Adobe and Figma scrap US$20 billion merger amid antitrust concerns

Image: Figma

Adobe and Figma have called off their $20 billion merger deal after facing regulatory hurdles in the UK and EU. Adobe will pay Figma a US$1 billion breakup fee in cash. Adobe had little chance to salvage the deal and get what it wanted from Figma, without giving up some of its own products.

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Separate applause from speech and more with Adobe’s Project Sound Lift

Project Sound Lift is a new audio tool from Adobe that can use AI to isolate different sounds in a single recording. For example, it can separate applause from speech or traffic from music. You can choose from various sound categories, and the tool will create separate files for each layer. You can then edit them individually in Adobe Premiere Pro. This tool is still in development and not yet available to the public.

This technology is similar to what was used to restore John Lennon’s voice from a cassette tape and release the first Beatles song in almost 30 years. Project Sound Lift is branded as one of Adobe's "Sneak" previews, so it might be a while before this tool gets released. And we're hoping that they decide to launch it.

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Adobe launches new versions of Photoshop and Premiere Elements with AI and more

Adobe

Adobe has launched the new versions of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements for 2024. These products have many new features that make the creative process easier and faster, thanks to artificial intelligence. But AI is not the only thing that photo and video editors can enjoy in these new versions.

However, let’s start with the AI features. These functionalities are powered by Adobe’s Sensei AI platform. There is a new tool in Photoshop that automatically selects and edits objects and backgrounds, similar to Google’s Pixel Magic Eraser, but more advanced.

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Adobe’s new dress can change colours and patterns on demand

Adobe

Adobe is known for its cutting-edge software for creative professionals, but it also has some secret projects in the works. At the 2023 Adobe MAX conference, it revealed one of them: a dress that can change its appearance in real time. The dress looked normal at first, but then it turned from matte white to reflective, and different parts of it changed colours and patterns. The dress, called Project Primrose, uses special "Reflective Light-Diffuser Modules" that create flexible and non-emissive display systems.

Project Primrose is not a product, but a proof of concept. It shows a new way to preview and prototype designs and patterns almost instantaneously. The dress can display any content created with Adobe software, such as Firefly, After Effects, Stock, and Illustrator. Adobe says that this technology can be applied to other surfaces, such as furniture, bags, and more. This would allow designers to experiment with endless styles and let users download and "wear" the latest designs.

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