more.

Google’s launch of AI-powered advertiser features represents its ongoing commitment to automation and harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to enhance advertising capabilities. By leveraging AI, Google aims to provide advertisers with advanced tools and features that streamline campaign management and optimize ad performance.

Also Read: Google AI to power virtual travel agent from Priceline

Google has already provided AI advertising tools, but it is now utilizing the technology to assist brands in achieving more focused objectives for their advertisements. Google’s AI algorithms can analyze various factors, such as historical campaign data, user behavior, and contextual signals, to optimize bidding strategies automatically.

This helps advertisers achieve their campaign goals more efficiently while reducing the time and effort required for manual bid adjustments.

Demand Gen, one of the new capabilities, uses AI to distribute an advertiser’s video and photo advertising across a number of platforms, including Gmail, the YouTube feed, and Shorts, YouTube’s answer to the well-known short-form video app TikTok.

According to Vidhya Srinivasan, vice president and general manager of advertising at Google, AI will make it unnecessary for advertisers to consider where to place their ads and would instead concentrate on identifying spots that are “shiny, visual, and immersive.”

According to Google, the second new feature will employ AI to identify the ideal ad placements in order to maximize the number of views for a brand’s video advertisements.

According to preliminary testing, brands used the new tool to get 40% more video views overall, Srinivasan added. Brands will be able to concentrate more on their advertising plan and storytelling by employing AI to take some of the “grunt work” away from advertisers, she continued.

Also Read: Google quietly ends support for decade-old Chromecast

AI can assist advertisers in creating effective ad campaigns. By analyzing past performance data, user behavior patterns, and industry trends, Google’s AI can generate campaign structures, ad copies, and targeting options that are likely to yield better results.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

How could solid-state batteries improve next-gen EVs?

Leave a Comment / Story, Tech Story / By Sandhya Gupta

Small electrical gadgets like pacemakers and smartwatches have utilized solid-state batteries. The development of EV battery mass production has been slower than expected.

Toyota claimed to have solved a solid-state battery durability problem, clearing the door for manufacturing, which it anticipates will start in 2027–2028.

·Solid-state batteries offer higher energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. This means they can store more energy per unit volume or weight, enabling EVs to have longer driving ranges on a single charge.

Also Read: Why did Robinhood Markets remove three crypto tokens?

This improved energy density is particularly advantageous for electric vehicles where maximizing range is a critical factor. Solid-state batteries are considered safer than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

The absence of liquid electrolytes eliminates the risk of leakage, thermal runaway, and fire hazards associated with traditional battery chemistries. This makes solid-state batteries more stable and less prone to accidents, increasing the overall safety of EVs.

These batteries have the potential to support significantly faster charging speeds. Their unique structure and advanced materials allow for improved ion conductivity, reducing charging times compared to lithium-ion batteries. Rapid charging capabilities are crucial for the widespread adoption of EVs by addressing one of the primary concerns of consumers—long charging times.

They exhibit improved cycle life, meaning they can withstand a greater number of charge and discharge cycles before experiencing degradation. This extended lifespan translates into longer-lasting EV batteries that require less frequent replacement, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Solid-state batteries perform better across a wide range of temperatures, including extremely cold or hot conditions. They are less affected by temperature fluctuations, allowing EVs equipped with solid-state batteries to maintain their performance and range in challenging weather conditions.

They offer greater design flexibility due to their solid and flexible nature. They can be made thinner, lighter, and molded into various shapes, allowing for more creative integration into different vehicle designs.

This flexibility could lead to improved space utilization, increased cargo capacity, or even the integration of batteries into structural components, optimizing the overall vehicle design.

Also Read: AI startup Cohere raises funds from Nvidia, valued at $2.2 billion

Solid-state battery cells for EVs have been manufactured in prototype form by automakers and technology companies, but mass production has not yet been scaled up. It is challenging to create a solid electrolyte that is chemically inert, stable, and nevertheless an effective ion conductor between the electrodes.

In addition, they are hard to make and expensive to crack. As a result, liquid lithium-ion batteries are much less expensive than solid-state batteries.

Toyota withheld projected expenses for its new solid-state battery electric vehicle (EV) or the additional investment required to increase manufacturing.

Sandhya Gupta

I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.

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