Tag: TikTok

OpenAI's Sora, an AI‑generated video app modeled after TikTok, has surpassed one million downloads in under five days, despite being limited to North America and requiring an invitation to use. Users can create short videos simply by prompting the Sora 2 model, and a Cameo feature lets them generate videos of themselves and others who consent. The app’s limited guardrails have already produced controversial content, including likenesses of public figures and copyrighted characters, prompting pushback from the entertainment industry. OpenAI has responded by adding user‑controlled options for likeness usage and plans to give rights holders similar controls, though the true level of active use remains unclear. Leggi di più

OpenAI has released a standalone social app that uses its Sora 2 video‑generation model to create AI‑produced vertical videos, offering a TikTok‑like feed where users can generate avatars of themselves after identity verification. The platform includes safeguards that block nudity and restrict the use of other people’s likenesses without permission, while copyright rules remain fluid. In parallel, Tesla’s Full Self‑Driving system has begun prompting drowsy drivers to stay focused with the feature, raising safety questions. Researchers also reported a breakthrough in creating human eggs from skin cells, a development that could impact infertility treatment but also sparks ethical debate. Leggi di più

OpenAI is preparing a standalone social media app that mirrors TikTok’s vertical video feed but will feature only AI‑generated content. The app will be driven by the upcoming Sora 2 video model, limit clips to ten seconds or less, and include identity‑verification tools that let users’ likenesses be used in generated videos. Copyright safeguards will block certain content, and rights holders can opt out of having their material appear. Analysts suggest the move may capitalize on ongoing regulatory uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s U.S. operations. Leggi di più

Larry Ellison, the long‑time Oracle CEO, is building a massive media footprint. After decades of focusing on cloud and database services, the octogenarian has backed his children’s studios, merged Skydance with Paramount, and is linked to a potential U.S. TikTok partnership. The move signals a shift from technology to entertainment, while his history of aggressive tactics and political ties adds intrigue to the expanding empire. Leggi di più

Meta announced a new short‑form video feed called Vibes, integrated into the Meta AI app and meta.ai. The feed showcases AI‑generated videos that users can create, remix, and share across Meta’s platforms. Partnerships with Midjourney and Black Forest Labs supply early‑stage AI image generators, while Meta continues developing its own models. The rollout sparked mixed reactions, with many users questioning the need for an AI‑driven TikTok‑like experience. The launch arrives amid Meta’s broader effort to reorganize its AI division and catch up with rivals in the generative‑AI space. Leggi di più

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that moves TikTok’s U.S. operations into the hands of a group of American investors, including Oracle co‑founder Larry Ellison. Vice President JD Vance highlighted the involvement of multiple high‑profile investors such as Michael Dell and Rupert Murdoch. The order seeks to shift control of the platform’s recommendation algorithm and data handling away from Chinese ownership, addressing national‑security concerns that have driven months of negotiations and deadline extensions. Leggi di più

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that formalizes a plan to transfer TikTok's U.S. operations to an American‑controlled entity. The deal will give a coalition of U.S. investors—including Oracle, Silver Lake, MGX, Michael Dell and Rupert Murdoch—a majority stake, while ByteDance retains a 19.9% share. Valued at roughly $14 billion, the new structure keeps Oracle in charge of the app’s algorithm and data security. Lawmakers raised concerns about algorithm control, but Vice President JD Vance and the president emphasized that the arrangement meets legal requirements and will treat all content fairly. Leggi di più

A potential deal to keep TikTok operating in the United States past the current deadline is moving forward. The arrangement would involve a consortium of U.S. firms, including Oracle, Silver Lake and Susquehanna International, taking control of the platform's American operations while ByteDance retains a minority board seat. The transition may be handled through an app update rather than a new download, but a new algorithm trained on fresh data is expected. Experts warn that technical hurdles and policy concerns could jeopardize the effort, leaving the platform's future in flux. Leggi di più

TikTok is automatically adding shopping suggestions to videos filmed in war‑torn Gaza, linking items that match the clothing seen in the footage. The Verge reported that a clip of a Palestinian woman searching for family amid rubble was paired with dress recommendations from the platform’s new AI‑powered shop feature. The tool, which suggests products when users pause a video, is still in limited rollout and has drawn criticism for lacking clear guidelines about the types of content it is applied to. TikTok has not yet responded to requests for comment. Leggi di più

The White House is close to finalizing a deal that would shift TikTok ownership from ByteDance to a U.S. consortium and place U.S. user data under Oracle’s control. While the plan promises to keep data on American soil, critics warn that a rewritten algorithm and the prospect of a new app could change the user experience and raise questions about content moderation. The move also leaves open the fate of related apps such as CapCut and Lemon8, fueling uncertainty about the broader ecosystem. Leggi di più

College professors are leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT to design assignments that capture student interest while easing the grading burden. By prompting the model to brainstorm and refine ideas, educators create collaborative, media‑focused projects—like a media‑literacy assignment that encourages students to analyze TikTok and other digital content. The AI‑generated frameworks provide clear objectives, submission requirements, and grading criteria, helping teachers balance curricular standards with assignments that feel fun and relevant to students. Leggi di più

In the latest Engadget podcast, senior writer Sam Rutherford discusses the newly released iPhone 17 Air, assessing its thin design, battery performance, and how it fits within the broader iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17 Pro and the base model. The episode also covers Meta's Connect 2025 keynote, highlighting the introduction of Ray‑Ban Display smart glasses and speculating on their market impact. Additional topics include a developing TikTok partnership framework, potential U.S. licensing of ByteDance's original algorithm, and rumors surrounding a touchscreen MacBook Pro. The show wraps up with quick news bites and cultural picks. Leggi di più

Google announced a partnership with StopNCII.org to combat the spread of non‑consensual intimate imagery (NCII) by employing hash technology in its search results. Over the coming months, the company will use StopNCII’s image and video hashes—PDQ for photos and MD5 for videos—to identify and block flagged content without storing the original files. While the move follows similar commitments from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bumble and Microsoft’s integration into Bing, Google has faced criticism for lagging behind peers. Advocates note the new tools still place the removal burden on victims, highlighting ongoing challenges in protecting survivors. Leggi di più

Chinese regulators have closed their antitrust probe into Google’s Android operating system, a case that examined the platform’s dominance and its effect on domestic phone makers. The decision comes amid broader U.S.-China trade discussions involving TikTok, NVIDIA, and tariffs, and reflects Beijing’s strategic use of regulatory pressure in diplomatic negotiations. While Google’s core services remain blocked in China, the company continues to generate revenue through cloud services and advertising aimed at overseas audiences. Leggi di più

Sources indicate that TikTok’s sale of its U.S. operations will not be completed for at least another month, as negotiations between the United States and China continue. The Treasury Secretary confirmed a framework agreement, while Oracle remains the app’s cloud partner. The deal, which could be finalized within the next 30 to 45 days, may involve a group of investment firms taking control, but details on size and public disclosure remain unclear. Leggi di più

A recent look at the factors that make a song stick in listeners' heads combines three perspectives: a 2014 museum survey that identified the most quickly recognized tracks, AI models such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot that list their own "catchiest" songs and professional DJs from New Jersey and Atlanta who share real‑world criteria. The AI answers point to simple melodies, strong beats and tempos that match natural rhythms, while DJs emphasize emotional connection, beats per minute and cultural trends like TikTok. Together these sources reveal a shifting but recognizable set of constants behind ear‑worms. Leggi di più

U.S. and Chinese officials announced an ownership agreement for TikTok, ending a months‑long debate over a potential ban. The deal, confirmed during a trade meeting in Madrid, pushes back the deadline that was set for September 17 for TikTok to divest or face prohibition. President Donald Trump is slated to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 19 to discuss the agreement, while reports suggest Oracle could play a role in the transaction. The resolution aims to address national‑security concerns while preserving access for the platform’s 170 million U.S. users. Leggi di più

A potential agreement between the United States and China on the future of TikTok could allow the American version of the app to continue using the Chinese‑origin algorithm under a licensing arrangement. Chinese regulator Wang Jingtao said the deal would involve licensing the algorithm and other intellectual property rights. U.S. Treasury officials indicated the new version would retain some Chinese characteristics while being controlled by American investors. Companies such as Oracle and Perplexity AI have been mentioned as possible partners in restructuring or overseeing the platform's data and technology. Leggi di più

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has launched a new AI image generator called Seedream 4.0. Independent testing by Artificial Analysis shows the model outperforms Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash, nicknamed Nano Banana, on both text‑to‑image and image‑editing tasks. Seedream 4.0 is available through platforms like fal.ai and Replicate, costing $30 for 1,000 generations, and produces images that many users find indistinguishable from real photos, raising concerns about the future of synthetic media. Leggi di più

A recent look at what makes a song stick in listeners' heads combines a 2014 museum survey, lists generated by AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot, and the perspectives of veteran New Jersey DJ Mark Pomeroy and Atlanta DJ Sloan Lee. While the museum study ranked tracks like the Spice Girls' "Wannabe" as the most recognizable, AI models produced overlapping but varied selections. DJs emphasize beat tempo, crowd vibe, and social media trends such as TikTok as key drivers of catchiness. Together, these viewpoints illustrate that earworms are shaped by rhythm, cultural context, and evolving listener habits. Leggi di più