Tech
Google Tackles Explicit Deepfakes
In response to the growing issue of nonconsensual deepfake imagery, particularly targeting female celebrities, Google Tackles Explicit Deepfakes in new measures to address this problem. Over the past year, the proliferation of explicit deepfake content online has become a significant challenge for search engines, as users may come across such material even when not actively seeking it.
To tackle this, Google has implemented an update to its ranking systems, aiming to reduce the visibility of fake explicit images and videos in search results. In a blog post, Google product manager Emma Higham announced that the ranking updates are intended to lower the amount of explicit fake content that appears during searches.
New Ranking System to Combat Deepfake Content
Google’s new approach focuses on how the search engine responds when users search for terms that could yield nonconsensual deepfakes of specific individuals. Instead of showing pages with explicit fake content, the updated ranking system will prioritise high-quality, non-explicit content, such as news articles, where available.
Higham explained that this change allows users to learn about the societal impact of deepfakes rather than encounter the harmful content itself. According to Higham, these updates have already reduced exposure to explicit image results on deepfake-related searches by 70 percent.
Addressing the Complexity of Distinguishing Real from Fake
One of the key challenges Google faces is differentiating between real, consensual content—such as actors in nude scenes—and AI-generated deepfake imagery without consent. To address this, Google has begun factoring in whether a site has had pages removed under Google’s policies on nonconsensual deepfakes. Sites with a high volume of removals for this kind of content will be downranked in search results, making it harder for explicit deepfakes to reach a wide audience.
Easier Removal Requests for Victims of Deepfakes
In addition to improving search rankings, Google is also enhancing the process for victims of nonconsensual deepfakes to request removals. These updates are aimed at making the request process simpler and more efficient. Once a deepfake is removed from Google Search, the company’s systems will try to filter out similar results and remove any duplicate images.
Higham acknowledged that there is “more work to do” in addressing the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes but affirmed that Google will continue developing new solutions to support victims. We’re seeing in real time how Google tackles explicit deepfakes.
Google’s Response to Wider Tech Industry Pressure
Google’s announcement comes just two months after the White House called on tech companies to take stronger action against the spread of explicit deepfake imagery. As the issue continues to grow, Google’s updated tactics are a step toward protecting individuals from the harmful effects of AI-generated fake content.
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Tech
Akai And Native Instruments Collab for MPC 3
Native Instruments has just made a groundbreaking announcement at NAMM 2025, unveiling its Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) Hardware Partner Program. Designed to streamline and enhance music production, this initiative bridges the gap between hardware and software, offering music producers unparalleled creative possibilities. Major industry players like Akai Professional, Novation, Nektar, Korg, and M-Audio have joined the program, ensuring seamless integration of their renowned controllers with Native Instruments’ software ecosystem.
This marks a significant evolution for Native Instruments’ vision of creating an open and connected platform for music creators. With over 2,000 NKS-compatible instruments and effects from 250+ brands, producers now have access to a diverse and premium library of sounds—all at their fingertips.
Pioneering a Unified Music Production Ecosystem
At the core of this development is the Native Kontrol Standard (NKS), a technology that unifies virtual instruments, effects, and hardware. This integration allows music makers to bypass complex setups, delivering an intuitive workflow that keeps their focus squarely on creativity.
Simon Cross, Chief Product Officer at Native Instruments, underscores the collaborative spirit of this expansion, stating:
“This expansion highlights the impact of collaboration. It marks an important milestone in our mission to provide musicians with an open, connected platform, making professional-grade tools, instruments, and technology more accessible to creators everywhere.”
What the NKS Hardware Partner Program Offers
The NKS Hardware Partner Program enables basic integration for partner controllers, giving users access to Native Instruments’ Komplete Kontrol desktop software. With this, musicians can fully explore the 2,000+ NKS-compatible instruments and effects library. Supported hardware now benefits from:
- Intuitive Mappings: Supported controllers offer plug-and-play functionality, allowing hands-on control without the need for extensive configuration.
- Future-Ready Features: The program sets the stage for advanced functionality in upcoming products, ensuring creators remain at the forefront of innovation.
- Streamlined Workflows: Producers can stay immersed in their music-making process without unnecessary distractions.
Industry Leaders Joining the NKS Ecosystem
The partnership with Akai Professional, Novation, Nektar, Korg, and M-Audio is a game-changer for music production. Here’s how each brand’s hardware integrates with NKS:
- Akai Professional:
The MPK Mini Series (MPK Mini, MPK Mini Play, and MPK Mini Plus) now features NKS compatibility, bringing Akai’s widely loved compact controllers into the Native Instruments fold. - Novation:
NKS integration enhances the Launchkey MK3 and MK4, FLkey, and SL MK3 controllers, expanding their already exceptional DAW workflows. The addition of NKS compatibility means creators can now combine Novation’s ease of use with Komplete Kontrol’s powerful sound library. - Nektar:
The LX MK3 Series gains velocity-sensitive NKS functionality, enabling producers to enjoy expressive control and streamlined creative workflows. - Korg:
With MIDI 2.0-ready Keystage controllers, Korg brings its signature innovation into the NKS ecosystem. These controllers cater to both live performers and studio producers, offering advanced sound design possibilities. - M-Audio:
The Oxygen Series keyboards now boast NKS integration, empowering music makers with cutting-edge tools for studio and stage performances alike.
Why This Matters
For producers, this expansion eliminates the frustration of incompatible hardware and software. By integrating their favourite controllers with Native Instruments’ Komplete Kontrol platform, music makers gain a seamless and expressive workflow that fosters creativity and innovation. The addition of industry-leading hardware ensures that the NKS ecosystem continues to set the standard for music production.
What’s Next for Native Instruments?
This launch is just the beginning. Native Instruments has hinted at upcoming advanced features and hardware updates within the NKS framework, promising even greater possibilities for musicians. As the ecosystem grows, users can expect enhanced tools to further connect their creative processes.
Explore the future of music production with Native Instruments and its NKS Hardware Partner Program.
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Tech
Blockchain Beyond Bitcoin: How the UAE is Using Crypto in Real Estate and Fashion
Blockchain technology has become synonymous with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, but its potential stretches far beyond digital currencies. The UAE has embraced blockchain’s versatility, pioneering its use in sectors such as real estate and fashion. These innovative applications are transforming industries, enhancing transparency, and redefining how businesses operate in the digital age. Crypto in Real Estate and Fashion is here to stay.
Revolutionising Real Estate with Blockchain
In the UAE, blockchain is redefining the real estate sector by introducing property tokenisation. This process divides real estate assets into digital tokens, allowing fractional ownership that can be traded seamlessly on blockchain platforms. By lowering entry barriers, property tokenisation makes real estate investment more accessible, even to those with limited capital.
One standout player in this arena is Propchain, a UAE-based company tackling issues like high transaction costs and liquidity constraints in traditional property markets. Their blockchain-based solutions allow investors to trade tokens representing portions of real estate assets, bringing unprecedented flexibility to property transactions.
Dubai Land Department (DLD) has also been instrumental in integrating blockchain technology. It uses a decentralised database to record property transactions, lease registrations, and contracts. This approach eliminates intermediaries, reduces fraud, and provides an unparalleled level of transparency for buyers and sellers alike. By streamlining these processes, blockchain not only saves time but also builds trust among stakeholders in the real estate industry.
Crypto in Real Estate and Fashion in the UAE
Transforming Fashion with Blockchain
Blockchain’s impact isn’t confined to real estate; the technology is making waves in the fashion industry too. Leading the charge is the Aura Blockchain Consortium, a global alliance of luxury brands including Dior, Prada, and Cartier. This initiative provides digital identities for luxury goods, ensuring authenticity and traceability throughout the product’s lifecycle.
Through blockchain, consumers can access detailed information about a product’s origin, including the materials used, ethical sourcing, and sustainability practices. This level of transparency is crucial in combating counterfeit goods and aligns with the increasing demand for ethical fashion choices.
Blockchain’s use in fashion is also shaping the resale market for luxury goods. By guaranteeing authenticity and verifying ownership history, blockchain enhances consumer confidence, thereby boosting the value of pre-owned items. This innovation aligns perfectly with the UAE’s luxury retail market, which thrives on trust and exclusivity.
Blockchain’s Wider Implications
Blockchain adoption in the UAE reflects the country’s forward-thinking approach to technology. Beyond real estate and fashion, the nation is exploring blockchain’s potential in healthcare, education, and even public services. These initiatives are part of the UAE’s broader vision to become a global leader in blockchain technology, as evidenced by the Dubai Blockchain Strategy.
The UAE’s openness to blockchain innovation fosters a vibrant digital economy. The government’s regulatory frameworks, combined with a strong focus on infrastructure and technology, provide an ideal environment for blockchain to flourish. The UAE’s push for blockchain adoption not only strengthens its position as a global business hub but also inspires other nations to explore the transformative potential of this technology.
The Future of Blockchain in the UAE
By integrating blockchain into real estate and fashion, the UAE demonstrates how this technology can enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility across industries. The use of blockchain in these sectors is just the beginning; its potential applications are boundless, promising further innovation in the years to come. Whether it’s reshaping property investments or redefining luxury goods, blockchain is set to remain a cornerstone of the UAE’s digital transformation.
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Tech
Snap’s AR Spectacles Take On Meta’s Orion
In the ever-evolving landscape of augmented reality (AR), Snap Inc. continues to stake its claim with its latest Snap AR Spectacles. While the competition—especially Meta’s Orion glasses—may seem sleeker and more technologically advanced, Snap’s Spectacles offer a different kind of appeal. They focus on creativity, social connection, and accessibility, albeit with some caveats. These glasses represent Snap’s ongoing commitment to bringing AR to everyday users, even if they’re still in the developmental phase.
From Photos to AR: Snap Spectacles’ Evolution
The journey of Snap’s Spectacles began in 2016 with their debut as playful, camera-equipped sunglasses. These circular frames, available in bright, bold colours, quickly became a fashion statement, particularly among Snapchat’s younger audience. While their primary function was capturing photos and videos in a unique, wide-angled circle format, they offered no augmented reality features. Their appeal lay in their whimsical aesthetic, making them a trendy accessory for content creators and social media enthusiasts.
Fast forward to 2021, and Snap shifted gears. The company introduced AR-enabled Spectacles, leaving behind the fun, teen-friendly design for a sharper, more futuristic aesthetic. These glasses aimed to integrate augmented reality visuals—words, images, and graphics seamlessly overlaying the real world—into their functionality. However, this shift came at the cost of broader appeal. The sleek, angular design of the AR Spectacles, reminiscent of cyberpunk fashion, might have intrigued tech enthusiasts but alienated casual users who valued style over utility.
The 2024 Spectacles: A Step Forward
Snap’s 2024 edition of the Spectacles builds on the foundation laid by its predecessors. While they retain a cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic, the design is somewhat refined with smoother curves, making them slightly less imposing than earlier versions. Yet, they remain bulky compared to conventional sunglasses, and their black, rectangular frames won’t win any fashion awards.
These glasses are not yet available for the general public, which is where Snap’s developer program comes in. Priced at $99 per month with a year-long commitment, the program targets developers keen on creating apps for the platform. This hefty cost and limited availability may deter casual users, effectively positioning the 2024 Spectacles as a tool for innovation rather than mass adoption.
As Scott Myers, Snap’s vice president of hardware engineering, explains, “Our vision has always been to bring the power and joy of augmented reality to people everywhere, and our newest pair of Spectacles is one step closer to making that vision a reality.” Snap hopes to foster an ecosystem where developers can experiment and innovate, ultimately paving the way for a more consumer-friendly product in the future.
Comparing Snap Spectacles and Meta’s Orion
Snap’s Spectacles enter a competitive market alongside Meta’s Orion glasses, which were unveiled just days later. Both products cater primarily to developers and share a utilitarian design that prioritises functionality over style. While the Orion frames are slightly slimmer, both remain bulky and unlikely to become mainstream fashion items anytime soon.
Meta’s Orion glasses, however, aim to integrate seamlessly into Meta’s vast ecosystem of AR and virtual reality tools, offering a more cohesive experience for developers and consumers alike. Snap, on the other hand, leans into its core strength: fostering creativity and connection among its community of Snapchat users.
Despite these differences, both companies face the same challenge—building a robust AR ecosystem that appeals to developers while ensuring the technology is accessible and appealing to everyday users.
A Glimpse into the Future
While Snap’s Spectacles are not yet ready for mass adoption, the company is laying the groundwork for a broader rollout. Snap’s website encourages users to explore the glasses virtually, promoting the idea of collaboration and creativity. With a tagline emphasising connection—”Designed to get more people closer over the things they love, together”—Snap is positioning its Spectacles as a tool for social interaction and creative expression.
For now, Snap’s marketing efforts focus on its core audience: developers and early adopters who share its vision for AR’s potential. The company hopes to bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility, ultimately reaching a wider audience eager to use AR glasses to enhance their daily lives.
Snap’s AR V2 Spectacles
Challenges and Opportunities
Snap faces significant hurdles in achieving its vision. The glasses’ bulky design and high cost limit their appeal, while competition from industry giants like Meta and Apple raises the stakes. Moreover, convincing users to adopt AR glasses as an everyday accessory will require not only technological advancements but also a shift in public perception.
However, Snap has a few advantages. Its established user base on Snapchat provides a ready audience for AR innovations, and its focus on social connection sets it apart from competitors. By continuing to refine its Spectacles and foster an ecosystem of creative apps, Snap has the potential to make AR a mainstream phenomenon.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Snap AR Spectacles represent a step forward in the company’s journey toward making augmented reality accessible and enjoyable for everyone. While they may not yet match the sophistication of Meta’s Orion glasses, their focus on creativity and connection offers a unique value proposition.
As the AR landscape continues to evolve, Snap’s Spectacles could play a pivotal role in shaping how we interact with technology and each other. Whether you’re a developer or an AR enthusiast, Snap’s vision for the future is one worth watching.
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