Product Updates

This week, we’re rolling out a major product update across all YuJa Enterprise Video Platform instances. The highlights for this update include an option to create your enhanced audio descriptions with our built-in editor, upload a SRT or VTT file for enhanced audio descriptions, narrate video scenes with embedded audio descriptions and automatic speech-to-text, pin frequently used folders and channels to the video platform’s sidebar, and more.

1. Create Your Own Enhanced Audio Descriptions with Our Built-in Audio Description Editor
   We’re introducing a new Audio Description Editor to help institutions create and edit Enhanced Audio Descriptions directly within the Video Platform to describe scenes for those who are visually impaired. This allows for pinpoint accuracy on where you would like the Enhanced Audio Descriptions to be read, by positioning the playback bar at the desired scene and writing out your descriptions.
   
   Not sure how to describe a scene? If you have GenAI PowerPack enabled on your Video Platform, our Gen AI comes integrated with our editor to help you write enhanced descriptions with a simple click of a button.
   
2. Upload a SRT or VTT File for Enhanced Text-to-Speech Audio Descriptions and Use Our Editor to Make Updates
   Have an SRT or VTT file ready for your Enhanced Audio Descriptions? Simply upload it directly to your video for Enhanced text-to-speech Audio Descriptions. If you need to update the file, our Enhanced Audio Description editor makes it easy to make manual adjustments. Plus, if your platform has the GenAI PowerPack enabled, you can use Gen AI to enhance and update your existing descriptions.
   
3. The Media Player Pauses and Narrates Videos with Embedded Text-to-Speech Audio Descriptions
   In traditional cases where audio descriptions are provided, natural pauses in dialogue may not provide sufficient time to describe the scenes for those who need assistance. To address this issue, the Media Player automatically pauses videos to read your Enhanced Audio Descriptions in a natural way that provides enough time for viewers to understand the entire context of the scene.
   
4. Pin Frequently Used Folders and Channels to the Video Platform’s Sidebar
   Easily keep track of important folders and channels by pinning them to the sidebar on the Manage Media page. In a future release, we will provide additional account-level and institutional-level customization capabilities.
   
5. Protect Your Account With Two-Factor Authentication  
   As an institution admin, you can manage two-factor authentication on a role basis for all non-admin and admin users. This will ensure that when you or other users attempt to sign in to the Video Platform, they will be required to enter a six-digit authentication code sent to their email. By default, this feature is enabled for admins and can be managed for all roles by navigating to the Admin Panel > Platform > Platform Settings > Additional Options > Security & Privacy.
   
6. The Authentication Page Has Been Updated With a New Modernized Interface
   If you are not logged into the Video Platform when you access a direct link, you will see our new authentication page, which is better aligned with our branding theme by providing an updated color palette and visuals.
   
7. Instructors Can Access the Content Report for Videos Through the Media Details Window
   As an instructor and course owner, you can now easily access the Content Report for any video through its Media Details window. This will ensure when you’re in a course, you never have to manually navigate to the Content Report to see video analytics.

    

8. More Streamlined Publishing Capabilities for Recordings
   Previously, only after creating a recording did you have the option to publish it to your desired channels and save it to personal folders. Now, you can customize the publish and save locations anytime before or after the recording by accessing the settings for the Browser Capture.
   
9. Improved the Responsiveness for the Usage & Analytics Content Report
   We have updated the Content Report in Usage & Analytics to be more responsive on various screen sizes by adjusting spacing and alignment issues.
10. More In-Depth Audit Logs to Track Deleted Items and Mobile Activities
    We’ve expanded our audit logs to track files that are permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin according to the retention policy.
    

Exciting news! This week, we’re rolling out a significant product update across our Lecture Capture Portfolio! For the YuJa Software Capture for PC, this update includes improved screen reader compatibility with enhanced navigational focus, an audible countdown before recordings start, and integrated support for Kuando Busylight.

1. YuJa Software Capture Will Automatically Switch to the Legacy Engine for ARM-Based Processors
   Currently, devices with ARM-based processors are only compatible with YuJa Software Capture’s Legacy Engine. To ensure the correct engine is always selected, YuJa Software Capture automatically detects ARM-based processors and switches to the Legacy Engine.
   
2. Improved the Performance of YuJa Software Capture
   For this update, we have made major improvements to address dozens of defects that could affect your ability to record and upload content in more niche circumstances.

For the YuJa Software Capture for Apple, this update includes the option to remotely update YuJa Software Capture though Video Platform, remotely stop recording from the Video Platform, and set the default resolution for video captures, as well as the new toast notification to indicate issues during recordings, and a streamlined installation process with built-in internal audio script.

1. The Annotation Toolbar Has Been Redesigned and Includes New Features
   The Annotation Toolbar now offers more features for creating on-screen text and drawings.
   
   • Draw various shapes on your screen, such as circles, squares, and stars.
   • Use the Vanishing Pen to draw on the screen, with your annotation fading away after a few seconds.
   • Easily reverse or reapply changes with the redo and undo options.

   

2. View Who Is Logged in on the YuJa Software Capture Application
   For institutions that utilize a single device shared among multiple users, you can now view who is signed in to the YuJa Software Capture application by clicking the profile icon.
   

The release includes a new Policy Hub to create specific rules to retrieve content, media, and documents on websites, a new usability report to view overall scores and scores for individual issues, new checks of personal information and unsafe domains from the usability engine, and information on how usability scores will be improved when each issue is resolved.

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa Panorama LMS Accessibility Platform instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union. This update includes a new alternative format of library reference, new how-to-fix guides and tutorials for HTML content, a new option to organize content by transferring items across folders, and more.

1. New Alternative Format: Create a Library Reference to Help Locate Your Reading Material
   In certain situations, such as when only a chapter of a text is provided, your readers may want the complete reference for material so they can find it on their own. To assist them, we have introduced a new Library Reference Alternative Format that allows you to include details about the reading material, such as the author’s name, date of publication, and publisher.
   
2. New How-to-Fix Guides and Video Tutorials for HTML Content Specific to the LMS
   To make our embedded “How to Fix” guides more accessible and easier to follow, we have focused our efforts on an industry-first project to create over 90 guides and video tutorials that address HTML accessibility issues specific to D2L Brightspace, Canvas, and Moodle. This will ensure that whenever you are unsure how to resolve an issue manually, each guide is tailored to your LMS so that you can follow the steps exactly as they are shown.
   
3. Organize Content by Transferring Items from One Folder to Another in DocHub
   With our new options for moving items between folders, organizing content in DocHub is easier than ever. You can select the content you want to move and click the Move button to transfer files or folders. Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop your items into and out of folders.
   
4. Optimized First-Time Scans for D2L Brightspace Courses to be More Efficient
   By optimizing how we handle our API calls for D2L Brightspace, we’ve addressed throttling issues to ensure that first-time scans for newly created courses start immediately and are completed within 20 minutes or less rather than being delayed to a later date.
5. Resolve Missing Human-Generated Caption Issues by Manually Verifying that Captions are Present for Video Content
   In cases where human-generated captions are not required or feasible for all videos, YuJa Panorama will identify the issue and allow you to override it by confirming that the video has at least auto-generated captions.
   
6. High-Performance Administrator Audit Log to Track All Major Activities on the Platform
   In this release, we have set up our backend infrastructure to fully support in-depth audit logging for administrators to monitor user actions and changes performed on YuJa Panorama. Administrators will soon have access to the audit logs, allowing them to view users’ activities, such as deleted items, configured settings, downloaded reports, and more. Keep an eye out for the next YuJa Panorama update alert, which will provide a full-featured release of our audit logging capabilities.
7. User-Friendly Improvements to the Remediation Process
   We have made a couple of tweaks to the remediation process to help you fix your documents more quickly.
   • Turn off the Confetti Animation: To make remediating many documents less disruptive, you can disable the confetti animation that activates after a document is remediated.
   • Updated Buttons in the Accessibility Report: The “Fix Issue” button is now the primary indicated action you can take to fix issues. If you prefer to manually know how to fix issues, the “Learn more” link replaces the “How to Fix” button, providing access to our step-by-step guides.
     
8. Significantly Faster Accessibility Report Generation for HTML Content
   We have improved the process for generating Accessibility Reports for HTML content, ensuring reports are generated up to 60% faster.
9. D2L Brightspace Support for Viewing “Accordion” Content in the Gradient Reader and Enhanced HTML
   We have expanded YuJa Panorama to new areas of D2L Brightspace. Now, for Content pages that organize items using an “accordion,” the Gradient Reader and Enhanced HTML formats can be generated to display content within the layout.
   
10. Improved Capabilities for Retrieving Files in Moodle Instances Using AWS Storage
    For institutions that utilize AWS storage with their Moodle instance, we have updated YuJa Panorama to retrieve these files more accurately, allowing Accessibility Reports to be generated more consistently.

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa AccessNotes Note-Taking Platform instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union. This update includes the option to ask AI Assistant to auto-create quizzes based on recordings, enable auto-transcript scrolling with audio playback, a new search bar in transcripts to search content, a new option to disable the audio file downloads, and more.

1. Use GenAI to Auto-Create Quizzes Based on Your Recording to Help You Study
   Using our genAI capabilities, YuJa AccessNotes can help you replace traditional flashcard-based studying by analyzing your notes and generating self-study quizzes in multiple-choice or True/False formats. As you take the quiz, answers are provided immediately after responses, allowing you to immediately identify areas of improvement. If you didn’t perform well, you can retake the quiz, or for an additional challenge, create a new set of questions to further test your understanding.
   
2. Enable Auto-Transcript Scrolling That Syncs with Audio Playback
   During audio playback, you will no longer be required to manually scroll through the transcript when reading along. Simply enable the new auto-scroll setting from Advanced Options > Transcript Auto-Scroll.
   
3. Generated Transcripts Feature a Search Bar to Help Find Content
   We have provided a search bar that shows results alongside their audio timestamps to help you locate content more easily in your transcripts. You can then click on the search result to begin playing your audio note.
   
4. Administrators Can Disable the Downloading of Audio Files
   As an administrator, you can disable audio file downloads to protect content privacy. This ensures that recordings, such as lectures or business presentations, remain accessible only within YuJa AccessNotes and cannot be downloaded to personal computers.
   
5. Create Organized Outlines of Your Notes Using Clear Headings
   When a presentation or lecture lacks structure and a simple summary is not enough to understand the content, YuJa AccessNotes can help by generating an outline. Outlines structure entire presentations into clear, text-based formats, including headings and descriptions that summarize the discussions held in each identified audio section.
6. Organize Content by Transferring Items from One Folder to Another
   With our new options for moving items between folders, organizing content in YuJa AccessNotes is easier than ever. You can select the items you want to relocate and click the Move button to transfer files or folders. Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop your items into and out of folders.

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa SmartSpeaker instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union. This update includes a new YuJa SmartSpeaker report which shows key analytics such as total requests and storage used.

1. New YuJa SmartSpeaker Report to View In-Depth Usage Analytics
   As an administrator, you can now view your institution’s YuJa SmartSpeaker report, which includes key analytics such as the total number of requests, generated summaries, and total storage used. You can analyze these metrics over time by selecting the date range for which you want to view historical usage.
   

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa Website Accessibility Solutions instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, and the European Union. This update includes a new option to create and save custom profiles with your color and content adjustments.

1. Create and Save Custom Profiles in the YuJa Website Accessibility Widget With Your Color and Content Adjustments
   We have introduced customizable profiles to give individuals with unique accessibility needs quick access to how web content should appear on specific websites. Simply select your preferred content and color adjustments and click the Save as Profile option to save them in the Profile tab.
   

We have successfully pushed an update to all instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update includes an improved live proctoring media player UI, more secure testing environments by flagging assessments that were closed before submission, a new option to create an exemption list for Lockdown App assessments, and more.

1. Significantly Improved the Live Proctoring Media Player UI with New Features and Activity Notifications
   We’ve redesigned the live proctoring interface to streamline your proctoring process by including the following:
   • New Sidebar Layout to View Test-Takers: We’ve introduced a sidebar view that lets you focus on individual test-takers while keeping others visible in the sidebar. You can click the Next Test-Taker button to easily rotate between test-takers.
     
   • One-Way Audio Bridge to Monitor Test-Takers: To help manually verify specific test violations, such as excessive noise in the environment, you can now set up a one-way audio connection with test-takers to listen to their surroundings.
     
   • View Flagged Events in Real Time: In addition to providing a complete live proctoring report after a session, YuJa Verity can flag issues and notify proctors in real time, such as when a test-taker turns off their camera, ensuring you can address potential misconduct immediately.
     
   • Text Chat is Now Embedded in the Collapsible Side Panel: You can now view and respond to chats directly in a collapsible side panel within the live proctoring media player. This feature replaces the previous pop-up window, which could sometimes be distracting as it covered the video feed of test-takers.
     
   • Badge Notifications for Activities: Badge notifications will now display for chats, notes, and flag events, allowing proctors to clearly notice any unread activities.
     
2. More Secure Testing Environments by Flagging Assessments That Were Closed Without Submission
   For the YuJa Verity Browser Extension, in cases where the assessment was closed without a submission, YuJa Verity can detect and flag whether the assessment was closed and whether the submission button was clicked. By detecting this issue, YuJa Verity will allow test-takers to reenter their testing environment while also ensuring that all test restrictions are still adhered to, such as having a single monitor or limiting website access.
3. The Desktop Lockdown App Now Supports Creating an Exemption List
   To enhance feature parity between the Browser Extension and Lockdown App proctoring methods, you now have the option to create an exemption list for Lockdown App assessments. This enables the exemption of specific test-takers from proctoring or allows you to apply specific proctoring methods suitable for them.
   
4. Allow Test-Takers to Join a Live Assessment Early Once the Proctor Joins the Session
   We have always provided proctors the option to join their live session 15 minutes before the assessment starts to ensure they are ready. Now, we’re offering similar capabilities to test-takers, allowing them to join before the start time of their session as long as the proctor has joined.
5. All Proctored Assessments Have Been Consolidated Onto a Single Page
   With the updated navigation menu, we’ve consolidated the proctoring tools into a single Proctored Assessment page. This centralized view lets you view all proctored assessments and their details in an organized table. To help locate assessments, you can filter them based on their type, the platform they were taken on, and the method of proctoring used.
   
6. Access YuJa Verity’s Specialized Proctoring Assessments from the More Tools Page
   The new More Tools page on YuJa Verity offers a dedicated location for specialized tools to proctor assessments. From here, you can access the options to create Practice Assessments, Third-Party Assessments, and Standalone Assessments when required.
   
7. YuJa Verity Will Keep You Authenticated for 30 Days
   If you have authenticated yourself within the last 30 days, you will not be required to authenticate each time you access your LMS to create or join an assessment. Authentication is required only if you haven’t launched the YuJa Verity LTI app in the last 30 days.
8. Integrated Third-Party Assessment Tools Can Be Easily Enabled or Disabled at the Institution Level
   As an administrator, you now have the option to disable your institution’s third-party integrations with Pearson, ALEKS, and McGraw Hill without having to remove them from YuJa Verity. If any integrations are needed in the future, you can quickly enable them again, allowing only instructors to access the active integrations. Simply go to Institution Settings > Third-Party Assessment Integrations to customize your third-party integrations.
   
9. YuJa Verity Will Auto-Detect and Sync Courses Created in Blackboard Ultra
   With the enhanced Blackboard integration, new courses in Blackboard can now be automatically detected and synced with YuJa Verity, allowing you to enable proctoring for assessments without the need for manual synchronization.
   
10. More Enhanced Recognition of Vanity URLs for Institutions and Their Associated Users
    Previously, for YuJa Verity to recognize the vanity URL of an institution, you would have had to relaunch the YuJa Verity LTI app after authentication. Now, upon the first launch of YuJa Verity, it will automatically recognize and authenticate you for the correct vanity URL of your institution.

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa Engage Student Response System instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This release includes the option to select multiple correct answers for multiple choice questions, take polls through the web or mobile app with automatic Blackboard grade book sync, and a redesigned poll release page.

1. New Option to Select Multiple Correct Answers for Multiple Choice Questions
   Multiple-choice questions with more than one correct answer can have multiple selections as correct options. This will allow you to test the full scope of participants’ understanding by allowing them to earn full points when all correct answers are selected. Alternatively, you can award full points if they select at least one correct answer.
2. Allow Participants to Take Polls on the Web or Mobile App With Automatic Blackboard Grade Book Sync
   Previously, participants were required to log in to Blackboard to take polls and have their results synced to the Blackboard grade book. Now, their results are automatically synced to the grade book after completing polls through the YuJa Engage mobile app or website, eliminating the need to log in to Blackboard. To configure this option, simply select Allow only course members to join under Participant Restrictions, and assign the poll to your desired course from the drop-down menu.
   
3. Redesigned Poll Release Page with Enhanced Web Responsiveness and Centralized Configuration Settings
   We’ve revamped the Poll Release page with a redesigned interface, new icons for improved navigation, and enhanced web responsiveness. Additionally, poll settings are now consolidated into the side panel, allowing you to view analytics, add questions, and adjust settings in a centralized panel.
   

We have successfully pushed an update for YuJa Software Capture for PC and Mac to all Enterprise Video Platform instances residing in Canada, the European Union, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia. The United States will be updated later this week.

For the YuJa Software Capture for PC, this update includes improved screen reader compatibility with enhanced navigational focus, an audible countdown before recordings start, and integrated support for Kuando Busylight.

1. Improved Screen Reader Compatibility with Enhanced Navigational Focus
   We’ve improved YuJa Software Capture’s screen reader compatibility with detailed button labels and enhanced keyboard navigation, including better focus indicators.
   
2. Improved Accessibility with Audible Countdown Before Recordings Start
   We’ve added an option for playing the audible countdown before a recording starts to allow better recording control for users with visual impairments. Additionally, they can customize the countdown volume during setup by simply going to Application Settings > Configuration > Recording Options.
   
3. Integrated Support for Kuando Busylight
   Administrators can connect their Kuando Busylight to their PC device and configure preferred color options on the Device page to indicate whether a recording is active, paused, not recording, or if an error has occurred.
   

For the YuJa Software Capture for Apple, this update includes the option to remotely update YuJaSoftware Capture though Video Platform, remotely stop recording from the Video Platform, and set the default resolution for video captures, as well as the new toast notification to indicate issues during recordings, and a streamlined installation process with built-in internal audio script.

1. Fleet Management Capabilities – Remotely Update YuJa Software Capture Through the Video Platform’s Device Panel
   As an administrator, you can now remotely update YuJa Software Capture for connected Mac devices within your organization through the Video Platform’s Device Panel.
   
2. Fleet Management Capabilities – Remotely Stop YuJa Software Capture Recordings from the Video Platform
   If you’ve started a recording in YuJa Software Capture, you can now remotely stop it from the Video Platform. Once stopped, they will be automatically uploaded to your My Media folder.
   
3. Set the Default Video Capture Resolution for Recordings
   We’ve set a default resolution for video captures that can be configured in the application settings so that it does not need to be set for each recording.
   
4. New Toast Notifications to Indicate Issues During Recordings
   Previously, you had to close the pop-up windows after being notified of issues during recordings. Now, we’ve introduced new toast notifications that temporarily appear to alert you to any issues, ensuring you stay informed without interrupting your recording process.
   
5. Streamlined Installation Process with Built-in Internal Audio Script
   Previously, a secondary audio installation was required to record internal audio on your Mac. Now, it is automatically included with the initial YuJa Software Capture installation.

For the YuJa Hardware Hub, this update includes the option to start an offline impromptu recording from your Hub devices using the Delcom button or RS232 touch panel, and auto-connection for new Hub Peripherals.

1. Better Offline Resilience to Start Impromptu Recordings With Delcom Buttons and RS232 Touch Panels
   You can now start an offline impromptu recording from your Hub devices using the Delcom button or RS232 touch panel, allowing you to manually start the recordings when your internet is unavailable or unstable.
   
   
2. Auto-Connection for New Hub Peripherals on the Video Platform
   Previously, connecting new media devices to the Video Platform required manual source configuration after plugging them in to activate. Now, devices are automatically connected and activated upon registration.