All articles tagged with #technology and entertainment
The article highlights various deals including the Steam Summer Sale with discounts on major PC games, a discounted Twin Peaks Blu-ray set, the release of Death Stranding 2, discounts on LEGO Sonic sets, and sales on popular Nintendo Switch games, along with pre-order options for the Death Stranding 2 soundtrack vinyl.
TCL, a major TV hardware company, is set to release its first original movie, "Next Stop Paris," this summer on its streaming platform TCLtv+, using generative AI to create the content. The trailer for the AI-powered love story has received criticism for its absurd-looking characters and lack of emotional depth. Despite this, TCL aims to use original content to attract viewers and build its brand identity, with plans to incorporate AI-generated characters as brand ambassadors and influencers for advertisers. Additionally, the company is also working on traditional, non-AI-generated content for future releases.
Twitch is implementing further restrictions on sexually suggestive content, prohibiting livestreams focusing on clothed intimate body parts for prolonged periods of time, including buttocks, groin, or breasts. The platform, which has faced challenges in defining and enforcing its policies around sexualized content, has made multiple adjustments in recent months. These changes come as Twitch continues to grapple with the balance between allowing certain types of content while maintaining a welcoming environment for its diverse community of creators and viewers.
The Verge explores the significance of physical media such as discs and cartridges in preserving cultural history and art in an era dominated by streaming and digital platforms. With only a fraction of movies and a vast majority of classic video games available on streaming services, the importance of physical media in keeping art alive and accessible is highlighted. The issue delves into the role of boutique publishers, foundations dedicated to preserving video game history, and musicians releasing albums on unconventional formats, while also cautioning about the potential pitfalls of subscription services and offering tips on building noteworthy collections.
Hollywood is not in a panic over OpenAI's new text-to-video generator, Sora, as some filmmakers believe it has limitations and cannot fully replace human creativity. Concerns about AI's impact on jobs and potential copyright issues persist, with industry professionals pushing for protections. While Sora's abilities may be more suited for creating stock footage, some see potential for it to enhance the filmmaking process. OpenAI has stated it will not make Sora broadly available soon and is engaging with policymakers, educators, and artists before doing so. Despite the concerns, the entertainment industry has a history of adapting to technological advances and remains hopeful about surviving through AI innovations.
Former Disney star Bridgit Mendler has announced her role as CEO of Northwood Space, a space startup focused on building ground stations connecting to satellites in space. The company, formed in 2023, aims to expand access to space through shared ground infrastructure. Mendler's husband serves as the company's chief technology officer, and the startup has raised $6.3 million from investors. In addition to her space venture, Mendler revealed that she's a mom to a 4-year-old boy, whom she fostered and then adopted in 2022.
The first streaming-exclusive NFL playoff game on Peacock contributed to the biggest day on streaming platforms ever measured by Nielsen, with January also featuring nine of the 10 highest volume days on streaming. The NFL game drove Peacock to its largest share of viewing for a month, while YouTube and Netflix remained the top individual streaming platforms. Additionally, sports, particularly the end of the NFL regular season and early playoff rounds, accounted for 28 percent of all broadcast viewing in January, with Netflix's "Fool Me Once" being the top streaming title for the month.
Apple Services, including Apple TV+ and other offerings, has surpassed well over 1 billion paid subscriptions, with record revenue of $23 billion last quarter. CEO Tim Cook highlighted the success of Apple Original Films and acclaimed productions like Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon," which has garnered numerous accolades and boosted Apple's Oscar nominations. The company's revenue of $119.6 billion, up 2%, exceeded expectations, marking a turnaround after four quarters of declining sales, with net profits and iPhone sales also on the rise.
YouTube Music and YouTube Premium have collectively surpassed 100 million subscribers globally, generating over $15 billion in revenue in 2023. The announcement follows a recent price increase for the U.S. market and highlights the platform's commitment to enhancing the user experience, including new features and content. The milestone has been praised by industry leaders for its impact on the music ecosystem, while also coinciding with a dispute between Universal Music Group and TikTok over licensing agreements.
X has blocked searches for Taylor Swift on its platform after sexually explicit AI-generated images of the singer circulated on the social media network. The decision came after a surge of fake pornographic images, prompting X to suspend at least one account associated with the images. The White House and SAG-AFTRA actors union have both expressed concern and called for legislative action to prevent the dissemination of non-consensual, intimate imagery of real people.
SAG-AFTRA condemns the use of deepfake technology to create explicit images of Taylor Swift and a new comedy special featuring the late George Carlin, calling for legislation to make such actions illegal. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also expressed concern, while Carlin's estate has filed a lawsuit over the AI-generated special. SAG-AFTRA emphasizes the need for stronger legal protections against AI and supports legislation to prevent the exploitation of deepfake technology.
SAG-AFTRA condemns the circulation of pornographic AI images of Taylor Swift and advocates for legislation to outlaw the creation and distribution of such fake images without consent. The actors' union has expressed support for existing and proposed laws aimed at banning deepfake pornographic images and broader legislation prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence to replicate real people without consent. The issue has gained attention in Washington, with the White House press secretary acknowledging the need for legislation to address the problem. SAG-AFTRA's stance reflects its commitment to protecting individuals from digital exploitation and supporting measures to safeguard privacy and autonomy.
Pornographic deepfake images of Taylor Swift have been circulating on social media, prompting her fans to launch a counteroffensive with a #ProtectTaylorSwift hashtag. The deepfake-detecting group Reality Defender tracked a deluge of nonconsensual pornographic material depicting Swift, particularly on the social media platform X. Tech platforms like X and Meta-owned Facebook have been working to remove the explicit content, while lawmakers are pushing for better protections against deepfake porn. Swift's fans are mobilizing in support of the pop star, and the incident has sparked discussions about the need for stronger regulations and safeguards against deepfake technology.
Early Mickey Mouse cartoons from 1928 have entered the public domain, prompting AI enthusiasts to create a new image generator model that can produce images based on these cartoons. The model, available on Hugging Face, was trained on stills from "Steamboat Willie," "Plane Crazy," and "The Gallopin' Gaucho." While the AI-generated images are not perfect and the legality of using copyrighted training data remains unresolved, the move has sparked a wave of creative and potentially controversial uses of the iconic character's image. This development also raises questions about the legal nuances of AI-generated content and the implications of trademark laws on the use of the Mickey Mouse name.
As 2023 comes to an end, The Verge reflects on the year that was, highlighting the highs and lows in gadgets, social media, and entertainment. The year saw the decline of Twitter and the struggles of Matter's launch, while gadgets became more advanced and generative AI became ubiquitous. The article also previews what to expect in 2024, with a focus on the increasing presence of AI. Additionally, it discusses favorite movies, TV shows, and games across various platforms.