OpenAI’s character cameos will let you put pets and original personas in Sora videos

OpenAI has rolled out the capability to create character cameos of your pets, doodles, original personas or even objects in the Sora app, which you can put in your videos. You can start the process by going to your profile page in the Sora app, tapping on the "Create cameo" button and then uploading a video of the character (or pet) you want the model to generate. The company says just a few seconds of footage are enough, and you can even use old Sora-generated videos as reference. 

You can then give your character a display name and describe how you want the model to animate it. In the example OpenAI uploaded, for instance, the description for a wicked green witch character reads: "She glides with a mysterious, whimsical grace, speaks in rhymes when casting spells, and her pointed hat always tilts as if listening to secrets on the wind." You can choose permissions for each character you create. Under the "Who can use this" permissions section, you can choose between several options: Only me, People I approve, Mutuals, Everyone and Everyone (excluding specific sets of users). Whenever you want to generate a Sora video with a cameo in it, you can just tag a specific character.

Sora 2 launched with a cameo feature that lets you create an avatar of yourself, but this is a new application of the capability. Cameo, the app that allows users to buy videos from celebrities, just sued OpenAI over trademark violation by using the "cameo" name. It said that OpenAI's use of the word is likely to cause consumer confusion and dilute its brand. OpenAI disagreed "that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word 'cameo.'"

In addition to character cameos, OpenAI has introduced "stitching," allowing you to stitch several clips together and connect videos. There's now also a leaderboard that shows the most cameod and most remixed videos.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-character-cameos-will-let-you-put-pets-and-original-personas-in-sora-videos-123043189.html?src=rss

Samsung Galaxy October 2025 Update: Full Details

Samsung Galaxy October 2025 Update: Full Details

Samsung has rolled out a comprehensive software update for its Galaxy smartphones, focusing on improving performance, stability, and security. While this update does not introduce new features, it emphasizes refining the core functionality of your device. If you own a Galaxy smartphone, this update is designed to enhance your phone’s overall performance and safeguard your […]

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NVIDIA DGX Spark: Your Local AI Development Hub

NVIDIA DGX Spark: Your Local AI Development Hub

What if the power of an entire AI data center could fit within the confines of a single, compact system? The NVIDIA DGX Spark boldly redefines what’s possible in artificial intelligence development, offering a solution that combines innovative performance with unmatched versatility. Imagine running complex machine learning models, processing massive datasets, and fine-tuning workflows, all […]

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Our favorite 2025 advent calendars from Lego, Pokémon, Funko Pop, Magna-Tiles and more

Why settle for tiny pieces of chocolate when you could unwrap a Pokémon card, a Funko Pop or a Star Wars LEGO ship instead? Advent calendars have gone full geek mode, with options for fans of movies, comics, games and even science. They’re the perfect way to add some holiday cheer to your desk, game shelf or living room. Consider this your guide to the best geeky countdowns for 2025.

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/our-favorite-2025-advent-calendars-from-lego-pokemon-funko-pop-magna-tiles-and-more-120042657.html?src=rss

YouTube is offering employees buyouts as part of an AI-focused reorganization

As part of an AI-focused reorganization, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan told employees that it will offer voluntary buyouts, according to an internal company memo. At the same time, he emphasized that there would be no specific role eliminations as part of new structure.

"Looking to the future, the next frontier for YouTube is AI, which has the potential to transform every part of the platform," Mohan wrote. "We also understand some of you may be ready for a new challenge, so we've decided now is the right time to offer a voluntary exit Program." 

The restructuring is designed to help YouTube focus on fast-growing areas like AI while "driving faster decision making and execution," the memo states. To that end, the platform is organizing into three separate product organizations: viewer products, creator and community products, and subscription products. 

Viewer products will focus on the viewer experience by making improvements to search & discovery, engagement, the living room experience and "our foundation of responsibility." Creator and community products, meanwhile, is "driving creation through genAI tools, Shorts, Live and creator support. Subscription products, as you'd expect, will operate around subscription growth across Music, Premium and OTT (YouTube TV) platforms. 

Mohan noted that YouTube has been the number one streamer in the US for the last two years. So far, it has signed up 125 million Premium and Music subscribers, along with 8 million YouTube TV subs. The platform has paid out $100 billion to its ecosystem (presumably, creators and recording artists). 

YouTube isn't the only tech giant reducing headcount while citing AI as an impetus. Amazon recently announced that it had laid off 14,000 people, while citing the need to be "lean" due to transformative technology like AI. Meanwhile, YouTube parent Alphabet announced its first-ever $100 billion quarter, largely on the strength of cloud services and search.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/youtube-is-offering-employees-buyouts-as-part-of-an-ai-focused-reorganization-120047466.html?src=rss

M5 iPad Pro Setup: Don’t Miss These 25 Hidden Tips in iPadOS 26!

M5 iPad Pro Setup: Don’t Miss These 25 Hidden Tips in iPadOS 26!

The M5 iPad Pro 2025 is a highly advanced device engineered to enhance productivity, creativity, and convenience. To unlock its full potential, it’s important to configure the device properly, explore its extensive features, and adapt it to your specific needs. The video below from HotshotTek outlines 25 essential steps to help you optimize your iPad […]

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Google’s Quantum Leap: How Quantum Echoes Are Changing Science Forever

Google’s Quantum Leap: How Quantum Echoes Are Changing Science Forever

What if the key to solving humanity’s most complex challenges, curing diseases, creating sustainable energy, or even unraveling the mysteries of the universe, was hidden in the quantum realm? With its latest breakthrough, Google has taken a monumental step toward unlocking this potential. Powered by the innovative Willow chip and a new algorithm known as […]

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5 Best Tiny Homes Of October 2025

October 2025 has been absolutely incredible for tiny home enthusiasts. We’ve seen designs that push boundaries, challenge conventions, and prove that small spaces can deliver big on style and functionality. These aren’t your typical cookie-cutter tiny houses cramming everything into a loft bedroom. Instead, we’re looking at homes that solve real problems and create genuinely livable spaces.

What strikes me most about this month’s standout designs is how each one tackles a different challenge in tiny living. Whether it’s making homes accessible for everyone, creating space for creative work, or bringing genuine luxury to compact living, these five homes show just how far the movement has come. Each represents a different philosophy about what tiny living can be.

1. Mark VI – VIC

Finally, someone gets it right. The Mark VI – VIC is the first tiny home I’ve seen that truly prioritizes accessibility without treating it as an afterthought. Sonic Steel deserves serious credit for recognizing that climbing into a loft bedroom isn’t realistic for everyone. This single-floor design opens tiny house living to people who have been shut out of the movement entirely.

Walking through this converted shipping container feels surprisingly spacious despite the constraints. The central living room works brilliantly as both a gathering space and a natural room divider between the bedroom and kitchen. What really impressed me is how they’ve managed to fit full-sized appliances without making the kitchen feel cramped. The fridge, oven, induction cooktop, and even a microwave are all here, along with storage that actually makes sense for daily living.

What we like

• Single-floor accessibility opens tiny living to seniors and people with mobility challenges who’ve been excluded from loft-based designs.

• Full kitchen with proper appliances means you can actually cook real meals instead of surviving on microwaved food.

What we dislike

• Container width feels restrictive when you’re trying to move around, especially with two people.

• No vertical storage means you really have to commit to minimalism, whether you want to or not.

2. Nouvelle Danse

Baluchon continues to blow my mind with their attention to detail, and Nouvelle Danse might be their masterpiece yet. This isn’t just a tiny house with a sewing corner tucked in somewhere – it’s a purpose-built creative studio that happens to be a beautiful home. The fact that they’ve managed to integrate a full sewing workspace into a two-bedroom layout without everything feeling cramped is nothing short of architectural wizardry.

The exterior alone makes this home worth talking about. That interplay between natural wood and matte black trim creates visual drama that photographs beautifully but also works in person. Inside, light pours through every window, creating the kind of bright, inspiring atmosphere that creative work demands. The workspace integration feels seamless rather than forced, which is exactly what you want when your home doubles as your studio.

What we like

• Purpose-built creative workspace proves tiny homes can accommodate specialized professional needs without compromise.

• Natural light flooding every corner eliminates that cramped, tiny house feeling.

What we dislike

• Specialized design limits appeal to people who don’t need a dedicated creative workspace.

• Baluchon’s premium craftsmanship comes with a price tag that puts it out of reach for many buyers.

3. The Escapada

The Murphy bed concept isn’t new, but Tiny Tect has executed it flawlessly in the Escapada. This is exactly the kind of flexible thinking tiny homes need more of. Instead of accepting that bedrooms are dead space during the day, they’ve created a room that transforms based on what you actually need. Office in the morning, yoga studio in the afternoon, guest room when friends visit.

At just 20 feet long, every design decision matters, and Tiny Tect has made smart choices throughout. The kitchen doesn’t feel like an afterthought – there’s room for a proper oven, cooktop, and cutouts for full-sized appliances. Those wraparound windows are genius for making the narrow width feel more spacious. The optional loft keeps storage options open without dominating the design like most tiny house lofts do.

What we like

• Murphy bed transforms the bedroom into whatever space you need throughout the day.

• Smart appliance cutouts mean you can have a washing machine and a full-sized fridge without sacrificing functionality.

What we dislike

• Setting up and breaking down the bed daily could get old fast for some people.

• Narrow width creates traffic flow challenges when two people are trying to move around.

4. The Homesteader

Family living in 272 square feet sounds impossible until you step inside the Homesteader. Nordic & Spruce has created something special here – a home that proves families don’t need massive houses to live well together. The Scandinavian design philosophy shines through every detail, creating spaces that feel calm and intentional rather than chaotic and cramped.

What sets this apart is how the design promotes wellbeing alongside functionality. Those clean lines and natural materials create a sense of serenity that’s genuinely beneficial for family mental health. The ANSI and NOAH certifications give peace of mind about structural integrity, which matters when you’re making this kind of lifestyle change with kids involved. This home works for families ready to embrace intentional living.

What we like

• Proves families can thrive in small spaces when design prioritizes flow and functionality over square footage.

• Scandinavian aesthetic creates a calming atmosphere that supports family wellbeing and intentional living.

What we dislike

• $75,000 price point challenges the affordability goals that draw many families to tiny living.

• Successful family living requires major lifestyle changes and significant downsizing of possessions.

5. The Harper

The Harper takes tiny home design into luxury territory without apology. Those curved walls alone set it apart from every other tiny house on the market. Paired with architectural birch plywood and rich oak flooring, this feels like a boutique hotel suite rather than a compromise on space. The 2.5-meter kitchen with Caesarstone countertops proves that tiny doesn’t have to mean cheap materials or finishes.

Every storage solution feels considered and elegant rather than purely functional. The built-in lounge seating hides storage without looking like furniture designed around storage needs. That queen bed with integrated storage and curved sanctuary walls creates a bedroom that rivals luxury hotels. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure the space never feels closed in or dark.

What we like

• Premium materials and curved architecture create a genuine luxury experience that rivals high-end conventional homes.

• Thoughtful storage integration maintains elegant aesthetics while maximizing every available space.

What we dislike

• Luxury features and custom curved construction likely price this out of reach for most tiny home buyers.

• Sophisticated materials and unique design elements may require specialized maintenance and repairs.

Where Tiny Living Is Headed

These five homes represent different visions of what tiny living can become. We’re seeing the movement mature beyond basic shelter into sophisticated architecture that often delivers better living experiences than conventional homes. Size constraints aren’t holding designers back – they’re pushing them to create smarter, more thoughtful spaces that actually improve how we live daily.

From accessibility-focused designs to creative workspaces, family-friendly layouts to luxury finishes, October 2025 shows tiny living continuing to evolve while staying true to its core values of sustainability, affordability, and intentional living. The future of tiny homes looks brighter and more diverse than ever.

The post 5 Best Tiny Homes Of October 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Meta will add a ‘huge corpus’ of AI content into its recommendation system

It looks like Meta's Vibes feed is just the start of the company's pivot toward AI slop. In an earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that "we're going to add yet another huge corpus of content" to Meta's recommendation system, via AI's ability to create and remix content — so you're likely to see even more AI generated posts on Facebook and Instagram. 

"Social media has gone through two eras so far. First was when all content was from friends, family, and accounts that you followed directly. The second was when we added all the creator content," he said, seemingly suggesting that AI content will be the third era.  

Zuckerberg added that recommendation systems that "deeply" understand AI content are "increasingly valuable" since they can "help you achieve your goals." 

He then nodded to Vibes, calling it an example of a new type of content enabled by AI. Retention on the feed "is looking good so far, and its usage keeps growing quickly week over week," he proclaimed. Furthermore, there are more opportunities to build "many more novel types of content aheads, as our new models become ready," Zuckerberg added. To put some numbers to Vibes takeup, Meta CFO Susan Li said that users have generated over 20 billion images in the feed to date. 

Meta has already introduced a number of AI features across its social media platforms. Those include in-app photo and video editing via text prompts directly in Instagram Stories, AI chatbots across WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, and a standalone Meta AI app that includes an AI assistant and discovery feed. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-will-add-a-huge-corpus-of-ai-content-into-its-recommendation-system-113027353.html?src=rss

10 Hidden Things Your iPhone Can FINALLY Do on iOS 26.1!

10 Hidden Things Your iPhone Can FINALLY Do on iOS 26.1!

The release of iOS 26.1 will add a host of new features aimed at improving the functionality, accessibility, and overall usability of your iPhone. With updates ranging from enhanced cellular management to expanded language support, this version ensures your device is more versatile and user-friendly. Below is a detailed look at the most impactful features […]

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