Welcome, humans.☕

What to decode:

• 🤖 Midjourney cancels free access

• 📱 Apple in big trouble?

• 👨‍💻 Digital Startup ideas

• 🤯 Bigfoot and AI

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Midjourney Pauses Free Trials Amid Fake Photos 📸

Attention tech enthusiasts and social media buffs, we have some news that may just make you do a double-take. Midjourney, the beloved AI text-to-image generator that has taken the internet by storm, has put a pause on its free trial version. Why, you ask? Well, it seems that the platform has become a breeding ground for viral deepfakes that are causing quite a stir online.

What are deepfakes, you say? These are artificially manipulated images and videos that have been altered to show people or events in a way that is not entirely true. Think of it as an online version of the classic "bait and switch" trick, where you think you're getting one thing, but in reality, it's something entirely different.

And boy, have there been some noteworthy deepfakes that have made the rounds. From Pope Francis sporting a white puffer jacket to former U.S. President Donald Trump being apprehended by the police, these fake photos and videos have made their way into the news cycle and caused quite a stir. Even historical events like the "Great Cascadia" have been photoshopped to look like they're happening right before our eyes.

Now, before you start jumping to conclusions, let's be clear: not all deepfakes are inherently bad. However, the increased use of them has led to a heated debate about their ethical implications. Companies like Midjourney and Playground AI are doing their part to remove free tiers and try to prevent deepfakes from spreading like wildfire. But let's be real, it's probably too late to put the genie back in the bottle.

THE BAD CODE

Rumored USB-C Restrictions on iPhone 15S Could Lead Apple into Legal Trouble📱

Hold on to your charging cables, folks, because the latest rumor mill is churning out some juicy details about Apple's upcoming iPhone 15S that could land the tech giant in some hot water.

According to sources, Apple is considering implementing USB-C restrictions on their new device, which could seriously limit user options when it comes to charging and connecting to external devices. This move would be a significant departure from Apple's current Lightning connector standard, and could potentially leave iPhone users feeling frustrated and stuck with limited compatibility.

While it's understandable that Apple wants to maintain control over their devices and create a seamless user experience, the rumored USB-C restrictions could potentially violate consumer protection laws. In many countries, including the US and the EU, there are regulations in place to protect consumers' right to repair and maintain their devices as they see fit. If Apple were to impose strict limitations on how their customers can use and connect to their iPhones, they could face legal repercussions.

Of course, there's always the possibility that these rumors are just that - rumors. Apple has yet to confirm or deny anything about the iPhone 15S, so for now, we'll just have to wait and see. But if the whispers are true, it could spell trouble for Apple's reputation as a company that prioritizes user freedom and satisfaction.

Bigfoot and Computer Vison

The Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot Film from 1967 is one of the most iconic pieces of footage in the history of cryptozoology. Shot by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin in the forests of Northern California, the grainy, shaky footage purportedly shows a large, bipedal ape-like creature walking through the trees.

For decades, the authenticity of the footage has been hotly debated, with skeptics arguing that it's a hoax and believers insisting that it's evidence of an unknown primate species. One of the main criticisms of the footage has been its poor quality, with shaky camera work and low resolution making it difficult to analyze.

However, recent advances in AI and computer vision have allowed experts to stabilize the footage, providing a clearer and more stable view of the creature. Using machine learning algorithms and neural networks, researchers were able to analyze the movements of the camera and compensate for the shaking and blurring, resulting in a much more stable and clear image.

The stabilized footage reveals details that were previously obscured, such as the creature's musculature and the movement of its limbs. It also allows for more precise analysis of the creature's gait and behavior, which could potentially provide clues to its identity.

While the stabilized footage does not definitively prove the existence of Bigfoot, it does provide a more detailed and compelling piece of evidence for researchers to analyze. The use of AI and computer vision in cryptozoology represents a promising new direction for the field, as it allows for more precise and accurate analysis of elusive and difficult-to-capture creatures.

THE CODE IDEA OF THE DAY

An App 👨‍💻

Problem: Small businesses and contractors struggle to be easily found by potential customers, and customers struggle to find reliable and trustworthy workers in their area.

Solution: A media app that allows businesses to create verified accounts, and customers to write reviews only if they have been provided with a code from a verified customer. The app also restricts spam and overwhelming presentation of work to ensure fair representation for small businesses. The app filters businesses based on location, price, and reviews from verified customers.

SOURCE: Reddit User N00d1es1