Tech News – Page 37 – by Arlin Schaffel

ChatGPT is transforming LinkedIn users into really dull dolls

ChatGPT’s latest image generator had an explosive debut thanks to the viral Studio Ghibli art trend, and LinkedIn users have now jumped on a new gimmick: turning yourself into a toy. There are several flavors of the trend being shared. The “AI Action Figure” variant appears to have gained the most traction, in which a person generates a plastic version of themselves in a blister pack, alongside various accessories — typically a laptop, a book, and a coffee cup, which is fitting given LinkedIn is largely driving this trend. Other versions try to specifically emulate recognizable branding, such as the “Barbie Box Challenge.”
https://www.theverge.com/news/647356/chatgpt-ai-barbie-action-figure-viral-trend

Canva is now in the coding and spreadsheet business

Canva is launching its latest smorgasbord of generative AI-powered workspace tools in its attempt to cram everything that Microsoft, Google, and Adobe can do into a single platform. Canva’s Visual Suite is being redesigned to combine its design and productivity tools into a single interface, alongside adding new coding, photo editing, spreadsheet, and AI chatbot features.
https://www.theverge.com/news/646682/canva-visual-suite-2-0-ai-spreadsheets-creative-workspace

TikTok quietly launches a new ‘TikTok for Artists’ platform

As TikTok’s fate in the United States remains uncertain, the tech giant has quietly started testing a new “TikTok for Artists” insights platform that is designed to help artists build their careers, the company confirmed to TechCrunch. The platform will provide artists with tools to promote their songs, understand performance metrics, and engage with fans. The platform is currently being tested in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia. TikTok plans to bring the platform to additional markets in the future alongside a wider rollout.
https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/03/tiktok-quietly-launches-a-new-tiktok-for-artists-platform/

Samsung’s Ballie robot launches in the US ‘this Summer’ with Gemini in tow

After years of teasing, Samsung is finally gearing up to launch its Ballie robot “this Summer,” with the company teaming up with Google to leverage Gemini on the helpful home robot. Samsung first showed off Ballie in early 2020, but the project has been delayed and reimagined in the years since. At CES 2024, the company showed off the updated design of Ballie, and has now committed to a “Summer” 2025 release.
https://9to5google.com/2025/04/09/samsung-ballie-gemini-launch-date/

Meta Quest Didn’t Save VR Market, But Glasses May Take Over

VR headsets are out, and AR glasses are in. Research from analysis firm Counterpoint shows that the global VR shipments trended down through 2024 despite proliferation cheap headsets like the Meta Quest 3s. Worse, VR sales numbers may not improve any time soon. The next step for these companies are glasses—with or without augmented reality capabilities. Big tech now needs to convince consumers thin glasses filled to the brim with AI are better than shoving a heavy piece of plastic on their noggins.
https://gizmodo.com/the-vr-hype-cycle-is-over-and-just-in-time-for-the-ar-hype-cycle-to-begin-2000578035

Adobe launches Premiere Pro’s generative AI video extender

Generative Extend is completely free to use for a “limited time,” according to Adobe, after which the feature will require users to spend Firefly generative credits. Creative Cloud subscriptions provide a monthly allocation of credits ranging between 25 to 1,000 credits depending on the plan. An additional Firefly credit subscription is also available starting from $10, which grants 2,000 credits per month. Adobe has not specified how many credits the Generative Extend feature will eventually consume, but says that “price will vary based on the format, frame rate, and resolution of your video.”
https://www.theverge.com/news/641270/adobe-premiere-pro-generative-extend-generally-available