**McDonald’s AI-Created Christmas Advertisement: A Disputed Holiday Promo**

Earlier this month, McDonald’s Netherlands unveiled a Christmas advertisement produced with AI generation tools that swiftly attracted negative feedback online. The ad, designed to connect with audiences during the festive season, showcased various AI-generated scenes highlighting the less favorable experiences tied to the celebrations. Regrettably, its execution was lacking, resulting in its ultimate withdrawal following public outrage.

This move into AI marketing by McDonald’s mirrors a similar experiment by Coca-Cola, which also ventured into AI-generated ads. The Christmas commercial sought to offer a humorous perspective on the difficulties of the holiday season but ultimately fell short due to its evident dependence on artificial intelligence, which diminished the overall viewing pleasure.

The advertisement was first shared on platforms like YouTube, but after facing considerable backlash, the fast-food chain removed it entirely from the web. Before its deletion, McDonald’s had already turned off comments on the ad to limit negative reactions.

The studio behind the advertisement, Sweetshop, asserted that they devoted seven weeks to meticulously crafting the project, utilizing a broad range of advanced methods and technologies. In a now-removed statement, the studio detailed their complex process, which included the use of Google Earth plates, style transfer, and extensive editing in an effort to produce what they deemed a top-tier cinematic experience.

Despite their assertions of purposeful artistry behind the AI-generated material, many viewers deemed the final output unattractive and disjointed. The combination of highly advanced digital techniques with the ad’s mediocre visual quality fostered doubt regarding the efficacy of AI in creative fields.

The conversation surrounding this advertisement provokes inquiries about the function of technology in marketing and storytelling. While the idea of employing AI can be viewed as groundbreaking, the result stood as a cautionary tale about the potential drawbacks of embracing novel approaches without necessary human supervision. Critics argue that conventional filmmaking methods, which incorporate human skill and creativity, could be more effective than relying exclusively on artificial intelligence.

In closing, McDonald’s venture into AI-generated marketing has turned out to be an unfortunate blunder, igniting discussions about the future of commercial creativity. This incident illustrates the persistent challenge of harmonizing technological progress with authentic artistic expression, particularly in an industry so centered on audience engagement as advertising.

Apple seldom reduces prices on its products, particularly soon after their release, but this year, Amazon is leading the way with considerable discounts on items such as the AirPods Pro 3, perfectly timed for the holiday season. These third-generation AirPods Pro are available for $219, down from the standard $249, matching the lowest prices recorded during Black Friday. While previous versions like the AirPods Pro 2 might attract buyers because of their lower cost, the enhancements in the AirPods Pro 3, driven by Apple Intelligence, offer essential improvements that can significantly elevate the user experience.

### Efficient Noise Cancellation

The AirPods Pro 3 claims to block double the noise of the Pro 2 model, effectively muting distractions like subway noises, airplane sounds, and café conversations. This is accomplished through active noise cancellation that adapts dynamically to the distinct shape of your ear canals and the ear tips’ fit. To enhance this experience, the new version comes with five ear tip sizes, enabling a tailored fit that greatly enhances sound isolation and bass output.

Additionally, the audio experience has been revamped to create what Apple refers to as “three-dimensional sound.” This establishes an auditory landscape where music feels as though it’s enveloping the listener instead of merely coming from the earbuds. With enriched bass depth and clarity in mid to high frequencies, listeners can truly savor each element of intricate musical compositions. The spatial audio feature, equipped with dynamic head tracking, guarantees that sound sources remain anchored in relation to devices like iPhones or iPads, enriching the experience during movies or gaming.

### Health and Fitness Features

A notable feature of the AirPods Pro 3 is its ability to sense heart rates. This turns the earbuds into fitness partners, enabling users to monitor heart rate and calorie burn across 50 types of physical activities. The data syncs with the Activity app on the iPhone, contributing to daily activity stats and providing valuable insights through the new Workout Buddy feature powered by Apple Intelligence.

Moreover, the Live Translation feature utilizes Apple Intelligence for real-time language processing, allowing for naturally flowing translations during conversations. This feature removes the necessity for a different translation app while traveling, enabling effortless communication in various languages. The Active Hearing Protection feature tracks ambient noise levels and adjusts the volume accordingly to prevent potential harm from loud surroundings, such as bustling streets or concerts.

### Hearing Aid Functionality

The AirPods Pro 3 also functions as a clinical-grade hearing aid, utilizing the snug fit and sophisticated noise processing technologies. It boasts an automatic Conversation Boost feature that enhances speech frequencies for improved clarity. Users can even perform a hearing test at home via their iPhone, leading to customized audio profiles for enriched listening experiences.

Battery life is commendable, providing eight hours of use with active noise cancellation engaged and up to ten hours when using Transparency mode and hearing aid features.

### Conclusion

The chance to buy AirPods Pro 3 at a lower price is significant, as Apple products typically maintain their full price shortly after launch. This season, Amazon’s price matching offers a unique opportunity for consumers to acquire premium earbuds that serve as fitness trackers, translation tools, and high-fidelity audio devices all in one. The array of features available makes the purchase worthwhile, particularly in anticipation of the holidays.

For those interested, you can check the offer on Amazon [here](https://shop.kotaku.com/go/4214/).

**Magic: The Gathering’s Marvel Super Heroes Set: A Fresh Era of Thematic Gameplay**

Next June, amidst the buzz surrounding the *Avengers* returning to cinemas and the premiere of *Doomsday*, Magic: The Gathering will unveil its eagerly awaited Marvel Super Heroes set. This expansion is a part of the ongoing Universes Beyond series, designed to weave cherished franchises into the Magic universe while preserving the core gameplay experience that fans love.

In a recent episode of WeeklyMTG, Wizards of the Coast offered a preview of 38 new cards featured in this set. The reveal emphasized several Legendary Creatures and inventive mechanics, ensuring that the set delivers more than mere nostalgic connections to the Marvel franchise. Among the highlighted characters are legendary heroes and villains, each exhibiting unique abilities that mirror their comic book origins.

The set showcases Captain America as a 3/2 white creature, equipped with a shield counter for additional protection, highlighting the tactical nature of this hero. Bruce Banner is represented as a 1/1 blue creature, capable of transforming into the Incredible Hulk under certain conditions, acquiring a +1/+1 counter when damaged and granting him an extra attack phase. This transformation mechanic underscores the duality of Banner’s characters, merging strategy with narrative depth.

Doctor Doom is prominently featured as a powerful 3/3 black creature whose arrival on the battlefield is accompanied by Doombot tokens. Players can take advantage of his ability to draw cards while incurring damage at the end of their turn, introducing an element of risk and reward. Moreover, Doctor Doom remains indestructible as long as an artifact creature or Planeswalker is present, making him a formidable presence.

Key reprints in this set include Heroic Intervention, granting permanents hexproof and indestructibility until the end of the turn—an effect capable of significantly altering the course of battle. The set also brings new and exciting cards like Horn of Greed, adorned with whimsical artwork that resonates with Doctor Doom’s character.

Collectors and players will enjoy the full-art variants of cards such as Widow-Making Infiltrator, Dig Through Time, and Elektra, Deadly Assassin, which enhance both aesthetic appeal and gameplay richness. For those steeped in Magic lore, the Saga cards like World War Hulk and The Coming of Galactus will provide exhilarating narratives; the former boosts a creature’s power and toughness, while the latter introduces a formidable 16/16 Elder Alien with flying and trample.

Initial responses to the Marvel set were varied, particularly considering its launch following the Spider-Man expansion and numerous other crossovers in the Universes Beyond series. However, the early reveals indicate a depth and originality that may rekindle interest among players and collectors. The fusion of Marvel’s iconic storytelling with Magic’s strategic gameplay could yield a successful combination, positioning the Marvel Super Heroes set as one to keep an eye on as fans gear up to explore its features next June.