Hi there,

I hope all is good!

A lot is happening in the Video World.

Here's some cool and useful things that I have spotted.

👀 A/B Video testing on YouTube

YouTube had an event last week where they announced a raft of new features coming to the platform.

We have been loving A/B thumbnail and title testing meaning you can can let a test run and YT will pick the winner based on the video that earns the most watch time.

Well now we'll be getting A/B video testing, your hook is crucial to how well your video performs and it can be scary launching your video knowing you have once chance to grab your viewer.

So soon you'll be able to upload different cuts of your video (up to 3) to determine what wins.

Many other cool features were also announced like using the built in AI tools inside your creator Studio to appraise your video in draft mode giving you suggestions how to improved it for you to recut in your editor before uploading it and setting to public.

For a rundown of the new features see YouTube's Short summary ​

For a longer video overview, ThinkMedia did a great job here.​

📱 New iPhones

Apple held a major event announcing the iPhone Duo, the first foldable iPhone.

I have not touched one but here is the aggregated consensus.

Shooting Video - Positives:

• Rear-Camera Viewfinder: You can fold the phone and use the external 5.4-inch cover screen as a viewfinder while filming with the high-quality 48MP main or ultrawide rear cameras. This is a massive upgrade for vloggers who usually have to rely on lower-quality front-facing cameras to frame themselves.

Watch 👉 https://www.instagram.com/p/DdH44nZOPV9/

• Tabletop Mode (Built-in Tripod): You can prop the phone open halfway on a flat surface. Apple is leveraging this for hands-free 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapses and stable video recording without extra gear.
• Dual Capture: The hardware allows you to film from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously, which is perfect for reaction videos or interviews.
• Pro-Grade Ultrawide: The 48MP ultrawide lens is identical to the one found on the iPhone 18 Pro, ensuring excellent color and detail for wide-angle video shots.

Shooting Video - Negatives

• No Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Unlike the standard Pro models, the Dup lacks a dedicated optical zoom lens. It relies on a 2x sensor crop from the main camera, meaning long-range or tight portrait videos will lose quality.
• Missing Pro Features: Advanced features like variable aperture blades, specialized core controls, and Apple Log are missing from this model, which might frustrate cinematic filmmakers.

Watching / Video Editing

• Massive Screen Real Estate for viewing and editing: Unfolding the phone gives you a 7.6-inch inner display. Because of its' specific aspect ratio, 16:9 widescreen videos display roughly 42.8% larger than they do on an iPhone 17 Pro Max, with significantly smaller letterboxing bars than taller competing foldables.(I assume the major mobile editing apps will reversion for the larger screen)
• Glare Reduction: The inner screen is treated with a Nano-texture matte finish, which greatly mutes reflections and glare when watching movies outdoors or under bright lights.
• Battery Life: You get up to 31 hours of video playback when using the large inner screen, and up to 44 hours if you watch on the outer display.

Not to forget Apple also launched the iPhone 18Pro and Pro Max. Personally I would get one of these models for video over the Duo as I prefer the smaller form factor for handholding and portability.

Exclusive to the 18 you get Manual Pro Controls: Apple has integrated granular, manual camera settings directly into the stock app. For the first time, you can dial in precise manual adjustments for shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and aperture without needing third-party apps.

Plus it has variable aperture meaning you can control depth of field.

If you want to geek out on the iPhone 18 for video then iJustine is the bees knees 👇

​

🎬 Creative use of AI photos

It's hard to think how to leverage AI without just creating artificial slop.

One way is to integrate AI visuals into your non AI video as Broll. (Cutaways to go over your talking head)

So let's say you were not able to film something but need to spice up your face to camera video.

Example:

You are talking about a successful business meeting in a posh office where you left the room and immediately celebrated in the foyer:) But have no footage.

So you could insert for comedy effect, AI generated stills or a video clip as Broll as you talk to make your video engaging.

You are not pretending it's real you are using it for infotainment.

Example here, from a pair of travel vloggers who needed to depict a 'detention story' as they crossed into Iran.

NB. Timecode to see the AI example is 👉 09:28

​

🎬 Edit for them

Trend alert: Letting your customers film their event (you post them fool proof Pocket / Action cameras) and then you edit their returned footage.

No need to travel to the location which is a big timesaver and means you can scale out of your hime region.

Wedding Business example here 👉 More info ​

🎬 Recurring income in Video Production

Constantly starting at zero $ each month in business sucks, but how to get continuity income in Video Production rather than pay per job and then you are done?

This is worth a watch 👇

​

😮 AI editing long form videos?

So YouTube has gone nuts with the release of ChatGPT Astra.

Astra operates programs like Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and After Effects to handle multi-step tasks.

Meaning it can edit long form inside your software while you spend your time elsewhere, cutting down your talking head and removing errors, creating bar charts as Broll to illustrate your words and more ... but is it really that good?

Ed Lawrence tried it out and is realistic - it's useful but it's not quite there yet.

Spoiler: Editors are still needed to polish and do what Editors do best.

Watch 👇

​

💥 Recommended tools

​Kajabi - All in one course hosting, including unlimited video

​InVideo - AI Video Creator

​Opus Clip - Shorts from your longs in minutes

​Ecamm Live - Go Live on your mac

Happy shooting,

Jules

​VideoHero​

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