Figma Unveils AI-powered Design Tools

Figma has introduced AI tools to its design platform. Available in beta, Figma AI can generate drafts, prototypes, and automate tasks to streamline workflows. This move positions Figma as both a design and development tool, challenging Adobe's dominance.

Figma AI incorporates features like design creation using prompts, visual search to find assets in team files using images, and renaming layers with a click. It aims to elevate designer's work while enabling others to visualize feedback. Visual search resembles Google Lens, identifying similar designs from files the user can access.

In addition, Figma launched Figma Slides for presentations and developer tools. Figma Slides allows leveraging Figma designs and AI assistance in crafting narratives and ensuring discussions. It capitalizes on the trend of designing decks in Figma.

Toys R Us Unveils First Commercial Made with OpenAI’s Sora

Toys 'R' Us is using OpenAI's text-to-video tool Sora to animate its brand comeback. The company behind the zombie brand, WHP Global, premiered a video at Cannes Lions said to be the first brand film created with Sora.

While some headlines called it the first commercial generated by Sora, Native Foreign produced the footage with about a dozen people applying corrections. Sora only got the project about 80-85% complete. The director later deleted social posts on the video's creation process.

Comparable earlier footage generated by Native Foreign using Sora was also reused in the final Toys 'R' Us video. This suggests limited novelty despite marketing the film as the first to leverage this AI technology.

After bankruptcy in 2017-2018 led to store closures, Toys 'R' Us is trying to make a larger comeback under WHP Global. It recently opened two US stores and planned up to 24 for 2024, as well as airport and cruise ship locations. However, the full potential of this revival remains unclear as the brand has struggled to regain prominence.

OpenAI Delays ChatGPT’s New Voice Mode

OpenAI has delayed the rollout of an advanced voice mode for its AI chatbot ChatGPT. Though demoed in May with a near real-time voice, the company now says it needs more time before release.

Planned alpha testing was to begin with select ChatGPT Plus users in late June, but technical issues have pushed this back to July. OpenAI is improving the model's ability to detect and refuse certain content as well as experience and infrastructure preparedness.

Advanced voice may not launch for all ChatGPT Plus subscribers until fall, depending on meeting safety and reliability standards. Meanwhile, separate capabilities for visual problem solving and device explanations remain on track.

The voice mode aims to enable more natural conversations by understanding emotions and cues. However, similarity to Scarlett Johansson's voice led to controversy and legal action until OpenAI removed the offending voice. OpenAI says it will thoughtfully introduce new experiences when ready.

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Roblox Looks Towards "4D generative AI" Future

Virtual platform Roblox is pursuing more advanced artificial intelligence capabilities it calls "4D generative AI". This emerging technology would enable dynamic interactions between virtual objects, users, and environments.

Currently, Roblox offers AI tools for generating 3D textures, animations, and scripts to aid content creation. However, the company's chief scientist Morgan McGuire explained their new research aims to build systems understanding an object's individual components and how they might function together independently at scale.

Speaking to the progress, McGuire discussed the goal of AI able to collaborate closely with creators for smoother design workflows. Roblox believes this could significantly boost production of user-generated content.

For over a year now, Roblox has rolled out initial AI systems to facilitate material design. Its planned approach to 4D aims to bring immersive virtual worlds to new heights by programming interactive behaviors between virtual elements. As the effort advances, the platform's massive community of builders may gain powerful new tools.

Roblox's push to develop more advanced generative AI underscores its commitment to continual innovation supporting further growth of user-created gameplay, simulations, and social worlds on its platform. Only time will tell how close the company comes to achieving its vision.

Dr. Disrespect Banned from Twitch and Terminated from Midnight Society Following Misconduct Allegations

Game studio Midnight Society announced that it parted ways with co-founder Dr. Disrespect, whose real name is Guy Beahm, in the wake of misconduct allegations against him.

The studio had said in a tweet that it began investigating claims about Beahm that had surfaced online the prior week. Midnight Society stated it had needed to "act with dignity" for all involved individuals, including its 55 developers and families.

The prior week, a former Twitch employee had discussed bans related to sexual misconduct, stirring online speculation about Beahm. In response, Beahm had tweeted denying any illegal or wrongful acts in relation to his Twitch settlement. Midnight Society, however, appeared to disagree that no wrongdoing had occurred in its decision to terminate the relationship.

During a stream that day, Beahm had seemed to react to news and said he had felt "burnt out" on streaming, hinting at a possible extended break. Neither Midnight Society nor Beahm's representatives had provided further comment to Decrypt on the matter.

Netflix Takes Mobile-first ‘Phased Approach’ to Gaming

Netflix is taking a phased approach to expanding its games offerings. Currently it focuses on mobile titles through Netflix Games, launched two years ago. Leanne Loombe, VP of external games, noted Netflix's 270 million subscribers prefer "snackable" games on phones.

Loombe stated in an interview that establishing a strong mobile presence is the priority for now. Netflix seeks partnerships with smaller studios experienced in mobile development but not tied to free-to-play models. Visibility has been challenging in the past, though downloads grew for hits like Grand Theft Auto.

If users click games in their Netflix feed they are redirected to app stores. Long term, Netflix aims to make games playable directly through the streaming service. Loombe confirmed Netflix is developing cloud gaming technology to eventually allow streaming on any device, which could improve awareness and engagement globally.

While cloud services are pending, Netflix funds in-house studios developing PC and console games. It also turns popular shows like Squid Game into cross platform titles to reach wider audiences through gaming. This suggests Netflix hopes to expand its content and subscriber base across mediums over the long run.

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Solana Launches New Actions and Blinks Features, Bringing Crypto Interactions to Social Media

The Solana Foundation launched new Social Media features called Actions and Blinks aimed at integrating cryptocurrency onto platforms.

Actions allow transactions without leaving the current website. Blinks are blockchain links that any site displaying URLs can use. This includes Twitter, Telegram, WhatsApp and more.

The features connect sites to crypto wallets, with a prompt to approve first-time connections. Trust is based on familiar domains and DApps. QR codes can also be created.

Several wallets like Phantom will only unfurl registered Actions URLs on Twitter at launch for security. The blockchain acts as a database for actions across services.

Previous projects also tried promoting crypto social use, but the Solana features aim to be more universal. Partners will help test implementations.

Twitter is seen as the most "crypto native" starting platform. Future versions may allow wallets to infer trust based on site usage history. The launch begins integrating cryptocurrency more seamlessly across the internet.

21Shares Files Application for Solana ETF

Asset manager 21Shares has submitted an application for a Solana exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filing comes just one day after rival VanEck opened the door with its own Solana ETF proposal.

21Shares' application assumes Solana would not be classified as a security under US regulations. However, a decision by the SEC to designate it as such could force 21Shares to withdraw the proposal due tostricter registration rules for securities-based funds.

Interest in a Solana ETF has grown since US approvals for Bitcoin and Ethereum products, according to the article. Both 21Shares and VanEck believe the factors that paved the way for Ethereum funds could facilitate Solana gaining regulatory clearance as well.

The proposed 21Shares fund would list on Cboe Global Markets and offer exposure to SOL price movements without direct coin ownership. This is aimed at providing mainstream investors easy access while mitigating risks of holding the underlying asset.

VanEck digital assets research head Matt Sigel suggests the regulatory tide may be turning in crypto's favor. This view appears echoed by the most recent 21Shares filing and a US Supreme Court decision curbing some securities watchdogs' powers - developments paving the way for innovations like Solana ETFs.

OtherWorld Launches 'Solo Leveling: Unlimited' Collectibles Platform on Avalanche

Web3 startup OtherWorld has announced the launch of "Solo Leveling: Unlimited", a new digital collectibles platform based on the massively popular "Solo Leveling" franchise. The closed beta launch leverages Avalanche's blockchain ecosystem.

"Solo Leveling: Unlimited" (SL:U) aims to recreate the gameplay and narrative experience of the original "Solo Leveling" webtoon and related media. Users can participate in the storyline by competing in "gates" to earn monster cards to level up, mimicking the core gameplay loop.

Cards can be leveled up over time, with top performers in seasonal competitions receiving limited-edition non-fungible tokens (NFTs). OtherWorld says this allows fans to engage directly with one of South Korea's most beloved stories.

In addition to gasless NFT minting and transactions, SL:U is built using a customized Avalanche-based layer 1 blockchain. This is aimed at providing a smooth user experience for mainstream adoption.

Beyond "Solo Leveling", OtherWorld holds Web3 rights to over 20 popular webtoon IPs. CEO Mike Lee notes the company plans to solve issues like high gas fees and cryptocurrency usage that currently limit blockchain adoption. Its vision is helping IP owners monetize loyal global fanbases.

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