Latest news with #Playground
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Black Forest Labs Launches FLUX.1 Kontext, a Breakthrough in Context-aware Image Generation and Editing
FREIBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Black Forest Labs, Europe's fast-rising frontier AI research lab, announced today the release of FLUX.1 Kontext, a new suite of image generation models that introduce powerful in-context generating and editing capabilities. Kontext enables users to generate, retouch, and iteratively refine images from both text and visual inputs, without the need for finetuning or complex editing workflows. "FLUX.1 Kontext represents a fundamental shift from traditional editing approaches by unifying image generation and editing in a single flow matching architecture," said Robin Rombach, CEO and co-founder of Black Forest Labs. FLUX.1 Kontext is designed for creators, developers, and enterprises seeking precision and creative control. The model can understand and extract visual concepts from images, maintain stylistic and character consistency across multiple scenes, and apply localized edits with exceptional fidelity. This enables seamless visual storytelling, fast ideation, and highly targeted content generation, all at inference speeds up to 8x faster than leading alternatives. "FLUX.1 Kontext represents a fundamental shift from traditional editing approaches by unifying image generation and editing in a single flow matching architecture," said Robin Rombach, CEO and co-founder of Black Forest Labs. "Using simple flow matching training, we have achieved state-of-the-art character consistency across multi-turn edits while maintaining interactive inference speeds of 3-5 seconds at 1MP resolution. This enables truly iterative creative workflows that were previously impossible due to visual drift and latency constraints." A Complete Suite for In-Context Generation The FLUX.1 Kontext suite introduces two distinct models: Kontext [Pro] and Kontext [Max], each designed to meet the demands of advanced image generation and editing. Kontext [Pro] is built for iterative editing workflows. It generates images from text or reference images and supports local edits, scene transformations, and multi-step refinements while preserving character and stylistic consistency. Kontext [Max] offers maximum performance, combining exceptional prompt adherence, advanced typography handling, and premium rendering quality with no compromise on speed. Together, these models deliver photorealistic outputs with minimal latency and support a wide range of applications from rapid ideation to high-end creative production. A B2B Playground for Enterprise Evaluation As part of the rollout, Black Forest Labs is introducing the Playground, a browser-based demo environment designed for business users to explore the full capabilities of the FLUX.1 model suite. Tailored for enterprise evaluation, the Playground allows teams to validate internal use cases, demonstrate functionality to stakeholders, and experiment with advanced image generation in real time. Playground enables risk-free exploration and rapid demonstration of value, making it easy to assess the power of FLUX before committing to full integration. Additional components of the Kontext model suite will launch on a rolling basis over the coming weeks, including: Open-weights, distilled variant of Flux.1 Kontext Access of FLUX open-weights models for self-deployment with transparent pricing and instant commercial use rights. Kontext follows the success of FLUX.1 Dev, one of Hugging Face's most popular models with over 30 million downloads. To date, the FLUX.1 family of models have generated 700 million images via API. To learn more, visit About Black Forest Labs Black Forest Labs is a European frontier AI lab advancing the future of generative media. Founded by leading AI researchers, BFL develops state-of-the-art image and video generation systems that are performant, accessible, and responsibly deployed. With deep roots in foundational research, the company continuously builds advanced infrastructure to empower creators, developers, and forward-thinking enterprises to bring their imagination to life.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Banijay in strategic partnership with Nodwin to co-develop IPs, formats
Banijay Asia , part of Banijay Entertainment, has entered a strategic partnership with Nodwin Gaming , a subsidiary of Nazara Technologies , to expand their footprint in India's growing gaming and youth entertainment landscape. As part of the collaboration, Banijay Asia will produce Playground, Nodwin Gaming's flagship gaming reality show that blends gaming, entertainment, and influencer culture. The two companies also plan to co-develop new content formats and intellectual properties (IPs), including scripted and reality programming aimed at younger audiences. Deepak Dhar, Founder & Group CEO – Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India, said, 'This collaboration with Nodwin Gaming is an exciting extension of our vision to create content that resonates with evolving youth audiences. Gaming is not just a sport; it's a culture, a lifestyle, and a massive content opportunity. With Playground and our upcoming IPs, we aim to redefine engagement and storytelling in this space.' He added, 'I look forward to the creative collaboration with Akshat Rathee, and Joost Roset who we previously worked with, in bringing iconic global IPs to India. This is an invaluable opportunity to create clutter-breaking formats in the youth and gaming space.' Nodwin Gaming brings to the table a portfolio of well-known properties including BGMI Masters Series, Comic Con India, and NH7 Weekender. The company has been active in creating gaming and esports formats across multiple platforms and regions. Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder & MD, Nodwin Gaming, said, "Youth entertainment is evolving rapidly, and our partnership with Banijay Asia positions us perfectly to lead that change. With Playground, we've just begun to explore what's possible. Backed by Banijay's global expertise, we're now set to scale the IP across multiple languages and markets, with the ambition of building an international format. At the heart of our approach is our philosophy of 'timeshare of mindshare'. We're not just creating content, we're creating cultural moments. The Rusk creative team will stay actively involved as we expand the universe of Playground, aiming to grow from one show to between five and ten each year. This is just the beginning of a bold new chapter in gaming and youth content."
Malay Mail
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Daughter of legends Faye Wong and Dou Wei, Leah Dou's ‘Playground' cover sparks online buzz over celebrity, identity and authenticity
HONG KONG, May 5 — Leah Dou Jingtong, daughter of Cantopop royalty Faye Wong and Chinese rock legend Dou Wei, has once again found herself in the limelight – this time as the cover star of Chinese blind box giant Pop Mart's debut youth magazine, Playground. The move has sparked widespread discussion online, reaffirming her status as a cultural outlier who continues to challenge the conventions of modern celebrity. The 28-year-old singer-songwriter was recently featured in the magazine's inaugural issue, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported today. 'Leah Dou's quiet defiance of hyper-social expectations makes her the ideal muse for what true connection means today,' the publication's creative director Vicson Guevara was quoted by the Hong Kong newspaper as saying. Leah Dou (right) with her famous mother Faye Wong. — Picture from Facebook/Leah Dou 竇靖童 Despite a reputation shaped by her androgynous style, visible tattoos including a now-removed 'shrimp line' that once ran from her bottom lip to her neck – and a history of dropping out from elite schools like Beijing No. 4 High School and Berklee College of Music, Leah is described by mainland Chinese media as deeply grounded and family-oriented. Having launched her music career as a teenager, Leah has steadily carved out a name for herself in the indie pop scene. Her track It's Just What We Do was shortlisted for Best Original Film Song at the 2017 Hong Kong Film Awards, and she was named one of China's most creative young songwriters at the 2018 Chinese Music Gala. Her genre-blurring track Jungle Pink also made the year's list of Golden Songs. Leah's recent appearance in Malaysia further cemented her growing international presence. On April 25, she performed to an enthusiastic crowd at ZEPP Kuala Lumpur as part of her 'Out of the Loop' concert tour, hosted by Aco Media with Astro channel Xuan as a media partner. While speculation around Leah's sexuality and personal life continues – largely due to her fashion choices and her decision to avoid the public dating scene – supporters applaud her authenticity. In private, Leah is reportedly close to her family. A young Leah Dou (right) and her father Dou Wei. — Picture from Facebook/Leah Dou (JingTong) She is reported to financially support her father and maintains warm relationships with her two half-sisters, Li Yan (daughter of Wong and actor Li Yapeng) and Dou Jiayuan (daughter of Dou Wei and photographer Gao Yuan). Online reaction to her Playground cover has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans expressing admiration for her artistry and individuality, according to SCMP. 'She is beautiful and cute. 'I hope she can sing more songs so that she will not waste her talent in music,' one commenter was quoted as saying.
The Star
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Hot Chinese toymaker Pop Mart launches new pop culture magazine called Playground
Chinese toymaker Pop Mart, whose shares have surged more than 470 per cent over the past year on the back of its popular intellectual properties (IPs), has launched a pop culture magazine called Playground. The biannual publication, launched last week, featured actress and singer-songwriter Leah Dou on its cover. The first edition explores the theme of social connections and offers a selection of photos, comic strips and other visuals related to the topic. 'We decided on social because it kind of encapsulates many things [that are central to the experience of] the young generation,' said Vicson Guevara, Pop Mart's executive creative director and co-creator of the magazine, in an interview on Wednesday. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. 'Social media is [one part of it],' he said. 'It's something that young people can't live without, but the other piece is relationships – real connections with people, which are closely tied to our brand value as well.' The magazine's mission is to connect people and communities, Guevara said. 'By expanding our reach, we can unlock more possibilities for the Pop Mart brand, whether offline or online,' he said. 'This will open up new opportunities for our IPs, allow us to use Playground as a platform to connect with artists we admire and add value for both our customers and non-customers.' Founded in 2010 in Beijing, Pop Mart has had a big year in terms of popularity thanks to the success of its original toy series, The Monsters , which takes inspiration from Norse mythology. Its fans include Lisa of K-pop group Blackpink and members of the Thai royal family. Last year, the company's revenue rose 107 per cent from a year earlier to 13 billion yuan (US$1.8 billion), while its profit soared 188 per cent to 3.1 billion yuan. Overseas sales surged 375 per cent to 5.1 billion yuan, thanks to rapid growth in Southeast Asia and North America. That momentum continued into the first quarter, with US sales up 900 per cent from a year earlier and 605 per cent higher in Europe. Sales were up 350 per cent in Asia and 100 per cent higher in China. Overseas sales now account for nearly 40 per cent of the company's total, according to the company's unaudited financial results that were published earlier in April. Pop Mart's shares fell 2.07 per cent on Wednesday to HK$193.8 (US$25) after an undisclosed seller offloaded around 4.1 million shares at a 2.5 per cent discount to the company's Tuesday closing price, according to a Bloomberg report. Playground magazine will be available for purchase through Pop Mart's online channels, select offline locations, as well as at global art book and magazine stores including Jetlag Books in Beijing and Casa Magazines in New York. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
South China Morning Post
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hot Chinese toymaker Pop Mart launches new pop culture magazine called Playground
Chinese toymaker Pop Mart , whose shares have surged more than 470 per cent over the past year on the back of its popular intellectual properties (IPs), has launched a pop culture magazine called Playground. Advertisement The biannual publication, launched last week, featured actress and singer-songwriter Leah Dou on its cover. The first edition explores the theme of social connections and offers a selection of photos, comic strips and other visuals related to the topic. 'We decided on social because it kind of encapsulates many things [that are central to the experience of] the young generation,' said Vicson Guevara, Pop Mart's executive creative director and co-creator of the magazine, in an interview on Wednesday. 'Social media is [one part of it],' he said. 'It's something that young people can't live without, but the other piece is relationships – real connections with people, which are closely tied to our brand value as well.' The magazine's mission is to connect people and communities, Guevara said. Advertisement 'By expanding our reach, we can unlock more possibilities for the Pop Mart brand, whether offline or online,' he said. 'This will open up new opportunities for our IPs, allow us to use Playground as a platform to connect with artists we admire and add value for both our customers and non-customers.'
