YouTube's Low Key Dominance
Growing up with YouTube we have a tendency to still think of it as the cat video player or home to weird stunt clips, and that would be a disservice to what it really has become - a juggernaut. As people cut more cords, their time has to be spent somewhere. YT is becoming the destination of choice, because the platform has expanded into a Swiss Army Knife for media.
Videos, still there. Long format shows, they have them. Video versions of live streams, yep. Music videos, all there. Their monetization of content seems less egregious to users, allowing them to haul in $10.5B in ad revenue last quarter. And their freestanding YouTube TV product continues to grow despite numerous price hikes - gotta pay for sponsoring the Super Bowl some how.
Give a read to the article below that covers YT's growth in video podcast (btw, didn't even know they did that); it is another proof point that if there is something you want to watch, YouTube is going to find a way to give it to you.
YouTube has officially crossed the 1 billion monthly viewer mark for podcast content, cementing its position as a top podcast platform. With more than 400 million hours of podcasts streamed each month, YouTube is outpacing rivals like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The surge comes after Google Podcasts was phased out in 2024, pushing users to YouTube for video-based podcast content.
YouTube’s efforts to enhance the podcast experience, including creator support and monetization tools, have clearly paid off. Notable podcasts like Joe Rogan's and Marques Brownlee’s "Waveform" are leading the way in this new era of video-driven podcasting. The platform’s growing popularity shows how video podcasts are more than just a trend—they’re the future of podcasting.
After more than two decades and a $8.5 billion acquisition, Microsoft is officially retiring Skype in May 2025. Once the king of video calling, Skype now bows out as Microsoft consolidates communication tools under the more successful Teams platform. Users can easily migrate their chats and contacts to Teams or export their data, ensuring a smooth transition.
Despite Skype’s iconic status and its role in shaping digital communications, internal conflicts and fierce competition, like Zoom and WhatsApp, led to its decline. Teams now boasts 320 million monthly active users, marking a clear shift in Microsoft’s focus towards a more unified, modern approach to collaboration.
Crocs has found a surprisingly perfect use for AI—designing custom Jibbitz charms for their shoes. In partnership with ABLO, an AI fashion platform, users can create one-of-a-kind charms by uploading photos or entering text prompts, then choosing art styles to personalize their footwear. This innovative twist on Crocs’ popular customization strategy not only enhances personalization but also integrates blockchain technology to protect intellectual property.
While the AI-generated charms are currently limited to circular designs, the potential for creative customization is limitless. Crocs is embracing this new tech to stay ahead of the curve and offer fans even more ways to express their unique style.