Star Trek: The Motion Picture is an awesome movie. No, its not as whiz-bang as its immediate successor Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, nor as spectacular as the 2009 reboot film Star Trek. But what word can better describe a movie that spends so much time on loving shots of all things Trekthe crew, the starbases, and especially the USS Enterprise. The movie strives to evoke a sense of awe.But if theres one aspect of The Motion Picture that doesnt get enough recognition, its the redesigned Starfleet uniforms. The Motion Picture introduces a full new set of costumes, eschewing the bold colors of The Original Series for soft cotton earth tones. But outside of a couple winks on Lower Decks and the J.J. Abrams movies, the uniforms were promptly scrapped, tossed aside for the glorious red naval uniforms introduced in Wrath of Khan or variations of the jumpsuits in The Next Generation. To many fans, the pajama uniforms are one of the more embarrassing moments in the franchise and best left in 1979.But odd as they are, the costumes in The Motion Picture capture that movies relaxed, contemplative tone, which has only grown more important as the franchise grows more action oriented.Boldly Gone Beyond TVThe premise of The Motion Picture suggests urgency. Written by Harold Livingston from a story by Alan Dean Foster and directed by Robert Wise, TMP opens with the destructive VGer probe headed toward Earth, giving now-Admiral Kirk the excuse he needs to once again assume command of the Enterprise, returning to the bridge for the first time since the completion of his ships five-year mission. Kirks brash action upsets the Enterprises new captain, Willard Decker, who gets field demoted to Commander and made the ships XO. Then, a transporter accident, one of the more horrific moments in Star Trek history, leaves an opening for a new Science Officer, which brings the long-estranged Spock back to the ship.Despite the movies high stakes, The Motion Picture doesnt do anything quickly, which has earned it the uncharitable nickname Star Trek: The Motionless Picture. But Star Trek has always been more about contemplation than action, but the long shadow of 2001: A Space Odyssey gave creator Gene Roddenberry and director Wise permission to take things slowly. Unlike Star Wars, whose success allowed the project to shift from sequel series Star Trek: Phase II to a proper film, TMP had little interest in dog fights and swashbuckling. Well take no provocative action, Kirk tells Decker in one key moment, succinctly capturing the movies tone.Roddenberry and the producers took advantage of the shift to the big screen to redesign and even correct aspects of the series limited by the initial TV show budget. The Motion Picture marks the debut of what many consider the ideal Klingon look, with their pronounced head-ridges and red-hued ships. The Enterprise gets completely revised, doing away with the neon-lit industrial design of the show, for something closer to the carpeted beige of the Enterprise-D.But the most notable, and controversial aspect, remains the costume design.A Languid LookThrowaway clothing. Thats how Gene Roddenberry saw the future of fashion, according to the book he co-wrote with assistant Susan Sackett, The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. More science fact than science fiction is how costume designer Robert Fletcher put it, reflecting on the film for a 1980 issue of Fantastic Films. Ugly, form-fitting, pastel-colored, one-piece jumpsuits is how William Shatner described them in Star Trek: Movie Memories. [I]t was virtually impossible for any male member of our cast to sit down without seriously endangering his ability to procreate, he adds. All day long, our set was peppered with the pitiful high-pitched yelps and wailings of castmates discovering this particular design flaw for the very first time.As this sampling suggests, the TMP redesign costumes were controversial at the time. The problem began when TOS designer William Ware Theiss couldnt return for the film, and the producers hired theater veteran Fletcher instead. Fletchers ambitions matched those of Roddenberry, and the two egged one another on in designing futuristic clothing, with no regard for the actors practical concerns. Most irritating were the shoes sown into the trousers, which made dressing and undressing a complicated ordeal. So hated were the TMP costumes that the cast refused to sign on to Star Trek II without assurances that the jumpsuits would not be reused.Difficult as they actually were, Roddenberry and Fletchers ideas still have value. Even though cast members such as Nichelle Nichols and Grace Lee Whitney quite liked the miniskirts women wore in TOS, its hard to deny that they felt retrograde by the late 70s. Furthermore, by moving assignment colors from the red, gold, and blue tunics worn in TOS to patches and insignias, the movie emphasized the fundamentally egalitarian nature of Starfleet. Sure, Kirk can and does pull rank on Decker (look up the actors wiki if you feel bad for ol Bill Decker and youll think he got off easy), but the similar colors and tones of the uniforms suggest that anyone has the ability to rise in Starfleet.But the most important aspect of the costumes is how they move away from the rigid military style implied in TOS and accentuated from Wrath of Khan onward. Despite his extended time working with the LA police department, Rodenberry always wanted to downplay the military or law and order aspects of Starfleet. Yet, even when wearing costumes that resembled regular sailors sweaters, Kirk and crew looked like naval officers.By changing into soft (looking) materials and colors, the costumes erase all sense or rigidity and action. Even the security detail, who drape ridiculous looking helmets and chest plates over their tan duds, dont seem ready to leap into the fray. Instead, the costumes look best suited for contemplation, for rumination, for taking things slowly. And if theres one thing that The Motion Picture does best, its take things slowly.Need proof? Check out McCoys arrival on the ship, complete with shaggy beard and a glistening medallion nestled amidst a rug of chest hair. Bones wasnt happy to come aboard, but he fully embodied the free-wheeling attitude of TMPs costumes, ready to hang loose instead of man battle stations.Its not hard to see why the franchise has stuck with the naval uniforms that director Nicholas Meyer insisted upon for Wrath of Khan, much to Roddenberrys chagrin. The crew looks regal in the outfit, befitting characters who have spent years traveling across deep space.But as audience tastes and the demands of modern franchise building leave the slow sci-fi of the 60s and 70s behind, TMPs languid costumes become even more important. After all, if the true undiscovered country is the human mind, then what better way to get there than sitting down in some comfy clothes. Just be careful how you sit, or youll end up with a very different sense of awe.

December 13 marked a big day for aspiring oil tycoons who also happen to be Xbox gamers. That day, Turmoil, the unique simulation game focused on pumping up oil at the turn of the 20th century, arrived on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and the Microsoft Store. So, weve put together five hot tips to get your oil empire off to a running start!1. Seek and ye shall find!Once youve arrived on your first oil field, the first thing youll need to do is locate the underground wells filled with that bubbling crude. Your first and best method is by deploying dowsers. Theyll scour the field for a while, then once theyve found a well will attract your attention with a whistle. Note that these dowsers will discover wells approximately in order of depth, so you wont have to drill too deep for the ones they find first. Later on, youll also be able to enlist specially trained moles to dig for oil or use advanced scanners to uncover specific patches of the subsurface terrain. Even so, the trusty dowser will always remain the cornerstone of your oil-hunting escapades.2. Slick drillingThen, the time has come to set up your rig and start drilling. Every foot of your pipeline costs money, so the shorter a line you can draw between rig and well, the better. On the other hand, rigs are expensive too, so if you can lead those pipes from one rig to multiple wells, that would also be swell. Its all about building the most efficient and cost-effective pipeline network, to extract as much oil as possible before your land lease expires. But watch out: there is such a thing as doing too well! Pumping up oil faster than your horse-drawn wagons can haul it away will lead to spillage which is not only a waste of perfectly good black gold but will incur a hefty fine too.3. The price is right or left?Of course, Turmoil isnt just about getting oil above ground. Its also about selling it for maximum profit! Those crude-filled wagons can be sent to one of two competing oil companies, the very aptly named Left, Inc. and Right, Inc. Keep an eye on their fluctuating prices and sell wisely to maximize profits. Sometimes, the market can be pretty dire on both sides. Thats where silos come in handy: be sure to store your precious product until prices are back on the rise.4. Grease your gearsLets be honest, you didnt get into the oil game to make a modest profit every year. In Turmoil, the key to coming out on top is to keep upgrading your operation to increase efficiency and profitability. Luckily, the charming frontier town you return to after each drilling expedition, offers plenty of opportunities to do exactly that. You can invest in faster horses, bigger wagons, wider pipes and much, much more. But do get your priorities straight! Branching pipelines, deeper dowsing and the aforementioned silos should be at the top of your list while gambling in the saloon is something you should only do once youve got money to spare.5. Land of OpportunityYour first patch of land is assigned to you. After that, you choose on which plot to stake your claim and some of them are much richer in oil than others. Know that once youve found a juicy spot, the fields adjacent to it are also likely to be fruitful soil. But be warned that your rivals are aware of this and you must be prepared to outbid all of them all to lease the most promising land. Eventually, youll move on to new areas which introduce even more ways to strike it rich. Parcels containing natural gas, for example, have the potential to be very lucrative indeed. And the Xbox and Microsoft Store version of Turmoil includes the DLC The Heat Is On DLC, with a fresh map that introduces fields with liquid hot magma, further ramping up the challenge and the temperature.So, there you have it! These strategic pointers provide everything you need to jumpstart your drilling dynasty, when Turmoil launches this week on Xbox and the Microsoft Store. With over a million players already hooked on its addictive gameplay, its your turn now to conquer the world of oil. Join the ranks of dedicated Texas Tea enthusiasts and, if youll allow us to mix our beverage-based metaphors, come drink our milkshake!TurmoilGamious7$15.99Get it nowTurmoil offers players a visually charming, tongue-in-cheek take on the simulation genre inspired by the 19th century oil rush in North America. Get a taste of the rush and rivalry of the time as you earn your way to become a successful oil entrepreneur. As you make money digging up and selling oil, the town will grow along with you.Lease land at the town auction and search for oil. Build a rig, create an efficient pipe network and bring up the oil to store it in silos. Sell the oil at the best times to maximize profits. Then buy essential upgrades in town to cope with rock, gas and ice. Acquire more town shares than your competitors in a bid to become the new mayor.* A campaign where you build your rags-to-riches oil baron career and beat your rivals.* Dozens of upgrades and new tools to improve your oil mining operations.* Meet the towns characters in the saloon and make shady business deals.* Play single game mode to get one of literally millions of procedurally generated levels and earn as much as you can in one year.* Lease land at the town auction and search for oil using a dowser, mole or scanner.* Maximize your profits by using natural gas to boost the oil price.* Outbid your competitors at the stock auction.Turmoil The Heat Is On is a brand new campaign with tons of oil to dig up and convert into cash! It is designed to make you feel right at home, but at the same time offer lots of new mechanics and fun features. Here's what you can expect!* A new town (and mayor!) and a new oil-rich map divided into three areas.* In each area, new drilling mechanics are introduced, powered by a new underground substance: magma.* You'll see familiar faces like Edward and Fred and William. They brought their goods with them in train wagons, so you can instantly stock up on all your favorite drilling gear.* There are also new people, like Philip, who runs a shady card game in the saloon.* Jack is a new character that runs a magma tools operation from his shed. He likes chicken.* Anthony is also back from last time. Instead of dealing in diamonds, he has his own store where you can sell and buy all sorts of underground treasures.* The new mayor is not quite like the old one. His tips are free, and he uses a different auction system. But shares still cost money!* There's a cat walking around the village! He doesn't do a whole lot, but what can you expect from these creatures?* And last but not least: a couple of brand new music tracks!

With EA Play, theres always more! In the spirit of giving this month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members will earn even more with EA Plays holiday countdown, running from December 17 through December 26.Special EA Play Gifts to Game Pass Ultimate Members!Over a span of 10-days, members can score big by unwrapping digital gifts in the form of fan-favorite EA titles and content, including Battlefield 1: Revolution, The Sims 4 Home Chef Hustle Stuff Pack, Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition, 500 PGA Tour Points in EA Sports PGA Tour and more. Gamers: theres no better way to celebrate the holiday season than with an EA Play membership. Whether youre a longtime member or gifting a friend, EA Play has you covered with unlimited access to a collection of top EA titles, trials of select new games, in-game member rewards, giveaways and more. And this month is no exception!EA Sports WRCCodemasters biggest rally game ever, EA Sports WRC, is now on the Play List for all EA* Play members! Racers can immediately take the drivers seat and hit the throttle in the official video game of the FIA World Rally Championship developed by the award-winning team behind the Dirt Rally series.In EA Sports WRC, players can design and drive their dream rally car with the debut of Builder mode, take the wheel to overcome recent events alongside real-world highlights and nostalgic throwbacks in Moments mode or battle the elements across dirt, snow and asphalt in the pursuit of the perfect run. Alongside unlimited access, EA members can save 10% on EA digital purchases, including Rally Passes and the latest EA Sports WRC 24 Season Expansion, featuring this seasons cars and thrilling new locations, like Tet Rally Latvia and the Orlen 80th Rally Poland.Dragon Age: The VeilguardThis month, EA Play* members can explore Dragon Age: The Veilguard with a new 5-hour trial of the game. The latest installment in BioWares beloved franchise, Dragon Age: The Veilguard has earned critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone calling it one of the years best, and Eurogamer praising it as an astonishing spectacle. Subscribers can rise up and fight against corrupt gods to save the battered world of Thedas in the immersive single player RPG that has earned TIMEs Game of 2024.December RewardsAlongside access to some of EAs biggest games, EA Play has even more rewards for every type of gamer. A full list of all the great content to EA Play this month can be found below:Apex Legends Viking Arms Weapon Charm Now to December 30Battlefield 2042 MCS-880 skin: Deliverance Now to December 24EA Sports F1 24 Now to December 31EA Sports College Football 25 Loyalist Ultimate Team Pack Now to December 31Madden NFL 25 MUT Pack Now to December 31EA Sports FC 25 Winter Champions Left Arm Reindeer Tattoo & Clubs Coins Now to December 26EA Sports FC 25 Football Ultimate Team Draft Token Now to January 14EA Sports NHL 25 3000 CHEL Coins Now to January 30EA Sports NHL 25 WOC Battle Pass XP Modifier Tokens Now to January 30Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass PC members receive EA Play with their Game Pass subscription.Visit the EA Play page for more details, and to stay up to date on the latest from EA Play, follow EA Play on, Instagram, or X. Please see EA.com/EA-Play/Terms for terms and conditions.

Whether you're double-drenching your space or simply looking to make a few choice accessories pop, gray is the low-key backdrop that always has your back.A sophisticated neutral that beautifully complements a wide array of colors, gray's versatility is a designer's secret weapon. Pairing gray with cool blues and greens can lend a room a tranquil, refreshing ambiance; yellow and orange infuse warmth and vibrancy, creating an inviting and energetic space. For a touch of elegance and depth, deep purples and rich reds against gray work wonders.With gray's remarkable range, designers can effortlessly transform any room into a harmonious blend of colors that resonate with personal style and desired mood. Here are 20 ideas for how to pair gray at home.1CreamJoshua McHughWalls in a soft, neutral gray create a calm and sophisticated backdrop, as shown in this serene bedroom designed by Alyssa Kapito. Accents of cream and pastel tones in the curtains and carpet add warmth and texture, enhancing the soothing ambiance.2Blue and GreenMikkel VangTextiles and decor with green and blue accents add eye-catching pops of color in this elegant bedroom designed by Virginia Tupker. Neutral tones against the gray walls provide a calming and cozy ambiance that's anything but boring.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Glossy WhiteDouglas FriedmanA harmonious blend of white and black with sleek, glossy surfaces exudes modern sophistication in this dressing room. The gray carpet softly grounds the space, adding warmth and cohesiveness while balancing the room's elegant contrasts.4BeigeFrancesco LagneseA soft color palette with light gray and white tones creates a serene, understated atmosphere in this dining room. The intricate pattern on the floor complements the classic design, tying the room together with a sense of timelessness.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5TaupeFrank Frances StudioThis primary bedroom, designed by Nicole Fuller, features a muted color palette with soft beige and cream tones. The abstract artwork above the bed subtly incorporates shades of black and brown that tie the color scheme together seamlessly.6Slate GrayBillal TarightGray walls and concrete flooring create a sleek and cohesive look in this modern Paris home designed by Elliott Barnes. While the heavy materials are the main focus, the overall visual effect is pleasantly open and airy.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7TerracottaRichard PowersDark wood accents in the sconces and side table contrast the cool tones in this unique powder room designed by Steven Gambrel. The hint of terracotta on the wall piece introduces a subtle pop of color, adding to the room's rustic charm.8Dark GreenCHRISTIAN HARDERThe dark green marble headboard in this primary bedroom by Jett Projects adds texture and depth to the gray walls while complementing the deep green pillow. Accents like the pink flower and golden elements in the lamp and artwork tie everything together with a light touch.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9PinkNicholas CalcottA sleek black sofa anchors this living room, the focal point of which is the sleek gray drapery. Touches of pink in the decor add a sense of playfulness to the otherwise masculine and modern design scheme, also by Jett Projects.10Earth TonesRead McKendreeEarthy tones and soft neutrals create an inviting atmosphere in this primary bedroom by Poonam Khanna. The unique patterned headboard adds visual interest while seamlessly integrating with the furnishings and decor.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11WhiteBjrn WallanderA subtle blend of soft grays, whites, and blues creates a serene and airy ambiance in this living room designed by Amy Lauperfect against double-height windows and abundant natural light. The unique addition of brass accents in the furniture adds warmth and an elegant contrast to the cool color palette.12BrownWilliam AbranowiczThis multi-purpose room in Cliff Fong's L.A. home features a neutral palette with soft grays and whites, creating a sense of spaciousness. Warm wood tones in the furniture add contrast and coziness, while subtle splashes of color from decor and books infuse personality into the space.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Metallic TouchesDouglas FriedmanLuxurious white marble with gray veining creates an elegant atmosphere in this palatial primary bathroom designed by Nicole Hollis. Brass fixtures add a touch of warmth and opulence that are thoughtfully contrasted by the natural tones of the wooden accent stool.14OrangeStephen Kent JohnsonDark gray accents and crisp white shelving provide a clean and modern backdrop for WFH days in Charlie Ferrer's sleek home office. The vibrant orange chair adds a bold pop of color that energizes the space and creates a striking focal point.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Warm Wood TonesStephen Kent JohnsonDeep black cabinetry contrasts gamely with a mottled gray ceiling in this eat-in kitchen in a home by Ashe Leandro. The warm wood tones in the furniture create a cozily modern aesthetic while greenery adds a fresh touch, bringing life and vibrancy to the minimalist palette.16BlueThis primary bedroom designed by Shawn Henderson is dominated by deep charcoal tones that add to a sophisticated, masculine atmosphere. Soft blue accents in the bedding and curtains add a calming and inviting touch, while earthy browns in the decor keep things appealingly textural.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17OliveRichard PowersSoft gray walls are the perfect backdrop for olive green banquette seating. Warm wood tones in the table add richness and depth to this elegant dining nookalso courtesy Steven Gambrelwhile a gleaming brass pendant light draws the eye upward.18TanDouglas FriedmanThis primary bedroom (another winning look by Steven Gambrel) features an appropriately restful palette of soft grays and whites. Gold accents in the decor and a warmly contrasting trim add depth and visual interest. Who wouldn't want to dive into that bed?Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19RedDouglas FriedmanGlossy gray walls and high-impact charcoal trim create a stimulating but thoughtful color story in this exceptional living room. A pop of unexpected red in the furniture is a bold stroke that makes the space feel both dynamic and inviting.20NavySimon UptonA harmonious blend of shimmering silver, deep blue, and crisp white creates a luxuriously artful ambiance in this living area by Haynes Roberts. The unique interplay of metallic textures with plush velvet adds depth and interest, melding the best of maximalism with the subtlety of minimalism in one space.Sean SantiagoDeputy EditorSean Santiago is ELLE Decor's Deputy Editor, covering news, trends and talents in interior design, hospitality and travel, culture, and luxury shopping. Since starting his career at an interior design firm in 2011, he has gone on to cover the industry for Vogue, Architectural Digest, Sight Unseen, PIN-UP and Domino. He is the author of The Lonny Home (Weldon Owens, 2018), has produced scripted social content for brands including West Elm and Streeteasy, and is sometimes recognized on the street for his Instagram Reels series, #DanceToDecor

Apple on Monday released the first betas of iOS 18.3 and macOS 15.3 to users, just a few days after the public release of iOS 18.2. Theres not much to say about todays betas when it comes to new features, and unfortunately for Mac and iPad users, iPadOS 18.3 and macOS 15.3 still dont have the redesigned Mail app.The new Mail app is not yet available on Mac and iPadWith iOS 18.2, Apple introduced a new Mail app which was teased back in June at WWDC 2024. The new Mail app has a more modern look with smart categorization, which organizes your email inbox into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. The app also makes it easier to see who sent you each email. However, the new app is only available for iPhone users.Although Apple hasnt said anything about when the new Mail app will arrive on iPad and Mac, some marketing images of the M4 Macs released in October show the redesigned Mail app in macOS, which suggests that the update will eventually reach these devices.Unfortunately, this hasnt happened yet with the iPadOS 18.3 and macOS 15.3 betas released today. At least in the first beta, the Mail app still looks the same on both iPad and Mac. Of course, this is only the first beta and theres still a lot to happen before the official release, but perhaps the new Mail app interface will only arrive on iPad and Mac with iPadOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4, both expected to be released in April 2025.This isnt the first time that Apple has split the rollout of new features between devices. For instance, the Genmoji feature for creating your own custom emoji was introduced for iPhone and iPad users with iOS 18.2, but wasnt available on the Mac until now with macOS 15.3 beta 1.Besides, the new Mail app has been criticized by some users who dont seem to have liked the new categorization feature (luckily, theres a way to revert it to the old design), so these users are probably relieved not to have to deal with the same issues on other devices.iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3 and macOS 15.3 are expected to be released to the public sometime between January and February.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Back in October, OpenAI launched its own search engine integrated into ChatGPT. At first, the feature was made available only to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, but now OpenAI is rolling out ChatGPT Search to everyone including free users.Anyone can now use ChatGPT SearchAs announced by OpenAI on Monday, ChatGPT Search will be available to any logged-in user starting today. All users need to do is open ChatGPT on the web or app and then tap the search button. ChatGPTs knowledge is currently limited to data obtained up to June 2024, when the GPT-4o model database was last updated. However, ChatGPT Search is able to find new information on the web in real time.After making a search or asking a question, ChatGPT Search provides a detailed answer based on multiple sources, which are linked in the answer. Search results can also include images and even videos. For users, the experience is the same as using OpenAIs chatbot, except that it is now collecting data and generating responses in real time.Heres how OpenAI explains it:ChatGPT can now search the web in a much better way than before. You can get fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources, which you would have previously needed to go to a search engine for. This blends the benefits of a natural language interface with the value of up-to-date sports scores, news, stock quotes, and more.ChatGPT will choose to search the web based on what you ask, or you can manually choose to search by clicking the web search icon.Earlier this month, OpenAI added video support to ChatGPTs Advanced Voice Mode, so that users can have a natural conversation with the chatbot via a video chat so that it can answer questions about whats in the video. In addition, with the release of iOS 18.2 last week, iPhone and iPad users can now talk to ChatGPT right from Siri.The ChatGPT app is available for free on the App Store, and it requires a device running iOS 16.4 or later. Make sure you have the latest version installed so you can access the new features. On the web, ChatGPT Search is available at chatgpt.com/search.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

"You actually didnt save any money because now I hate you, now I dont ever want to buy a Skechers shoe again."Shoe, HissFootwear brand Skechers has been accused of lazily using generative AI for a full-page ad that appeared in the December issue of Vogue.In a now-viral TikTok video, a vlogger who goes by the moniker polishlaurapalmer drew attention to the illustrated artwork."I look at the drawing for two more seconds and Im like oh thats AI," she said.The ad bears all the typical hallmarks of generative AI, from garbled faces in the background to illegible text. Even one of the two models' dresses is seemingly coming apart for no reason.Worst of all, when Fortune reached out to Skechers over its brazen misuse of the tech, the company didn't respond. Futurism has also reached out for comment.The incident highlights just how much of a lightning rod the use of generative AI has become, with public sentiment turning squarely against it.That negative reaction comes when profitable companies resort to cheaply produced and inherently derivative marketing, often at the cost of paying human artists who, in this case, would likely do a far better job.Sneaker SuspicionSkechers is far from the only company that's come under fire for the use of AI. Last month, the Coca-Cola Company released a holiday ad that critics said defiledits august tradition of artistically-minded advertisements with uninspired AI slop.A July study found that even just including the words "artificial intelligence" in product marketing is a major turn-off for consumers, suggesting a growing backlash.In her video, polishlaurapalmer argued that these marketing tactics will only backfire in the long run."I wish people who use AI for art understand that now I hate this," she said. "You actually didnt save any money because now I hate you, now I dont ever want to buy a Skechers shoe again.""As someone in advertising, it's getting bad," one commenter wrote. "Literally have fights explaining how bad AI is and everyone just wants the cheapest/quickest option with no regard for quality."Perhaps most ironically, the women depicted in the ad aren't even shown wearing the sneakers Skechers is trying to push."It doesn't even make sense to me," one Redditor wrote. "They portray two women. Both made to appear 'high end'. Apparently both too good to wear the shoe being advertised because the shoe is only shown in the corner.""Ok they saved a bit of money, now theyve devalued themselves and shown how little they care about quality," another user wrote. "Its pathetic."But given the astronomical amounts of money still being poured into AI, the trend is likely to continue, despite rapidly shifting sentiment among consumers.More on generative AI: Study Finds Consumers Are Actively Turned Off by Products That Use AIShare This Article

"Our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time."DOASoon after blowing the whistle on OpenAI's alleged use of copyrighted material in its training data, one of its former researchers was found dead of an apparent suicide.In a statement toCNBC, a spokesperson for the firm said that OpenAI was "devastated" to hear of the untimely passing of its former employee Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old who died in his San Francisco apartment in recent weeks."We are devastated to learn of this incredibly sad news today," the firm told CNBC, "and our hearts go out to Suchirs loved ones during this difficult time."According to the Bay Area's Mercury News which, along with the New York Times, is suing OpenAI for alleged copyright infringement Balaji's body was found on November 26 after someone requested a wellness check at his apartment. While it's unclear who made the call or why they put in the request, authorities currently believe there was "no evidence of foul play" and that his death was indeed a suicide.Still, the youthful whistleblower's body was found almost exactly a monthafter the NYT published his allegations, which include Balaji's claim that his job was essentially hoovering up copyrighted material to train OpenAI's models without the consent of its creators.Silicon Valley'dA native of Cupertino, California, the Silicon Valley town that hosts Apple's headquarters, Balaji fell in love with AI after learning about a Google DeepMind neural network that hadmastered the ancient Chinese game "Go.""I thought that AI was a thing that could be used to solve unsolvable problems, like curing diseases and stopping aging," he told the NYT. "I thought we could invent some kind of scientist that could help solve them."After matriculating at UC Berkeley, the young man became one of the lucky grads at his alma mater who got the chance to work at OpenAI in 2020. A few years in, he began working to train the still-unreleased GPT-4 large language model (LLM).Although the material he was feeding into it was copyrighted, he and his colleagues thought of it more as a "research project" despite the company's for-profit status an assessment he later came to believe wasn't right.Eventually, Balaji determined that the material he was feeding into GPT-4 was not "fair use" after all and said as much on his personal blog. He left OpenAI this August because, as he said, "If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company."It's impossible to know what was going on in Balaji's mind when he died. Nevertheless, his death casts a pall over the firm, which has in the last year become the subject of ample media drama as its technology and its client roster gets more and more powerful.More on ex-OpenAI-ers: AI Safety Researcher Quits OpenAI, Saying Its Trajectory Alarms HerShare This Article

Dec 16, 2024Ravie LakshmananMalvertising / Threat IntelligenceCybersecurity researchers have shed light on a previously undocumented aspect associated with ClickFix-style attacks that hinge on taking advantage of a single ad network service as part of a malvertising-driven information stealer campaign dubbed DeceptionAds."Entirely reliant on a single ad network for propagation, this campaign showcases the core mechanisms of malvertising delivering over 1 million daily 'ad impressions' [in the last ten days] and causing thousands of daily victims to lose their accounts and money through a network of 3,000+ content sites funneling traffic," Nati Tal, head of Guardio Labs, said in a report shared with The Hacker News.The campaigns, as documented by several cybersecurity companies in recent months, involve directing visitors of pirated movie sites and others to bogus CAPTCHA verification pages that instruct them to copy and execute a Base64-encoded PowerShell command, ultimately leading to the deployment of information stealers like Lumma.The attacks are no longer confined to a single actor, with Proofpoint recently stating that multiple "unattributed" threat clusters have embraced the clever social engineering approach to deliver remote access trojans, stealers, and even post-exploitation frameworks such as Brute Ratel C4.Guardio Labs said it was able to trace the origins of the campaign to Monetag, a platform that claims to offer several ad formats to "monetize websites, social traffic, Telegram Mini Apps," with threat actors also leveraging services like BeMob ad-tracking to cloak their malicious intent. Monetag is also tracked by Infoblox under the names Vane Viper and Omnatuor.The campaign effectively boils down to this: website owners (i.e., threat actors) register with Monetag, after which traffic is redirected to a Traffic Distribution System (TDS) operated by the malvertising ad network, ultimately taking visitors to the CAPTCHA verification page."By supplying a benign BeMob URL to Monetag's ad management system instead of the direct fake captcha page, the attackers leveraged BeMob's reputation, complicating Monetag's content moderation efforts," Tal explained. "This BeMob TDS finally redirects to the malicious CAPTCHA page, hosted on services like Oracle Cloud, Scaleway, Bunny CDN, EXOScale, and even Cloudflare's R2."Following responsible disclosure, Monetag has removed over 200 accounts linked to the threat actor. BeMob, in a similar effort, removed the accounts that were used for cloaking. That said, there are signs that the campaign has resumed again as of December 5, 2024.The findings once again highlight the need for content moderation and robust account validation to prevent fake registrations."From deceptive publisher sites offering pirated or clickbait content to complex redirect chains and cloaking techniques, this campaign underscores how ad networks, designed for legitimate purposes, can be weaponized for malicious activities," Tal said."The result is a fragmented chain of responsibilities, with ad networks, publishers, ad statistics services, and hosting providers each playing a role yet often avoiding accountability."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

A Serbian journalist had his phone first unlocked by a Cellebrite tool and subsequently compromised by a previously undocumented spyware codenamed NoviSpy, according to a new report published by Amnesty International."NoviSpy allows for capturing sensitive personal data from a target's phone after infection and provides the ability to turn on the phone's microphone or camera remotely," the company said in an 87-page technical report.An analysis of forensic evidence points to the spyware installation occurring when the phone belonging to independent journalist Slavia Milanov was in the hands of the Serbian police during his detention in early 2024.Some of the other targets included youth activist Nikola Risti, environmental activist Ivan Milosavljevi Buki, and an unnamed activist from Krokodil, a Belgrade-based organization promoting dialogue and reconciliation in the Western Balkans.The development marks one of the first known instances where two disparate highly invasive technologies were used in combination to facilitate snooping and the exfiltration of sensitive data.NoviSpy, in particular, is engineered to harvest various kinds of information from compromised phones, including screenshots of all actions on the phone, targets' locations, audio and microphone recordings, files, and photos. It's installed using the Android Debug Bridge (adb) command-line utility and manifests in the form of two applications -NoviSpyAdmin (com.serv.services), which requests extensive permissions to collect call logs, SMS messages, contact lists, and record audio through the microphoneNoviSpyAccess (com.accesibilityservice), which abuses Android's accessibility services to stealthily collect screenshots from email accounts and messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp, exfiltrate files, track location, and activate cameraExactly who developed NoviSpy is currently not known, although Amnesty told 404 Media that it could have either been built in-house by Serbian authorities or acquired from a third-party. Development of the spyware is said to have been ongoing since at least 2018."Together, these tools provide the state with an enormous capability to gather data both covertly, as in the case of spyware, and overtly, through the unlawful and illegitimate use of Cellebrite mobile phone extraction technology," Amnesty International noted.The non-governmental organization further noted that the Serbian Security Information Agency (BIA) has been publicly linked to the procurement of spyware tools since at least 2014, using various offerings such as FinFisher's FinSpy, Intellexa's Predator, and NSO Group's Pegasus to covertly spy on protest organizers, journalists and civil society leaders.In a statement shared with the Associated Press, Serbia's police characterized the report as "absolutely incorrect" and that "the forensic tool is used in the same way by other police forces around the world."Responding to the findings, Israeli company Cellebrite said it's investigating the claims of misuse of its tools and that it would take appropriate measures, including terminating its relationship with relevant agencies, if they are found to be in violation of its end-user agreement.In tandem, the research also uncovered a zero-day privilege escalation exploit used by Cellebrite's universal forensic extraction device (UFED) a software/system that allows law enforcement agencies to unlock and gain access to data stored on mobile phones to gain elevated access to a Serbian activist's device.The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-43047 (CVSS score: 7.8), is a user-after-free bug in Qualcomm's Digital Signal Processor (DSP) Service (adsprpc) that could lead to "memory corruption while maintaining memory maps of HLOS memory." It was patched by the chipmaker in October 2024.Google, which initiated a "broader code review process" following the receipt of kernel panic logs generated by the in-the-wild (ITW) exploit earlier this year, said it discovered a total of six vulnerabilities in the adsprpc driver, including CVE-2024-43047."Chipset drivers for Android are a promising target for attackers, and this ITW exploit represents a meaningful real-world example of the negative ramifications that the current third-party vendor driver security posture poses to end-users," Seth Jenkins of Google Project Zero said."A system's cybersecurity is only as strong as its weakest link, and chipset/GPU drivers represent one of the weakest links for privilege separation on Android in 2024."The development comes as the European arm of the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), alongside other civil society organizations such as Access Now and Amnesty International, sent a letter to the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, calling for prioritizing action against abuse of commercial surveillance tools.It also follows a recent report from Lookout about how law enforcement authorities in Mainland China are using a lawful intercept tool codenamed EagleMsgSpy to gather a wide range of information from mobile devices after having gained physical access to them.Earlier this month, the Citizen Lab further revealed that the Russian government detained a man for donating money to Ukraine and implanted spyware, a trojanized version of a call recorder app, on his Android phone before releasing him.Found this article interesting? 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