YouTube has announced that it will ease getting into monetization a bit. It still takes a lot, but every little bit helps. Techcrunch.com reports that the new conditions of the YouTube Partner Program include having 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3000 watch hours in the past year, or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. This is a bit less of a hill to climb than before. Previously you had to have at least 1000 subscribers, and 4000 watch hours the past year or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. If you make the grade you can apply to get tipping tools like  Super Thanks, Super Chat, and Super Stickers, subscription tools like channel memberships, and the ability to promote merch with YouTube Shopping.

Newly minted Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino has sent her first employee memo, called “Building Twitter 2.0 Together,” in which she echos her boss Elon Musk’s stated goal for the company to be the “global town square.” Theverge.com notes that she goes on to say “From space exploration to electric vehicles, Elon knew these industries needed transformation, so he did it,” she wrote. “More recently it has become increasingly clear that the global town square needs transformation—to drive civilization forward through the unfiltered exchange of information and open dialogue about the things that matter most to us.” In fact, it is the ‘unfiltered’ part that has sent over half the advertisers running for the exits, along with a substantial chunk of the user base. Always good to brownnose the owner, but it will be a tough turn around for Twitter.

Toyota, which was an early pioneer of the hybrid market, has announced that they are developing new tech that will allow a range for EVs of 621 miles. Engadget.com says According to Toyota, it will achieve this goal through the “integration of next-generation batteries and sonic technology” and plans to launch a full EV lineup by 2026.  It already offers the bZ4X all-electric SUV, which can go about 270 miles on one charge and starts at $42,000. Plus, it plans to release a “next-generation” EV for Lexus, its luxury brand, in the same timeframe. Meanwhile, Toyota continues to work on hydrogen vehicles, as is the case with a number of other makers…but the challenges are a bit greater right now than with EVs.

The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Geekwire.com reports that previously, the UK had issued a final decision to block the deal, saying it would give Microsoft unfair dominance in the still-developing cloud market. Microsoft is appealing that, and will fight the FTC injunction over here as well. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.