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Elon Musk discovered a simple 30-second fridge trick that can reverse diabetes, but the discovery has spooked pharmaceutical companies so much they put a $78 million bounty on his head, forcing the Tesla CEO to flee the country. At least, thats what a collection of AI-generated Facebook ads claim. Facebook ads depicting deepfakes of Elon Musk and Fox News personalities claiming that the Tesla CEO has discovered the cure for diabetes have been circulating on the platform for weeks. The ads seem to be part of a wider scam that uses the deepfakes to sell unproven supplements. Engadget has identified scores of pages running versions of these ads since early February. Though many of the ads dont stay up for very long, the same pages have repeatedly run dozens or even hundreds of versions of the videos, all of which follow a similar format. The vast majority feature Elon Musk and Fox News hosts, but there are also versions with other notable figures, including Oprah Winfrey, former Utah Senator Mitt Romney and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Using social media to hawk sketchy supplements isnt exactly new. AFP Fact Check detailed a similar ring of scammy Facebook ads promoting supplements that purported to cure high blood pressure last year. But the addition of AI-manipulated video and deepfaked audio of Musk adds a new layer to such scams. While this particular scam has apparently gone largely undetected by Meta, the company is well aware that fraudsters often use celebrities and other public figures to lure in unsuspecting users. A Polish billionaire recently won a legal battle with the company over deepfake ads that used his likeness. Last fall, the company announced that it would bring back facial recognition technology in an effort to fight celeb bait scams. Musk, of course, is no stranger to impersonation scams. Crypto scammers have impersonated him across social media for years. His new position as a close lieutenant of President Donald Trump and head of the Department of Government Efficiency, however, makes him an even more attractive target to fraudsters hoping to capitalize on his newfound authority. Several of the ads identified by Engadget feature video clips of Musks recent public appearances and speeches. These include ads with AI-generated audio overlaid onto video from an onstage interview this month at the Conservative Political Action Conference, known as CPAC, and a photo opp in the Oval Office. There are a lot of different blood sugar support, type 2 diabetes, reverse diabetes, sort of scams out there these days, says Jordan Liles, a senior reporter at Snopes who has debunked some of these videos on his YouTube channel. It's the same sort of process you might see with other scams in that they start with an ad, they go to a long video on a website, and then they want you to order the product. And they want you to believe everything that you just saw is real. These ads seem to violate multiple policies of Meta, including its rules around medical misinformation and requirements for advertisers to disclose the use of AI-manipulated media. And many of the ads identified by Engadget appear to have been removed within a day or two. But many of the Facebook pages behind these ads, which have names like Mindful Medicine, Your health compass and The Wellbeing Spot remain active. Several pages repeatedly ran dozens of new ads with similar content shortly after the old ones were removed. Because ads that are taken down are removed from Metas Ad Library along with their associated analytics, its hard to know just how many accounts they are reaching. But the few that remain viewable offer some clues. One such ad, from a page called Healthy Style, was active on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger for three days, according to the companys Ad Library. The advertiser paid Meta between $300 and $399 for the ad, which generated 5,000 - 6,000 impressions. At one point in February, the page was running 177 versions of a similar ad. Another, from a page called Hydromeduoside also ran for two days, generating between 10,000 and 15,000 impressions across Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. It cost between $400 and $499, according to the Ad Library. Both ads were removed by Meta because they ran without the required disclaimer for ads about social and political issues, according to a notice in the Ad Library, despite likely breaking other rules and having no particular relation to politics. Meta removed the "Healthy Style" page after an inquiry from Engadget. The company said in a statement it was investigating the ads and taking action on other pages. "The ad review system reviews ads for violations of our policies," a spokesperson said. "This review process may include the specific components of an ad, such as images, video, text and targeting information, as well as an ads associated landing page or other destinations, among other information." The ads follow a similar script. They often open with deepfakes of Fox News personalities discussing how Musk recently blew up the internet with his discovery that big pharma doesnt want you to see. The ads then cut to an AI-manipulated video clip of him from a podcast or other public appearance. Many of the ads refer to the MAHA website, an apparent reference to Kennedys Make America Healthy Again movement. The ads never disclose the actual trick for reversing diabetes. In one version, Musk says all you need is a common fruit. In another, Kennedy says it requires a frozen lemon. Another suggests that all you need is a lemon and a pair of socks. The ads urge viewers to visit a linked website to find a guide before its wiped from the internet. Bizarrely, the videos end with several minutes of silence that show a still image of a random object like a clock, calculator or blood pressure cuff. Most of these ads link to websites that attempt to spoof mainstream news sites like Fox News, CNN or Yahoo (Engadgets parent company). These websites typically dont have obvious links to supplements, but feature additional lengthy videos with AI-manipulated clips of cable news personalities. These videos, which can run upward of 20 minutes, often feature old video clips with AI-generated audio of Barbra ONeill, an Australian naturopath who was permanently banned from offering health-related services in her home country after claiming that cancer could be cured with baking soda. (Theres no evidence that ONeill, who has emerged as a popular wellness influencer in the US in recent years, is actually associated with these websites. As The Guardian reported last year, O'Neill is often impersonated by scammers using AI-generated content to sell unproven remedies on Facebook and TikTok. Her official Facebook page often warns followers about scammers who impersonate her on and off Facebook. A representative for ONeill didnt respond to a request for comment.) Once you make it to the end of the video, a link appears offering a time-limited deal on a supplement called Gluco Revive. The supplement, which is also available from third-party sellers on Amazon and walmart.com, doesnt actually claim to treat any condition related to diabetes in its marketing. Instead, it suggests it offers blood support that boosts energy levels and "supports healthy weight. According to its label, it has a proprietary blend of ingredients like juniper berry powder and bitter melon extract. An example of one of the websites linked from a Facebook ad that attempts to spoof Fox News. The FDA has previously warned consumers about companies selling over the counter diabetes treatments and supplements. There are no dietary supplements that treat or cure diabetes, the agency wrote in a warning published in December. Some all-natural diabetes products contain hidden active ingredients found in approved prescription drugs used to treat diabetes these products may interact in dangerous ways with other medications. While its impossible to know just how many people have been duped by these ads, there are dozens of listings for Gluco Revive on Amazon, some of which indicate there have been thousands of sales in the last month. The reviews on Amazon, where its sold for anywhere from $22 - $70, suggest that some people may have purchased the supplements after seeing one of the ads described above. Its not working. I thought someone from the company was going to call me on what to do. Dr. ONeil [sic] said that we might feel a change in about 17 hours. Its been 7 days and I feel no difference. This does not work and in fact raised my blood sugar, another reviewer reports, noting they found the product via Facebook. When contacting the suppler [sic] they did send me a Return authorization number and address to send the unused bottles I boxed them up [and] sent priority shipping and it's being returned as no such address. I called USPS and they let me know that it was a scam and they have had 100s of returns to that address [and] that they do not exist. Though Gluco Revive appears to be the most prevalent supplement sold via this scam, some linked pages from the Facebook ads sell similar products, like Gluco Control," which purports to be a a 100% natural, safe, and effective blood sugar management product. The website says its made up of gymnema sylvestre, grape seed extract, green tea extract and African mango extract. The website features a list of scientific references and media endorsements that appear to be entirely made up. Another page promotes something called Gluco Freedom, which has a similar ingredient list, and offers a 180-day supply for $294. Liles, the Snopes reporter who identified the Gluco Revive ads on Facebook in early February, and has researched many similar scams on social media, suspects the ads are having some success. If the same product gets weeks and weeks, or months or longer of advertising, that means that it's something that they're seeing results with, he says. Have a tip? Get in touch with the author at karissa.bell [at] engadget.com or message securely on Signal: karissabe.51This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/facebook-scammers-want-you-to-think-elon-musk-can-cure-diabetes-153042842.html?src=rss
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Marketing and Advertising
Kleenex and IMDb teamed up to launch The Kleenex Score, a rating system that helps moviegoers prepare for inevitable crying sessions. Unveiled just in time for the Oscars, this system ranks films based on their tear-jerking potential finally answering the age-old question: "Should I bring one tissue or the entire box?" The partnership features a curated list of "Tearjerker Titles" spanning nostalgic classics and contemporary weepers, giving film buffs a heads-up before they find themselves in the awkward position of wiping tears on their sleeves. It's a cleverly simple concept for a brand mash-up: check the score, gauge the emotional damage a film might inflict, stock up on Kleenex Ultra Soft accordingly and click through to watch on Amazon Prime (IMDb is an Amazon company). The collaboration demonstrates one thing that hasn't changed since the time of silent movies: brands can create value by tapping into cultural moments and emotional experiences whether that's a moment of joy or the cathartic release of a good cry.
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I wasnt impressed by the last pair of Technics earbuds I reviewed. The AZ70W was the first set to carry the iconic turntable brands logo after Panasonic relaunched it in 2014. The 2020 model did some things well for $250, but inconsistent audio performance kept them from being a serious contender. The company followed up in 2021 with two more wireless earbud options, and 2023s AZ80 was well-regarded by many reviewers for its sound quality. For its 2025 model, Technics dug into its bag of tricks to improve the already mighty AZ80, resulting in the AZ100 ($300). These flagship earbuds offer all-new drivers, adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), AI-tinged voice tools, Dolby Atmos spatial sound and one neat tool none of the competition does. And thankfully, the AZ100 makes good on the promise of epic, reference-quality high-resolution audio. Sound quality Im well aware that Im skipping a few generations of Technics earbuds since the AZ70W, but that also means I have a much clearer picture of how much the company has improved since the beginning. The AZ100 is a sonic marvel compared to that first model, offering some of the best sound quality in any of the hundreds of earbuds Ive tested over the years. The technology behind the audio boost is new magnetic fluid drivers. Technics says they offer low distortion, accurate bass and high resolution. These parts were developed with the companys know-how from its $1,200 EAH-TZ700 in-ear monitors (IEMs), which also pack in 10mm magnetic fluid drivers. The fluid is integrated into the voice coil of the driver to ensure precise movement of the diaphragm, leading to minimal distortion and excellent clarity across the soundstage. Technics also took care to improve bass performance on the AZ100. Those drivers help with that, but the earbuds also have a new acoustic control chamber and harmonizer to expand the low-end capabilities. It also doesnt hurt that the AZ100 supports both Dolby Atmos for spatial audio and Sonys LDAC high-res wireless audio codec. While the former is common on flagship sets, the latter is rare outside of Sonys own earbuds and headphones. The AZ100 is at its best with high-res tunes like Apple Musics Dolby Atmos catalog. With L.S. Dunes alt-rock/post-hardcore Violet, the earbuds deliver big, punchy bass that remains tight and detailed. The kick drum, for example, has a thunderous cadence and serves as a prime canvas for the refinements Technics made to the audio platform on the AZ100. Even older albums from the early aughts, like The Appleseed Casts Mare Vitalis, envelop you with drums, dueling guitars and the atmosphere of a live performance rather than a recorded album. Thats impressive when you consider this is streaming lossless on Apple Music, not Dolby Atmos. Speaking of spatial audio, thats the one area where the AZ100 stumbles in terms of sound quality. That immersive mode is available with or without Dolby dynamic head tracking, and when its toggled on, the sound gets too thin for my liking. The energy that the improved bass brings to the stock tuning is gone, leaving a more sterile audio profile thats a bit boring. ANC performance Billy Steele for Engadget Despite Technics use of its most advanced noise-canceling tech, the AZ100 lags behind the best in that regard. These earbuds do employ adaptive ANC that automatically adjusts to your environment, but its not as good as what Bose offers on the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. The AZ100 will serve you well in some situations, but like much of the competition, they dont handle chatty neighbors in the office well and dont silence constant noise sources like fans and white noise machines. App and features Every earbud company offers a companion app nowadays, although their utility can vary greatly. Technics has packed a lot into its software, and most of what you need frequently is right on the home screen. Once the AZ100 is paired with your phone, the app shows battery life for the earbuds individually and the case up top. You then get a usage guide, noise cancelling controls, EQ presets and a Voice Focus AI Test. Along the bottom, theres quick access to ambient sound, EQ and the more detailed settings menu. That settings menu is where things start to get confusing. Simply put, there are so many options here that it can all be overwhelming. And insome cases, items that should be higher up are closer to the bottom like customizing the touch controls. Spatial audio can only be activated from this menu, which Id argue should be an item on the home screen. Theres a lot here to help you configure the AZ100 to your liking, but it will take some time to find everything you need. One unique feature that Technics offers is multipoint Bluetooth connectivity for up to three devices. I havent experienced this on any other earbuds, but the feature isnt without caveats. First, LDAC audio cant be used when three devices are connected, most likely due to the constraints of Bluetooth. In fact, Technics recommends disabling multipoint if you want to listen to LDAC-quality tunes. With the app, the company allows you to select whether multipoint will switch devices during media playback or when a call comes in. I mostly used multipoint with just my phone and laptop, but if a tablet is also part of your daily workflow, or you have a dedicated work phone, I can see the utility of a triple threat. Call quality Billy Steele for Engadget The Voice Focus AI Test is a tool that allows you to hear what youll sound like on calls using the AZ100. Its a nice feature to have so you can determine if the earbuds are good enough for important calls or virtual presentations. And to that end, the AZ100 sounds clear and somewhat natural when youre in a quiet spot. When you move to a louder location and the Voice Focus AI kicks in, youre going to sound more robotic and processed. The folks on the other side will hear you and none of the background noise, but voice quality noticeably suffers. There are two options for ambient sound Transparent and Attention but neither assist much with voice and video calls. The AZ100 doesnt pipe your voice back through the earbuds, so you do have to speak up to hear yourself. When in ambient mode, Transparent allows all sound through the earbuds with no changes while Attention focuses more on voices. I actually found Transparent to be the better of the two in all instances, even when I was trying to listen to someone talking. Battery life Technics promises up to 10 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, plus another 18 hours when you factor in the wireless charging case. If you opt for LDAC audio, those figures drop to seven hours and 11 hours respectively. After 10 hours of use with noise cancellation turned on, the AZ100 still had 20 percent battery left. Based on the rate of depletion I experienced, that would be enough for about two more hours. And when you find yourself in a pinch, a 15-minute charge will give you up to 90 minutes of use. Design updates Billy Steele for Engadget You have to get pretty far down the spec sheet on the AZ100 for a discussion of the design updates. Thats because the sound and tech upgrades are the real story here. But, Technics did make some changes to the look of these earbuds compared to the AZ80, including reducing the size and weight. The company says a revised shape allows the IPX4-rated AZ100 to better hug the curves of your ears for increased comfort and stability. That holds true as the earbuds always stayed in place and I never felt any irritation, even after hours of use. Both the earbuds touch panel and the lid of the case are emblazoned with the iconic Technics logo in gold on textured metal (on both the black and silver color options). This definitely gives the whole set a premium look, although Im sure not everyone will be thrilled with the gold. None of the design changes are a huge departure from the AZ100s predecessor, but the thoughtful refinements, especially to the shape and fit, are notable. The competition Before the AZ100 arrived, Bowers & Wilkins stood atop Engadgets best wireless earbuds list in the best sound category for a long time. Recently, the company was relegated to number two at the hands of the incredible but pricey FoKus Rex5 from Noble Audio. Neither Bowers & Wilkins nor Technics can compete with the five-driver setup that Noble offers, but the two companies offer excellent audio quality for less than the $449 price tag on the FoKus Rex5. Since the competition is now for second place, I give the edge to the AZ100. Theres a lot to like about Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, and if you prefer a more natural sound with less boomy low-end tone, theyre probably the pick for you. For me, I like the added bass the new Technics drivers provide and theres a longer list of features for the AZ100. In terms of ANC performance, I also give the nod to Technics, plus the AZ100 is $100 less than the Pi8. Wrap-up Its hard to follow a highly regarded product with another great one. Perhaps thats why a lot of audio companies rarely make huge changes to earbuds and headphones for new models, choosing instead to keep sound quality and ANC performance consistent. If it aint broke and all that. Technics thought it could make its well-reviewed AZ80 even better by borrowing tech from another entry in its portfolio and the gamble has definitively paid off. Sure, you can find better noise-canceling performance with Bose and more modern features with Sony, but Technics has formulated excellent sound quality that few can challenge. Id say that Best of CES award was well-earned. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/technics-az100-review-supreme-sound-quality-and-a-unique-bluetooth-tool-150038587.html?src=rss
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