Stability AI Releases Stable Audio 2.0

Stability AI has released Stable Audio 2.0, an upgraded generative AI model for audio. The initial Stable Audio launched in September 2023 and could generate 90 second audio clips from text prompts, while version 2.0 can now generate 3 minute tracks. It also adds the ability to modify input audio samples with text.

Stable Audio 2.0 is trained to generate complete musical compositions with distinct sections using latent diffusion, an improvement over fragmentary output previously. It relies on a transformer-based latent diffusion model trained on licensed audio data from AudioSparx. The upgraded model produces a wider range of sound effects and textures with enhanced musicality and fidelity for longer durations. Stable Audio 2.0 is available for limited free use on their website and will soon offer an API for developers.

Copyright protection was a priority in training Stable Audio 2.0 only on licensed data and monitoring uploads. This is important for commercializing the technology through subscriptions. While not yet openly available, Stability AI plans open audio models later this year. Lessons from the initial release informed version 2.0's focus on practical applications through extended output duration and accuracy.

The release of Stable Audio 2.0 comes as Stability AI continues advancing generative AI following the recent departure of its CEO, demonstrating business continuity. Protection of intellectual property is a key factor for the model's safe and commercial use.

Microsoft Upgrades Copilot for Microsoft 365 with GPT-4 Turbo, Unlimited Messaging, and More

Microsoft announced upgrades to its AI assistant Copilot for Microsoft 365 users, including default integration with OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo model for faster and more comprehensive responses. Other upgrades are unlimited messaging beyond the previous 300 chat limit, and increased daily image generation boosts from 15 to 100 using the Designer AI tool. Additionally, Microsoft plans to offer its Copilot Government Cloud version next summer to comply with EU regulations.

Microsoft aims to reassure customers about their data protection by anonymizing and encrypting user information before sending to Copilot, and keeping it only for the session duration. It also defends customers legally if Copyright issues arise from Copilot use. For its $30 per user monthly subscription, Copilot also provides commercial data protection and unlimited editing/working with long text chunks through GPT-4 Turbo's large context window.

Microsoft likely made these upgrades in response to OpenAI releasing GPT-3.5 for free use. It courts enterprise customers concerned about generative AI copyright issues through its Customer Copyright Commitment. Additionally, the U.S. House banned Copilot over security risks, and Microsoft stated it will meet U.S. government security standards later this year and comply with EU rules.

By increasing capabilities and addressing privacy/legal concerns, Microsoft enhances Copilot's value as an AI assistant for businesses with 365 subscriptions and aims to expand its appropriate and compliant uses.

DALL-E Now Has Image Editing Capabilities in ChatGPT

DALL-E now has image editing capabilities when used within ChatGPT on the web or mobile. This allows users to refine images directly from the conversational interface without needing perfect text prompts. Additionally, DALL-E offers new preset style suggestions to provide starting points for image creation, similar to phone wallpaper prompts featuring styles like woodcut, gothic, and synthwave. Selecting a style adds it to the prompt, requiring users to provide the remaining creative details. These updates make DALL-E more user-friendly by reducing reliance on descriptive text prompts.

Recent updates to DALL-E 3, which integrated it with ChatGPT, took some of the creative burden off users by allowing conversations to inform image prompts. The new editing tools and style presets continue this effort to guide less experienced users. At the same time, the style suggestions don't fully determine the image, still necessitating creative contributions.

As AI image generation progresses, OpenAI is also working to address trust by adding visible watermarks and metadata to denote images as computer-generated. However, these can be removed, highlighting an important challenge around ensuring proper attribution that multiple parties need to address.

Helldivers 2 Update Increased Level Cap & Adds New Planetary Hazards

Developer Arrowhead Game Studios has released a major update for Helldivers 2. Patch 01.000.200 increases the level cap from 50 to 150, adds new planetary hazards like blizzards and sandstorms, rebalances missions and weapons, and fixes issues. Retrieve Essential Personnel and Destroy Command Bunkers missions were made easier through objective placement and difficulty scaling changes.

Various primary, secondary, and support weapons saw adjustments to damage, ammo capacity, and fire modes. Stratagems like the Patriot Exosuit now have different armor penetration rules. Enemy changes were also applied, such as Chargers doing less melee damage to Exosuits. Heavy and medium armor now provides better protection for Helldivers.

Alongside the new environmental threats, weapon changes aimed to balance the Arc Thrower, Anti-Materiel Rifle, Dominator, and other weapons. Operation modifiers now have halved negative effects on abilities. Various enemies now deal less damage or no longer create breaches.

The update follows past patches that introduced flying terminid bugs and adjusted their spawn rates. It represents a significant overhaul of Helldivers 2 progression and gameplay mechanics through the level cap raise, mission streamlining, and widespread balancing of tools, gear and opponents that Divers encounter.

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes is Coming to PC

EA is bringing the popular mobile strategy RPG Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes to PC. Originally released in 2015 for phones and tablets, the PC version will launch simultaneously with updates to the mobile version and support cross-saves.

Galaxy of Heroes has seen enormous success, hitting 100 million players in 2021 as one of EA's first titles under its exclusive Star Wars license. Its arrival on PC signals a continued commitment to the franchise as the game approaches its 10th anniversary in 2025. As a free-to-play title like the mobile version, it also stands to generate additional revenue on PC.

While EA did not provide recent performance details, Galaxy of Heroes has been incorporated new characters and content from television shows like The Bad Batch. However, EA canceled an unannounced Star Wars shooter from Respawn in February as it pivots away from licensed IP towards owning its own series such as Mass Effect and Apex Legends. Yet, EA remains partly devoted to Star Wars through continuing the Jedi series and an unannounced strategy game from Bit Reactor.

Bringing the popular and long-running Galaxy of Heroes to PC opens it up to a new platform and player base, extending the life of this major Star Wars licensed title as one way EA maintains its relationship with the franchise.

A16Z Opens up Third Speedrun Accelerator with $75M Funding

A16Z's third Speedrun accelerator, called SR003, is now accepting applications. The program aims to invest up to $75 million total into promising pre-seed startups over the next 12 weeks. SR003 will take place in Los Angeles for the first time, concluding with a Demo Day event during San Francisco Tech Week in October 2024. Individual investments can reach $750,000, increased from previous cohorts. Only the most ambitious and finest creatives will be carefully selected to participate in the program.

In addition to funding, Speedrun participants will receive mentorship from a highly curated set of industry coaches and partners. This support is designed to help launch their ideas from the ground up. Previous Speedruns have proven highly successful, based on outcome metrics. A16Z estimates only 1% of total applicants are ultimately chosen for each cohort. Figures from SR001 found that 80% of selected projects then went on to secure follow-on investments after their concluding Demo Day event.

Applications for SR003 are now open and will be accepted through May 19, 2024. The program hopes to once again bring together top innovators from the worlds of technology and games to cultivate the most promising new startups.

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9GAG’s Memeland Introduces “Memenet”

Meme powerhouse 9GAG's Memeland revealed plans to launch its own dedicated blockchain for meme coins called Memenet.

In their website, Memeland detailed the vision for Memenet is to serve as the best home for meme-based cryptocurrencies and creativity on the blockchain. The new chain will offer a safe, low-cost environment for building decentralized applications tailored for the meme coin community.

Memenet is being developed internally by Memeland, leveraging the company's 16 years of experience in online communities and recent successes in crypto. As the operator of 9GAG, one of the earliest and largest meme platforms, Memeland aims to bring its expertise in viral digital culture to the world of blockchain.

The Memenet blockchain plans to use Memeland's $MEME token as its native currency. It will integrate yield-generating functions to reward users holding assets on the network. Memeland also touted Memenet's focus on user-friendliness as well as big features at small fees.

Testing of Memenet is slated to begin in June 2024, with the official launch date set for September 2024. If successful, it could drive further mainstream adoption of meme-based cryptocurrencies by providing a dedicated home optimized for their needs.

Doodles Unveils an Animated Film Starring Pharrell and Lil Wayne

Ethereum NFT project Doodles announced it is developing an animated film called "Dullsville and the Doodleverse" featuring music from major artists Pharrell Williams, Lil Wayne, and Coi Leray. The film is being produced internally at Golden Wolf, an animation studio Doodles acquired, and will be directed by Doodles co-founder Scott Martin.

Billed as a groundbreaking animation and music experience, it will include a soundtrack on Doodles Records distributed through Columbia Records and launch three music videos. Lil Wayne and Leray will both contribute music and voice characters - Lil Wayne as Captain Stoke and Leray as Deysi. The film will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September following a summer "Project Gray" campaign.

Doodles CEO Julian Holguin reflected on maintaining creative control by acquiring Golden Wolf instead of offers from major studios. This allows them to develop their IP internally instead of losing control. Doodles launched in 2021 as a 10,000 NFT collection on Ethereum, since generating nearly $650 million in trading volume. The project expanded to Flow with Doodles 2 including avatar customization, gaming, and metaverse integrations.

By overseeing production and leveraging major artists, Doodles aims to release a film premiering at TIFF that amplifies its brand while retaining autonomy over its expanding entertainment franchise spanning NFTs, music, and gaming.

‘Nyan Heroes’ Tops 100K Players on Epic Games Following Weekend of Boosted Airdrop Rewards

Nyan Heroes, a Solana-based cat mech shooter, reported attracting over 100,000 players through its Epic Games Store pre-alpha demo since launching on March 25. With under a week until the April 9 end of the demo, the developer 9 Lives Interactive revealed rewards for top player leaderboards, including rare Genesis NFTs.

The top three players will receive a Legendary, Ultrarare, and Rare Genesis Nyan respectively, with positions 4-10 earning a Genesis Nyan and 11-20 a Genesis Guardian. Rank is determined by total wins, with the top 100 shown and others' ranks displayed. Players tied for a spot will earn the higher tier's reward. Additional MEOW points from leaderboard standing will boost airdrop eligibility, with the top 7,500 earning a bonus.

Previously, 9 Lives said Nyan Heroes and Guardian NFT owners receive extra in-game rewards. During a double points weekend, it offered accelerated airdrop campaign progress. The NYAN token is slated for a post-demo Solana launch.

By leveraging the Epic Games Store install base and enticing top performers with exclusive NFTs, 9 Lives aims to take full advantage of the pre-alpha testing period. Leaderboard competition and bonus point rewards further engage players in earning eligibility for the upcoming token and full game's economy.

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