Latest news with #Goku
Hypebeast
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
CASETiFY Powers up With ‘Dragon Ball Z' 40th Anniversary Collection
Summary CASETiFYis marking the 40th anniversary ofDragon Ballwith a high-powered collaboration that fuses anime nostalgia with premium tech protection. Launching globally on next week, theDragon Ball Zx CASETiFY collection introduces a wide range of limited-edition accessories featuring exclusive artwork and dynamic designs inspired by the franchise's most iconic characters and moments. From Goku and Vegeta to Frieza and Majin Buu, the collection channels the energy of the series into everyday tech essentials. Among the highlights is a lenticular iPhone case that brings the legendary 'Father-Son Kamehameha' scene from the Cell Saga to life. As the case tilts, the emotional moment between Goku and Gohan animates in real time, offering fans a collectible that's both functional and visually striking. Another standout is the Gotenks 'Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack' design, which adds a playful, energetic twist to the lineup. For collectors, the Adventurous Journey Premium Box Set offers a rare opportunity to own two Silver Mirror phone cases with Silver Bumpers, designed for iPhone 14–16 Pro and Pro Max models. Each box includes a serialized silver card, underscoring the limited nature of the release. Also debuting is the Scouter AirPods Max Case — an online exclusive modeled after the series' iconic power-level tracker, complete with interchangeable red and green lenses. Beyond the hero pieces, the collection spans over 40 designs across phone cases, AirPods cases, Apple Watch bands, wireless chargers and more. Prices range from $38 – $184 USD, theDragon Ball Zx CASETiFY collection will be availableonlineand offline via the brand starting June 24, 2025.
Mid East Info
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Father's Day Special – Thoughtful Gifts and Unique Experiences to Make Dad's Day Extra Special - Middle East Business News and Information
As Father's Day approaches on June 15th, it's the perfect time to honour the strength, wisdom, and unconditional support of dads everywhere. Whether you're planning to surprise him with a thoughtful gift, enjoy quality time together, or treat him to a hearty meal out, here are some top recommendations to make the weekend extra special. Ajmal Perfumes: Celebrates the Timeless Presence of Fathers with the Signature Scent of Aurum Elixir This Father's Day, honour the strength and enduring presence of fathers with a fragrance that speaks of legacy and refinement. Ajmal Perfumes, the region's leading luxury fragrance house with over 70 years of perfumery heritage, presents Aurum Elixir, the perfect gift to express appreciation through the art of scent. Aurum Elixir opens with a fresh burst of bergamot, blackcurrant, and strawberry; a bright, fruity blend that instantly uplifts. At its heart, jasmine adds a soft floral touch, enriched by smooth caramel and warm cashmere wood. The base settles into a lasting trail of patchouli and vanilla, balancing sweetness with depth. Elegant, warm, and inviting, it's a scent that feels both comforting and confident. Priced at AED 210, 75ML Availability –Available across Ajmal Perfumes boutiques, authorized retailers, and online platforms throughout the GCC Clarks Tan Leather Shoes: Comfort Meets Timeless Style This Father's Day, gift dad the perfect blend of style and comfort with Clarks' Monahan Step in rich Tan Leather, available at Jashanmal National Company. Designed for effortless wear, this sleek slip-on features smooth uppers, a contoured footbed, and a cloud-light EVA sole for all-day ease. A thoughtful, everyday luxury for the man who's always there for you. Priced at AED 745 Availability: Jashanmal Online & Jashanmal stores in UAE Jashanmal Premium Gift Cards: The Perfect Choice for the Man who deserves a token of appreciation Every moment of giving is deeply cherished, consider the Jashanmal Premium Gift Cards –an exceptional offering for all your Gifting needs. These reloadable gift cards, available up to AED 5,000 with a one-year validity, allow recipients the freedom to choose from a wide range of luxury products, from fashion and electronics to home décor and travel items. Ideal for a dad who would like to choose his own from a wide range of luxury collection available at Jashanmal stores and online. Accepted across Jashanmal stores in the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, they offer a premium shopping experience with a variety of carefully curated product. The Little Things offers Dragon Ball Z Goku/Vegeta Wireless In-Ear Headphones By Prime Audio This Father's Day, Give the Gift of Legendary Sound Let Dad power up his playlists with the ultimate fusion of anime style and premium audio performance. The Dragon Ball Z x Final Audio Wireless In-Ear Headphones come in two iconic editions — Goku or Vegeta — so you can choose the Saiyan that matches his style. Goku Edition – Orange-and-blue accents inspired by Goku's gi, with voice prompts from the legendary Masako Nozawa ('Kamehameha!'). Vegeta Edition – Bold blue-and-white design echoing the Prince of Saiyans' armor, voiced by Ryo Horikawa ('Final Flash!'). Price: AED 649 Available in: The Little Things Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Bluewaters Island and online at Product Links: Gift Him United Colours of Benetton Polo Shirt from Jashanmal Group Short sleeve polo shirt in soft linen and cotton blend yarn. Shirt collar and partial opening with buttons on the front. A casual classic that lends itself to a thousand different occasions. Make him feel special with this gift available at Jashanmal Stores and Online. Priced at AED 340. Availability: Jashanmal Online & Jashanmal stores in UAE Take him out for a complimentary hot appetizer at Level 19 Lounge, Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, Dubai Experience a taste of the best from the newly launched Level 19 Lounge & Bar. For all the fathers around Dubai, all you need to do is show us a photo of you along with your kids and enjoy a hot appetizer on the house. A small gesture of appreciation from our side! Some of the dishes include Golden Scallops with Cauliflower Puree, Wild Mushroom & Truffle Arancini, Teriyaki Chicken Shish Kebab and the Mixed Seafood Tempura Basket from the selection of your choice. Friday – Sunday | 6:00 PM – 3:00 AM; Level 19 Lounge & Bar T&C: Applicable on a minimum spend of AED 75. Available on: 13, 14, 15 June and 20, 21, 22 June For reservations and inquiries: please contact +971 50 707 1196, WhatsApp +971 50 707 1196 or email us at prkkfnb@ Give Dad the gift of time, flavour, and relaxation. Whether he's a culinary enthusiast, a lover of peaceful getaways, or someone who values life's finer pleasures, Park Regis Kris Kin offers the perfect experience for every kind of father. This Father's Day, make it more than just a celebration—make it a meaningful expression of gratitude with moments he'll treasure forever. Website: Contact: +971 50 707 1196 Instagram: @parkregiskriskin
IOL News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Goku fans to live out their dreams at the world's first 'Dragon Ball Z' theme park
Goku fans will get to see their anime action hero come to life at the Dragon Ball Z amusement park being built in Saudi Arabia. Image: Unsplash Fans of 'Dragon Ball Z' are one step closer to immersing themselves in the beloved anime universe, as an exciting new amusement park is set to be constructed in Saudi Arabia. The Qiddiya Investment Company has announced plans for the world's first and only Dragon Ball theme park, promising to bring the iconic anime series to life. Spanning over half a million square metres, the park will feature seven distinct areas that recreate various iconic locations from the original series, including Kame House, Capsule Corporation, and Beerus's Planet. Visitors will have the chance to embark on thrilling adventures alongside main protagonist Goku and his friends, enjoying an interactive experience that spans from the original Dragon Ball series to the latest instalments of Dragon Ball Super. The park will boast five state-of-the-art rides as part of a diverse lineup of over 30 attractions. A standout feature will be a towering 70-metre-high Shenron, which will house a large-scale roller coaster within its structure. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In addition to the attractions, the park will also offer a range of hotels and restaurants, ensuring a comprehensive entertainment experience for visitors. While the opening date has yet to be announced, Saudi Arabia is already home to more than 24 licensed theme parks, as recognised by the General Entertainment Authority. The country has ambitious plans for future expansion, with Qiddiya City anticipating the addition of 12 theme parks as part of its broader entertainment ecosystem. Saudi Arabia is a destination rich in history, diverse landscapes, and modern development, making it an appealing choice for travellers. From religious pilgrimage sites to ancient archaeological wonders and vibrant cities, the Kingdom offers something for everyone. Families can look forward to a fantastic vacation, enjoying a blend of cultural experiences, historical sites, and contemporary attractions. With its varied landscape, from the stunning Red Sea coast to the vast desert, Saudi Arabia provides ample opportunities for both adventure and relaxation, catering to all age groups.
Mid East Info
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Surprise Your Super Dad with a Marvel-ous Collectible Gift from The Little Things - Middle East Business News and Information
This Father's Day, The Little Things is bringing back big memories. Whether your dad's a lifelong Marvel fan or still hums the Dragon Ball Z theme under his breath, The Little Things has curated gifts, which blend nostalgia, fandom, and function to create the kind of thoughtful surprises that remind him he's still your ultimate role model. Dragon Ball Z Goku/Vegeta Wireless In-Ear Headphones By Prime Audio T his Father's Day, Give the Gift of Legendary Sound Let Dad power up his playlists with the ultimate fusion of anime style and premium audio performance. The Dragon Ball Z x Final Audio Wireless In-Ear Headphones come in two iconic editions — Goku or Vegeta — so you can choose the Saiyan that matches his style. Goku Edition – Orange-and-blue accents inspired by Goku's gi, with voice prompts from the legendary Masako Nozawa ('Kamehameha!'). Vegeta Edition – Bold blue-and-white design echoing the Prince of Saiyans' armor, voiced by Ryo Horikawa ('Final Flash!'). Price: AED 649 Available in: The Little Things Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Bluewaters Island and online at Product Links: ZD Toys – Marvel Iron Man Mark IV with Suit-up Gantry Make this Father's Day unforgettable with a collectible that captures one of the most iconic moments in the Iron Man saga. The Iron Man Mark 4 with Suit-Up Gantry by ZD Toys brings Tony Stark's legendary suit-up scene from Iron Man 2 to life. This set includes: Iron Man Mark 4 Figure – Fully articulated and screen-accurate, perfect for dynamic poses or display Suit-Up Gantry Diorama – Assemble the mechanical arms and recreate the cinematic transformation in your own collection Renowned for its premium paintwork, smooth articulation, and solid build quality, ZD Toys delivers craftsmanship that Marvel fans appreciate. Whether you're treating a superhero-loving dad or expanding your own collection, this is a centerpiece worth suiting up for. Price: AED 399 Available in: The Little Things Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Bluewaters Island and online at Product link: About The Little Things: The Little Things stands as a vibrant cornerstone of pop-culture retail in the UAE and the Middle East. The store offers a unique selection of pop-culture merchandise that celebrates nostalgia and imagination. Staying true to its mantra, 'Unlock Worlds You've Never Seen,' The Little Things brings childhood fantasies to life, rekindling cherished memories for fans and collectors alike. With a reputation for exclusivity and variety, The Little Things ensures every customer finds something special to ignite their passion. Its deep connection with the community extends beyond products, hosting events, fostering creativity, and collaborating with local talents. Whether you're searching for rare finds or seeking to connect with fellow enthusiasts, The Little Things transforms shopping into an immersive journey of wonder and discovery. Website: Instagram: Facebook: Tiktok:
The Verge
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
The cursed world of AI kiss and hug apps
Doomscroll on TikTok long enough, and you'll come across an ad for AI video apps. In one ad, a stereotypically nerdy girl puckishly smirks as she uploads a picture of herself and her much more handsome crush. Boom — suddenly, thanks to AI, they're smooching. In another, I'm shown a woman in a blouse and jeans. Do I want to know what she looks like in a blue bikini? Psst. There's an app for that. The ad then shows me the woman in said blue bikini. These apps aren't peddling the digital nudes many people associate with AI deepfakes, which are proliferating in their own right on app stores. Slapped together by opportunistic developers and sprinkled with subscription fees and microtransactions, they're all pitching tools to help you make benign fantasies a bit more tangible — but the results feel more cursed than magical. AI video ads link out to apps with titles like VideoAI, and DreamVid, made by companies you've probably never heard of — a short perusal of Apple's App Store brings up roughly two dozen options. Despite their titillating promotional material, they feature plenty of innocuous video templates. By uploading one or two photos and hitting a 'generate' button, you can change your hair color, hold up a sign, or hug Goku from Dragon Ball Z. But for every one of those, there are several other subtly disturbing or sort of gross ones. In the DreamVid app, there's an Enhance option that lets you give a person bigger breasts. In the preview, a blonde with a B cup is shown getting an automatic boob job, smiling playfully as she jiggles her new DD size. The AI Dancing category in the same app has scantily clad women suggestively swaying their hips. It's a mix that feels calculated. Just when you think there's too many bikinis and breasts, you'll see templates featuring cuddly AI cats, Studio Ghibli-style filters, and wholesome grandmas to hug. At the same time, when you look at DreamVid's AI outfit-of-the-day option, six of 12 outfits are some form of bikini or bathing suit. The rest include skimpy maid outfits, lingerie, a schoolgirl uniform, and gothic lolita cosplay. Only the wedding dress and cheongsam are relatively benign. None of them are aimed at creating pictures of men. In the ads, the videos generated are in that hazy category of 'real enough' to make you uncomfortable yet curious enough to download. Try it yourself and you'll see the telltale AI cracks appear. Kissing looks awkward — like how a toddler imagines kissing, faces and lips rhythmically smooshing together. (The few that attempt French kissing prove AI really doesn't know what to do with tongues yet.) Hugs look stiff, with dubious limb and hand placements. If the photos don't line up, hilarious zoom effects ensue as AI tries to match up bodies. Clothing, hair, accessories, and facial features often morph in and out of existence mid-video. AI systems have a long-standing racial bias issue, and pairing up subjects of different races seems to confuse these apps. My non-Asian celebrity crushes sometimes spontaneously developed Asian features when I joined them in a video. Other times, the app morphed my features into more Eurocentric ones to match my spouse. I don't know whether to laugh or cry that multiple AI apps insist that kissing parties should generally be the same race. I do, however, feel insulted when it generates a video of my spouse proposing to me — but has them turn away and propose to a random, spontaneously appearing white woman instead. None of this comes for free. The majority of apps charge microtransaction fees and subscriptions that range from $2.99 to $7.99 per week or $49.99 to $69.99 annually, providing limited credits that you can spend to generate videos. It's a financial model similar to that of AI nudes apps, even if the content is different. If you're curious about where those funds are going, one deep dive into the Videa: AI Video Maker app traced its origins to a company called Pure Yazlim Limited Sirketi that's based out of Istanbul, Turkey. is run by a company called NineG, which describes itself as 'non-gaming app publishing' on its barebones website. Its app store listing also touts the Mozart AI song generator, art generator Plum AI, an AI font creator, and, randomly, Reel TV — a Quibi-esque app for short dramas. DreamVid is run by Shenzhen iMyFone Technology which also has a suite of what seems to be productivity and utility apps, plus a Studio Ghibi generator. The Verge reached out to both NineG and iMyFone but didn't receive a response. In exchange, you get something infinitely simpler and more permissive than all-purpose video generators like OpenAI's Sora. You can theoretically produce a kiss on Sora, but only after crafting a text prompt describing what you want, uploading photos for the tool to work with, and clicking through pop-ups asking if you're over 18 and have consent to use the material you're uploading — and even then, Sora flagged me smooching Edward Cullen as a potential policy violation. Google's Veo is much the same. I tried the Edward Cullen kiss test, and Veo refused, saying it would reject prompts that are sexually suggestive, nonconsensual acts, or those that promote harmful stereotypes. On these other apps, you don't even need to come up with the idea — just upload a couple of pictures, and the system will deliver what you want. Simple apps for creating deepfaked nudes have produced numerous instances of clear harm, including widespread harassment of women and teen girls. Some of these incidents have led to lawsuits and arrests. There are also legal efforts to crack down on AI-generated nudes and unauthorized 'digital replicas' of real people, including the recently signed Take It Down Act, the No Fakes Act, and a bill passed by the New York State Senate. These apps are unlikely to fall under the purview of anti-deepfake porn laws, though the frequent appearances of celebrities — offered templates that let you make out with both Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen and Timothee Chalamet — make their status under digital replica rules shakier. For now, they sit in a murky zone between app store and platform moderation policies. Major tech companies have lagged on removing even sexually explicit AI generators, and the status of anything milder on their platforms seems nebulous. Google spokesperson Danielle Cohen tells The Verge that the Google Play Store doesn't allow apps that contain content or services that could be intended as sexually gratifying, and companies aren't allowed to use sexually explicit ads (including AI-generated ones) to direct people to their Play Store listings. Apple's App Store guidelines state apps shouldn't contain content that is 'offensive, insensitive, upsetting, intended to disgust, in exceptionally poor taste, or just plain creepy.' Provided examples include 'mean-spirited' content, as well as 'explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings.' There are no rules about ads for these apps. I sent Meta an example of an ad for a kiss and hug AI app I found on Instagram Reels. In response, Meta spokesperson Faith Eischen told The Verge, 'We have clear rules against nudity and sexual exploitation, including non-consensual intimate imagery — both real and AI-generated — and we've removed the shared piece of content for breaking our rules.' Eischen also noted that Meta removes such ads when notified, disables accounts responsible for them, and blocks links to sites hosting such apps. The Verge reached out to TikTok about its policies but didn't receive a response. While it's fraught to create sexually charged images of celebrities, it overlaps with the existing territory of fan art and meme-ification. Many of these apps' functions, though, tread in more uncomfortable territory. While it might not be overly pornographic, it's creepy to deepfake yourself kissing someone. It would be even creepier to do it to a friend or acquaintance who didn't consent to it. But it's also not really clear what the average user is looking for — most reviews are simply complaining about the microtransactions. Moderating this sort of content is kind of like whack-a-mole. had plenty of 'use AI to kiss your crush' ads several weeks ago. Now, all the ones I bookmarked have disappeared from social media. Within the app itself, I can no longer generate any kind of kissing video. Instead, the app moved on to ads of a suburban mom twerking, before they, too, were subsequently removed. Experimenting with AI video apps wasn't always creepy. Few people would object if everyone was using them to generate heartwarming videos of kids hugging their grandparents; you could argue that it's weird to want to do this, but it's not inherently wrong or illegal. But the fun or arguably helpful use cases are mixed in almost inextricably with the creepy stuff. Changing my hair is a pretty unobjectionable process, but it's unsettling to swap my own face onto a model 'dancing' while wearing cat ears, a plunging crop top that shows off her midriff and bra, hot pants, and lacy garters. (Leonardo DiCaprio's face on the model is perhaps less disturbing than simply unhinged.) Conversely, I've had genderqueer friends say they privately used AI templates that let them see what they'd look like as a different gender, and it helped them figure out their feelings. Even the kissing templates could have fairly innocuous uses — you could be a fiction writer seeking inspiration for a romance novel. In that case, what's the difference between drawing your own fan art and using an AI video generator? Perhaps, you're trying to process something and need a little visual help — and that's how I ended up deepfaking my dead parents. In a plot stolen straight from The Farewell, my mom died before my grandmother, and my family decided not to tell her out of fear she'd drop dead from shock. But whereas that film dealt in regular white lies, my family decided to update its deception for the modern era. When my grandma started lamenting that my mom had stopped calling, a cousin asked me if there was any chance that I, a tech reporter, could use AI to create video messages of my mother. That would, my cousin said, give my dementia-addled grandma some sense of peace. At the time, I told her it wasn't possible. Three years later, I finally generated the deepfake she requested while testing these apps. It was eerie how much it looked like my mom, except when she smiled. My real mother was self-conscious of her underbite. AI mom's teeth were perfect. All I could see were the ways that AI had failed to capture my mother's essence. I thought my cousin would feel the same way. Instead, the text I got in response was four hearts interspersed with several exclamation marks and crying face emojis. For her, the horrible deepfake was comforting. My mom would've hated this AI version of herself, and yet in the days after creating it, I found myself replaying it over and over — if only because spotting what the AI got wrong reminded me that I hadn't forgotten the real her. I found myself replaying it over and over — if only because spotting what the AI got wrong reminded me that I hadn't forgotten the real her. After that, I deepfaked my dad hugging me at my wedding. Some little girls dream of their fathers walking them down the aisle. Mine died before that day ever came, and I didn't make it to his deathbed in time for a proper goodbye. I wondered if deepfaking dad would give me a sense of closure. I used the last good photo I had of him, taken a few days before he passed, and a solo photo of me from my wedding. The AI did a horrible job. For one, it interpreted my dad's beanie as a thick shock of black hair. In my family, we teased him for his thin combover and fivehead — which, in his broken English, he insisted was proof he was a true 'egghead.' I tried again and got a slightly better result. Still, the pattern on his sweater changed. His facial features morphed into someone who looked close, but ultimately wasn't my dad. Even so, it made me cry. The AI got so many things wrong, but it was good enough to sketch the shape of my longing. This, too, I sent to my cousin, who replied back with even more crying emoji. AI evangelists tout this as a positive use case for AI. Wouldn't it be nice to reanimate your dead loved ones? Before deepfaking my parents, I'd have scoffed and said this is a dystopian premise that denies the humanity of our mortality. But all I can say now is that grief is a strange beast. I'd be lying if I said that I found comfort in these deepfakes, but I can't deny that a part of me was moved. I'm also no longer inclined to describe this as a bad way to use AI; it's just weird. Perhaps the question isn't whether these apps are inherently harmful or what platforms should do when they appear. Maybe it's a matter of asking what we're hoping to see of ourselves reflected in them.
