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Udio, a generative AI music company backed by will.i.am, Common and a16z, has partnered with Audible Magic to fingerprint all tracks made using the platform at the moment they are created and to check the generated works, using Audible Magic’s “content control pipeline,” for any infringing copyrighted material.
By doing this, Udio and Audible Magic have created a way for streaming services and distributors to trace which songs submitted to their platforms are made with Udio’s AI. The company also aims to proactively detect and block use of copyrighted material that users don’t own or control.
“Working with Audible Magic allows us to create a transparent signal in the music supply chain. By fingerprinting at the point of generation, we’re helping establish a new benchmark for accountability and clarity in the age of generative music,” says Andrew Sanchez, co-founder of Udio. “We believe that this partnership will open the door for new licensing structures and monetization pathways that will benefit stakeholders across the industry from artists to rights holders to technology platforms.”
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Last summer, Udio, and its top competitor Suno, were both sued by the three major record companies for training their AI music models on the companies’ copyrighted master recordings. In the lawsuits, the majors argued this constituted copyright infringement “at an almost unimaginable scale.” Additionally, the lawsuits pointed out that the resulting AI-generated songs from Udio and Suno could “saturate the market with machine-generated content that will directly compete with, cheapen and ultimately drown out the genuine sound recordings on which [the services were] built.”
Udio’s new partnership with Audible Magic stops short of promising to eliminate copyright material from its training process, as the majors want, but it shows that Udio is trying out alternative solutions to appease the music establishment. Suno also has a partnership with Audible Magic, announced in October 2024, but the two partnerships believes these deals hold key differences. Suno’s integration focus more specifically on its “audio inputs” and “covers” features, which allow users to generate songs based on an audio file they upload. With Audible Magic’s technology, Suno prevents users from unauthorized uploads of copyrighted material.
“This partnership demonstrates Udio’s substantial commitment to rights holder transparency and content provenance,” says Kuni Takahashi, CEO of Audible Magic. “Registering files directly from the first-party source is a clean and robust way to identify the use of AI-generated music in the supply chain.”
BeatStars has partnered with Sureel, an AI music detection and attribution company, to provide its creators with the ability to express their desire to “opt out” of their works being used in AI training.
To date, AI music companies in the United States are not required to honor opt-outs, but through this partnership, Sureel and Beatstars, the world’s largest music marketplace, hope to create clarity for AI music companies that are wishing to avoid legal and reputational risks and create a digital ledger to keep track of beatmakers’ wishes regarding AI training.
Here’s how it works: Beatstars will send formal opt-out notices for every music asset and artist on its platform, and all of the creators’ choices will be documented on a portal that any AI company can access. By default, all tracks will be marked as shielded from AI training unless permission is granted. Companies can also access creators’ wishes using Sureel’s API. It will also automatically communicate the creators’ desires via a robots.txt file, which is a way to block AI companies that are crawling the web for new training data.
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As the U.S. — and countries around the world — continue to debate how to properly regulate issues related to AI, start-ups in the private sector, like Sureel, are trying to find faster solutions, including tools for opting in and out of AI training, detection technology to flag and verify AI generated works, and more.
“This partnership is an extension of our longstanding commitment to put creators first,” said Abe Batshon, CEO of BeatStars, in a statement. “We recognize that some AI companies might not respect intellectual property, so we are taking definitive action to ensure our community’s work remains protected and valued. Ethical AI is the future, and we’re leading the charge in making sure creators are not left behind.”
“BeatStars isn’t just a marketplace — it’s one of the most important creator communities in the world,” added Dr. Tamay Aykut, founder/CEO of Sureel. “They’ve built their platform around trust, transparency, and putting artists in control. That’s exactly the type of environment where our technology belongs. This partnership proves you can scale innovation and ethics together — and shows the rest of the industry what responsible AI collaboration looks like.”
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Source: Nintendo / Nintendo Switch 2
After a delay, primarily due to Donald Trump’s blatant abuse of tariffs, Nintendo was forced to postpone pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 for fans in the US. After some waiting, the day has arrived for gamers stateside to secure Nintendo’s new console, and as expected, things did not go smoothly.
Although people have been complaining about the Switch 2’s price, demand is still strong. Gamers had a frustrating time trying to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 due to several sites offering pre-orders crashing under the high volume of traffic.
Best Buy, Target, and Walmart all experienced issues with their websites on Thursday morning once pre-orders for the Switch 2 went live, according to Downdetector.
For about 45 minutes, starting around midnight, following the announcement that pre-orders for the Switch 2 went live, more than 2,000 customers reported experiencing issues while trying to connect to Target’s website.
Best Buy wasn’t any better. Even though they required customers to have an account on the website, a tactic to combat scalping, customers began encountering issues around 9 PM on Wednesday, which persisted until 2 AM on Thursday.
GameStop, remember them? Kicked off their Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders on Thursday at 11 AM; spoiler alert, it was also a hot mess.
Still, some were able to secure their Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, even though it required some searching. To those people, congratulations on your major accomplishment.
The Buzz & Discourse Around The Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on June 5, a date Nintendo says will hold firm. Since its announcement, there has been considerable excitement, as well as considerable discourse, particularly regarding the costs of its games.
Mario Kart World, one of the console’s launch titles, will cost $80, and that is not sitting well with some gamers.
Many were worried that Nintendo would raise the price of the console in response to Trump’s tariffs, but the company has recently announced that the console’s price will remain unchanged. However, they did raise the price on accessories.
Welp.
You can see more reactions to the Switch 2 pre-order situation in the gallery below.
1. Felt this
3. Gotta kill time somehow
8. Nature is healing
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Source: The Washington Post / Getty / Elon Musk
Phony Stark, aka Elon Musk, learned the hard way that it truly doesn’t pay to align yourself with Donald Trump and ruin people’s lives in the process.
Spotted on BBC, word on the street is Elon Musk has had enough of being involved in government because it’s tanking his bottom line. According to the website, Musk will “significantly” scale back his role in the US Government in response to Tesla’s profits sinking, a direct result of his dealings with Trump, and firing thousands of government workers as part of DOGE’s “cost-cutting” measures in an effort to cut government spending.
Per BBC:
Musk has led the newly created advisory body – the Department for Government Efficiency (Doge) – since last year, putting the world’s richest man at the heart of cutting US spending and jobs.
But Musk said his “time allocation to Doge” would “drop significantly” from next month, adding he would spend only one to two days per week on it after accusations he has taken his focus off Tesla.
His political involvement has sparked protests and boycotts of Tesla cars around the world.
Temporary government workers like Musk contracts are allowed to work only 130 days a year, and for those keeping count, since working from the day of Trump’s inauguration, his contract is set to expire.
It’s unclear whether Musk, who donated $250 million to Orange Mussolini’s campaign, will step down completely from his role at DOGE.
Social Media Vows To Not Let Up On Elon Musk
If Elon Musk thinks he can simply walk away as if nothing happened, social media is telling him to think again.
Users on X, formerly Twitter, are vowing to continue making life miserable for Musk due to his actions and the harm he has caused.
“Elon Musk says he is stepping back from DOGE in May, after having destroyed every government agency, the lives of 280,000 Federal workers, the support system for social security, not to mention thousands of lives overseas by the gutting of humanitarian aid. Don’t let the door hit you, dick,” one post on X read.
Another post read, “Boo hoo poor Elon, he really thinks he can just walk away after all the damage he did. The world won’t rest until everything around him crashes and he ends up the poorest man in the world. There will be no forgiveness. Musk should just flee back to South Africa.”
Welp, this is what you get, Elon Musk. Now deal with it.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Play Company / 2K
Play Company and 2K are partnering to give NBA 2K players another way to take on each other and back up all the trash-talking using a new dedicated tournament system.
The new, groundbreaking multi-year partnership announced last week allows NBA 2K players to win monetary prizes through online tournaments, giving them the ability to truly put their money where their mouth is, if they are as skilled in NBA 2K as they claim to be.
The new tournament system, called Play NBA 2K, will be integrated within The Play Company’s flagship product, Play OS. The deal also makes Play OS the official tournament platform for the game. It will introduce a dedicated menu button in the NBA 2K25 Play Now section for eligible players, allowing them to learn how to gain access to NBA 2K tournaments.
Through Play NBA 2K, players can participate in free-to-enter tournaments and entry-fee-based tournaments, providing NBA 2K fans with even more opportunities to compete in the basketball video game.
“Unlocking the ability for NBA 2K players to earn real cash prizes through competitive play marks a major milestone for us and the industry. We’re incredibly grateful to the team at 2K for helping make this transformative partnership a reality,” said The Play Company CEO, Brandon Pitts.
“2K’s partnership with The Play Company will further expand the ways that we are trying to build engagement and connect with our players,” said 2 K’s head of lifestyle and content marketing Ronnie “Ronnie 2K” Singh. “For us the deal with The Play Company serves as yet another way to quench the thirst of our competitive 2K community,” Singh said.
The service will go live with Play Now and MyTEAM tournaments. Additional tournament formats will be rolling out in the months ahead. Gamers can join Tournaments by downloading the Play OS mobile app on iOS or visiting this website.
NBA 2K Continues To Find Ways To Keep Players Engaged
NBA 2K remains at the forefront, allowing its players to enhance their gameplay experience and earn money. There the NBA 2K League that partners with the NBA, allowing those who are exceptionally good at the game to make a living playing 2K and be treated like actual athletes and there was the players only tournament that took place during the pandemic featuring some the league’s biggest stars who are also good at NBA 2K.
We are intrigued to see how successful this new partnership will be.
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Nintendo / Nintendo Switch 2
Mark your calendars, U.S. Nintendo fans, you can now officially preorder your Switch 2 on April 24.
Nintendo announced the new preorder date for U.S. customers and revealed that the price for the Switch will also remain at $449.99 for the base console and $499.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle.
Prices for both physical and digital versions of Mario Kart World ($79.99) and Donkey Kong Bananza ($69.99) will remain unchanged.
However, there is some bad news: the price of Nintendo Switch 2 accessories is going up. The Switch 2 Joy-Con, Switch 2 Pro Controller, and Switch 2 Camera are seeing price bumps.
The Joy-Con 2, originally priced at $89.99, will now be priced at $94.99. The Pro Controller increased from $79.99 to $84.99, and the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera rose from $49.99 to $54.99.
Gamers who usually use video games as an escape from politics are now seeing how politics can invade their space.
All of these moves by Nintendo are a direct result of Donald Trump’s abuse of tariffs. Originally, preorders for the Switch 2 were supposed to begin on April 9, but were delayed after Orange Mussolini announced his tariffs, which would affect everyone, including an island inhabited by penguins and seals.
In response to his boneheaded actions, Nintendo said it was delaying Switch 2 preorders in the U.S. “to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,” but also stated that the June 5 release date remains unchanged.
How We Got Here
On April 8, Nintendo also delayed preorders for the Switch 2 in Canada “in order to align with the timing of preorders to be determined in the US.”
After watching the global economy tank and the U.S. stock market nosedive for a few days, Trump issued a 90-day pause on some of the tariffs, but kept the 145 percent tariff on China in place.
Then, news broke that the Trump administration had announced exemptions for smartphones, computers, and chips. Unfortunately, gaming consoles were not on the list, but then Trump said that “no one is getting off the hook.”
In anticipation of Trump’s tariffs, Nintendo began stockpiling the Switch 2 in the United States and shifted most of its non-Chinese production there.
The Switch 2’s announcement has been a clusterf***, with some issues being on Nintendo’s part, but mainly due to the company trying to navigate Trump’s erratic behavior with the tariffs.
Let’s hope this date stands firm, and people won’t have to choose between putting food on the table or getting a Switch 2 at this point.
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Ben Montgomery
Shein and Temu shoppers in the US, we have some bad news for you: yesterday’s price will not be today’s price beginning next week when the two Chinese-based companies raise their prices.
Spotted on The Verge, the two “ultra-cheap” retailers sent a letter to customers warning them of price adjustments due to Donald Trump’s abuse of tariffs.
Orange Mussolini has been on a roll when it comes to making our lives miserable, wrecking the global economy, while sending the US stock market into a free fall when he walked out into the White House rose garden and announced a bunch of “reciprocal” tariffs on what he called “liberation day.”
While he has since paused most of the tariffs, he raised tariffs on goods imported from China to 145 percent, with his brain-dead administration claiming that tariffs on other imports, such as electric vehicles, could hit 245 percent when added to existing tariffs.
To make matters worse for both companies, the US announced it would be eliminating the de minimis exception, which allowed goods valued under $800 to avoid tariffs. As you would expect, Shein and Temu both benefited from the exception for years.
After May 2, you can expect prices to increase on the affordable toys, clothing, and home goods that companies sell.
“Until April 25, prices will stay the same, so you can shop now at today’s rates,” Shein and Temu said to shoppers on their websites. “We’re doing everything we can to keep prices low and minimize the impact on you.”
Bruh, Donald Trump can kick rocks.
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Source: Sprayground / Destiny 2
Sprayground, the popular brand best known for its collectible backpacks and luggage, is back with another fire collaboration. Fans of Bungie’s shooter, Destiny 2, definitely need this in their collection.
The limited Destiny 2 collection from Sprayground will feature two eye-catching backpacks that have become a staple among street style enthusiasts and young kids.
This latest collection celebrates Guardians, Ghosts, and lunar frontiers, all found in Destiny 2, with two amazing backpacks.
“Destiny has cultivated a passionate global community, and we wanted to craft something that truly resonates with the players,” said David BenDavid, Founder and Chief Creative Director of Sprayground. “These backpacks are more than just accessories – they’re a tribute to the game’s lore, visuals, and those who embrace the adventure.”
Source: Sprayground / Destiny 2
The first backpack is inspired by the Guardians’ floating companions, the Ghosts, which also guide the Lightbearers on their mission to protect the Last City and the solar system from the Witness, Fallen, Hive, Vex, Cabal, Taken, and various other threats.
Dubbed the Destiny Ghost Buddy Backpack ($120), it features a plush Ghost on the backpack along with other intricate detailing to help it truly stand out from other backpacks.
Source: Sprayground / Destiny 2
Next, the Destiny First Light Backpack ($90) draws inspiration from the First Light Lunar Installation, one of the first locations the Guardians explored in the Destiny franchise.
It incorporates the facility’s distinctive logo with 曙光 (shǔguāng), meaning “Dawn” or “First Light,” delivering fans another magnificent backpack that is a must-have.
Source: Sprayground / Destiny 2
How To Get One of The Destiny 2 Backpacks
Both backpacks are currently on sale via Spraygrounds’ website and select retailers, featuring staple features such as a spacious laptop compartment, a plush velour pouch for valuables, and Sprayground’s signature hidden pockets.
Hit the gallery below for more photos.
1. Sprayground x Destiny 2
Source:Destiny 2
Sprayground x Destiny 2 destiny 2,sprayground
2. Sprayground x Destiny 2
Source:Destiny 2
Sprayground x Destiny 2 destiny 2,sprayground
3. Sprayground x Destiny 2
Source:Destiny 2
Sprayground x Destiny 2 destiny 2,sprayground
4. Sprayground x Destiny 2
Source:Destiny 2
Sprayground x Destiny 2 destiny 2,sprayground
5. Sprayground x Destiny 2
Source:Destiny 2
Sprayground x Destiny 2 destiny 2,sprayground
6. Sprayground x Destiny 2
Source:Destiny 2
Sprayground x Destiny 2 destiny 2,sprayground
7. Sprayground x Destiny 2
Source:Destiny 2
Sprayground x Destiny 2 destiny 2,sprayground
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
When looking for new home theater gear, it can be difficult to find the best digital projector that delivers amazing picture and audio quality. However, we found a top-rated smart home theater projector — and it’s very affordable.
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Available at Walmart, the RCA HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector is priced at just $88, while it has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from the retailer’s shoppers. It features Roku inside for video streaming movies and TV shows from popular apps, including Netflix, Apple TV+, Hulu, Sling TV, Max, Paramount+, Peacock, BET+, Prime Video, Disney+ and others. You can even stream your favorite music and podcasts with Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and more.
And since the RCA HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector is from Walmart, you’ll get it shipped to you for free if you’re a Walmart+ member. Otherwise, your cart has to be more than $35 to get free shipping.
If you’re not a member, then you’re in luck: You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free, fast delivery; fuel discounts; streaming access to Paramount+ to watch hit originals; additional savings with early access deals and much more.
In addition, Walmart+ comes with access to SiriusXM for all sorts of talk radio and music — including popular channels like “The Coffee House” for stripped-down songs from Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers and others. Learn more about what Walmart+ can offer you here.
RCA
RCA HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector
Meanwhile, the smart home projector has 150 lumens of brightness for clear and sharp HD picture quality with a projection size up to 180 inches. That’s up to 15 feet in height! It also has Bluetooth built-in to connect your smartphone or tablet for even more streaming options. You can connect extra speakers for immersive surround sound when you’re watching movies.
Priced at just $88, the RCA HD Roku Smart Home Theater Projector at Walmart.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
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Ubisoft / Assassin’s Creed Shadows
For the lames out there wishing Assassin’s Creed Shadows would flop, this news will not sit well with you.
Ubisoft has already been proudly announcing that Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been a massive win for the company despite all the hate, numerous delays, and made-up controversy that encircled the game well before its release.
A closer look at the sales data shows that the latest entry in the iconic Assassin’s Creed video game franchise accomplished some monumental sales feats.
According to Mat Piscatella, Executive Director at Circana, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was the best-selling game in the United States for each of the first three weeks following its release, per Circana’s tracking data, which is accurate up to April 5.
Only one other game has sold more at that’s Capcom’s latest hit, Monster Hunter Wilds, which continues to do numbers. Ubisoft has yet to comment about Shadows sales accomplishments, but the game publisher did toot its own horn, announcing the AC Shadows 3 million player count on March 27.
Shadows’ success is the win Ubisoft needed after Star Wars Outlaws‘ disappointing showing. We don’t know exactly how many players are still playing AC Shadows or how many copies were sold because Ubisoft remains mum, but we expect them to announce those details soon.
The Critics Remain Positive On Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is currently at a strong 81 on OpenCritic, with 82% of reviewers recommending the game and a very good 90% player rating.
We were one of the critics high on the game writing in our review:
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an exceptional entry into the franchise that brilliantly combines all of the good features from the games over the years and stuffed them into a game that doesn’t require you to play 100+ hours to complete. It’s so good that you want to spend as much time in its world as possible to uncover more of the story because it’s absolutely worth it.
Congrats to the Ubisoft Quebec team on the win, and a nice hidden blade to haters who said the game was going to flop because it was “woke.”