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"This doesn’t feel right, does it?": Photographer admits Sony prize-winning photo was AI generated

<p>A German photographer is refusing an award for his prize-winning shot after admitting to being a “cheeky monkey”, revealing the image was generated using artificial intelligence.</p> <p>The artist, Boris Eldagsen, shared on his website that he would not be accepting the prestigious award for the creative open category, which he won at <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/art/winners-of-sony-world-photography-awards-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023’s Sony world photography awards</a>.</p> <p>The winning photograph showcased a black and white image of two women from different generations.</p> <p>Eldagsen, who studied photography and visual arts at the Art Academy of Mainz, conceptual art and intermedia at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, and fine art at the Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication in Hyderabad released a statement on his website, admitting he “applied as a cheeky monkey” to find out if competitions would be prepared for AI images to enter. “They are not,” he revealed.</p> <p>“We, the photo world, need an open discussion,” Eldagsen said.</p> <p>“A discussion about what we want to consider photography and what not. Is the umbrella of photography large enough to invite AI images to enter – or would this be a mistake?</p> <p>“With my refusal of the award I hope to speed up this debate.”</p> <p>Eldagsen said this was an “historic moment” as it was the fist AI image to have won a prestigious international photography competition, adding “How many of you knew or suspected that it was AI generated? Something about this doesn’t feel right, does it?</p> <p>“AI images and photography should not compete with each other in an award like this. They are different entities. AI is not photography. Therefore I will not accept the award.”</p> <p>The photographer suggested donating the prize to a photo festival in Odesa, Ukraine.</p> <p>It comes as a heated debate over the use and safety concerns of AI continue, with some going as far as to issue apocalyptic warnings that the technology may be close to causing irreparable damage to the human experience.</p> <p>Google’s chief executive, Sundar Pirchai said, “It can be very harmful if deployed wrongly and we don’t have all the answers there yet – and the technology is moving fast. So, does that keep me up at night? Absolutely.”</p> <p>A spokesperson for the World Photography Organisation admitted that the prize-winning photographer had confirmed the “co-creation” of the image using AI to them prior to winning the award.</p> <p>“The creative category of the open competition welcomes various experimental approaches to image making from cyanotypes and rayographs to cutting-edge digital practices. As such, following our correspondence with Boris and the warranties he provided, we felt that his entry fulfilled the criteria for this category, and we were supportive of his participation.</p> <p>“Additionally, we were looking forward to engaging in a more in-depth discussion on this topic and welcomed Boris’ wish for dialogue by preparing questions for a dedicated Q&amp;A with him for our website.</p> <p>“As he has now decided to decline his award we have suspended our activities with him and in keeping with his wishes have removed him from the competition. Given his actions and subsequent statement noting his deliberate attempts at misleading us, and therefore invalidating the warranties he provided, we no longer feel we are able to engage in a meaningful and constructive dialogue with him.</p> <p>“We recognise the importance of this subject and its impact on image-making today. We look forward to further exploring this topic via our various channels and programmes and welcome the conversation around it. While elements of AI practices are relevant in artistic contexts of image-making, the awards always have been and will continue to be a platform for championing the excellence and skill of photographers and artists working in the medium.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Sony World Photography Awards</em></p>

Technology

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Winners of Sony World Photography awards revealed

<p>The winners for Sony’s World Photography awards have been revealed.</p> <p>Photographers were chosen across various categories to showcase different subjects, compositions and perspectives worldwide.</p> <p><strong>Photographer of the Year</strong></p> <p>The photographer of the year award was given to Edgar Martins, an acclaimed photographer from Portugal.</p> <p>Martin’s series of portraits, “Our War”, pays homage to his friend, photojournalist Anton Hammerl, who was killed during the Libyan Civil War in 2011.</p> <p>"In 2011, my dear friend and the photojournalist, Anton Hammerl, travelled to Libya to cover the conflict between pro-regime and anti-Gaddafi forces. On 5 April he was forcefully abducted and killed by government militia. Frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation to find his mortal remains, in 2022 I took matters into my own hands and travelled to Libya.”</p> <p>Martins shared the story of his friend through a series of photographs.</p> <p>"This previously unseen body of work is structured as a self-portrait of Anton Hammerl through the people he photographed and met, and others involved in the conflict (freedom fighters or their descendants, ex-militia, local residents, Gaddafi loyalists or lookalikes, and so on).”</p> <p>Martins captured people in black and white or photo colours.</p> <p>"They were selected because they resembled him, espoused similar ideas and beliefs, or reminded me of him at different stages of our friendship.”</p> <p>His subjects were photographed alongside natural backgrounds across Libya.</p> <p>"This project portrays a complex story, warped by absence, that talks of the difficulty of documenting, testifying, witnessing, remembering, honouring and imagining.”</p> <p><strong>Architecture & Design</strong></p> <p>The winner for Architecture & Design was Chinese photographer Li Fan.</p> <p>Fan’s described their subject, an abandoned concrete factory in inland China.</p> <p>"Tieshan Cement Factory is located in Guilin City in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China.”</p> <p>"The factory was built in 1996 and played an important role in Guilin's economic development and urban construction.”</p> <p>"However, because it was originally located in the Li River Scenic Area of Guilin, the cement factory has now been relocated, leaving behind the old buildings, water towers, pools and railway tracks.”</p> <p><strong>Creative</strong></p> <p>The winner for the creative category was Lee-Ann Olwage from South Africa and she described her photo series “the right to play”.</p> <p>"What do girls dream of? And what happens when a supportive environment is created where girls are empowered and given the opportunity to learn and dream? The Right to Play creates a playful world where girls are shown in an empowered and affirming way.”</p> <p>Olwage took portraits of schoolgirls in Kenya.</p> <p>"Worldwide, it is estimated that around 129 million girls are out of school and only 49 percent of countries have achieved gender parity in primary education, with the gap widening at secondary school level. Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and practices such as FGM, poor infrastructure and violence."</p> <p>The photo series asks what happens when a supportive environment is created where girls are given the opportunity to learn, dream and feel empowered.</p> <p>"For this project, I worked with girls from Kakenya's Dream in Enoosaen, Kenya who have avoided FGM and child marriage, showing what the world can look like when girls are given the opportunity to continue learning in an environment that supports them and their dreams.”</p> <p><strong>Documentary Projects</strong></p> <p>Kinsella Cunningham was named winner of the documentary projects category for his series "The Women's Peace Movement in Congo”.</p> <p>Her images showcase Peace activist Liberata Buratwa posing for a portrait in her garden at Rutshuru, Rutshuru Territory, North Kivu Province, DRC.</p> <p>"I have been working for peace since I was very young, she says. In 2008, at the height of a spate of massacres, Liberata led a delegation of women to meet Laurent Nkunda, the leader of CNDP. We told him, my son, rebellion will lead you nowhere, the bush is for the animals, not for the people.”</p> <p><strong>Portfolio</strong></p> <p>James Deavin was awarded the best portfolio for his vibrant series in the desert kingdom.</p> <p>"This portfolio was shot in the first half of 2022 in Saudi Arabia, where I was based at the time.”</p> <p>His series showcases the sunset side of the nation and its unique natural colour palate.</p> <p>" Given more time, I think these pictures would have fallen into more defined projects or narratives, perhaps relating to the large migrant worker and expat population (of which I was part), or Saudi car culture.”</p> <p>Deavin’s photographs aimed to shed light on the less-seen side of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.</p> <p>"As it is, I believe this collection shows my style and technique as a photographer – there is no deliberate connection between the images other than I was searching for special photographs that could eventually develop into projects.”</p> <p><strong>Sport</strong></p> <p>Al Bello was awarded the winner of the sport category.</p> <p>"Kelsie Whitmore is the first female professional baseball player to play in an all-male pro league. She plays outfield and pitches for the Staten Island Ferryhawks in the Atlantic League of professional baseball."</p> <p>"Whitmore posed for a photo in front of the New York Skyline on July 09, 2022 in Staten Island, New York. Whitmore was the first woman to appear in the starting lineup in an Atlantic League game.</p> <p>Her debut in the Atlantic League was as a pinch runner on 22 April 2022, and on 1 May she became the first woman to start an Atlantic League game, when she played as a left fielder.”</p> <p>"Kelsie stands with her teammates before their game against the Long Island Ducks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark on July 07, 2022 in Central Islip, New York."</p> <p>Bello titled their series "Female Pro Baseball Player Succeeds in All Male Pro League.”</p> <p><strong>Environment</strong></p> <p>The photo series that took out the environment category was shot in partnership between Federico Kaplan and Marisol Mendez.</p> <p>"Miruku focuses on the Wayuus, an indigenous population from La Guajira, Colombia's coastal desert. Commissioned by 1854/British Journal of Photography and WaterAid, the project examines how a combination of climate change issues and human negligence have led its various members to experience a stifling water shortage.”</p> <p>The two photographers have captured the struggle of Indigenous Colombian communities.</p> <p>"In the region, the problem is cyclical and polymorphous. While some communities can achieve certain stability during rainy seasons, temperatures are bound to rise, drying up the land again. Global warming only aggravates this, causing droughts and famine, and spoiling the facilities and installations that help source clean water.”</p> <p>"We framed the story from a female perspective to get a better understanding of how gender inequality and climate vulnerability interrelate. We sought to highlight the strength and resourcefulness of the Wayuu women, as we found it inspiring that, even under such conditions, they have established themselves as community leaders, teachers and climate activists.”</p> <p><strong>Landscape</strong></p> <p>Polish photographer Kacper Kowalski was the winner of the landscape category where he took to the sky to capture shorts of frozen lakes.</p> <p>"At the start of winter, I set out on a journey in search of harmony. Driven by instinct, I ventured further and further until I passed the boundaries of rationality. Whether it was fog or snow, frost or thaw, I took to the sky to see if it was possible to fly.”</p> <p>Kowalski’s series “Event Horizon”, was in black and white, and can be described as an otherworldly vision of ice and snow.</p> <p>"Whether it was fog or snow, frost or thaw, I took to the sky to see if it was possible to fly. When I could, I flew over frozen bodies of water, fascinated by their icy forms. Between January and March, I made 76 solo flights in a gyrocopter or a motorised paraglider, covering around 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) and spending 200 hours in the air."</p> <p>"My photographs were taken from a height of approximately 50-150 metres (165-495 feet) above bodies of water near Tricity in northern Poland.”</p> <p><strong>Still Life</strong></p> <p>Chinese photographer Zhang took out the top spot for the still life category with his series “The Sky Garden.”</p> <p>"Landscape gardening is a practice dating back to ancient times; Nebuchadnezzar II of the Babylonian Empire built a garden complex in the sky for his homesick princess consort, which was known as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Sky Garden series takes its name from this history.”</p> <p>Zhang captured images of plants, trees and various shrubs being transported by crane from near his home to recently developed suburbs around him.</p> <p>"Three years ago I settled down in Wenjiang, and there is a tree nursery within walking distance of my home. Exotic trees and rocks from all over the world can be seen there, including Japanese black pines and maple trees.”</p> <p><strong>Wildlife & Nature</strong></p> <p>Corey Arnold won the category of wildlife and nature with his series, “Cities Gone Wild”.</p> <p>Part of the series showcases coyotes roaming in San Francisco, California</p> <p>"Bernal Heights Park is surrounded by city with no distinct wildlife corridor. Several pups were born to the resident pair in the spring. At least one pup is represented in these images."</p> <p>Arnold’s series shows three animals, black bears, coyotes and racoons that have adapted to survive in a human built landscape while other animals are disappearing.</p> <p>"I tracked these animals in cities across America to reveal a more intimate view of how wildlife is adapting to increased urbanization.”</p> <p><strong>Student Photographer of the Year</strong></p> <p>The student photographer of the year was awarded to Jing Long.</p> <p>"Yunnan opera is an important branch of traditional Chinese opera, and one that reflects the colourful Yunnan ethnic multiculturalism of southwest China.”</p> <p>The backstage realism highlights the work that goes into an art form from a bygone era.</p> <p>"However, in today's fast-developing society, this regional drama is in decline, and is gradually being forgotten by most people.”</p> <p>"There are only a few folk troupes remaining that represent Yunnan Quyi culture, and the average age of their members and audiences is increasing. This particular theatre is located along a small alley and charges just $1.50 for a ticket."</p> <p><strong>Youth Photographer of the Year</strong></p> <p>Wang Hai received the youth photographer of the year award for his unique geometric photo of chairs.</p> <p>"The opening ceremony for this school in Tianjin, China, was scheduled for September 4, 2022, and more than 2,000 people were expected to attend. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic no one was there. The neat rows of brightly coloured chairs create a strong sense of order in this lonely photograph, where everything seems to be fake.”</p> <p><strong>Natural World & Wildlife</strong></p> <p>Dinorah Graue Obscura took out the top spot for her enrapturing black and white photograph depicting a pair of crested caracara birds in southern Texas.</p> <p>"I think that a good picture does not need colour, it just needs to capture the desired moment in time. While I was shooting Crested Caracaras in flight in South Texas, I noticed these two, which were perched in a very similar way. They were staring in the same direction and not moving, almost as if they were posing for me. I was amazed by their powerful personalities.”</p> <p><strong>Sustainability Prize</strong></p> <p>Alessandro Cinique is the first-time winner of Sony’s sustainability prize.</p> <p>The prize was developed in collaboration with the United Nations Foundation and Sony Pictures' Picture This initiative.</p> <p>The series was entitled “Fog Nets’ and showcases the unlikely method Peruvians in Lima use to capture increasingly scarce water.</p> <p>"After Cairo, Lima is the second city in the world to be built in a desert. In recent years, migration from rural Peru to Lima has increased significantly, but the people who manage to settle in Lima are typically very poor and their biggest problem is lack of water.”</p> <p>The aim was to highlight an inspired solution to a crucial problem as well as showcasing extreme human endurance.</p> <p>"One solution that gives them hope is fog nets. Consisting of two poles that support a nylon net with small holes in it, these nets can collect about 200 litres (53 gallons) of water per day. The founder of the project is Abel Cruz, who started work on it more than 20 years ago, when he left his home region of Cusco and came to Lima to live in a settlement where water was a luxury.</p> <p>"According to Abel, there are now about 140 fog nets installed in Lima; this project aims to show how this artisanal method could help combat water shortages"</p> <p><em>Image credit: Sony Photography Awards</em></p>

Art

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Mesmerising moments from 2023 Sony World Photography Awards

<p>The World Photography Organisation has announced the winners of the 2023 Sony World Photography Awards in their Open competition. </p> <p>The awards, founded in 2007, received over 415,000 images from over 200 countries and territories for their 2023 competition. </p> <p>200,000 images were entered into their Open category, and the 2023 National &amp; Regional Awards Winners have been showcased for the world to see, with work representing a diverse range of images from all around the globe. </p> <p>For the hopeful photographers - across the four categories of Professional, Open, Student, and Youth - entries are free to submit, with a tempting top prize of $25,000. Winners of the National &amp; Regional Awards receive Sony digital imaging equipment and international exposure.</p> <p>“The Awards are regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious photography competitions by elevating photographers’ careers – from established to emerging – since it started 16 years ago,” the World Photography Organisation has said. </p> <p>Of the National &amp; Regional Awards programme, they state on their website that “expert judges uncover the best single images from each of the countries” and that the category “celebrates and rewards local photographic talent across the world.”</p> <p>This year’s winners are no exception, with a photographer from each nation honoured for a standalone image. The remaining overall winners are set to be announced at the 2023 Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in April. </p> <p>If the National &amp; Regional Awards are anything to go by, the judges will have their work cut out for them narrowing down the record entries. </p> <p><em>All image credits: Sony World Photography Awards</em></p>

International Travel

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Is this the end of Will Smith’s career?

<p dir="ltr">Movies that were set to feature Will Smith have either been postponed or shelved following his assault on comedian Chris Rock.</p> <p dir="ltr">Smith slapped Rock in the face at the Oscars following a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s bald head.</p> <p dir="ltr">Netflix and Sony have both taken a stance against Smith’s assault and behaviour during the Oscars.</p> <p dir="ltr">The production of <em>Fast and Loose</em> has been stopped by Netflix since the infamous slap. They are yet to comment on their decision. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sony has also placed <em>Bad Boys 4 </em>on hold despite Smith receiving the 40 pages of script prior to the Oscars. </p> <p dir="ltr">This leaves Smith with one film, <em>Emancipation</em>, already in post production to come out on Apple+ later in the year.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the Oscars, Smith shocked the crowd and viewers across the world when he stood up from his seat, walked up the stage and slapped Rock before sitting back down.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Will Smith just smacked the s*** out of me,” Rock said as Smith walked off.</p> <p dir="ltr">Smith then yelled back, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Smith took to Instagram where he publicly apologised to Rock for slapping him on-stage. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote in a screenshot shared on Instagram.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Movies

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Why Bruce Springsteen decided to sell his music rights

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In one of the biggest music rights acquisition deals, Bruce Springsteen has sold his entire music catalogue to Sony Music Entertainment for a reported $500 million. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The deal included both the Boss’ recording and publishing assets, leaving many asking why the deal was brokered in the first place. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With many musicians opting to sell their song rights for a hefty price, there are many factors that make catalogue sales an appealing option.</span></p> <p><strong>The money</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For Bruce Springsteen, the money involved in the sale is one aspect that is difficult to turn down. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Especially when the $500 million pay cheque is reportedly 30 times the annual royalty payments received by the 20-time Grammy winner. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With many selling their music rights for a huge once-off compensation payment, the selling price is often a lot higher than their annual income from royalties, record sales, or touring. </span></p> <p><strong>Estate planning</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Boss’ sale could also be a way to future-proof his inheritance. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Physical assets such as cash and property are much easier to pass on to a nominated heir than a complex basket of music rights that span several decades. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Others have been entangled in lengthy legal battles for music rights of a deceased artist, namely James Brown and Sonny Bono, with music estates being the hottest commodity for some to fight over. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span><strong>Tax planning</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As outlined by </span><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2021/12/20/bruce-springsteen-tells-irs-whos-boss-in-500m-sony-sale-taxed-as-capital-gain/?sh=7ec15b6c68e3"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Forbes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Springsteen’s sale could have been associated with potential tax benefits. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In layman's terms, the federal capital gain tax rate in the US is currently at 20%, but runs the risk of being hiked to 43.4% for those who earn more than $1 million in a proposal by The White House. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because of this and other possible tax jumps, as well as the fact that royalties are already taxed as “ordinary income”, Springsteen will receive more money in his pocket after one huge pay out, rather than opt to cash in his royalties annually. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images </span></em></p>

Music

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Entire cast of long-running TV soap axed unexpectedly

<p>The cast of the popular and long running soap opera known as<span> </span><em>Days of Our Lives </em>have reportedly been released from their contracts as the series’ future is uncertain.</p> <p>According to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://tvline.com/2019/11/12/days-of-our-lives-cancelled-cast-fired-season-56/" target="_blank">TVLine</a></em>, the entire cast was released from their contracts and the show is expected to go on an indefinite hiatus at the end of November.</p> <p>Representatives for NBC and Sony have declined to comment on the speculation, but fans are worried as the move comes at a time where Sony and NBC are in negotiations to renew series.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzLxWGUFU7M/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzLxWGUFU7M/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">We loved seeing this #DAYS family reunion. ❤️ 📸: @alisweeney</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/nbcdays/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Days of our Lives</a> (@nbcdays) on Jun 26, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>An insider for Sony has said that the studio isn’t involved in the contract negotiations with the cast as “the actor deals are through Corday Productions”.</p> <p>“It’s actually a shrewd — if cynical — business move,” said one insider to<em> <a rel="noopener" href="https://tvline.com/2019/11/12/days-of-our-lives-cancelled-cast-fired-season-56/" target="_blank">TVLine</a></em>. “If Days gets picked up, [Corday] can offer the actors new contacts at a reduced rate and with a ‘take-it-or-leave’ it attitude. Worst case scenario, they lose half their cast. Best case scenario [for Corday], everyone agrees to return at a lower salary.”</p> <p>Despite low ratings and the soap opera genre being in decline, NBC have said that they would like to keep the show.</p> <p>“All indications are that NBC would like to keep the show going,” an insider confirmed.</p> <p>The news comes just days after the<span> </span><em>Days of Our Lives</em><span> </span>soap opera is shaking things up on-screen.</p> <p>This week’s episode is fast-forwarding the show’s timeline by one year.</p> <p>“This is a great way to reset things in Salem,” executive producer Ken Corday told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tvinsider.com/828413/days-of-our-lives-time-jump-hattie-marlena-john-black/" target="_blank"><em>TVInsider</em></a><span> </span>of the time jump. “It will be a catalyst for many more [changes] to follow.”</p> <p><em>Days of Our Lives</em><span> </span>has been on the smaller screens since 1965 and has aired 13,705 episodes to date. The show is in its 56th season.</p>

News

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Sony recalls a camera that could see through clothes

<p>Product recalls have been all over the news this week as <strong><a href="/news/news/2016/07/mitsubishi-and-toyota-recall-nearly-one-million-australian-cars/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mitsubishi and Toyota recalling</span></a></strong> almost a million Australian vehicles over the past couple of days. But there’s one case from a few years ago that might just trump them, in terms of creepiness at least!</p> <p>In 1998 Sony had to recall 700,000 video cameras after customers discovered that the product inadvertently gave them the ability to see through clothes.</p> <p>The video cameras were equipped with a night vision function which, using infra-red technology, let people using the camera take pictures in the dark.</p> <p>But it had another, less intended function.</p> <p>Users founds that if the infra-red lens was used in daylight, people could see details through certain types of clothing, including tattoos, underwear and body parts. The function reportedly worked best on clothing that was dark coloured and thin like swimsuits.</p> <p>Once Sony caught wind of the unintended function, the attempted to recall all the 700,000 cameras and changed the way night-vision worked in future models.</p> <p>Have you ever had a product recalled? If so, what was the reason the manufacturer gave for? And how was the experience handled?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock / Savvapanf Photo </em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/05/chance-photo-captures-meteors-spectacular-display/" target="_blank"><strong>Chance photo captures meteor's spectacular display</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/05/incredible-photos-reveal-world-hidden-beauty/" target="_blank"><strong>10 incredible photos reveal the world’s hidden beauty</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/05/photographer-celebrates-bond-with-dying-grandmother-in-images/" target="_blank"><strong>Photographer celebrates bond with dying grandmother in images</strong></a></em></span></p>

News

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Sony to launch hands-free personal assistant

<p>In the age of wearable tech, Sony is one of many companies striving to make our everyday life more like a sci-fi movie.</p> <p>Not only do we now have Google glasses and hover boards, but now the entertainment company has announced plans to release a hearing Bluetooth device.</p> <p>Sony’s next-generation ultra-miniature Bluetooth modules, currently under development, will fit into small, inexpensive, user-controlled headsets “without the need for any other processor.” Essentially, it will be like wearing your smartphone in your ear.</p> <p>According to the company, it is to act a virtual assistant of sorts. The device will respond to verbal commands, allowing the user to place calls, dictate messages, perform web searches and navigation tasks–all while operating hands-free.</p> <p>Watch the video above to get a glimpse of how the product will work. Tell us in the comments, would you get one?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/hearing/2016/02/scientists-close-to-curing-partial-deafness/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Scientists are close to curing partial deafness</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/health/hearing/2016/03/airborne-ultrasound-could-be-harmful/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Airborne ultrasound could be harmful</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/hearing/2016/02/apps-for-people-with-hearing-loss/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Revolutionary apps for people with hearing loss</span></strong></em></a></p>

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