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YouTube

YouTube Premium: Ads & Issues on Google Home & Nest – Now Fixed

by Sophie Lin - Technology Editor February 23, 2026

written by Sophie Lin - Technology Editor

Google Home and Nest smart speaker users experienced an unwelcome surprise recently: advertisements interrupting their music streams, even with active YouTube Premium subscriptions. The issue, first reported by users on Reddit, sparked frustration as the core benefit of the $13.99 monthly Premium service is an ad-free experience. Whereas the problem appears to be resolved, the incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in how Google authenticates Premium entitlements across its devices.

The disruptions weren’t limited to simple ad insertions. Users detailed a range of issues, including extended pauses between tracks, songs failing to load, and speakers falling silent immediately before an advertisement played. Some reported that their devices began playing random tracks unrelated to their listening history, and others experienced difficulties casting music from other devices. Crucially, the problem seemed isolated to the Google Home ecosystem; the YouTube Music app continued to function as expected on smartphones and tablets.

Google acknowledged the issue after mounting complaints. The GoogleNestCommunity account on Reddit stated, “We are aware of an issue with YouTube Music playback on some Google Home devices. We are currently investigating and will keep you updated as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.” The company quickly followed up with a subsequent announcement confirming a fix had been implemented.

The timing of this glitch is noteworthy, as Google is in the process of integrating its new Gemini AI assistant more deeply into its connected device ecosystem. While there’s no direct link established between the two, the incident underscores the complexities of managing a vast and evolving network of smart home products. The core issue centered around YouTube Music playback, a key component of the Google Home experience for many users.

Multiple Symptoms Reported by Users

Beyond the unexpected advertisements, users described a variety of playback problems. Reports included long delays between songs, tracks failing to load altogether, and instances where speakers would abruptly stop playing music just before an ad was scheduled to play. Several users noted that the issue persisted even after power cycling their devices, suggesting a server-side problem rather than a localized hardware malfunction. One Reddit user, a subscriber since the days of Google Play Music, highlighted the long-standing nature of their subscription in their complaint. Reddit threads became a central hub for users to share their experiences and seek solutions.

Google Responds to User Frustration

The initial response from Google, via the GoogleNestCommunity account on Reddit, was a general acknowledgement of a “YouTube Music playback issue.” Notably, the statement deliberately avoided mentioning advertisements or YouTube Premium, opting for neutral language. Abit.ee reported on this carefully worded response. However, the company quickly addressed the problem, announcing a resolution shortly after the initial acknowledgement.

Wider Implications and Ongoing Concerns

This incident isn’t the first time YouTube Premium subscribers have encountered unexpected advertisements. Android Authority and Gadget Hacks both reported on similar issues surfacing in February 2026, confirming that the problem wasn’t an isolated incident. The fact that the issue affected only Google Home and Nest devices, while leaving mobile and desktop apps unaffected, suggests a specific authentication or integration problem within the smart speaker ecosystem.

The incident raises questions about the reliability of subscription services and the potential for glitches to disrupt the user experience. While Google swiftly addressed the problem, the initial lack of transparency and the delay in acknowledging the specific issue of advertisements fueled user frustration. As Google continues to expand its smart home offerings and integrate AI-powered features like Gemini, ensuring a seamless and reliable experience for paying subscribers will be crucial.

What comes next for Google Home users? The company will likely focus on strengthening its authentication systems and improving its monitoring capabilities to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Users should continue to report any unexpected behavior to Google support to help identify and resolve potential problems.

Have you experienced unexpected ads on your Google Home or Nest devices? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

February 23, 2026 0 comments

Technology

Elder Scrolls 6 & Starfield: No New Engine, Confirms Todd Howard

by Sophie Lin - Technology Editor February 19, 2026

written by Sophie Lin - Technology Editor

Bethesda Game Studios is doubling down on its roots with The Elder Scrolls VI, aiming for a return to the gameplay style that defined earlier titles like Skyrim and Oblivion. This comes after what studio director Todd Howard describes as “creative detours” with Starfield and Fallout 76. The shift signals a renewed focus on the immersive, exploration-driven RPG experience fans have come to expect from the franchise, and a clear message: don’t expect a direct follow-up to Starfield anytime soon.

Howard confirmed in a recent interview that the majority of the development team is now focused on The Elder Scrolls VI, with many of the original Skyrim developers still at the studio. This core team is leveraging a significantly upgraded game engine, moving from Creation Engine 2 – which powered Starfield – to Creation Engine 3, specifically designed for The Elder Scrolls VI and future Bethesda titles. The development team is currently at a significant milestone, internally playing a build of the game and refining the experience.

Creation Engine 3 Powers the Next Elder Scrolls

The move to Creation Engine 3 represents a substantial investment in Bethesda’s technology pipeline. According to Howard, the studio has spent “the last several years bringing Creation Engine 2… up to Creation Engine 3.” This upgrade is crucial for delivering the kind of immersive world and gameplay Bethesda is promising with the next Elder Scrolls installment. The engine improvements are intended to recapture the essence of what made previous Elder Scrolls games so popular – a focus on player exploration and a richly detailed world.

Howard acknowledged that announcing The Elder Scrolls VI in 2018 was perhaps premature, stating it wasn’t his “preference” to reveal the project so early in development. However, he emphasized the team’s commitment to delivering a game that lives up to the expectations of long-time fans. The studio is consciously steering away from the approaches taken with Fallout 76 and Starfield, which Howard characterized as experiments that, while valuable, diverged from the studio’s “classic style.”

No Plans for a ‘Starfield 2.0’

For those hoping for a substantial update or expansion to Starfield, Howard delivered a firm message: there is no “Starfield 2.0” in development. The studio’s resources are firmly focused on The Elder Scrolls VI, and while further news regarding Starfield is expected “soon,” it won’t involve a major overhaul of the existing game. This prioritization underscores Bethesda’s commitment to returning to the formula that has historically defined its success.

The decision to refocus on the core Elder Scrolls experience appears to be a direct response to feedback from players and a recognition of the studio’s strengths. By bringing back the team that created Skyrim and utilizing a new, more powerful engine, Bethesda is aiming to deliver a game that feels both familiar, and innovative. The studio is leaning into its established strengths, promising a return to the immersive, single-player RPG experience that has captivated players for decades.

While a release date for The Elder Scrolls VI remains distant, Howard’s comments offer a clear indication of the game’s direction. The studio is prioritizing a return to its “classic style,” leveraging a new engine, and focusing the majority of its resources on delivering a compelling and immersive experience. The future of Bethesda’s RPGs appears to be firmly rooted in the world of The Elder Scrolls.

What comes next for Bethesda remains to be seen, but the studio’s commitment to The Elder Scrolls VI is undeniable. As development progresses and more details emerge, fans can expect further updates on this highly anticipated title. Share your thoughts on the future of The Elder Scrolls in the comments below!

February 19, 2026 0 comments

News

YouTube Down: Global Outage Disrupts Video Streaming

by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief February 18, 2026

written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief

Millions of YouTube users worldwide experienced disruptions Tuesday evening as the video-sharing platform suffered a widespread outage. Reports began flooding in shortly before 9:00 PM, with over 5,000 users registering issues with Downdetector, a service that monitors website outages. The disruption impacted access across multiple devices and regions, leaving users unable to stream videos or even load the website.

The outage affected various aspects of the platform, with 54% of reported issues stemming from problems with the mobile app, 31% from website access, and 15% attributed to server-level failures, according to Downdetector data. Users quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their experiences and express frustration with the service interruption. Initial reports indicated that although the YouTube homepage remained inaccessible for approximately two hours, some users were still able to search for and play videos.

YouTube’s official support team acknowledged the issue around 11:00 PM, stating they were actively working to resolve the problems. “If you’re having trouble accessing YouTube right now, you’re not alone – our teams are looking into this,” the team posted on X. Service began to be restored around 11:30 PM, though some users continued to report intermittent issues.

If you’re having trouble accessing YouTube right now, you’re not alone — our teams are looking into this and will follow up here with updates: https://t.co/7iTU5S9AgT

— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) February 18, 2026

What Caused the YouTube Outage?

The precise cause of the outage remains under investigation. While YouTube has not yet released an official statement detailing the root cause, the widespread nature of the disruption suggests a significant technical issue affecting the platform’s core infrastructure. The incident highlights the vulnerability of large-scale online services to unexpected failures and the critical importance of robust systems for maintaining uptime. The incident also underscores the reliance of millions of users on YouTube for entertainment, information, and communication.

According to reports corroborated by BioBioChile, the YouTube mobile application was completely unresponsive, and the website experienced significant loading delays. The temporary ability for some users to search and play videos suggests the issue may not have been a complete system failure, but rather a problem with content delivery or user authentication.

Impact and User Response

The YouTube outage caused significant disruption for users around the globe. Content creators relying on the platform for revenue and audience engagement were particularly affected. The incident also impacted individuals using YouTube for educational purposes, news consumption, and social connection. The widespread reports on social media demonstrate the platform’s central role in the daily lives of many internet users.

The speed with which YouTube acknowledged the issue and began working on a resolution was praised by some users, while others expressed frustration with the lack of detailed information about the cause and estimated time to recovery. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of relying on a single platform for access to information and entertainment.

As of Wednesday morning, YouTube service appears to be fully restored. Although, the company has not yet provided a comprehensive explanation for the outage. Users can expect further updates from YouTube as the investigation progresses.

What are your thoughts on the YouTube outage? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.

February 18, 2026 0 comments

Entertainment

YouTube’s First Video & Original Watch Page Acquired by V&A Museum

by Marina Collins - Entertainment Editor February 18, 2026

written by Marina Collins - Entertainment Editor

A piece of internet history has found a permanent home. The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London has acquired a reconstruction of the original YouTube watchpage, offering a unique glimpse into the platform’s humble beginnings. The acquisition, unveiled on February 18, 2026, includes not only the reconstructed page but also the very first video ever uploaded to YouTube: Jawed Karim’s iconic “Me at the Zoo.”

The 19-second clip, uploaded on April 23, 2005, depicts Karim at the San Diego Zoo, standing in front of the elephant enclosure. It’s a remarkably simple video, filmed with a digital camera, yet it represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of user-generated content and the way we consume media. Today, the video has garnered nearly 380 million views and over 18 million likes, a testament to its enduring cultural significance, according to YouTube.

The V&A’s acquisition isn’t just about preserving a video; it’s about capturing the entire user experience of early YouTube. The museum collaborated with YouTube to rebuild the design of the platform as it appeared on December 8, 2006 – the oldest documented timestamp available through The Internet Archive, a non-profit dedicated to preserving internet history. This reconstruction allows visitors to “step back in time,” as Neal Mohan, chief executive at YouTube, described it, to the dawn of a global cultural phenomenon.

A Snapshot of Web 2.0

“By reconstructing the original 2005 watchpage, we aren’t just showing a video; we are inviting the public to step back in time to the beginning of a global, cultural phenomenon,” Mohan stated. “This proves a proud moment to notice this piece of digital history housed in the V&A where we hope it will inspire generations to come.”

The early YouTube interface, now a museum piece, also showcases the nascent design conventions that would become ubiquitous across the internet. Features like badges, rating buttons, sharing options, and recommendation algorithms – now standard on countless platforms – all had their origins in this early iteration of YouTube.

Corinna Gardner, senior curator of design and digital at the V&A, emphasized the historical importance of the acquisition. “This snapshot of YouTube during the early days of web 2.0 marks an essential moment in history of the internet and digital design,” she said. “The acquisition opens new storytelling opportunities for us to showcase and explore the ways in which the internet has shaped our world, from the birth of mainstream video sharing platforms through to today’s hyper visual world and the media and creator economy that head with it.”

Preserving Digital History

The V&A has been actively collecting and preserving digital design for years, with previous acquisitions including WeChat, Flappy Bird, EUKI, and the design for the mosquito emoji. This latest addition builds on that commitment, addressing the unique challenges of preserving complex digital objects for the future. The reconstruction process itself will be explored in a mini display at V&A East Storehouse.

The story of “Me at the Zoo” is also a story of early internet innovation. The video was filmed by Yakov Lapitsky, a co-founder of YouTube, according to reporting from MSN. It wasn’t a polished production, but it was a groundbreaking moment, marking a shift towards democratized content creation.

You can view the original video on YouTube:

The V&A’s acquisition highlights the growing recognition of the cultural and historical significance of the internet. As digital platforms continue to evolve, preserving these early artifacts becomes increasingly crucial for understanding the trajectory of technology and its impact on society. The museum’s operate ensures that future generations can explore the origins of the online world we inhabit today.

As the V&A continues to expand its digital collection, it will be interesting to see which other pivotal moments and platforms are deemed worthy of preservation. The ongoing evolution of the internet promises further opportunities to document and understand the ever-changing digital landscape.

What are your thoughts on the V&A’s acquisition? Share your comments below and let us understand what other pieces of internet history you think deserve to be preserved.