Photoshop Killer? 🎨🤖

👀 TLDR

In this week’s What’s Appening, we cover the buzz being generated by Google’s Gemini Flash 2.0 Image Generator. It allows anyone to edit images with conversational prompts, opening the doors for those of us who suck at Photoshop editing. It’s also being cited as a big problem for copyright enforcement. We also have news on the “dire” issues with creating an AI Siri, the privacy concerns with Alexa+, the UK gunning for social media platforms, the smartwatch sales slump, the first AI-generated newspaper, and more!

🎬 Our Top Take

🤖 🎨 Google – Gemini 2.0 Flash Image Generator Causes a Stir

The constant roll-out of new AI models can feel a little overwhelming, making it difficult to articulate why the average user should care about stuff like bigger parameters and context windows. Now and again, though, a new AI model arrives with game-changing qualities. That’s the case with Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash Image Generator, which is now available through Google AI Studio. Described as a potential “Photoshop killer,” it’s making waves for one key reason: fool-proof, prompt-based image editing. Basically, it allows ‘skill-free’ image editing with conversational prompts: “Change my hair from blonde to brown on my graduation pic,” or “Remove the clouds from this beach photo.” – you get the idea. This is a Photoshop-like tool for people without even basic Photoshop skills. Now, it’s not perfect, and we should also point out that others, including Photoshop and DALL·E 3, have editing-by-prompt features, but Gemini takes it up – or more aptly, down – a level by allowing the model to handle the technical details. Aside from its ease of use, the model is already causing controversy for its ability to easily remove watermarks from images, even the complex ones used by companies like Getty Images. It’s been called a “nightmare for copyright enforcement.” #PhotoshopKiller? Read more here.

📲 App of the Week: Touch Grass

A fun one this week: There is no end of productivity apps that will help you block distracting features from your phone. Yet, Touch Grass takes things somewhat literally. It plays into the old saying “touch grass,” i.e., getting away from the slog of work and virtual life by going outdoors. In this case, the app blocks other distracting apps, only unlocking them when you verify (with your phone camera) that you’ve gone outside and literally touched the grass. The app is free (in-app purchases apply) and is available only for iPhone right now. Check out Touch Grass here.

🧐 Stat of the Week: 7%

📈📉 Smartwatches – Global Sales Declined for First Time in 2024

We came across some interesting stats on the current health of the global smartwatch market. The headline is that sales dropped for the first time last year, down 7% on 2023. The biggest ‘loser’ was Apple, with sales down 19% overall. The reason for the slump has been put down to a lack of new applications and features – or at least compelling ones – in high-end smartwatches. Yet, the report does state that AI may breathe new life into the market in the coming years. #SalesSlump Read more here.

🗞️ Other Stories

📍 Meanwhile at 3Advance

We’ve been having a ton of fun on social lately, getting creative, trying new things, and sharing content that actually feels like us. But beyond just making cool stuff, we really want our content to bring value. So if you take away something useful from our short videos, that means everything to us. Furqaan’s been on fire with his quick insights on tech, AI, and startups, breaking things down for entrepreneurs. And now Kate’s in the mix too, giving you an inside look at the bold, beautiful apps we build every day. Catch these reels on Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn, and feel free to drop comments and tell us what you think!

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