Teaching machines to see optical illusions may help computer vision get smarter

Do you remember the kind of optical illusions you probably first saw as a kid, which use some combination of color, light, and patterns to create images that prove deceptive or misleading to our brains? It turns out that such illusions — where perception doesn’t match up with reality — may, in fact, be a feature of the brain, rather than a bug. And teaching a machine to recognize the same kind of illusions may result in smarter image recognition.

This is what computer vision experts from Brown University have been busy working on. They are teaching computers to see context-dependent optical illusions, and thereby to hopefully create smarter, more brain-like artificial vision algorithms that will prove more robust in the real world.

“Computer vision has become ubiquitous, from self-driving cars parsing a stop sign to medical software looking for tumors in an ultrasound,” David Mely, one of the Cognitive Science researchers who worked on the project, now working at artificial intelligence company Vicarious, told Digital Trends. “However, those systems have weaknesses stemming from the fact that they are modeled after an outdated blueprint of how our brains work. Integrating newly understood mechanisms from neuroscience like those featured in our work may help making those computer vision systems safer. Much of the brain remains poorly understood, and further research at the confluence of brains and machines may help unlock further fundamental advances in computer vision.”

In their work, the team used a computational model to explore and replicate the ways that neurons interact with one another when viewing an illusion. They created a model of feedback connections of neurons, which mirrors that of humans, that responds differently depending on the context. The hope is that this will help with tasks like color differentiation — for example, helping a robot designed to pick red berries to identify those berries even when the scene is bathed in red light, as might happen at sunset.

“A lot of intricate brain circuitry exists to support such forms of contextual integration, and our study proposes a theory of how this circuitry works across receptive field types, and how its presence is revealed in phenomena called optical illusions,” Mely continued. “Studies like ours, that use computer models to explain how the brain sees, are necessary to enhance existing computer vision systems: many of them, like most deep neural networks, still lack the most basic forms of contextual integration.”

While the project is still in its relative infancy, the team has already translated the neural circuit into a modern machine learning module. When it was tested on a task related to contour detection and contour tracing, the circuit vastly outperformed modern computer vision technology.

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How many GPU video ports is too many? The Aorus RTX 2080 packs seven

Nvidia’s new RTX-series graphics cards have only been shipping for a few days, but already aftermarket versions are starting to appear with simply ludicrous configurations. The Aorus GeForce RTX 2080 Xtreme 8G comes with all of the Turing cores, RT cores, and general processing power of a standard (albeit likely overclocked) 2080, but it also comes with a massive three-fan cooling solution and as many as seven video output ports on the back.

Standard RTX 2080 cards ship out with five video ports, but the new Auros branded card takes that to a new level. The addition of two extra HDMI 2.0b ports brings the total to three, with an additional three DisplayPort 1.4 connectors, and a USB-C port with VirtualLink. That makes it possible to output to four different displays at once (and a VR headset) leveraging either three HDMI, a DisplayPort, and the USB-C connector, or three DisplayPort, an HDMI, and the USB-C port.

The cooling system the new Aorus card uses is also rather impressive. Ditching Nvidia’s championed two-fan configuration, it leverages the power of three 100mm fans sitting on top of a heat pipe direct touch heatsink that also covers VRAM and MOSFET chips. It’s all covered with a metal back plate for some minor cooling enhancements and a cleaner look. The fans are designed to alternate their rotations (clockwise for the center, anticlockwise for the outside two) in order to maximize airflow and avoid turbulence, resulting in quieter operation and better airflow.

Should your GPU stay cool enough under low load though, they’ll also turn off entirely, making for an utterly silent card at times.

As you might expect from a graphics card with this branding, it also supports customizable RGB lighting with full support for the Aorus Engine software, and it’s all backed up by a four-year warranty.

What we don’t know at this point is what kind of clocks we can expect with this card, nor its price. With all that extra cooling we’d expect both to come in high, but until Aorus decides to give us a release date we’ll be left guessing for the time being.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Everything you need to know about the Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs
• Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 20 Series starts at $500 and features real-time ray tracing
• Nvidia teases new GeForce RTX 2080 launch at Gamescom next week
• Nvidia RTX 2080 reviews may not drop until September 19
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VMware Fusion 11 Released With Support for macOS Mojave, 18-Core iMac Pro, and More

VMware has released Fusion 11, the latest version of its virtualization software, with full support for macOS Mojave and the latest Mac hardware, including the 18-core iMac Pro and the 2018 MacBook Pro with a six-core Intel Core i9.

VMware Fusion, like rival software Parallels Desktop, can run hundreds of operating systems, ranging from the latest Windows 10 versions to Linux distributions like Ubuntu, directly on the desktop of a Mac.

VMware says Fusion 11 delivers many new features and platform enhancements, including an updated user interface. A new Application Menu allows users to quickly switch between virtual machines, or create a new one; change view modes, settings, and snapshots; or launch Windows apps with a single click.

Fusion 11 and Fusion 11 Pro both default to Apple’s Metal graphics rendering engine on supported hosts, with added DirectX 10.1 compatibility. The new version also allows for customizable Touch Bar controls on the latest MacBook Pro models.

There are also many under-the-hood performance improvements, particularly with Virtual NVMe devices. Users can change their virtual disk type to NVMe to increase performance on Macs equipped with SSD storage. Meanwhile, security fixes and architectural changes have been made to mitigate threats like Spectre and Meltdown.

VMware details other new features, including a new Finder integration at the top of the VM Window, on its website.

Fusion 11 and Fusion 11 Pro are available today for $79.99 and $159.99 respectively via VMware’s website. Upgrade licenses for Fusion 11 and Fusion 11 Pro are available for $49.99 and $119.99 respectively for existing users of Fusion 10, Fusion 8, or Fusion 8.5. Prices and availability vary by region.

Related Roundup: macOS MojaveTag: VMware
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Apple’s Bud Tribble to Offer Support for ‘Comprehensive Federal Privacy Legislation’ at Senate Hearing on Wednesday

Apple is sending longtime employee and Vice President of Software Technology Bud Tribble to a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday to offer support for federal privacy regulations, reports Axios.

According to Tribble’s prepared statement obtained by Axios, he plans to “convey Apple’s support for comprehensive federal privacy legislation that reflects Apple’s long-held view that privacy is a fundamental human right.”

“We want your device to know everything about you; we don’t feel that we should,” he’ll say. “These concepts have guided our design process for years because privacy is a core value at Apple, not an obligation or an aftermarket add-on.”

Tribble will echo sentiments that Apple executives have shared time and time again, explaining Apple’s belief that customers have a right to keep their personal information private, a stance that differs from companies like Facebook and Google.

Back in June, Apple CEO Tim Cook said in an interview that privacy “from an American point of view” is one of the “key civil liberties” defining what it means to be American. Cook has also said multiple times that Apple’s customers are not its product.

“We could make a ton of money if we monetized our customers,” Cook said in March. “If our customers were our product. We’ve elected not to do that. We’re not going to traffic in your personal life.”

Tribble will be testifying before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation alongside representatives from other tech and media companies that include Amazon, Twitter, Google, AT&T, and Charter Communications.

Ahead of the meeting, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, released a proposal for consumer data privacy protection and is seeking public comment. The NTIA is asking for feedback on certain desired outcomes for organizational practices:

• Organizations should be transparent about how they collect, use, share, and store users’ personal information.
• Users should be able to exercise control over the personal information they provide to organizations.
• The collection, use, storage and sharing of personal data should be reasonably minimized in a manner proportional to the scope of privacy risks.
• Organizations should employ security safeguards to protect the data that they collect, store, use, or share.
• Users should be able to reasonably access and correct personal data they have provided.
• Organizations should take steps to manage the risk of disclosure or harmful uses of personal data.
• Organizations should be accountable for the use of personal data that has been collected, maintained or used by its systems.

These are the same kind of topics that will be explored during the privacy-focused Senate hearing, which is designed to “examine the privacy policies of top technology and communication firms” as well as review the “current state of consumer data privacy.”

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tag: privacy
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Enter to win the new iPhone XS and three Speck Presidio cases

September means that summer is finally winding down with cooler weather on the way. For techies, this time of year is also the season for new gadgets as big companies reveal their latest creations, and Apple did so at its recent event where it announced the new iPhone XS. If you’re in need of a phone upgrade, then you may be in luck: We’ve teamed up with Apple and Speck to give one lucky reader a brand new iPhone XS and Speck Presidio case bundle. Read on for more details and instructions on how to enter the contest.

As a refresh of last year’s iPhone X, the iPhone XS looks identical to its predecessor, with a sleek design and bezel-less Retina OLED display. It features some subtle improvements under the hood, however: Our hands-on review of the iPhone XS cited its vibrant display, great quality and hand-feel, improved battery life, and up-to-date hardware as the high points, with Apple’s new flagship running on the latest A12 Bionic eight-core processor.

Along with the iPhone XS, the winner will also score a bundle of three Presidio iPhone XS cases from Speck. These include the Presidio V-Grip, Stay Clear, and Pro, all of which feature raised edges for additional screen protection along with Speck’s Impactium rubber technology that absorbs shocks from bumps and falls to keep your tech safe. Each case offers the rugged protection Speck is known for, but with different designs:

Presidio V-Grip

The Presidio V-Grip combines a clear back with a no-slip grip along the edges of the phone. The grip’s ridged, rubberized texture keeps it securely in your hand, and the whole case is drop-tested to protect your phone against falls of up to 10 feet.

Presidio Stay Clear 

This all-clear case lets you show off your phone while protecting its surface finish from bumps, scratches, liquids, oils, and even UV damage from the sun’s rays. The Presidio Stay Clear is also drop-tested at 8 feet.

Presidio Pro

Drop-tested for shock protection against falls of up to 10 feet, the opaque Presidio Pro offers all-around protection for your iPhone. Its soft-touch finish is pleasant to hold while providing good grip and features an anti-microbial outer layer that wards off bacteria.

One lucky winner will take home the grand prize of a brand new, silver unlocked 64GB iPhone XS smartphone and Speck three-case bundle, a combined $1,120 value (you’ll get your choice of color for the V-Grip and Pro cases). This giveaway contest runs until October 10, so enter below for your chance to win. You can also earn bonus entries if you follow Speck on Twitter, visit the company’s Facebook page, or hop on over to Speck’s Instagram.

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Apple iPhone XS Max vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Powerhouse face-off

The iPhone XS Max sports the largest screen that Apple has ever put in an iPhone, backed up by the lightning fast A12 Bionic processor. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 is a productivity powerhouse with some of the beefiest specs around.

What happens when the two most powerful, large screen smartphones on the market right now go head-to-head in a range of categories? Let’s find out which one is right for you.

Specs

Apple iPhone XS Max
Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Size
157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm (6.2 x 3.05 x 0.30 inches)
161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.37 x 3 x 0.34 inches

Weight
208 grams (7.34 ounces)
201 grams (7.09 ounces)

Screen size
6.5-inch Super Retina AMOLED display
6.4-inch Super AMOLED display

Screen resolution
2688 x 1242 pixels (458 pixels-per-inch)
2960 x 1440 pixels (516 pixels per inch)

Operating system
iOS 12
Samsung Experience 9 (over Android 8.0 Oreo)

Storage space
64GB, 256GB, 512GB
128GB, 512GB

MicroSD card slot
No
Yes, up to 512GB

Tap-to-pay services
Apple Pay
Google Pay, Samsung Pay

Processor
A12 Bionic
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, water carbon cooling system

RAM
4GB
6GB, 8GB

Camera
Dual 12MP rear, 7MP FaceTime HD front
Dual 12MP (with dual OIS) rear, variable aperture, 8MP front

Video
2160p at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps
2160p at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps, 720p at 960 fps

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5
Bluetooth 5

Ports
Lightning
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C

Fingerprint sensor
No
Yes (back)

Water resistance
IP68
IP68

Battery
3,174mAh
4,000mAh

App marketplace
Apple App Store
Google Play Store

Network support
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint

Colors
Space Gray, Silver
Ocean Blue, Lavender Purple

Price
$1,099
$1,000

Where to buy it

AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Apple

Samsung

Review score
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is an excellent performer. It has a Snapdragon 845 processor inside with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 512GB of storage. To help distinguish it from the Android flagship pack, which all feature the same 845 processor, Samsung has packed in a special water carbon cooling system that enables you to push the performance harder for longer. This phone has no trouble running the latest games and skips in and out of apps with ease.

Apple’s A12 Bionic, which graces the XS Max, is its fastest processor ever. It’s significantly faster than the Note 9 according to the benchmarks and we found it silky smooth in real-world use. The iPhone XS Max also has 4GB of RAM and comes in 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB varieties. The disparity in RAM isn’t significant as iOS and Android handle memory management differently, but one advantage for the Note 9 is the option of storage expansion via the MicroSD card slot.

The Note 9 has a 4,000mAh battery with support for fast charging, via Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0, and Qi wireless charging. The XS Max has a 3,174mAh battery and also offers Qi wireless charging and fast charging, but you do have to buy a fast charger and cable separately to enjoy it. Both will get you through a busy day, but nightly charging will likely be required.

The extra pizzazz in performance scores Apple’s phone the win.

Winner: Apple iPhone XS Max

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The design of the iPhone XS Max is like a super-sized iPhone X. It has the edge-to-edge display on the front with the notch housing that TrueDepth camera for FaceID. The frame is stainless steel and there’s a glass back with a dual-lens camera module at the top left. You won’t find a fingerprint sensor or a headphone jack here and Apple no longer includes the audio port adapter you need for wired headphones in the box.

Samsung has refined its design with the Note 9, though it’s a little more angular than the S9. The display curves into the frame, and the glass on the back is also curved, which makes it feel thinner than it is and also makes it more comfortable to hold than the flat iPhone XS Max. There is still a headphone port and there’s a fingerprint sensor on the back underneath the central camera module.

Apple’s design feels fresher and we prefer the look of it, but Samsung’s phone is more comfortable to handle, which can prove important in a big phone, and it has a headphone jack.

Neither phone will cope well with falls, so cases are advisable, but they both boast IP68 ratings, which means they will survive a dunk in water, and rain is not an issue.

Winner: Tie

Display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen in the Note 9 boasts a maximum resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels and it is flawless. It’s very sharp, very bright, and has excellent color accuracy. The iPhone XS Max screen is a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED with a resolution of 2688 x 1242 pixels. We can’t see anyone being disappointed in this display as it looks gorgeous, but the Note 9 has a slight edge and takes the win here.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Samsung’s camera combines a 12-megapixel lens with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a variable f/1.5 to f/2.4 aperture with another 12-megapixel lens with an f/2.4 aperture and OIS. Low light photography is a strong point and there’s support for 2x optical zoom. There are some AI smarts to identify scenes and edit out flaws. There’s also a capable 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

The iPhone XS Max pairs a 12-megapixel lens with an f/1.8 aperture, with a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture, both with OIS. It’s the same camera as the iPhone X on paper, but Apple has actually employed a new sensor, which, combined with the faster processor, nails exposure better than ever before. The portrait mode is also a highlight, enabling you to capture shots of people and adjust the blur on the background afterward. The front-facing camera is rated at 7 megapixels.

It’s becoming harder and harder to choose the best camera and that’s because the general quality level has risen so high in recent months. In a camera shootout that included the iPhone X and Galaxy S9 Plus, which has the same camera as the Note 9, the two were neck and neck. With the improvements Apple has made this year, we think the XS Max is the one that will produce the most pleasing everyday shots most often, but this is a very close run category and there will be situations where the Note 9 gets better results.

Winner: Apple iPhone XS Max

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Note 9 has Android 8.1 Oreo with Samsung’s Experience user interface over the top. It allows for a lot of customization and has plenty of features, though we’re not keen on Samsung’s voice assistant, Bixby, which gets its own dedicated button. We’re not sure when the Note 9 will get the latest Android 9.0 Pie update.

Apple’s iPhone XS Max launches with the latest iOS 12 on board. When there’s a new version of iOS it will be rolled out to the iPhone straight away and we expect it to continue to get updates for longer than the Note 9.

Beyond that, choosing Android or iOS is all about personal preference.

Winner: Apple iPhone XS Max

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Samsung’s smartphone really shines in this department with its S Pen stylus for note taking and sketching, which also doubles as a Bluetooth remote now. Then there’s DeX support, which turns the Note 9 into a makeshift desktop replacement. The Note 9 also has face unlock and iris scanning options.

Apple’s TrueDepth camera offers silky smooth facial recognition that’s more secure than Samsung’s. It also supports Animoji and Memoji, which are superior to Samsung’s AR Emoji. Overall, though, the Note 9 has far more special features to offer.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Price

These big phones come with big prices to match. The Note 9 starts at $1,000 and the iPhone XS Max starts at $1,099. The 512GB models cost $1,249 and $1,449, respectively, so Samsung’s smartphone is the more affordable of the two. You can buy them from all the major carriers.

Overall winner: Apple iPhone XS Max

This is one of the tightest comparisons we’ve done and the differences between these two phones are slight. The iPhone XS Max edges ahead on performance, camera, and software updates, but the Note 9 has a slightly better display and more unique special features. Most of these wins are by a very narrow margin — so if, for example, you like Android, think you’ll use the S Pen, and don’t want to push the boat out too far on price, then you should probably pick Samsung’s smartphone. Apple fans will obviously get on better with the XS Max, but if you’re genuinely stuck on the fence between these two, we think the iPhone will suit most people better.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Yale and August Launch New HomeKit-Compatible Smart Keypads

About one year ago smart lock company August Home was acquired by Swedish lock manufacturer Assa Abloy, which also owns Yale and a few other lock brands. Today, Yale and August announced that they are teaming up for a new line of Keypad Smart Locks that combine Yale’s secure lock hardware with August’s app and cloud-based connected software.

The “Assure Locks – Connected by August” will let customers unlock their doors manually with August’s app or an entry code, as well as automatically thanks to the Auto Unlock feature, which grants access as the user approaches with their smartphone. Existing Yale customers will be able to replace older deadbolt lock and keys with the smart keypads.

Thanks to August’s integration, the Yale keypads also support Siri and HomeKit, so users can ask Siri to open the door or set automations that lock and unlock the door at certain times of the day. The keypads also work with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Additionally, customers can use the August app itself to control the new keypads, share virtual keys, see status updates of who comes and goes from their home, and ensure that the door is closed and locked. August CEO Jason Johnson says the new products are just the beginning of the Yale and August partnership.

“Yale and August share a deep commitment to making our customers’ doors smarter and more secure,” said Jason Johnson, CEO and co-founder of August. “This new Yale Connected by August lineup is simply the beginning of what we will accomplish together when it comes to innovating the lock industry.”

“When August became part of the ASSA ABLOY family, it made perfect sense for the two companies to combine one another’s expertise to build new and exciting products for our customers,” said Jason Williams, President of Yale’s Residential Group. “We’ve brought together our respective teams of engineers and designers to create products that seamlessly integrate our most trusted hardware with our smartest software.”

The Connected by August kit includes an August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge and DoorSense, enabling remote access of the keypad lock when not at home. There are two models: the Assure Lock SL with an edge-to-edge touchscreen keypad at $299 and the Assure Lock Touchscreen with a numeric touchscreen as well as traditional key access at $279. Existing Assure Locks can be upgraded by purchasing the Connected by August kit separately for $129.

You can purchase both new models on ShopYaleHome.com today, and the locks will launch on August.com, Amazon, Lowes, and Best Buy in mid October.

Tags: August Smart Lock, August, Yale
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Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller Gains HomeKit Support

Rachio today announced that it has added HomeKit support to its Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, allowing the device to work with Siri and other HomeKit accessories to control sprinklers.

According to Rachio, its Smart Sprinkler Controller is the first sprinkler controller to offer HomeKit integration.

The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller works with the Home app or through the Rachio app, and connected sprinklers can be controlled from any iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod, or Apple TV. With a HomePod or an Apple TV available for remote access, connected sprinklers can also be controlled when away from home.

“We are excited to bring HomeKit support to Rachio customers,” said Chris Klein, CEO and co-founder of Rachio. “HomeKit users already have a smart home, and now they can have a smart yard, too. Rachio consumers have been asking for HomeKit integration, and we are excited to deliver it to them with our new Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller.”

Rachio’s Wi-Fi connected Smart Sprinkler Controller, priced at $229, offers up features that include easy installation, a Flow Meter for monitoring water usage, and Hyperlocal Weather Intelligence for turning on sprinklers only in appropriate weather.

The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller can be purchased from the Rachio website.

Tag: HomeKit
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Qualcomm Accuses Apple of Stealing LTE Modem Trade Secrets and Giving Them to Intel [Updated]

Qualcomm has accused Apple of stealing confidential information and trade secrets, and passing them on to rival chipmaker Intel, according to a court document filed Monday and reported by several media outlets.

For background, Qualcomm agreed that Apple could have access to its source code and tools for LTE modems, but with limitations. Qualcomm believes that Apple proceeded to share the information with Intel to help improve its LTE modems, allowing Apple to stop using Qualcomm’s modems in the latest iPhones.

Axios’s Ina Fried shared an excerpt from Qualcomm’s complaint:

Although discovery is ongoing, it is clear that Apple’s conduct went far beyond simply breaching the contract originally sued on. Indeed, it is now apparent Apple engaged in a years-long campaign of false promises, stealth and subterfuge designed to steal Qualcomm’s confidential information and trade secrets for the purpose of improving the performance of lower-quality modem chipsets, with the ultimate goal of eliminating Qualcomm’s Apple-based business.

Qualcomm already sued Apple in November 2017 based on suspicions the iPhone maker was using the chipmaker’s trade secrets in wrongful ways. Now, Qualcomm is more confident and direct about its accusation.

Don Rosenberg, General Counsel of Qualcomm, in a statement provided to MacRumors:

Once again Apple has flouted its contractual commitments and misappropriated Qualcomm’s property rights in an effort to improve its performance and increase its profits.

The code, tools and design details of Qualcomm’s modem technology which are the subjects of this litigation represent the genius and labors of our dedicated engineers. We have only the rule of law to protect them.

The lawsuit is scheduled to be heard in April 2019, but Qualcomm’s proposed amendment could delay the trial, which is one of over a dozen lawsuits waged between the two companies. Apple initially sued Qualcomm in June 2017 for $1 billion in unpaid royalties, and later for patent infringement.

iFixit’s teardown of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max uncovered an Intel modem in both devices, a few months after Qualcomm said Apple was unlikely to use its own modems in the latest iPhones. Qualcomm was Apple’s exclusive provider of modems until Intel was added as a second supplier for the iPhone 7 lineup.

Update: MacRumors has obtained a copy of Qualcomm’s motion, embedded below.

Qualcomm Filing Accusing Ap… by on Scribd

Tags: lawsuit, Qualcomm
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Instagram Expected to Become ‘More Tightly Integrated’ With Facebook After Photo App’s Founders Leave Company

Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger have left Facebook, explaining in a statement this week that they are taking some time off to “explore our curiosity and creativity again.” According to people familiar with the matter speaking to Bloomberg, Systrom and Krieger are leaving due to growing tensions with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom at Instagram
In recent months, Zuckerberg is said to have become more involved in the day-to-day work going on at Instagram, and “more reliant on Instagram in planning for Facebook’s future.” Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012, and up until now Systrom and Krieger had been able to keep the photo-sharing app’s brand independent from Facebook while using the larger social network’s resources to expand.

With this year’s Cambridge Analytica scandal, it’s believed that Zuckerberg and Facebook are now leaning into Instagram’s success as Facebook faces ongoing struggles. Facebook has even started talking about Instagram more often in its earning calls, with Zuckerberg recently stating that Instagram grew twice as fast being in the Facebook family as it could have on its own. Internally, Instagram employees said this was “unnecessary and unprovable.”

Adam Mosseri, who came from Facebook’s news feed team to be head of product for Instagram in early 2018, is the most likely successor for Systrom and Krieger. Through all of this, Facebook is predicted to “more tightly integrate” Instagram into the larger company, making Instagram less independent than it is now.

Without the founders around, Instagram is likely to become more tightly integrated with Facebook, making it more of a product division within the larger company than an independent operation, the people said.

For years, Systrom and Krieger were able to amicably resist certain Facebook product initiatives that they felt went against their vision, while leaning on Facebook for resources, infrastructure and engineering talent. A new leader may not be able to keep the same balance, or may be more willing to make changes that help the overall company at the expense of some of Instagram’s unique qualities.

As it stands now, Instagram has largely been able to avoid negative association with the Facebook brand after the data privacy scandal earlier this year. A few other apps under the Facebook umbrella have also faced departing executives in the wake of the scandal, with WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum leaving Facebook in April, reportedly clashing with Facebook executives over the messaging app’s strategy and Facebook’s attempts to use WhatsApp personal data in ways to monetize the service.

Tags: Facebook, Instagram
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