Monthly Archives: March 2024

Journaling app Palmsy offers fake likes from real friends

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An oddball new app called Palmsy lets you post to a social media network full of adoring followers who only exist in your imagination. Whether used as a journaling app with a fresh twist or a nicotine patch equivalent for social media addiction, Palmsy prevents the real world from ever seeing your “posts,” storing them on-device, offline and private.

Palmsy’s App Store description says it “lets you make little posts for yourself.” And, at its core, that’s all you’re doing. As for why you’d want to do such a thing, people who have trouble with typical journaling or mind-mapping apps may find it a more inspiring framework. Or, if your social posting habit has gotten out of hand (or you want a break from it for any other reason), it could serve as a way to wean yourself off and give you the dopamine hit without sharing anything publicly.

One clever wrinkle from developer Pat Nakajima is that the app imports your contacts to generate fake likes from them. As pointed out by TechCrunch, Nakajima wrote on Threads that nothing leaves your device or is posted to your contacts, the app’s servers or anywhere else. “It’s just pretend,” he clarified.

If seeing fake likes from real contacts feels a bit too weird, a recent update added the ability to limit the number of faux likes your posts get. You can also set caps on how long you receive them, ranging from a few seconds to a few days.

The app is free and iOS-only, including iPhone and iPad variants.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/journaling-app-palmsy-offers-fake-likes-from-real-friends-194059136.html?src=rss

Instagram is working on new Reels feed that combines two users’ interests

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Instagram is working on a feature that would recommend Reels to you and a friend based on videos you've shared with each other and your individual interests. Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi unearthed the feature, which is called Blend. Instagram confirmed to TechCrunch that it's testing Blend internally and it hasn't started trialing it publicly. It may be the case that Blend never sees the light of day, though it's always intriguing to find out about the ideas Instagram is toying with.

The platform hasn't revealed more details about how Blend will work, though the idea seems to be that Instagram users and one of their besties will discover new Reels together instead of one of them finding a video they like and DMing it to the other. It would make sense for Blend to have an indicator that the other person has already seen a particular Reel so that the two people who have access to the feed can start chatting about it. 

TikTok doesn't have a feature along these lines, as TechCrunch notes, so Blend could give Instagram an advantage when it comes to folks who like to check out short-form videos together. As with many of the other features platforms of this ilk introduce, Blend fundamentally seems to be about increasing engagement.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/instagram-is-working-on-new-reels-feed-that-combines-two-users-interests-192018928.html?src=rss

Instagram is working on new Reels feed that combines two users’ interests

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Instagram is working on a feature that would recommend Reels to you and a friend based on videos you've shared with each other and your individual interests. Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi unearthed the feature, which is called Blend. Instagram confirmed to TechCrunch that it's testing Blend internally and it hasn't started trialing it publicly. It may be the case that Blend never sees the light of day, though it's always intriguing to find out about the ideas Instagram is toying with.

The platform hasn't revealed more details about how Blend will work, though the idea seems to be that Instagram users and one of their besties will discover new Reels together instead of one of them finding a video they like and DMing it to the other. It would make sense for Blend to have an indicator that the other person has already seen a particular Reel so that the two people who have access to the feed can start chatting about it. 

TikTok doesn't have a feature along these lines, as TechCrunch notes, so Blend could give Instagram an advantage when it comes to folks who like to check out short-form videos together. As with many of the other features platforms of this ilk introduce, Blend fundamentally seems to be about increasing engagement.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/instagram-is-working-on-new-reels-feed-that-combines-two-users-interests-192018928.html?src=rss

Redefining Honey Packaging with Sustainable Sophistication and Luxury

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Everyone is into aesthetics these days, focusing on what catches the eye right away but as designers, sustainability is a really popular and important discussion. When it comes to products, packaging is key. It’s the first thing you notice on the shelf, especially when there are a lot of options to choose from. Good packaging can make a product stand out and leave a lasting impression on you. That’s where this innovative honey jar design comes in. It holds honey but goes beyond just being a jar. It looks like a beehive and is made from eco-friendly materials. It’s not just about honey – it’s about appreciating nature and making choices that help our planet while making a product successful.

Designer: Wallrus Design Studio

This innovative packaging embodies the essence of nature’s bounty while seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetics. Crafted to hold one of the most treasured natural delicacies – honey, this packaging transcends conventional design by offering consumers an experience that extends far beyond the initial purchase.

At its core, this packaging design serves as a testament to sustainability and versatility. Once the honey has been savored and enjoyed, consumers are encouraged to repurpose the container as a storage vessel for an array of items, ranging from homemade jams to spices and dried fruits. This thoughtful approach not only adds value to the product but also promotes a sustainable lifestyle by reducing waste.

One of the most striking features of this packaging design lies in its wooden labels, each meticulously crafted to reflect the natural habitats of bees. Drawing inspiration from the serene beauty of forests, mountains, and plains, these labels transport consumers into the enchanting world of bees, fostering a deeper connection to nature with every glance. Complementing these visuals is the inclusion of a wooden door, serving as a poignant reminder of the organic origins of the product and further enhancing its natural appeal.

In a market flooded with choices, discerning consumers seek only the finest and highest quality honey. With its distinctive hexagonal form inspired by the intricate design of a beehive, this packaging design instantly communicates purity and naturalness. The geometric precision of the honeycomb motif not only captivates the eye but also evokes a sense of authenticity and trust, making it a preferred choice among honey connoisseurs.

Beyond its functional attributes, this packaging design exudes an air of luxury and sophistication that is simply unparalleled. Its unique aesthetic and attention to detail make it a coveted item for gift-giving, elevating the act of presenting honey into a memorable and cherished experience. Crafted from a harmonious combination of glass and wood, this packaging exudes elegance and durability. Nestled within a sturdy box, it ensures that the precious contents remain safe and secure, while also adding a touch of opulence to any setting.

Undoubtedly, the creation of this exceptional packaging presented its fair share of challenges. From sourcing the appropriate materials to designing specialized tools and technology, every aspect was carefully considered and executed to perfection. Yet, it is precisely this dedication to craftsmanship and innovation that sets this packaging design apart, making it an enduring symbol of excellence in the realm of product packaging.

The post Redefining Honey Packaging with Sustainable Sophistication and Luxury first appeared on Yanko Design.

OpenAI says it can clone a voice from just 15 seconds of audio

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OpenAI just announced that it recently conducted a small-scale preview of a new tool called Voice Engine. This is a voice cloning technology that can mimic any speaker by analyzing a 15-second audio sample. The company says it generates “natural-sounding speech” with “emotive and realistic voices.”

The technology is based on the company’s pre-existing text-to-speech API and it has been in the works since 2022. OpenAI has already been using a version of the toolset to power the preset voices available in the current text-to-speech API and the Read Aloud feature. There are a bunch of samples on the company’s official blog and they sound eerily close to the real thing. I encourage you to give them a listen and imagine the possibilities, both good and bad.

OpenAI says they see this technology being useful for reading assistance, language translation and helping those who suffer from sudden or degenerative speech conditions. The company brought up a Brown University pilot program that helped a patient with speech impairment issues by creating a Voice Engine clone pulled from audio recorded for a school project.

Despite the potential benefits, bad actors would certainly abuse this technology to engage in some serious deepfake tomfoolery, which is already a problem. With this in mind, Voice Engine isn’t quite ready for prime time, as there are serious privacy concerns that must be met before a full rollout.

OpenAI acknowledges that this tech has “serious risks, which are especially top of mind in an election year.” The company says its incorporating feedback from “US and international partners from across government, media, entertainment, education, civil society and beyond” to ensure the product launches with a minimal amount of risk. All preview testers agreed to OpenAI’s usage policies, which ban the impersonation of another individual without consent or legal right.

Additionally, anybody using the tech will have to disclose to their audience that the voices are AI-generated. OpenAI implemented safety measures, like watermarking to trace the origin of any audio and “proactive monitoring” of how the system is being used. When the product officially rolls out there will be a “no-go voice list” that detects and prevents AI-generated speakers that are too similar to prominent figures.

As for when that rollout will occur, OpenAI remains tight-lipped. TechCrunch uncovered some potential pricing data and it looks like it will undercut competitors in the space like ElevenLabs. Voice Engine could cost $15 per one million characters, which works out to around 162,500 words. This is about the length of Stephen King’s The Shining. It certainly sounds like a budget-friendly way to get an audiobook done. The marketing materials also make reference to an “HD” version that costs twice as much, but the company hasn’t detailed how that will work.

OpenAI has been making big moves this week. It just announced another partnership with its bestie Microsoft to build an AI-based supercomputer called “Stargate.” The project will reportedly cost a whopping $100 billion, according to The Information.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-says-it-can-clone-a-voice-from-just-15-seconds-of-audio-190356431.html?src=rss

OpenAI says it can clone a voice from just 15 seconds of audio

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OpenAI just announced that it recently conducted a small-scale preview of a new tool called Voice Engine. This is a voice cloning technology that can mimic any speaker by analyzing a 15-second audio sample. The company says it generates “natural-sounding speech” with “emotive and realistic voices.”

The technology is based on the company’s pre-existing text-to-speech API and it has been in the works since 2022. OpenAI has already been using a version of the toolset to power the preset voices available in the current text-to-speech API and the Read Aloud feature. There are a bunch of samples on the company’s official blog and they sound eerily close to the real thing. I encourage you to give them a listen and imagine the possibilities, both good and bad.

OpenAI says they see this technology being useful for reading assistance, language translation and helping those who suffer from sudden or degenerative speech conditions. The company brought up a Brown University pilot program that helped a patient with speech impairment issues by creating a Voice Engine clone pulled from audio recorded for a school project.

Despite the potential benefits, bad actors would certainly abuse this technology to engage in some serious deepfake tomfoolery, which is already a problem. With this in mind, Voice Engine isn’t quite ready for prime time, as there are serious privacy concerns that must be met before a full rollout.

OpenAI acknowledges that this tech has “serious risks, which are especially top of mind in an election year.” The company says its incorporating feedback from “US and international partners from across government, media, entertainment, education, civil society and beyond” to ensure the product launches with a minimal amount of risk. All preview testers agreed to OpenAI’s usage policies, which ban the impersonation of another individual without consent or legal right.

Additionally, anybody using the tech will have to disclose to their audience that the voices are AI-generated. OpenAI implemented safety measures, like watermarking to trace the origin of any audio and “proactive monitoring” of how the system is being used. When the product officially rolls out there will be a “no-go voice list” that detects and prevents AI-generated speakers that are too similar to prominent figures.

As for when that rollout will occur, OpenAI remains tight-lipped. TechCrunch uncovered some potential pricing data and it looks like it will undercut competitors in the space like ElevenLabs. Voice Engine could cost $15 per one million characters, which works out to around 162,500 words. This is about the length of Stephen King’s The Shining. It certainly sounds like a budget-friendly way to get an audiobook done. The marketing materials also make reference to an “HD” version that costs twice as much, but the company hasn’t detailed how that will work.

OpenAI has been making big moves this week. It just announced another partnership with its bestie Microsoft to build an AI-based supercomputer called “Stargate.” The project will reportedly cost a whopping $100 billion, according to The Information.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-says-it-can-clone-a-voice-from-just-15-seconds-of-audio-190356431.html?src=rss

X is working on NSFW Communities for adult content

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X is working on features that will allow admins of “Communities,” the platform’s tool for subreddit-like groups, to designate the spaces as containing “adult content.” The change was confirmed by an engineer at X amid reports that the Elon Musk-owned company was working on enabling NSFW groups.

In a post on X, engineer Dong Wook Chung noted that “soon” NSFW content would be automatically filtered in the app’s Communities feature. “Admins can now set 'Adult content' in Settings to avoid auto-filtering of the content,” Chung said.

As Bloomberg reported, researchers had previously spotted clues that X planned to enable settings for “adult-sensitive” content. X permits users to share nudity and other “graphic” content, but doesn’t allow it to appear in certain parts of the app, like profile photos and cover images for Communities.

X’s Communities feature predates Musk’s takeover of the company. Twitter began experimenting with the idea in 2021, saying it would provide “a more intimate space for conversations” on the platform. Though Twitter never publicly discussed enabling NSFW features for Communities, the app allowed adult content, unlike most of its social media peers. The company reportedly looked into creating an OnlyFans competitor with its creator subscription product in 2022. The plan was eventually scrapped, according to the Platformer newsletter, due to concerns it would “worsen” the company’s problems with illegal child exploitation content.

It’s not clear if X’s current leadership has addressed those concerns. In a separate post, Chung, the X engineer, stated that the new filtering settings “is about making Communities safer for everyone by automatically filtering out” adult content. “Only users who have specified their age will be able to search Communities with NSFW content.” 

X didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-is-working-on-nsfw-communities-for-adult-content-184629839.html?src=rss

X is working on NSFW Communities for adult content

Posted on by

X is working on features that will allow admins of “Communities,” the platform’s tool for subreddit-like groups, to designate the spaces as containing “adult content.” The change was confirmed by an engineer at X amid reports that the Elon Musk-owned company was working on enabling NSFW groups.

In a post on X, engineer Dong Wook Chung noted that “soon” NSFW content would be automatically filtered in the app’s Communities feature. “Admins can now set 'Adult content' in Settings to avoid auto-filtering of the content,” Chung said.

As Bloomberg reported, researchers had previously spotted clues that X planned to enable settings for “adult-sensitive” content. X permits users to share nudity and other “graphic” content, but doesn’t allow it to appear in certain parts of the app, like profile photos and cover images for Communities.

X’s Communities feature predates Musk’s takeover of the company. Twitter began experimenting with the idea in 2021, saying it would provide “a more intimate space for conversations” on the platform. Though Twitter never publicly discussed enabling NSFW features for Communities, the app allowed adult content, unlike most of its social media peers. The company reportedly looked into creating an OnlyFans competitor with its creator subscription product in 2022. The plan was eventually scrapped, according to the Platformer newsletter, due to concerns it would “worsen” the company’s problems with illegal child exploitation content.

It’s not clear if X’s current leadership has addressed those concerns. In a separate post, Chung, the X engineer, stated that the new filtering settings “is about making Communities safer for everyone by automatically filtering out” adult content. “Only users who have specified their age will be able to search Communities with NSFW content.” 

X didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-is-working-on-nsfw-communities-for-adult-content-184629839.html?src=rss

Ergonomic wooden laptop stand is portable, sustainable

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One of the things I have to do to not worsen my carpal tunnel syndrome and other things that can lead to repetitive strain injuries is to elevate my Macbook screen. I spend sometimes more than eight hours in front of the screen so I need to have more ergonomic tools to help manage my posture and not cause eye and muscle strain. Sometimes though these things can also be inconvenient, both to my workflow and my wallet.

Designer: Mickey Linskens

WOULDSTAND is a wooden laptop side that is ergonomic, sustainable, and they’re hoping eventually, affordable for ordinary employees (more on that later). The main purpose of this is to elevate your laptop screen to lessen the strain on your wrist and arms when using your device for a prolonged period of time. You can use it for laptops, tablets, and even books if you’re reviewing for exams or you’re just reading a lot on a table. It is designed to make sure that your screen is at arm’s length and the top edge is slightly below eye level.

The stand is made from renewable materials like FSC eucalyptus and Starplex plywood. It actually looks like a puzzle piece and can be easily assembled and there are also adjustable elements since different people would use it for different purposes. It’s also light enough despite the wooden material so you can carry it around without straining yourself as well. You can also use it even if you’re not at a table, like placing it on your lap or whatever stable surface you’re working from.

Since it’s locally produced and uses renewable materials, it’s also not as affordable as some in the market that are more mass produced. So the plan is to market it to companies by making the stand easily brandable. This way companies can buy it, have their logos included in the stand and then give it to their employees or to their customers. However, they’ll still sell it direct to customers for those who can spare € 30,00 to protect their muscles.

The post Ergonomic wooden laptop stand is portable, sustainable first appeared on Yanko Design.

Ergonomic wooden laptop stand is portable, sustainable

Posted on by

One of the things I have to do to not worsen my carpal tunnel syndrome and other things that can lead to repetitive strain injuries is to elevate my Macbook screen. I spend sometimes more than eight hours in front of the screen so I need to have more ergonomic tools to help manage my posture and not cause eye and muscle strain. Sometimes though these things can also be inconvenient, both to my workflow and my wallet.

Designer: Mickey Linskens

WOULDSTAND is a wooden laptop side that is ergonomic, sustainable, and they’re hoping eventually, affordable for ordinary employees (more on that later). The main purpose of this is to elevate your laptop screen to lessen the strain on your wrist and arms when using your device for a prolonged period of time. You can use it for laptops, tablets, and even books if you’re reviewing for exams or you’re just reading a lot on a table. It is designed to make sure that your screen is at arm’s length and the top edge is slightly below eye level.

The stand is made from renewable materials like FSC eucalyptus and Starplex plywood. It actually looks like a puzzle piece and can be easily assembled and there are also adjustable elements since different people would use it for different purposes. It’s also light enough despite the wooden material so you can carry it around without straining yourself as well. You can also use it even if you’re not at a table, like placing it on your lap or whatever stable surface you’re working from.

Since it’s locally produced and uses renewable materials, it’s also not as affordable as some in the market that are more mass produced. So the plan is to market it to companies by making the stand easily brandable. This way companies can buy it, have their logos included in the stand and then give it to their employees or to their customers. However, they’ll still sell it direct to customers for those who can spare € 30,00 to protect their muscles.

The post Ergonomic wooden laptop stand is portable, sustainable first appeared on Yanko Design.