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Technology

Image Playground Reborn: Apple Integrates ChatGPT for Enhanced AI Image Generation

Apple is revamping Image Playground by integrating ChatGPT to improve its AI image generation capabilities. The update aims to address previous user disappointments with limitations and low-quality results.

The new ChatGPT integration will allow users to access more diverse styles, including Oil Painting, Watercolor, Vector, Anime, and Print, as well as an 'Any Style' option for custom descriptions. These styles will be labeled under a 'ChatGPT style' banner.

Apple emphasizes that user descriptions will be sent to ChatGPT only with permission. This upgrade is intended to make Image Playground a more competitive and well-rounded AI image creation tool.

The updated Image Playground app is expected to launch with iOS 26 this fall, following Apple's broader integration of ChatGPT into Siri and other system-wide tools.

Technology

iOS 26 Unveils Enhanced Features Across Apple Apps

Apple's iOS 26, unveiled at WWDC 2025, introduces a suite of enhancements across its core applications.

Key Updates:

  • Phone: Call Screening to silently answer calls from unknown numbers and Hold Assist to wait for live agents.
  • Messages: Polls in group chats, custom backgrounds, typing indicators, and Apple Cash support.
  • Apple Music: Lyrics Translation, Lyrics Pronunciation, AudioMix for seamless transitions, and a karaoke feature.
  • Apple Maps: Improved commute predictions and a Visited Places feature with end-to-end encryption.
  • Apple Wallet: Digital ID for age and identity verification, real-time flight updates, and automatic order tracking summaries.
  • FaceTime: Live Translation for cross-lingual communication.
  • Photos: Return of the tabbed interface and 3D spatial photo transformation.
  • Camera: Streamlined capture modes and accessible settings.
  • Apple Podcasts: Customizable playback speeds and an Enhance Dialogue feature.
  • Image Playground: ChatGPT integration for advanced image creation.

Artificial Intelligence

Meta's AI Bet: $15B Investment in Scale AI and Alexandr Wang's Leadership

Meta is investing nearly $15 billion in Scale AI, acquiring a 49% stake, and enlisting CEO Alexandr Wang to lead a new "superintelligence" lab. This move aims to bolster Meta's AI capabilities, which have lagged behind competitors like OpenAI and Google.

The deal mirrors Meta's past acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram, with the company betting on Scale AI's data annotation expertise to improve its AI models. However, Meta faces challenges, including talent attrition and the need to innovate in data utilization.

The partnership with Scale AI and Wang could potentially alienate other AI labs that rely on Scale AI for data, benefiting competitors like Turing and Surge AI. The success of Meta's investment hinges on its ability to catch up in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, where OpenAI is preparing to release its next flagship model, GPT-5.

Energy

Fervo Energy Secures $206M to Advance Geothermal Power Plant Construction

Fervo Energy has obtained $206 million in funding to progress the development of a large enhanced geothermal power plant in Utah. The Cape Station project aims to produce 100 megawatts of electricity by next year, with an additional 400 megawatts planned for 2028.

The project utilizes enhanced geothermal technology, which taps into deeper and hotter resources compared to traditional methods. The company has successfully drilled its deepest and hottest well to date, reaching 15,765 feet with temperatures around 520°F. This progress has attracted investment, including significant contributions from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and Mercuria.

The influx of debt financing indicates growing investor confidence in the commercial viability of enhanced geothermal energy.

Technology

Wikipedia Halts AI Summary Experiment Amid Editor Concerns

Wikipedia has paused its AI-generated summary experiment following criticism from editors.

The experiment, which added AI summaries to the top of Wikipedia articles for users with a browser extension, was met with concerns about accuracy and credibility.

Editors feared the AI-generated summaries, prone to errors, could damage Wikipedia's reputation.

While the experiment is paused, Wikipedia remains interested in using AI summaries for accessibility and other use cases.

Social Media

Khaby Lame Detained by ICE After Visa Overstay, Triggering Controversy

Khaby Lame, the top TikTok creator, was recently detained by U.S. immigration officials in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa after arriving in April. He was granted voluntary departure and is now abroad.

The situation gained attention after influencer Bo Loudon claimed to have reported Lame's immigration status to authorities.

Lame, known for his silent reactions, gained popularity after losing his job during the pandemic. He has partnered with brands like Hugo Boss, appeared in a movie, and starred in a travel series about his time in the U.S.

As of now, Lame has not publicly commented on the incident.

Cybersecurity

Vaccines.gov Hacked: Transformed into AI-Generated Spam Hub

A U.S. government website, vaccines.gov, has been defaced and is now hosting AI-generated spam content. The domain, managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has been displaying gay-themed and LGBTQ+ posts since at least May 12.

The purpose and actors behind this defacement remain unknown, with the content resembling AI-generated spam. This incident is part of a larger spam operation affecting sites owned by NPR, Nvidia, and Stanford University, all redirecting to a spam page on wowlazy.com.

HHS has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the breach.

Social Media

Snapchat Introduces Lens+ Subscription for Exclusive AR Experiences

Snapchat has launched a new subscription tier called Lens+, priced at $8.99 per month, offering users access to exclusive Lenses and AR experiences. This new tier complements the existing Snapchat+ subscription and includes access to hundreds of Lenses for creating and sharing Snaps.
The company plans to add new AR experiences weekly, starting with Lenses built by Snapchat and select creators, including exclusive AI video Lenses and a Bitmoji Game Lens. Snapchat clarified that no previously free Lenses will be gated behind the new subscription.
In the future, select Lens creators will have the opportunity to monetize their exclusive Lenses, providing them with a new way to earn on the platform. Launched in 2022, Snapchat+ has over 14 million subscribers and has been a significant driver of revenue growth for the company.
Snap is aiming to further increase its revenue by offering advanced Lenses and AR experiences through the Lens+ subscription. Snapchat also offers a Platinum Snapchat+ tier at $14.99 per month, which removes ads and includes all perks from the standard Snapchat+ and Lens+ tiers.

Data Privacy

Protecting Your Genetic Privacy: Steps to Delete and Secure 23andMe Data

Following 23andMe's bankruptcy and acquisition by Regeneron, concerns arose regarding the privacy of its 15 million customers' genetic data. Approximately 15% of customers have requested data deletion amid scrutiny and lawsuits challenging the sale of customer data. Users can delete their data through the account settings, but 23andMe retains some information for legal and compliance purposes. Revoking consent for research and destroying stored saliva samples are also options. It's crucial for users to inform family members about these risks and encourage them to take similar protective measures.

Artificial Intelligence

Meta AI Introduces AI-Powered Video Editing Tools Across Platforms

Meta has launched new video editing capabilities in Meta AI, allowing users to edit short videos with AI presets. These tools enable changes to costumes, locations, and styles. The features are available on the Meta AI app, website, and Edits app in the U.S. Inspired by Movie Gen AI models, the initial version includes 50 presets for 10-second videos. Users can share edited videos directly to Facebook and Instagram. Meta plans to add more customization options later this year. This move aims to encourage creators to use Meta's tools instead of third-party apps.