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In a world brimming with possibilities, it’s easy to get lost in the vast sea of digital distractions. But fear not, dear creative souls, for we have scoured the internet to uncover hidden gems that will ignite your imagination and jet-propel your creativity. Buckle up and prepare to be amazed as we introduce you to eight mind-blowing websites you probably didn’t know existed.

1. A Soft Murmur

Take a break from those tiresome deadlines and submerge yourself into a world of ambient bliss with A Soft Murmur. This website allows you to create custom audio scapes, blending different soothing sounds like rain, thunder, waves, and more. Whether you need a tranquil background for meditation or an inspiring audio backdrop for your creative projects, A Soft Murmur provides a sanctuary for the auditory creative.

2. This Person Does Not Exist

Prepare to be perplexed and fascinated in equal measure by this beguiling website. Powered by artificial intelligence, This Person Does Not Exist generates eerily realistic portraits of people who – you guessed it – do not exist. Each refresh reveals a new face and each new face leaves you pondering the boundaries between reality and fiction. A goldmine for character-inspired creatives.

3. Silk

Unleash your inner artist with WeaveSilk (Silk), a mesmerizing website that lets you create intricate, symmetrical designs with just a few strokes of your mouse or touchscreen. As you glide your cursor, the vibrant colors blend and weave together, forming breathtaking digital masterpieces. Silk is a playground we should all play in. Ideal for the creative seeking meditative and visually stunning experiences.

4. The Useless Web

Embrace the absurd and embrace creativity with The Useless Web. With a single click, you’ll be transported to a random and quirky website that defies explanation. From virtual cat pianos to button-clicking games, this digital rabbit hole is a constant reminder that creativity knows no bounds and that sometimes you’ve got to take the blue pill. Or was it the red one? For the curious creative.

5. Little Alchemy

Unleash your inner alchemist with Little Alchemy. This addictive online game challenges you to combine various elements to create new objects. From simple combinations like fire and water to complex creations involving mythical creatures, Little Alchemy offers endless hours of experimentation and discovery. For the creative that likes a bit of trial and error.

6. The Noun Project

The Noun Project is a treasure trove of high-quality icons and symbols that can breathe life into your creative projects. With over two million icons contributed by a global community, this website ensures that you’ll find the perfect visual representation for your ideas. Expand your visual vocabulary and let The Noun Project be your creative companion. Calling all visual storyteller creatives!

7. FutureMe

Step into a time machine and send a message to your future self with FutureMe. This unique website allows you, to write yourself, a letter, in the future. Get it? Simply select a date for it to be delivered, commit to the ether, and allow it to stew in the space-time continuum. Whether you want to set goals, share dreams, or capture a state of mind, FutureMe adds a touch of creative reflection to your journey through time. For the Time Traveller’s Creative.

8. Incredibox

Prepare to be dazzled by Incredibox, an interactive website that turns you into a badass beatboxing maestro. Mix and match different musical elements, such as rhythms, melodies, effects, and voices, to create your own banging tunes. With its playful interface and addictive audio combinations, Incredibox is for the funky creatives amongst us. And I’m willing to bet that’s all of us. Let’s get it on.

In a world where imagination knows no bounds, image generators have become a powerful tool for artists, designers, and enthusiasts alike. And yet we all know using image generators is not as easy as it first seems and, to get the best results, you need the best input prompts.

You also need a platform that is keeping pace with the boundless change of the industry. Take a bow Midjourney 5.2. Packed with mind-boggling features and infinite magical potential, this image generator is a creative marvel that pushes the boundaries of visual expression.

Let’s take a look into the fascinating world of Midjourney 5.2 and explore its latest and most enchanting features.

1. Zoom Out Feature: Unlock a Whole New Perspective

Prepare to have your mind blown, folks, because Midjourney 5.2 brings you an exhilarating feature that allows you to zoom out of your created images. Gone are the days when you were limited to exploring your creations up close. With the zoom-out feature, you can now witness the grandeur of your art from a macro perspective.
Imagine starting with a detailed portrait of a majestic eagle and gradually zooming out to reveal it soaring above an awe-inspiring mountain range, contained in a snow globe on the mantelpiece of a giant.

The zoom-out feature in Midjourney 5.2 unleashes your creativity and enables you to construct breathtaking landscapes and mind-bending scenarios like never before.

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2. Dreamscape Mode

Prepare to be transported to a realm where dreams become reality with the all-new Dreamscape Mode. Midjourney 5.2 introduces an ethereal dimension that merges fantasy and reality seamlessly. Want to turn an ordinary photo into a breathtaking fairy tale landscape? Simply activate Dreamscape Mode and watch in awe as majestic castles rise from humble buildings, and lush forests spring to life from barren landscapes. With just a click, Midjourney 5.2 brings your wildest dreams to vibrant existence.

3. Time Warp Filter

Ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time? Midjourney 5.2 allows you to do just that with its mesmerizing Time Warp Filter. This innovative feature lets you transform modern-day photographs into vintage treasures as if they were captured decades ago. Whether you want to evoke the charm of the Roaring Twenties or relive the nostalgia of the ’80s, the Time Warp Filter flawlessly transports your images to a bygone era. Get ready to explore the realms of history through the lens of Midjourney 5.2!

4. Shape Shifter Brush

Prepare to witness true magic unfold as Midjourney 5.2 introduces the Shape Shifter Brush. With this bewitching tool at your disposal, you can transform ordinary objects into extraordinary creations. Want to turn a pumpkin into a carriage fit for a princess? Or perhaps you’d like to turn a cat into a dragon? The Shape Shifter Brush grants you the power to reshape reality and create captivating visuals that defy logic and reason. Unleash your inner sorcerer and let your imagination run wild!

5. Kaleidoscope Pattern Generator

Step into a world of dazzling symmetry with the Kaleidoscope Pattern Generator. Midjourney 5.2 offers a mesmerising feature that takes mundane patterns and elevates them to kaleidoscopic marvels. Watch as simple geometric shapes twist and twirl into intricate and hypnotic designs. Perfect for creating mesmerising backgrounds, vibrant textiles, or captivating album covers, the Kaleidoscope Pattern Generator adds a touch of wonder and elegance to your visual creations.

6. Emotion Infusion

Say goodbye to static and lifeless images, for Midjourney 5.2 brings your creations to life with the Emotion Infusion feature. Utilising state-of-the-art emotion recognition technology, this feature imbues your images with a range of emotions, breathing personality into every pixel. Witness the joyous laughter of children, the melancholic gaze of a lonely wanderer, or the fiery determination of an athlete in action. With Emotion Infusion, your images become windows to the soul, capturing the essence of human emotions.

7. Shorten command and Turbo mode explained

Two other features that deserve special mention are the ‘Shorten’ command and Turbo mode. The Shorten command serves as your prompt optimiser, pruning your prompts down to the most impactful keywords. It’s a valuable tool for ensuring the AI responds to the heart of your creative intent. Meanwhile, Turbo mode boosts the speed of image rendering. It’s a time-efficient feature, especially when you need quick results. Bear in mind that Turbo mode comes with a higher token cost, but it’s a trade-off many users find worthwhile.

Midjourney 5.2 takes image generation to a whole new level, elevating the art of visual storytelling to an enchanting experience. From transporting you to whimsical dreamscapes to rewinding time and shaping reality, this image generator offers a treasure trove of creative possibilities. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or simply a lover of all things magical, Midjourney 5.2 is the perfect companion on your journey.

Make sure you stay tuned to Digital Boom for more Midjourney updates.

TFK, the leading curated fashion marketplace in Egypt has acquired OPIO, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion brand.

By joining forces, TFK and OPIO will combine their expertise, resources, and brand portfolios to create a powerhouse fashion group.

This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to establish “THE FASHION KINGDOM”; an all-in-one fashion aggregator and venture builder aimed at revolutionizing the fashion industry in MENA.

One Fashion Kingdom to rule them all

This particular “KINGDOM” will focus on building, acquiring, and growing diversified vertical fashion brands across the MENA region through both online and offline platforms, complemented by a regional marketplace.

“The acquisition of OPIO is a strategic move that complements and completes our ecosystem,” said Fadi Antaki, Founder and CEO of TFK. “We are creating an all-in-one ecosystem, that combines OPIO’s D2C expertise with TFK’s marketplace infrastructure”.

THE FASHION KINGDOM is committed to developing and promoting locally grown fashion brands, unlike traditional fashion groups and conglomerates in the region that primarily rely on international franchises.

The Fashion Kingdom aims to bridge the gap by creating culturally relevant and relatable brands for the region, reducing the reliance on imports.

This new entity will encompass a diverse portfolio of brands, including OPIO, FE, and Boddiction, in addition to Saltwater Circle and No Apologies, two new brands launching soon.

“The MENA region deserves fashion brands that truly resonate with its diverse population,” added Antaki. “By building and acquiring brands from the region, we can provide authentic and relatable fashion brands, that embody the taste, aspirations, and values of our MENA customers.”

Shady Mokhtar, Co-founder and CEO of OPIO, also, expressed excitement about the acquisition. “Joining forces with TFK and becoming a part of “THE FASHION KINGDOM.” is a remarkable opportunity for OPIO.”

He adds “(This is) paving the way to extraordinary growth potential, extending our presence throughout the MENA region. Collaboratively, we will push boundaries, elevate our brand influence, and reshape the fashion industry.”

What, Where, and How Big

“THE FASHION KINGDOM.” offers its brands a fully-fledged platform of support, including, and not limited to, manufacturing, operations, marketing, and content creation capabilities, all powered by a scalable tech stack. In doing so, “THE FASHION KINGDOM.” offers the best-in-class infrastructure to fashion direct-to-consumer brands.

“THE FASHION KINGDOM.” is backed by a strong group of investors, including A15, The Raba Partnership, Foundation Ventures, CIB, Acasia Ventures, Sunny Side Venture Partners, Flat6labs, Oqal Angel, Athal Angel, AUC angels, and regional family offices.

This massive network of support further strengthens The Fashion Kingdom’s position and provides endless opportunities for growth and expansion.

“THE FASHION KINGDOM.” has a primary market focus on Egypt & KSA, due to their vast potential and market size. According to ecommercedb.com, Egypt has a $1.6B fashion e-commerce market, projected to reach $3B in 2027 and KSA’s fashion e-commerce market value is $4B, projected to reach $7B in 2027.

Egyptian experts are calling out Netflix’s decision to cast a bi-racial actor as Queen Cleopatra VII in its upcoming docu-series, “African Queens: Queen Cleopatra,” alleging that Netflix is “blackwashing” the historical figure. The controversy has prompted calls for Netflix to be banned from the country, and a petition has been launched to cancel the show, which has gathered thousands of signatures.

Netflix’s “African Queens: Queen Cleopatra”

The show, narrated and executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, stars Adele James, a bi-racial actor, in the role of Cleopatra. Pinkett Smith has explained that she wanted to be involved in the project because she “really wanted to represent Black women.”

While Cleopatra’s specific race has been the subject of historical debate, Egyptian experts have criticized Netflix’s portrayal of the legendary queen, arguing that she was Greek and not black. Zahi Hawass, an Egyptologist, accused Netflix of spreading “false and deceptive facts that the origin of the Egyptian civilization is black.”

Calls to Ban Netflix from Egypt

Lawyer Mahmoud al-Semary has filed a complaint with the country’s public prosecutor, calling for Netflix to be blocked in Egypt. He alleges that Netflix promotes “Afrocentric thinking… aimed at distorting and erasing the Egyptian identity.”

A petition to cancel the show, titled “Cancel Netflix’s ‘Queen Cleopatra,” has gathered more than 3,200 signatures on Change.org. Another petition that allegedly garnered 85,000 signatures was removed from the website.

Netflix defends its casting decision

Netflix has defended its casting decision, reminding viewers that in Cleopatra’s time, “Egypt’s population was multicultural and multiracial.” The streaming platform consulted its own Egyptologist, Sally-Ann Ashton, who argued that it was “strange” to depict Cleopatra as wholly European.

The controversy has prompted further debate over the identity of Cleopatra, with some speculating that her mother and other female ancestors may have been indigenous to Africa.

Premiere date

The official trailer for the show has stirred up controversy, with comments on the YouTube video disabled. Despite the backlash, “African Queens: Queen Cleopatra” is set to premiere on Netflix on May 10.

Tribal Credit, a leading fintech company that provides financing, payment, and expense management solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets, has launched a private beta of Cash Copilot, a new service that utilizes GPT technology and open banking data to help business owners, CFOs, and decision-makers in Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Cash Copilot is currently in private beta, and Tribal Credit has opened a waitlist for both existing and new customers who are interested in accessing the service. To sign up for the waitlist, visit www.tribal.credit/cash-copilot

By leveraging the power of GPT and open banking data, Cash Copilot provides real-time insights into financial risks and opportunities, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and drive growth. The service offers personalized financing and payment solutions tailored to the unique needs of emerging market SMEs.

“Cash Copilot represents a significant milestone in our mission to empower SMEs in emerging markets by giving them access to cutting-edge financial tools,” said Amr Shady, CEO of Tribal Credit. “By leveraging the capabilities of GPT and open banking data, we’re not only simplifying the expense management process, but also providing unparalleled insights that will help businesses make data-driven decisions and excel in their respective markets.”

Key features of Cash Copilot include:

• AI-powered financial analysis: Cash Copilot uses advanced GPT technology to analyze open banking data and provide businesses with accurate, actionable insights into their financial performance.
• Personalized financing and payment solutions: Cash Copilot’s algorithms identify the most suitable financing options and payment solutions for each business, based on its unique needs and objectives.
• Seamless integration with existing services: Cash Copilot integrates effortlessly with Tribal Credit’s existing financing and payment solutions, as well as its intuitive expense management platform.
• Targeted support for emerging markets: Cash Copilot is specifically designed to address the challenges faced by SMEs in the Latin America and MENA regions, helping them overcome barriers to growth.

On Friday, Silicon Valley Bank had its operations shut down by California banking regulators. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was then appointed as the receiver to handle the bank’s assets at a later time.

The news shocked the financial world with its sudden collapse, becoming the largest bank to fail since the 2008 financial crisis. The bankruptcy has sent shockwaves through global markets and left countless companies and investors in limbo with billions of dollars at stake.

Santa Clara-based lender Silicon Valley Bank, the 16th largest bank in the US with $209 billion in assets, collapsed abruptly due to the impact of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes on the start-up space, in which it was a major player.

Silicon Valley Bank’s attempt to offset the loss of deposits by raising capital resulted in a $1.8 billion loss on Treasury bonds, which were impacted by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes.

The failure underscores the fragility of the banking system and has prompted calls for increased regulation to prevent future catastrophes.

Highlights

• California regulator closed SVB and also took control of SVB’s customer deposits.
• SVB focused on lending to start-ups; branches are to reopen Monday.
• FDIC to sell bank assets; ‘chaos’ reported amid withdrawals.
• Bank shares fall in U.S. and Europe.
• Crisis exposes banking ‘vulnerabilities’ amid rising rates.
• Bloomberg: Almost 50% of US venture capital-backed startups had ties to Silicon Valley Bank.
• Fortune: Days before Silicon Valley Bank’s historic collapse, its CEO sold $3.6 million worth of stock in what is being considered a potentially problematic transaction.

Silicon Valley Bank’s popularity among startups

Silicon Valley Bank’s popularity among startups and venture capitalists extends beyond US borders, with companies and investors worldwide choosing the bank as their top choice for financial services.

Startup founders from around the globe are working against time to move their money out of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which was shut down by US regulators last night, in what is being called the largest bank failure since the 2008 Lehman bankruptcy, which sparked off a global financial crisis.

Roblox Corp and Roku Inc, both of whom had significant deposits at Silicon Valley Bank, have announced that they had hundreds of millions of dollars invested in the institution.

Alternative digital banks for Startups

As startups and investors seek alternative banking options in the wake of Silicon Valley Bank’s sudden collapse, Brex has emerged as a potential solution, among others. The financial services provider, valued at $12.3 billion, is expediting the process for founders looking to set up bank accounts for their businesses and is reassuring customers that it has not been impacted by the “current banking volatility.”

In fact, Brex has reportedly received billions in deposits from former Silicon Valley Bank customers overnight.

The company has also offered VIP support to those seeking to switch banks, making it an attractive option for startups looking for a quick and secure banking solution amidst the uncertainty of recent events.

For its part, fintech company Mercury, which has been specializing in banking services for startups since 2019, has reported a surge in inbound interest from potential clients.

There are several alternative digital banks for startups to consider beyond Silicon Valley Bank, including:

1. Brex: A financial services provider that offers credit cards and cash management solutions to startups.
2. Mercury: A banking platform that provides financial services for startups, including bank accounts, payment processing, and cash management.
3. Chime: A mobile banking platform that offers no-fee banking services and cash management tools.
4. Novo: A digital bank that provides business banking services and integrations with popular accounting and financial software.
5. BlueVine: A fintech company that provides banking services to small businesses, including checking accounts, loans, and lines of credit.

Silicon Valley Bank will reopen its branches on Monday following its sudden collapse. The bank’s closure had left many clients unsure of the fate of their investments, but this news brings some relief. Many are now watching closely to see how the bank will recover from this event.