Deepfake apps

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Around 2018, we all heard about deepfakes and how the face-swapping technology was blurring the lines of reality. But deepfakes can also be fun. Dozens of apps in your app store promise to put your face onto an animated GIF or video. Here are some of the best: Reface, Wombo and MyHeritage. Reface was released in February last year and has been wildly popular. The app lets you easily swap your face into videos and GIFs. Using it is as easy as taking a selfie. The app recognizes facial expressions, so even if you’re grinning, it will guess what your neutral face looks like. Then you choose a short video or GIF. Wait a few seconds, and you’ll see your face on SpiderMan, Bruce Lee or Kate Winslet in that scene from Titanic — Reface has a library of hundreds of short clips. The end result can be hit or miss — a lot depends on your face shape — but the hits are surprisingly lifelike. Wombo does a similar thing, but for short clips from a small selection of pop songs. Somehow, it’s more addictive — maybe because the songs are so catchy. Deepfake apps aren’t just about fun. MyHeritage is a service that helps people trace their family tree. Its app has a “Deep Nostalgia” feature that animates family photos using deepfake technology. Upload a photo of a grandparent and watch them come to life. Its website has examples of famous people, including Mark Twain and Florence Nightingale. As you watch, the photo subject turns their head and looks off-camera. The videos made by the apps can seem a little creepy, but they show that deepfake tech can be fun. Reface, Wombo and MyHeritage are all available for iPhones and Android phones. (T) This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.