Fashion tech startup Aesthetic has unveiled its AI platform, Alma, which promises to transform social media shopping by enabling users to identify and purchase clothing directly from social media posts. Often described as a “Shazam for clothes,” Alma uses proprietary AI to analyze visuals and offer direct shopping links, allowing users to easily browse and buy items featured on Instagram and, soon, TikTok. Aesthetic’s New Social Commerce Tool Gains Early Momentum Aesthetic’s launch follows a beta phase, during which Alma drew over 80,000 users to its waitlist. The AI concierge,
Kendall Hamilton, a highly ranked Rocket League player, and his mother, Dr. Gigi, are leading an initiative that has supported young Black gamers in securing over $150,000 in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Together, they founded Game Changer Academy, an organization dedicated to helping young Black gamers use their skills for financial and professional growth. Game Changer Academy: Turning Gaming Skills Into Opportunities Game Changer Academy emerged from Kendall Hamilton’s own journey in competitive gaming according to a press release. Initially, his mother, Dr. Gigi—a licensed psychotherapist and organizational
This week on Techish, Michael and TechCrunch’s Dominic-Madori dive into how new technologies are affecting privacy, Apple’s take on AI limits, and new media’s role in politics with elections around the corner. They also chat about how consumer habits are shaking up companies like Starbucks and wrap up with a look at the reparations debate. Doxing Strangers With Meta’s Smart Glasses (00:00) Apple Dunks on Large Language Models (06:50) The Podcast Election: How New Media Is Shaping the Trump-Harris Election (11:05) Starbucks is struggling (23:35) UK Prime Minister Says No
On the Oct. 18 premiere of Shark Tank’s 16th season, Destin George Bell, 26, pitched his gamified fitness app, Card.io, securing a $150,000 investment from FUBU founder Daymond John and venture capitalist Rashaun Williams. The app, which launched in 2022, combines fitness tracking with a social, team-based game experience, transforming outdoor workouts into competitive turf battles. Card.io has already attracted a following of over 25,000 users across 70 countries. Bringing Gamified Fitness to a Global Audience Inspired by his struggle to stay motivated during the pandemic, Bell created Card.io to
Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Timbaland has joined Suno, a leading AI music creation platform, as a strategic advisor. This collaboration comes after months of Timbaland actively using Suno. Love Again Remix Contest To mark the beginning of this partnership, Timbaland previewed his latest single, “Love Again,” exclusively on Suno, inviting artists from around the world to participate in a remix contest. The contest, launching 24 hours after the announcement, will offer over $100,000 in prizes, with Timbaland himself providing feedback on submissions. The top two remixes will then be released on major streaming platforms,
Issa Rae has announced a new collaboration between ColorCreative, her management company, and the streaming platform Tubi. Together, they’ve launched “Stubios,” an initiative aimed at supporting up-and-coming creators by providing a direct path into the entertainment industry. This partnership offers five creative teams the chance to develop their debut projects, which will premiere on Tubi, with full funding provided by the platform. A Platform for Emerging Talent ColorCreative, co-founded by Issa Rae and led by CEO Talitha Watkins, is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices, according to their website. Through the
In this episode of the Techish podcast, Michael and Abadesi dive into all the drama around OpenAI’s move from a nonprofit to a for-profit company. They discuss the impact on the company’s integrity, the motivations behind the move, ethical concerns about AI, and share their own startup experiences while exploring AI’s broader effects on society. OpenAI’s Transition from Nonprofit to For-Profit (01:00) Integrity and Ethical Considerations in AI (03:09) Sam Altman Is Extremely Good at Becoming Powerful (06:22) Listen to the episode You can find the Techish podcast on Spotify, Apple,
Target has introduced ÜNOS by Sz, a new line of sneakers that expands to fit growing feet. The expandable sneakers are the brainchild of Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, a footwear designer and president of Pensole Lewis College, a design-focused HBCU in Detroit. Edwards has over 30 years of experience designing for top brands like Nike, L.A. Gear, and icons like Tupac and Michael Jordan, Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, and Nas. A Unique Approach to Affordable Footwear ÜNOS by Sz, which stands for “U Need One Size,” offers more than 15 styles
Greenwood Rising: The Rise of Black Wall Street premiered on October 11, 2024, sharing the story of O. W. Gurley, one of the founders of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s famed Black Wall Street. Featuring Family Matters star Darius McCrary and Fatima Marie as O. W. Gurley and Emma Gurley, this historical drama’s distinctive soundtrack blends jazz with modern beats, bringing a fresh energy to this powerful story. From Tech to Storytelling Co-produced and directed by Aaron L. Williams, Greenwood Rising is first original film by ad-supported video-on-demand platform Fawesome. Williams began his
The Hollywood Reporter’s “Creator A-List: The 50 Most Influential Influencers” highlights digital stars reshaping entertainment through innovation and influence. Black creators on the list are leading the way, proving their value through cultural impact and trendsetting content. Here’s a look at the Black influencers making their mark on this year’s list. Kai Cenat (@kaicenat) At just 22, Kai Cenat is a force to be reckoned with on Twitch, where his comedic content and live streams have garnered a massive following. Notable for featuring rappers like Lil Baby, 21 Savage, and
