Latest news with #creators
New York Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
TikTok Hits Cannes, Where a U.S. Ban Seems a Distant Dream
Just six months ago, TikTok's future in the United States looked doomed. The Supreme Court had upheld a federal law that called for it to be sold from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, or face a ban. It even went dark for half a day. But this week on the French Riviera, the specter of TikTok's American demise seemed like a distant fever dream. The company — which remains under the same Chinese ownership — set up shop at the swanky Carlton Hotel during the annual Cannes Lions advertising festival, with a space it dubbed 'TikTok Garden,' where employees held court with marketers, creators and its fans. Shou Chew, TikTok's chief executive, met with creators who posted about the meetings at the hotel, where rooms in the summer often start at 1,000 euros ($1,150) per night. TikTok also paid to bring some of its most popular creators to Cannes for the week, including @ReesaTeesa, whose relationship drama shared on TikTok is now being made into a TV show, and a comedian who goes by @AdamW. Creators spoke on panels and mingled with enthusiastic fans, who lined up nightly for TikTok's evening 'Frosé Soirées.' Other TikTok executives, including its advertising team leaders, met with marketers, played pickleball with at least one creator and took a boat to a restaurant with employees from an influencer agency. The activities underscore TikTok's careful efforts to outmaneuver Washington while maintaining its appeal to advertisers, creators and its more than 1 billion global users. President Trump on Thursday said he had signed an executive order granting the company another 90 days — to mid-September — to find a new owner to comply with a federal law that requires the company to change its ownership structure to resolve national security concerns. The company, which was also in Cannes last month as an official partner of the town's famous film festival, has maintained a high-profile presence at cultural and industry events in the face of intense political upheaval. Nearly two weeks after President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed the law banning TikTok last year, Mr. Chew attended the Met Gala as a co-chair. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Android Authority
15 hours ago
- Android Authority
YouTube Shorts is about to look a little more like Instagram Reels
Joe Hindy / Android Authority TL;DR YouTube Shorts now lets creators place product stickers on their videos. Tapping on the sticker will redirect the viewer to the retailer's website for that product. Viewers can see the full list of products the creator tagged by tapping on the down arrow. You may see something new on the screen the next time you watch a YouTube Shorts video. The platform is giving creators a new tool to get you to buy the products they're advertising. If you make or watch Instagram Reels, you may be familiar with the concept of stickers. Simply put, they are just little graphics you can place on your videos. However, if you're a business, partner, or have a qualified account, then you can also create product stickers for brands and shops to earn money. What does this have to do with YouTube? The company is taking this concept and applying it to YouTube Shorts. In a post on the YouTube support site, the company announced that the previous shopping button on Shorts is getting upgraded to product stickers. If you're wondering why this change is happening, it appears to be more than just a way to make the shopping button more fun. According to Google, an experiment conducted in May 2025 showed that users were 40% more likely to click on product stickers than the shopping button. If you're a creator, you'll be able to create a sticker by tagging products. You'll be able to tag multiple products, but the generated sticker will appear as the first product in your list. If you want the sticker to look like a different product, you can reorder your list so the desired product is listed first. Additionally, you'll be able to change the size of the sticker and place it wherever you want. However, sizing and placement can only be done in the YouTube mobile app. For viewers, if you tap on the sticker, you'll be redirected to the retailer's website. If the creator tagged multiple products, there will be a down arrow on the sticker you can tap on to see the full product list. With the exception of South Korea, this feature is available globally. However, Google says it plans to expand the feature to that market soon. So you'll likely start seeing stickers on Shorts sooner rather than later. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Turn LinkedIn Critics Into Your Biggest Personal Brand Growth Asset
Some people seem to have nothing better to do than add salty comments and share their bad vibes. Trolls are everywhere online. But rather than lose sleep over losers who probably aren't making money or impact, you can use their words to build your success. Your next viral post might come from someone who disagrees with you. And while everyone else hides from challenging comments or gets defensive, the smartest creators on LinkedIn know that critics create the kind of engagement the algorithm loves. They spark discussions that make your content impossible to ignore. Every time someone challenges your ideas, they're handing you an opportunity. Your response shows your expertise better than any polished post ever could. On your way to the top, you're going to ruffle a few feathers. When you show up in your full power, people can't always handle it. It makes them uncomfortable. But this isn't about you, it's about them. Critics are inevitable at some stage of online fame. Your dream clients are watching how you handle pushback. They're deciding whether you're someone worth following based on how you expertly handle disagreement. Treat every critic as a collaborator in disguise. Delete that defensive response. You don't have anything to prove and you don't owe anyone an explanation. When someone questions your methods or disagrees with your approach, they've created a teaching moment for everyone watching. Thank them genuinely for sharing their perspective. Use their comment as a springboard to dive deeper into the point. Your audience learns more from watching you handle objections. Flip the script. Instead of defending, expand. Someone says your strategy won't work for small businesses? Perfect. Now you get to break down exactly how to adapt it for different company sizes. They claim your approach is outdated? Cool. Share the recent data that supports your methods. Every challenge becomes a chance to teach something new while demonstrating your depth of knowledge. Your critics are your best content strategists. They tell you exactly what your audience struggles to understand or accept about your expertise. See past the emotion to pragmatism. There's something in there to unpack. Keep a log of every challenging comment you receive. Their objections show the exact gaps between what you know and what your market believes. That gap is where your most valuable content lives. When someone questions your post about delegation, they're revealing a pain point shared by hundreds of silent readers. Turn that objection into next week's post. Address the concern head-on with a detailed breakdown. Your critic just helped you create content that speaks directly to hidden doubts in your audience's minds. They've done your market research for free. Your composure under pressure builds trust. It's an easy win. When emotions run high in your comments section, your calm response stands out. Address the valid points in any criticism first. This shows intellectual honesty that your audience respects. Correct any misinformation with specific examples or data. Let go of the need to be right. Focus on being helpful. Keep your responses shorter than your critic's comment. This subtle power move shows confidence without aggression. Use their first name. Reference specific parts of their argument to show you've read carefully. End with a question to show you're not afraid. Turn potential conflicts into productive conversations that benefit everyone reading. LinkedIn's algorithm rewards posts with sustained discussion, and your thoughtful responses to critics keep conversations going longer. Your supporters will contribute too. This engagement is gold. The increase in comments over a longer period of time signals to LinkedIn that your content sparks genuine interest. It signals people can't stop talking about your work. Stop seeing negative comments as problems to solve. See them as algorithm fuel. Each response you write creates another notification, another reason for people to return to your post. The longer the discussion continues, the more LinkedIn shows your content to new audiences. Your most challenging commenter might bring in your next thousand followers. Private message your thoughtful critics after the public discussion ends. Thank them for pushing your thinking. Share additional resources that address their concerns. This unexpected move transforms potential enemies into allies. Some of my best LinkedIn relationships started as people who disagreed with my posts. Critics aren't always bad people. They might end up being fans. They've seen how you handle pressure. They've watched you respond with grace and expertise. When they share your future content, their endorsement carries extra weight because everyone knows they don't agree easily. Converted critic to credible advocate in a few simple steps. Critics are LinkedIn growth accelerators in disguise. Every challenging comment creates an opportunity to demonstrate expertise, generate algorithm-boosting engagement, and build deeper relationships with your audience. Your response to criticism shows your true professional character. Don't bother deleting difficult comments. You're better than that. The next time someone challenges your ideas, smile. They picked a fight with the wrong person, and they're about to see why.
CNET
2 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Worried CapCut Might Get Banned With TikTok? Try These Video Editing Apps
While ByteDance is best known for its vertical video sensation TikTok, it also owns TikTok's sister app, CapCut. CapCut is a mobile-first video editing app and has 200 million active users as of 2023, according to Time. But while its connectivity to TikTok makes it great for creators, its similar parentage means that CapCut is included in the same potential ban in the US. We've been through this TikTok ban song and dance three times now, and we're running up to the June 19 deadline that marks the end of the second 75-day extension President Trump set for the Chinese-based company to find a US buyer approved by government officials. There's still a lot of uncertainty swirling around the apps' futures, which is why I began looking for potential replacements in case TikTok and CapCut eventually get banned. CapCut has a lot that makes it a favorite among creators -- it's versatile, has free and paid plans, and it's compatible with many social media platforms. But there are some good alternatives that offer similar features and user-friendly set-ups. I've spent some time with each of these programs and rounded up some of the best options below depending on your budget, skill level and operating system. Here are some alternative video-editing programs to use if CapCut gets banned. For more, check out some of our expert filming tips and favorite filming equipment. James Martin/CNET Instagram Edits For Instagram creators Instagram has just launched a free video editing app. It's called Edits, and it is, frankly, a CapCut copycat. It includes an in-app camera, along with a full suite of creative tools, including captions. You can share drafts of your videos with friends via DM and track your engagement, similar to Instagram insights. Based on my initial testing, Edits isn't as feature-packed as some of its competitors. But if you post frequently on Instagram, it's a decent option worth exploring. The app is now available on both iPhone and Android. See at Edits Apple Apple's Final Cut Pro For Apple users Apple's pro video editing program is exclusive to iPad and Mac users, but if that's you, Final Cut Pro is definitely an option worth considering. Final Cut Pro 11 was just updated in November 2024, and it came with a few new AI-enabled tools. Magnetic masking, now available, helps isolate specific objects for editing, and it now offers caption transcription and can handle spatial video editing. While it can easily handle basic video editing, it's designed as a more professional program. But for creators already adept in the basics from CapCut, Final Cut Pro offers a lot more advanced features that can help you level up your skills and content. The cheapest way to use Final Cut Pro is on an iPad for $5 per month (or $49 annually), and you can deactivate and reactivate your subscription as needed. If you're more comfortable editing on a Mac, you're going to have to cough up a one-time payment of $300, but it does include all future software updates. See at Apple Adobe Adobe Premiere Rush For budget-conscious creators If you've ever looked at Adobe Premiere Pro and immediately gotten overwhelmed by the number of panels and windows, Premiere Rush might be a good option for you. It's a kind of Premiere Pro Lite, with the added benefit of being free. You can use it on your phone through the mobile app or as a desktop app. Premiere Rush is designed for creating social videos, including an in-app camera for you to shoot with. Its editing capabilities are basic but inclusive, so it's likely everything you need. You can also easily record voiceovers as well as import audio. Overall, it's a solid option for people looking for video editing power without spending any money. See at Adobe For extra AI power CNET spoke with CEO and co-founder Sabba Keynejad last summer, who described the platform as one meant for "the-up-and-comer, the person just trying to get started." The AI startup's beginner-friendly features include subtitle generation, translation abilities, AI avatar and voice creation, and the typical video-editing tools. does offer a free plan, but its strict limits on many features might prod you to upgrade to the paid plan ($12-$29 per month depending on the plan), especially if you're editing a lot of content. Free videos are also automatically watermarked, so you'll need to upgrade to remove them. See at Veed Splice Splice For beginners and basic editing Splice is what I would call a very beginner-friendly program. It walks you through how to use the tools and doesn't overload you with features. With Splice, you can manually edit your clips or you can choose to let the app do the work for you and create an AI compilation. I created a couple of these AI compilations, which basically just combined all my clips into one timeline. I eventually found myself wanting to return to the manual editing tools for more hands-on control, but I appreciated that Splice offered the automatic option for folks who want to do less editing work. This app is great for people who just want the basic tools to trim and combine clips, along with a large stock music library you can access. If you want more advanced editing features, I would recommend Premiere Rush or Final Cut Pro. You get a 7-day free trial before you have to upgrade to the Pro version of Splice for $10 per week or $70 annually. See at Spliceapp These services are a great place for you to begin looking for mobile video editing apps, in case CapCut and TikTok get banned. For more, check out our list of TikTok alternatives.
Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geeky Gadgets
Midjourney Video Update : New Features for Creative Storytelling
What if your static images could breathe, move, and tell stories? Midjourney's latest news update reveals more detail about its upcoming AI video model and turning that vision into reality. Offering creators a new way to transform still visuals into dynamic, animated masterpieces. This isn't just a minor tweak—it's a bold leap forward in creative technology, designed to empower both seasoned professionals and curious newcomers. With features like higher resolution outputs and the promise of text-to-video functionality, the platform is setting a new standard for accessibility and innovation. But as with any major shift, these advancements come with challenges, including adapting to new systems and leaving behind older tools. The question is: how will these changes redefine the way we create? In this perspective, Future Tech Pilot explore how Midjourney's video model update and enhanced style reference system are reshaping the creative landscape. You'll discover how these tools unlock unprecedented storytelling potential and enable greater aesthetic precision, whether you're crafting anime-inspired visuals or professional-grade projects. We'll also delve into the platform's commitment to affordability, making sure that innovation remains within reach for creators of all backgrounds. But the real intrigue lies in the future possibilities—what could a fully realized text-to-video feature mean for your creative process? As we unpack these updates, consider how they might expand not just your toolkit, but the very boundaries of your imagination. Midjourney Creative Updates Video Model: Bringing Static Images to Life One of the most significant advancements is the introduction of the video model, a tool that transforms static images into dynamic, animated videos. This feature allows you to infuse motion into your creations, opening up new avenues for storytelling and artistic expression. The response from users has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the model's intuitive design and impressive output quality. Future updates to the video model are expected to include: Higher resolution outputs to meet the demands of professional-grade projects. to meet the demands of professional-grade projects. Extended video lengths for more complex and detailed narratives. for more complex and detailed narratives. A Niji-specific video model tailored to anime-style visuals, catering to a growing community of anime creators. tailored to anime-style visuals, catering to a growing community of anime creators. Potential text-to-video functionality, which could transform how creators bring their ideas to life. These planned enhancements aim to provide a versatile and powerful toolset that meets the diverse needs of creators, from hobbyists to professionals. Style Reference System: Achieving Aesthetic Precision Midjourney's updated style reference system introduces a more precise and consistent way to achieve specific visual aesthetics. By allowing you to use URLs more effectively as style references, this system simplifies the process of aligning outputs with your creative vision. Whether you're aiming for a minimalist design or a detailed, intricate style, this feature ensures greater control over the final result. However, the update may render older codes incompatible with the new system. To address this, Midjourney has retained specific parameters that allow access to previous functionalities, making sure a smooth transition for users. This balance between innovation and continuity ensures that you can adapt to the new system without losing access to familiar tools. Midjourney Video Model Update June 2025 Watch this video on YouTube. Gain further expertise in AI video by checking out these recommendations. Pricing and Accessibility: Quality Within Reach Affordability remains a key focus for Midjourney, and the video model will launch with an introductory pricing tier designed to make it accessible to a wide audience. This approach ensures that creators from various backgrounds can explore the platform's capabilities without financial barriers. While the initial release may not include a relax mode, this feature could be introduced in higher-tier subscription plans in the future. Additionally, the platform is optimizing its medium settings to strike a balance between quality and cost. These adjustments aim to provide an inclusive experience, allowing users with different skill levels and budgets to fully use the platform's tools. User Feedback: Driving Continuous Improvement Midjourney places a strong emphasis on user feedback as a cornerstone of its development process. The platform actively conducts rating and testing sessions to refine the video model and address any undesirable outputs. By participating in these sessions, you play a crucial role in shaping the future of the platform, making sure that its tools align with your creative needs and expectations. Looking Ahead: Expanding Creative Horizons The future of Midjourney holds exciting possibilities, including the potential release of a version 7.1 model. This update may integrate advancements from the video model, offering improved coherence, functionality, and versatility. Such developments are expected to further enhance the platform's appeal, making it an indispensable tool for artists, designers, and content creators alike. Midjourney's commitment to innovation, accessibility, and user satisfaction continues to set it apart in the world of creative technology. With these updates, the platform not only expands its capabilities but also enables you to bring your ideas to life in ways that were previously unimaginable. Whether you're exploring new artistic styles or crafting intricate narratives, Midjourney's tools are designed to support and inspire your creative journey. Media Credit: Future Tech Pilot Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
