Waiting to be able to hit the “skip ad” button on YouTube has become a ubiquitous experience — but that’s about to change for select educational content on the video platform. YouTube unveiled on Thursday a host of new tools for learners and creators on the platform, including an ad-free video player for educational content. …

Though MoviePass is set to officially relaunch on Labor Day, the waitlist for the once popular subscription service has already opened. Movie fans have until Monday, Aug. 29, to join the waitlist — but folks aren’t waiting until then to sign up.  The company said in a tweet Thursday that “overwhelming demand” has caused MoviePass’ site servers to crash, resulting in an …

We now know how much Spotify paid to acquire Findaway, an audio streaming platform that allows users to create and distribute their own audiobooks: €117 million, or $123 million, according to an updated SEC filing regarding the acquisition last November. The acquisition marks the music streaming giant’s ambitions to become the world’s leading audio platform, bringing music, podcast and audiobook streaming under one roof. …

Apple said on Thursday that apps exclusively released in the South Korean App Store can use third-party payment systems to take in-app payment. The move comes after South Korea last year amended its Telecommunications Business Act, which banned app stores from forcing developers to use its first-party payment systems. Google complied with the law in November, and now Apple follows …

The Department of Justice on Thursday revised its policy concerning the nation’s premier anti-hacking law, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The department is instructing prosecutors not to use the CFAA to prosecute cybersecurity researchers, sometimes dubbed “white hat hackers,” who have good faith intentions to improve technology. The CFAA is a federal statute, enacted in 1986, that prohibits accessing a computer without …

Spotify and the former first family’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, won’t pen a new podcast deal, according to a Bloomberg report Thursday. The Obamas first signed a deal with the music streaming platform in 2019. Since then, Higher Ground has released a handful of podcast shows on Spotify, including The Michelle Obama Podcast and Renegades: Born in the USA. The deal between …

Samsung is rumored to launch a third foldable device later this year, but this time around the phone may have a rollable or scrollable screen. Reliable Twitter tipster Ice universe on Thursday said Samsung’s “mysterious third foldable device” is set to be released in the second half of this year, adding that there’s a high probability of it being a …

Netflix is raising prices for all its streaming plans in the UK and Ireland for the second time in less than 18 months. Prices will rise by 1 to 3 euros or pounds, depending on the plan. The new prices are in effect immediately for new subscribers, while existing subscribers will have 30 days notice by email before their next …

YouTube on Thursday unveiled its development plans for 2022 on the YouTube Official Blog.  The video platform is exploring several new features, including the ability for content creators to set channel guidelines — enabling them to shape the tone of the conversation in their comments — and allowing people to shop directly on YouTube via tagged items in their favorite …

Starbucks on Thursday opened a new store located between New York’s Park and Lexington avenues — and it features Amazon Go’s “Just Walk Out Shopping” experience. Along with the ability to use the Starbucks app to order and pick up coffee and tea, Amazon Go lets you pick up snacks and go on your way without having to stop at a cashier.  …