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Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
A philosophical war over the iPhone camera app
It is not at all intriguing that Adobe's latest release of Project Indigo, a free experimental camera app for the Apple iPhone (there's an Android version coming soon), brings mobile photography back into conversation. Even more so, how it perhaps retrains focus on different approaches to often similar results. One that intersects computational photography with a camera app, or the other that takes a 'zero processing' approach towards delivering photos a user captures on their iPhone. Adobe's new free camera app, called Project Indigo, has been put together by former Pixel camera engineers and combines computational photography with a layer of AI features. Likely, a significant moment in an increasingly competitive third-party camera app ecosystem. Project Indigo, on its part, emerges from an impressive pedigree, having been developed by Marc Levoy and Florian Kainz, who were instrumental in establishing the Pixel phones as the benchmark smartphone cameras for many years (and many consider that to be the case even now as well). It wasn't plain sailing, as competition caught up, but Pixel phones made a smart pivot towards computational photography capabilities, when the time was right. With Project Indigo, Levoy and Kainz, have access to the iPhone photography hardware. I've used it to a certain extent, and all I'll say for now is that it is simply not a reimagined version of the Pixel Camera app. This is something that is going much beyond what the default Camera app can do. But here's the thing — not all the time. As a user, there's choice, but for now perhaps not an undeniably definitive one. Project Indigo has a unique computational photography pipeline. 'First, we under-expose more strongly than most cameras. Second, we capture, align, and combine more frames when producing each photo — up to 32 frames as in the example above. This means that our photos have fewer blown-out highlights and less noise in the shadows. Taking a photo with our app may require slightly more patience after pressing the shutter button than you're used to, but after a few seconds you'll be rewarded with a better picture,' Adobe says. This is where the big change lies — an aggressive multi-frame approach that's a more intensive computational strategy than many competitor apps, with insistence that priority is on image quality (requiring a dash of patience). This should work as well for casual users, as for the more enthusiastic demographic (I wouldn't call them professional, that side of the table has their own preferences), with the option of enabling the full array of manual controls, as well as both JPEG and raw formats. Strength in diversity? The third-party camera app landscape as it stands, reveals a fascinating philosophical divide between different approaches to smartphone photography. Halide Mark II, Camera+ 2 and VSCO, some prime names, and Final Cut Camera and Leica Lux some very likeable ones too. The idea for third-party camera apps has always been to offer a little more in terms of functionality and perhaps unlock certain functionality that the default camera app doesn't have. That's before we get to the main bit — image processing and the differing approaches. At one end of the spectrum lies the 'zero processing' movement. Halide's Process Zero, is an example. This basically means something that has no AI input and no computational photography pipeline in image processing. There are two distinct schools of thought on this — one that believes shunning AI is a better bet to produce beautiful, film-like natural photos, while the other believes AI does enough to accentuate detailing that may otherwise have been missed. It is a philosophical tension. VSCO, for instance, puts forward a proposition of blending the camera app with extensive editing capabilities as well as quick access to social media apps. Halide Mark II positions itself with professional-grade manual controls, and a tech called Neural Macro that allows iPhones without a dedicated macro lens to get photos with that effect. Camera+ 2 uses AI extensively, for scene detection and automatic optimisation while still providing full manual control when needed. I'd say Project Indigo is embracing a bit of the latter, but with certain diversions towards improvement, like they have explained. The fundamental disagreement about image processing is perhaps why we have differing approaches, and thereby preference based choice for users. A user perhaps has to ask themselves which side they lean on. Is the intent to capture reality as accurately as possible, or to create the most visually appealing image regardless of any computational gymnastics required? There will not be a one-size-fits-all answer. Project Indigo's entry into this ecosystem represents more than just another camera app — it signals Adobe's serious interest in mobile photography and computational imaging. Of course they pitch for closer integration with their creative apps, including the Lightroom app for smartphones. I do see Adobe with the biggest trump card up their sleeve — the mix of their own approach to research, in-house AI development which Firefly resoundingly testifies to, and the expertise of former Pixel engineers who know what they're doing. We seem to be at a point where philosophy will provide a foundation for more sophistication. Vishal Mathur is the Technology Editor at HT. Tech Tonic is a weekly column that looks at the impact of personal technology on the way we live, and vice-versa. The views expressed are personal. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives. 11% OFF ₹53,600 Check Details 6% OFF ₹135,900 Check Details 7% OFF ₹111,900 Check Details 8% OFF ₹82,900 Check Details 8% OFF ₹73,500 Check Details 14% OFF ₹59,900 Check Details ₹134,899 Check Details ₹7,999 Check Details ₹9,999 Check Details 5% OFF ₹54,999 Check Details ₹26,999 Check Details ₹15,999 Check Details
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Morgan Stanley Raises Price Target on Victoria's Secret (NYSE:VSCO) to $20 With an Equal Weight Rating
Victoria's Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO) is one of the 13 Most Undervalued Retail Stocks to Buy Right Now. On June 12, Morgan Stanley raised the firm's price target on Victoria's Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO) to $20 from $19, keeping an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The analyst updated the rating after Victoria's Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO) reported its fiscal Q1 2025 earnings on June 11, with net sales of $1.353 billion that surpassed its previous guidance range. A middle aged woman in a boutique trying on intimate products. The analyst told investors that the fiscal year EPS guidance was lowered completely due to tariffs and is 'potentially not fully de-risked.' However, he also said that the Q2 guidance appears 'fair/possibly beatable,' leaving the report 'incrementally positive' due to management's 'enhanced understanding of the evolved intimates industry.' He further reasoned that a turnaround 'likely takes some time,' and that justifies the Equal Weight rating for now. While we acknowledge the potential of VSCO as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
TD Cowen Remains a Hold on Victoria's Secret (VSCO)
TD Cowen analyst Jonna Kim maintained a Hold rating on Victoria's Secret (VSCO – Research Report) today and set a price target of $22.00. The company's shares closed today at $19.81. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Kim covers the Consumer Cyclical sector, focusing on stocks such as American Eagle, Gap Inc, and JJill. According to TipRanks, Kim has an average return of 17.4% and a 38.24% success rate on recommended stocks. In addition to TD Cowen, Victoria's Secret also received a Hold from Telsey Advisory's Jason Strominger in a report issued today. However, on the same day, Bank of America Securities reiterated a Sell rating on Victoria's Secret (NYSE: VSCO). VSCO market cap is currently $1.77B and has a P/E ratio of 10.52. Based on the recent corporate insider activity of 30 insiders, corporate insider sentiment is positive on the stock. This means that over the past quarter there has been an increase of insiders buying their shares of VSCO in relation to earlier this year. Most recently, in April 2025, BBRC INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD, a Major Shareholder at VSCO bought 212,500.00 shares for a total of $3,429,750.00.
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Victoria's Secret digital disaster will cost more than cash
How many pairs of the perfect no-show neutral panties is too many? Asking for myself. Years ago, I stocked up on Victoria's Secret's no-show seamless panties in every neutral shade they offered. And to this day, they're still my go-to. They fit just right. They disappear under anything. They're the kind of everyday essential that's harder to replace than you'd think. Related: Martha Stewart aesthetic sets the tone for summer And for a lot of shoppers like me, that's what Victoria's Secret does best - when it gets it right. But the brand hasn't been getting a lot right lately. Once the undisputed queen of lingerie, Victoria's Secret has spent years trying to reinvent itself for modern consumers. New leadership, new messaging, new stores. The turnaround is still a work in progress. That's why the timing of its latest stumble couldn't be worse. Just as the company was counting on a critical sales moment to fuel its fragile comeback, an unexpected mistake is about to take a $10 million bite out of its bottom line. Ouch. The Memorial Day sale is a major revenue driver for retailers - especially in categories like apparel and intimates. For Victoria's Secret (VSCO) , the stakes were sky-high. Heading into the summer, the brand needed a win after a stretch of flat sales and margin pressure. But just before the company reported Q1 earnings, a cyber incident forced it to shut down their site and cancel one of its biggest sales events of the year. Sekella told analysts the breach would wipe out about $10 million in expected profit this quarter. That's a big chunk, considering the company only expects to make between $15 million and $35 million in total profit for the quarter. Related: Lululemon rival, Alo Yoga sued over social media claims This comes as Victoria's Secret works to transform its store fleet with its so-called 'store of the future' concept and grow its Pink business, which CEO Hillary Super called the brand's "No. 1 volume opportunity." To make things more complex, activist investor BBRC International is turning up the heat. The firm, which holds about 13% of shares, recently blasted Victoria's Secret's board for alleged mismanagement and adopted a poison pill defense against a hostile takeover. Amid all this, a $10 million cybersecurity mistake is the last thing the retailer needed. Victoria's Secret isn't alone in facing cybersecurity threats, but the timing of this breach raises fresh questions about its operational readiness. Gross margin dropped to 35.2% in Q1, down from nearly 37% a year ago. Not the trajectory you want when fighting to stay relevant. The company is betting big on Pink, lifestyle offerings, and a revamped store experience to win back shoppers. This $10 million hit adds to that struggle. Beyond the immediate financial loss, it signals potential vulnerabilities that could shake consumer confidence and embolden activist critics - particularly with Q2 guidance already soft and margins under pressure. Can Victoria's Secret bounce back? It's possible. Super and her new CMO, former Anthropologie exec Elizabeth Preis, are pushing hard on innovation. But in a market where agility and flawless execution are key, the margin for error is razor-thin. For now, I'll stick with my no-show Victoria's Secret has a lot more proving to do if it wants to win the next generation of shoppers. Related: Cartier shares problem with Dior, North Face, Victoria's Secret The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Victoria's Secret & Co (VSCO) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strategic Growth Amidst ...
Net Sales: $1.353 billion for Q1 2025, flat compared to last year. Adjusted Operating Income: $32 million for Q1 2025. Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share: $0.09 for Q1 2025. Total Comparable Sales: Down 1% compared to last year. Adjusted Gross Margin Rate: 35.2%, a decline of 170 basis points from Q1 2024. Adjusted SG&A Rate: 32.8%, better than the guidance range. International Sales Growth: 9% increase to nearly $200 million. Cash Balance: $138 million at the end of Q1 2025. Inventory Growth: Up 6% compared to last year. Fiscal Year 2025 Net Sales Forecast: $6.2 billion to $6.3 billion. Fiscal Year 2025 Adjusted Operating Income Forecast: $270 million to $320 million. Fiscal Year 2025 Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share Forecast: $1.80 to $2.20. Store Openings and Closures: 16 new stores planned, 30 to 40 closures expected in 2025. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with SAIL. Release Date: June 11, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Victoria's Secret & Co (NYSE:VSCO) exceeded both top- and bottom-line guidance for the first quarter of 2025, showcasing strong execution against strategic priorities. The company reported significant growth in its Beauty segment, marking its seventh consecutive quarter of growth, driven by successful product launches and customer engagement. PINK Apparel delivered its third consecutive quarter of positive comps, with significant margin expansion and increased customer engagement. The international business showed robust growth, with high single-digit gains and strong performance in the digital channel, particularly in China. Victoria's Secret & Co (NYSE:VSCO) successfully renewed its asset-based lending facility, securing a five-year term extension with favorable terms, enhancing financial flexibility. Total comparable sales for the quarter were down 1% compared to the previous year, indicating challenges in maintaining sales momentum. The company faced a security incident that impacted its e-commerce operations, resulting in an estimated $20 million net sales impact for the second quarter. Gross margin rate declined by 170 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to elevated freight rates, tariff-related adjustments, and increased GWP activity. The intimates market remains pressured, with a noted decline in share, particularly in the bras and panties categories. Victoria's Secret & Co (NYSE:VSCO) anticipates continued tariff headwinds, with a projected net impact of approximately $50 million for fiscal year 2025. Q: Hillary, could you dive deeper into the marketing strategy following the hiring of the new Chief Marketing Officer? What changes should we expect in terms of customer messaging? A: Hillary Super, CEO: Elizabeth, our new CMO, is in her early days, but we're focusing on acquisitions through a segmented media plan and an Always On bra campaign. You'll see a visual evolution with VS and a younger expression in PINK. We're optimizing our marketing funnel, reducing spend on content creation, and increasing spend on distribution. Q: Scott, what level of price increases is embedded in your guide due to tariffs, and how are you considering demand elasticity? A: Scott Sekella, CFO: We're optimizing promotions, pulling back on traditional percent-off deals, and being strategic with pricing across categories. We're mindful of not exceeding price points and will adjust based on value perception. Q: Hillary, where have you made the most progress in the first quarter regarding brand evolution? A: Hillary Super, CEO: We've made significant progress with PINK, especially in apparel, and Beauty continues to grow. We're working on making VS more energetic and joyful, moving away from a too-serious tone. Q: Scott, can you break down the components of the 170-basis-point decline in gross margin and how they should evolve? A: Scott Sekella, CFO: The biggest headwind was inbound rates, expected to subside later. We also faced tariff-related order cancels and increased GWPs, partially offset by reduced traditional promotions. We expect tariffs to be a significant headwind throughout the year. Q: Hillary, how do you see the product assortment at VS and PINK, and what are the strategic priorities for the back half of the year? A: Hillary Super, CEO: We're focusing on marketing optimization and acquisition strategies. We're bullish on PINK and Beauty, and we have innovation launches planned for intimates in the back half of the year to differentiate us further. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
