Latest news with #Camera
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Apple releases iOS 18.6 beta, likely final update before iOS 26: What's new
Apple has rolled out the first beta of iOS 18.6, likely the final update in the iOS 18 cycle before iOS 26 lands later this year with major design and AI features iOS 18.6 beta New Delhi Apple has released the first developer and public beta versions of iOS 18.6, just days after previewing iOS 26 at its WWDC 2025 event. This suggests that iOS 18.6 will likely serve as the final major software update under the iOS 18 cycle before the transition to iOS 26 begins with the launch of the iPhone 17 series later this year. Unlike iOS 26, the iOS 18.6 update is focused on performance improvements and bug fixes. No major new features are expected when the stable release arrives, likely in July. iOS 26: What is new iOS 26 brings a sweeping visual overhaul with the introduction of Apple's new Liquid Glass design language. This includes translucent UI layers, fluid animations, redesigned app icons, and more personalisation across the Home and Lock Screens. Key apps like Safari, Camera, and Photos receive cleaner layouts and better content navigation. In addition to visual changes, Apple is doubling down on AI-powered capabilities under its Apple Intelligence suite. Core features include live translations across apps, intelligent on-screen content suggestions, context-aware actions, Genmoji creation, and image generation. Users will also see support for ChatGPT and tools like order tracking summaries inside Mail. Apple's stock apps are getting redesigned too. The Phone app now unifies Recents, Favourites, and Voicemails into a single view, and introduces features like Call Screening and Hold Assist. Messages gains sender screening, typing indicators in group chats, support for polls, and Apple Cash integration directly in conversations. The update also introduces a brand-new Apple Games app, acting as a central hub for gaming progress, new game discovery, and Apple Arcade access. CarPlay enhancements include compact call displays, pinned chats, widget support, and Live Activities—especially within the upgraded CarPlay Ultra experience. Other app upgrades include lyrics translation and AutoMix in Apple Music, encrypted location history in Apple Maps, and real-time travel updates in Apple Wallet. Accessibility additions include an expanded reader, Braille support, and updates to Live Listen and Personal Voice. iOS 26: Eligible iPhone models iOS 26 will support all iPhones from the iPhone 11 series onward. However, Apple Intelligence features will only be available on iPhones with the A17 chip or newer—namely the iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and the upcoming iPhone 16 line-up. Here is a list of all eligible iPhone models: iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 iPhone 16e iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11
India Today
4 days ago
- Science
- India Today
World's largest digital camera is about to release its first pictures
A moment that could change the world of astronomy and our understanding of the cosmos is set to unfold as the Vera C Rubin Observatory, with the world's largest camera, unveils its first telescope, which has been over two decades in the making, is designed to create the ultimate movie of the night sky using the largest camera ever built, repeatedly scanning the sky to create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of our for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, the LSST Camera weighs around 3,000 kilograms, roughly the size of a small car, yet about twice as heavy. It boasts a staggering 3,200-megapixel sensor, equivalent to the combined resolution of 260 modern smartphone cameras. Rubin Observatory's engineering test camera, the Commissioning Camera (ComCam) was removed from the telescope in December 2024. (Photo: VCO) The camera's sheer imaging power is unprecedented: it would take hundreds of ultra-high-definition TV screens to display a single photograph captured by this to peer deep into the cosmos, the camera will enable scientists to observe billions of distant galaxies and faint, nearby objects that were previously beyond ensure the highest image quality, the camera's sensors are kept at an extremely cold temperature of -100C, minimising the number of defective pixels and ensuring the clarity of each shot. The device is also equipped with a sophisticated filter system, allowing it to switch between six massive colour filters — each 75 centimetres across — in under two filters, labelled u, g, r, i, z, and y, span wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared, granting the camera 'superhuman' vision and allowing astronomers to study the universe in unprecedented at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California, the LSST Camera was shipped to Chile in May 2024 and is scheduled for installation on the Simonyi Survey Telescope in early 2025. NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located on a mountaintop in Chile, will revolutionise the way we explore the cosmos. (Photo: VCO) Once operational, the camera will work in tandem with the observatory's large mirrors, collecting and focusing cosmic light onto its powerful sensors. The resulting data will be transmitted worldwide for processing and capturing the sky in multiple colours over the next decade, the Rubin Observatory's camera will provide scientists with a treasure trove of information, helping to unravel mysteries about the universe's structure, evolution, and the nature of dark matter and dark anticipation builds for the camera's first images, the scientific community and the public alike await a new window into the cosmos. The pictures will be unveiled on June 23.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sigma revives fastest-ever APS-C zoom for (most) mirrorless systems
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Sigma has announced the 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art, a super-fast standard zoom for APS-C. It will be available in L, E, X and RF mounts. The 17-40mm gives a 26-60mm equivalent field of view on most APS-C cameras (27-64mm on Canon R-series cameras). Its constant F1.8 aperture enables low-light photography and greater flexibility in terms of depth of field. It allows whole-image light capture closely comparable to an F2.8 lens on full-frame. Buy now: Buy RF mount at Adorama Buy E mount at B&H Photo Buy E mount at B&H Photo The lens is a spiritual successor to the company's groundbreaking 2013 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens for DSLRs, but extends a little wider and a little longer, further expanding its usability. That original lens was a significant addition to the then-current APS-C systems, but many DSLRs struggled to focus it consistently, especially when using off-center AF points. We've experienced no such challenges using the on-sensor focusing of mirrorless cameras with the new lens. The 17-40mm features an internal zoom design, making it easier to offer a dust and moisture-resistant design, and uses linear motors to deliver fast focus. It's slightly shorter, slightly narrowed and, at 535g (oz) for the L-mount version, around 34% lighter than its DSLR predecessor. While the 18-35mm wasn't the easiest lens to autofocus for stills, it became a popular choice as a manual focus lens for video shooters, as it offered an aperture value that usually requires prime lenses, without the need to swap lenses. The new 17-40mm offers an even more versatile range and ends up being better balanced for mirrorless mounts, since you don't need an adapter. There's a small degree of focus breathing at the wide end of the zoom and it's even less apparent at the long end. The 17-40mm becomes the company's first DC lens for mirrorless to feature a dedicated aperture ring: something we'd love to see extended the existing range of DC primes. The new lens has a switch to de-click the aperture ring and another that locks the lens in or out of the 'A' position that passes control of the aperture across to the camera body. The Canon RF version features a customizable control ring around the lens instead of an aperture ring, keeping its behavior in line with Canon's own lenses, presumably as part of the RF system specifications. This doesn't have f-stop markings, end stops, the lock or de-click switches, meaning it can function as something other than an aperture ring. The Fujifilm X-mount version doesn't have an AF/MF switch, as this is controlled from the body. Instead, the switch changes the function of the lens buttons between AF On and AF Lock. The other difference between versions for different mounts is that the L-mount version can be switched between linear and speed-sensitive focus ring response. As with Sigma's 18-55mm F2.8 DC zoom, there's no version of the lens for Nikon's Z mount, which we can only assume comes down to Nikon restricting which lenses it will issue a license for, given Sigma has been given the green light to produce several of its other APS-C lenses for the system. The 17-40mm lens will be availble from mid-July. In the US the 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art will sell for a recommended price of $919, excluding sales tax. In the UK the recommended price is £779 including VAT. Buy now: Buy RF mount at Adorama Buy E mount at B&H Photo Buy E mount at B&H Photo We've had a chance to shoot with both the Fujifilm X-mount and Sony E-mount versions of the 17-40mm F1.8 and have put together a sample gallery from both systems. Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it. Sample gallery This widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab. Press release: Ronkonkoma, NY, June 17, 2025 – Sigma Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of Sigma Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan), is pleased to introduce the 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art, the first Art lens for APS-C format since 2016, and the very first made exclusively for crop sensor mirrorless cameras. This remarkable new lens is the direct successor to the groundbreaking 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art for DSLR cameras, offering the user a wider angle of view as well as more versatility at the telephoto end. With an updated optical design, it delivers the image quality and brightness of a prime lens, along with the versatility of a zoom. This fast, flexible lens is also designed with video shooting in mind, featuring an inner zoom, high- speed and silent linear autofocus, and minimal focus breathing, as well as a dust and splash-resistant structure for use in virtually any environment. Significantly lighter than its predecessor, the 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art lens weighs only 535g (18.9 oz.) and is stacked with features that will appeal to photographers, filmmakers and content creators alike, no matter what camera system it is paired with. The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art lens will be available in mid-July at authorized Sigma dealers for Sony E- mount, L-Mount, Fujifilm X Mount, and Canon RF Mount for a retail price of $919 USD. Standard zoom lens with a large aperture and rendering capability comparable to a prime lens Highly portable and versatile for any situation Functions to support video production The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art builds upon the groundbreaking innovations of the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art, which earned high acclaim as the world's first F1.8 zoom lens in the photography and video industry. Thirteen years after its debut, this next-generation lens achieves not only superior optical performance but also a wider focal length of 17-40mm while reducing its weight by over 30%. This dramatically enhances the versatility of a large aperture standard zoom lens. In addition to the fast and quiet autofocus driven by the HLA (High-response Linear Actuator), the lens incorporates an inner zoom mechanism and minimal focus breathing, ensuring outstanding performance for both still photography and video production. Sigma, the pioneer that stunned the world with the first-ever F1.8 zoom lens, has once again revolutionized the history of large aperture zoom lenses. The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art has the convenience of a zoom with a constant aperture of F1.8 throughout the zoom range. Taking advantage of a large aperture comparable to a prime lens, the lens is suitable for low- light environments such as indoor and night scenes, as well as for expression using large bokeh. The optical design, realized through the latest design and processing technologies, including the use of high- precision aspherical lenses, achieves excellent optical performance. By emphasizing the correction of axial chromatic aberration and sagittal coma flare, the lens achieves high resolution even at the wide-open F1.8 aperture, rendering textures and fine details with stunning clarity. The range of the Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art has been expanded from its predecessor the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art, covering 25.5-60mm in 35mm format*. From wide-angle tabletop photography to portraits that fully utilize the telephoto angle of view, users can take full advantage of the expressive power of the large F1.8 aperture while freely framing their shots without the need to change lenses. Using advanced simulation technology and Sigma's Super Multi-Layer Coating, flare and ghosting have been largely eliminated, ensuring that the lens renders rich, high-contrast results in all conditions. Employing an inner zoom mechanism, the overall length of the lens remains constant when the focal length or focus distance changes. This means the lens is easy to use and highly stable when shooting hand-held, on a tripod or gimbal, and even more resistant to dust and water contamination. The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art is over 30% lighter and has a filter diameter of 67mm, which is one size smaller than its predecessor the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art. Despite being a large aperture zoom lens, it is surprisingly portable. The expressive power of F1.8 can be used with a compact APS-C system, making it ideal for travel and everyday photography, as well as video production, where mobility is key. In addition to a dust- and splash-resistant structure, the frontmost surface of the lens has a water- and oil- repellent coating applied, so that the lens can be used safely even in harsh outdoor environments. Equipped with two AFL buttons*3, two that can be assigned any function from the camera menu. By placing them on the side and top, users can easily operate the buttons in either landscape or portrait positioning. The adoption of HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) enables quiet, high-speed, high-precision autofocus. The smooth, stable autofocus is perfect not only for still photography, but also for single-operator shooting with a gimbal or vlogging. The focus breathing is suppressed, minimizing changes in the angle of view caused by focus shift and enabling smooth, natural-looking focus pulls when recording video. Equipped with an aperture ring*4 for intuitive control of the aperture. When shooting video, users can turn off the click switch for smooth, quiet aperture control. It also has an aperture ring lock switch*5 to prevent accidental changes to the aperture during shooting. * Approximately 27.2-64mm for the Canon RF Mount version.*2 The product is designed to be dust- and splash-resistant but is not waterproof. When using the lens near water, etc., take care not to allow large amounts of water to splash on it. If water gets inside the lens, it may cause a major malfunction and render the lens unrepairable.*3 Functions can be assigned on supported cameras only. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used. The FUJIFILM X Mount version has an AF function button that can be used to select AF lock/AF operation via lens switch.*4 The Canon RF Mount version has a control ring instead of an aperture ring. It does not have an aperture ring click switch or lock switch.*5 If you turn it on in position A, the aperture ring will be locked in position A. If you turn it on in a position other than A, it will be locked in the range from open to minimum aperture, and it will not be possible to turn it to position A. Principal specifications Zoom lens APS-C / DX 17–40 mm No Canon RF-S, Fujifilm X, L-Mount, Sony E F1.8 F16 Yes 11 17 11 4 SLD elements, 4 aspherical Yes Linear Motor Internal No No 535 g (1.18 lb) 73 mm (2.87″) 116 mm (4.57″) Yes Rotary (internal) No No 67 mm Yes LH728-02
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
BBC Arabic apologises for claiming Jews spit on Christians in ‘holiday ritual'
The BBC has been forced to apologise following claims by its Arabic service that Jews spit on Christians in a 'holiday ritual'. Claims were made in a video released by the corporation alongside an article titled 'Sukkot: Spitting and Assault on Christians and Harassment of Muslims on the Jewish Holiday'. In the video, released in October 2023, a caption claimed observant Jews celebrated their religious holiday, Sukkot, in Israel by spitting on Christians. After the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) complained to the corporation, it was quickly corrected to say: 'Some observant Jews consider spitting on Christians a holiday ritual.' However, it took 19 months for a formal response to be issued. In the correspondence, the BBC said: 'We apologise for the errors and thank you for your patience in waiting for this reply/confirmation of corrections that were made in October 2023.' The footage sparked outrage after ultra-Orthodox Jews could be seen spitting on the ground alongside a procession of foreign Christian worshippers carrying a wooden cross in Jerusalem. The spitting scene, captured by a reporter at Israel's Haaretz newspaper, showed a group of foreign pilgrims beginning their procession through the limestone labyrinth of the Old City. They were retracing the steps along the route they believe Jesus took before his crucifixion, raising a giant wooden cross. However, ultra-Orthodox Jews in dark suits and broad-brimmed black hats squeezed past the pilgrims through narrow alleyways, their ritual palm fronds for the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot in hand. At least seven ultra-Orthodox Jews spit on the ground beside the Christian tour group. A second BBC Arabic article, published on the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 and titled 'The story of suicide bombers throughout history: from the fanatical Jews, through Assassins, to the Jihadists', linked 'fanatical Jews' to the US terror attacks. The article describes the Sicarii, a militant Jewish group active during Roman occupation, as the earliest example of suicide attackers. It then went on to link them to modern jihadist tactics. The Sicarii seized Jerusalem with other forces during the Jewish revolt in 70AD, before retreating to Masada. However, Camera complained and argued that while the Sicarii did commit mass suicide at Masada, they did not carry out suicide attacks. Camera wrote in a complaint to the BBC: 'Since the Sicarii's attacks weren't suicidal, and their mass suicide was not an attack, they do not fit a narrative about suicide attacks at all. Yet, they are the only ones labelled 'fanatics' and 'extremists' in the entire article.' The BBC executive complaints unit agreed the original article contained a 'material inaccuracy' after Camera made further complaints. In a ruling issued on April 10, they said: 'Although the Sicarii may have preferred suicide to capture, there was no evidence of their using suicide as a means of an attack.' The headline was changed to 'The Story of Suicide Bombers Throughout History: From Assassins to Jihadists'. Lord Carlile, the government's former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, condemned the piece at the time and warned the BBC about publishing 'deliberate and sometimes even casual anti-Semitism'. He told The Telegraph after the apology was issued: 'I'm glad they have apologised.' Camera also said there were six other complaints about BBC Arabic content that have not been resolved as of June 9. A Camera spokesman said: 'Having demonstrated such ignorance in covering Jewish affairs, it seems that part of the problem lies not only with the Arabic service's inability to respond to complaints on time, but also in the lack of training its staff undergo upon hiring.' Last month, the BBC announced it would appoint an independent figure to investigate its Arabic channel over repeated allegations of anti-Semitism exposed by The Telegraph. The Telegraph has previously revealed a number of BBC Arabic's contributors have posted anti-Jewish sentiments and expressed their apparent support for Hamas, both before and after the Oct 7 attacks. Speaking to Times Radio in May, Dr Samir Shah, the chairman of the BBC, said: 'The Arabic service, we are looking at it, we've been examining it. I think this whole business of how we've covered Israel-Gaza is a proper thing to examine thoroughly, which is why we're going to identify... we're going to get hold of an independent figure to look at our coverage.' A BBC spokesman said: 'The BBC takes all complaints seriously and we have a robust process in place. 'We are committed to investigating complaints and responding to complainants swiftly. We apologise for the delay in these particular cases. 'When mistakes are made, we acknowledge them and make the appropriate corrections.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Telegraph
BBC Arabic apologises for claiming Jews spit on Christians in ‘holiday ritual'
The BBC has been forced to apologise following claims by its Arabic service that Jews spit on Christians in a 'holiday ritual'. Claims were made in a video released by the corporation alongside an article titled 'Sukkot: Spitting and Assault on Christians and Harassment of Muslims on the Jewish Holiday'. In the video, released in October 2023, a caption claimed observant Jews celebrated their religious holiday, Sukkot, in Israel by spitting on Christians. After the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) complained to the BBC, the caption was corrected to say: 'Some observant Jews consider spitting on Christians a holiday ritual.' However, Camera had to wait 19 months for a written apology to be issued. In the correspondence, the BBC said: 'We apologise for the errors and thank you for your patience in waiting for this reply/confirmation of corrections that were made in October 2023.' The footage sparked outrage after ultra-Orthodox Jews could be seen spitting on the ground alongside a procession of foreign Christian worshippers carrying a wooden cross in Jerusalem. The spitting scene, captured by a reporter at Israel's Haaretz newspaper, showed a group of foreign pilgrims beginning their procession through the limestone labyrinth of the Old City. They were retracing the steps along the route they believe Jesus took before his crucifixion, raising a giant wooden cross. However, ultra-Orthodox Jews in dark suits and broad-brimmed black hats squeezed past the pilgrims through narrow alleyways, their ritual palm fronds for the week-long Jewish holiday of Sukkot in hand. At least seven ultra-Orthodox Jews spit on the ground beside the Christian tour group. A second BBC Arabic article, published on the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 and titled 'The story of suicide bombers throughout history: from the fanatical Jews, through Assassins, to the Jihadists', linked 'fanatical Jews' to the US terror attacks. The article describes the Sicarii, a militant Jewish group active during Roman occupation, as the earliest example of suicide attackers. It then went on to link them to modern jihadist tactics. The Sicarii seized Jerusalem with other forces during the Jewish revolt in 70AD, before retreating to Masada. However, Camera complained and argued that while the Sicarii did commit mass suicide at Masada, they did not carry out suicide attacks. Camera wrote in a complaint to the BBC: 'Since the Sicarii's attacks weren't suicidal, and their mass suicide was not an attack, they do not fit a narrative about suicide attacks at all. Yet, they are the only ones labelled 'fanatics' and 'extremists' in the entire article.' 'Material inaccuracy' The BBC executive complaints unit agreed the original article contained a 'material inaccuracy' after Camera made further complaints. In a ruling issued on April 10, they said: 'Although the Sicarii may have preferred suicide to capture, there was no evidence of their using suicide as a means of an attack.' The headline was changed to 'The Story of Suicide Bombers Throughout History: From Assassins to Jihadists'. Lord Carlile, the government's former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, condemned the piece at the time and warned the BBC about publishing 'deliberate and sometimes even casual anti-Semitism'. He told The Telegraph after the apology was issued: 'I'm glad they have apologised.' Camera also said there were six other complaints about BBC Arabic content that have not been resolved as of June 9. A Camera spokesman said: 'Having demonstrated such ignorance in covering Jewish affairs, it seems that part of the problem lies not only with the Arabic service's inability to respond to complaints on time, but also in the lack of training its staff undergo upon hiring.' Last month, the BBC announced it would appoint an independent figure to investigate its Arabic channel over repeated allegations of anti-Semitism exposed by The Telegraph. The Telegraph has previously revealed a number of BBC Arabic's contributors have posted anti-Jewish sentiments and expressed their apparent support for Hamas, both before and after the Oct 7 attacks. Speaking to Times Radio in May, Dr Samir Shah, the chairman of the BBC, said: ' The Arabic service, we are looking at it, we've been examining it. I think this whole business of how we've covered Israel-Gaza is a proper thing to examine thoroughly, which is why we're going to identify... we're going to get hold of an independent figure to look at our coverage.'
