Latest news with #iPhones
Hans India
43 minutes ago
- Hans India
Adobe's Project Indigo Brings Cutting-Edge Computational Photography to iPhones
Adobe has stepped into the mobile photography arena with the launch of 'Project Indigo,' a new computational photography app designed exclusively for iPhones. Developed under Adobe Labs, the app brings together advanced imaging science and intuitive design to enhance the photo-taking experience for mobile users. One of the key minds behind this innovation is Marc Levoy, a former distinguished engineer at Google known for revolutionizing the Pixel smartphone camera. Now an Adobe Fellow, Levoy has teamed up with Adobe's senior scientist Florian Kainz to craft this next-generation photography tool. Released last week, 'Project Indigo' is available for free on select iPhone models, including the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, and all iPhone 14 and newer devices. Adobe recommends using an iPhone 15 Pro or later for the best performance. Notably, users do not need to sign into an Adobe account to access the app, making it hassle-free and accessible to all iPhone users. What sets 'Project Indigo' apart from the standard iPhone camera is its computational foundation. Instead of capturing a single image, the app records a rapid burst of frames and blends them to produce a high-resolution photo with reduced noise and enhanced dynamic range. This approach mimics the effect of a DSLR, giving images a more natural and professional finish. 'Instead of capturing a single photo, Indigo captures a burst of photos and combines them together to produce a high-quality photo with lower noise and higher dynamic range,' reads the app's official description. Photographers—whether amateur or experienced—will also appreciate the array of manual settings Indigo offers. From shutter speed and ISO to white balance and focus, the app puts precise control at the user's fingertips, making it ideal for those who want to go beyond point-and-shoot photography. For those curious about the deeper technical workings, Adobe has published an in-depth blog post by Levoy and Kainz. It dives into how smartphone cameras have evolved, how computational photography operates behind the scenes, and the ways Indigo's image pipeline achieves its naturalistic aesthetic. Even for readers without a photography background, the post offers fascinating insights and a gallery of impressive sample images taken with the app. 'This is the beginning of a journey for Adobe – towards an integrated mobile camera and editing experience that takes advantage of the latest advances in computational photography and AI,' Levoy and Kainz explained in their post. They also revealed that 'Project Indigo' serves as a testbed for future Adobe innovations. Features in the works include tools like reflection removal, a portrait mode, and even video capabilities. An Android version is also on the horizon. 'Our hope is that Indigo will appeal to casual mobile photographers who want a natural SLR-like look for their photos, including when viewed on large screens; to advanced photographers who want manual control and the highest possible image quality; and to anyone – casual or serious – who enjoys playing with new photographic experiences,' the duo added. With 'Project Indigo', Adobe isn't just entering the mobile camera space — it's aiming to reshape it.
The Star
an hour ago
- Business
- The Star
JD.com billionaire's viral stunt reignites China's food-delivery feud
One unusually warm evening in April, Richard Liu revved his scooter through Beijing's traffic-snarled streets alongside other delivery workers, and then personally handed food orders to surprised customers. Later that night, over spicy hotpot and ice-cold beer, the Inc founder welcomed a pair of riders from two rival delivery firms to his company. The publicity stunt, broadcast on viral online videos, reignited a fight for China's US$80bil (RM340.39bil)-plus food delivery market. In just a few months, JD, China's largest online retailer by revenue, amassed 25 million daily takeout orders across 350 cities, capturing more than half the volume of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's the runner-up to market leader Meituan. Neither saw Liu coming. China's food delivery industry has been in an effective duopoly after brutal price wars forced out many smaller players almost a decade ago. Takeout became more expensive even as merchants and riders complained about making less. Liu is now turning to an old playbook: charging restaurants no commission, generous hiring bonuses for 100,000 new full-time riders, plus a 10bil yuan (RM 5.92bil or US $1.4bil) discounting campaign for consumers. During its flagship shopping festival this month, JD sold coffee and bubble tea for as cheap as 1.68 yuan (RM1). The food delivery war is indicative of the bifurcation in China's mammoth tech industry. On the one hand, players like DeepSeek are spurring major tech firms to invest in innovations like generative AI. On the other, the effects of Beijing's yearslong Covid lockdowns and regulatory campaigns against Big Tech still linger, and many companies are desperately searching for sources of growth in a saturated market. Liu's marketing stunt is also personal. The viral videos of him waiting to pick up boxed lunches and downing beers with other riders mark a surprise return to the public eye for the 52-year-old tech mogul, who faded from the spotlight in 2018 when he was arrested in the US on suspicion of rape, though prosecutors in Minneapolis ultimately declined to press charges. During Beijing's crackdown on the tech sector in 2022, Liu joined a long list of tech founders who stepped down. His departure coincided with some of JD's toughest times since its founding as a tiny electronics outlet in 1998. Its premium online shopping service ran into China's slowing economy, its own bargain app flopped, and an overseas foray was abandoned. That left JD with no growth story, as giants Alibaba and Tencent Holdings Ltd bet big on generative AI and smaller rivals such as Meituan and Didi Global Inc exported their gig-economy models abroad. Even Meituan has begun selling and delivering everything from iPhones to washing machines in a few hours. 'For JD, it's a lost five years, to put it bluntly,' Liu said during a rare news conference at the company's Beijing headquarters Tuesday. 'No innovation, no growth, no progress. It should be considered the most unremarkable and least valuable five years in my entrepreneurial history.' Explaining their rationale of getting into food delivery, Liu said that it's about leveraging JD's battle-tested logistics network to acquire new users, 40% of whom have already been converted into e-commerce customers. 'Our losses are smaller than what we would have spent on advertising,' he said. Not everyone is convinced. JD's takeout business could generate as much as 18bil yuan (RM 10.66bil) in annualised losses, wiping out 36% of its parent's operating profit for 2025, says JPMorgan Chase & Co. Arete Research estimates that as the market leader, Meituan will only need to spend about a quarter of JD's costs to defend its position. JD's loss per order will narrow to 3 yuan (RM1.78) in the second half of 2025 from 8 yuan (RM4.74) this quarter as it pares back subsidies to confront the economic reality, the equity research house predicts. 'We do not think JD will find material success in local services like insta-commerce, but understand management's sense of urgency in needing to diversify its business mix and feeling threatened by Meituan,' Arete analysts Shawn Yang and Richard Kramer wrote in a note in June. Representatives for JD, Alibaba, and Meituan didn't respond to requests for comment for this story. What's clear is that JD has injected new life into a long-dormant market. hardest hit by JD's offensive, gave out 10bil yuan (RM 5.92bil) in subsidies to customers, then another 1bil yuan (RM 592.27mil) to restaurants. Alibaba also integrated the takeout app into its flagship e-commerce platform Taobao in the hope of diverting more traffic to it. Meituan for the first time ever is giving away vouchers on things like smartphones and liquor during the June 18 sales event that JD invented more than a decade ago. Its founder Wang Xing declared to investors in May that it would do 'whatever measure it takes to win the game'. The renewed food-delivery battle is reminiscent of the all-out war in online shopping just years ago, when alleged abuses like forcing merchants into exclusive arrangements helped fuel Beijing's Big Tech crackdown, wiping out trillions in wealth. Though pressure has eased, government scrutiny remains heightened as high youth unemployment drives more and more people to take up gig work. Regulators in May summoned executives from the three takeout firms into meetings on fair competition and protection of riders, among other topics. By 2024, China had more than 10 million delivery riders, official data showed. In Beijing, there were 17,000 riders in the first half of 2024, up 50% from a year ago. And amid growing awareness of how riders often prioritise speed over safety to earn more, said in April that it would gradually phase out a cash penalty system for riders who miss their deadlines. JD is going further in worker benefits by paying social security – a government-sponsored welfare system including pensions and medical insurance – for all of its full-time riders. Meituan and followed suit with similar policies. JD has won over riders like Jiang Xiaoxi, a migrant worker in Shenzhen who joined Meituan before Covid but quit last year to take care of her sick grandfather in her hometown in Hunan province. When the 25-year-old returned to Shenzhen this year, she picked JD instead for regular eight-hour shifts and persuaded her peers to jump ship. 'I signed a contract on day one,' she said. 'Having social security as a full-time employee gives me a sense of belonging.' Others are wary of such promises, with memories of the past delivery price-war still fresh. Tang Zequan, 36, recalls how in 2016 he could make more than 10 yuan (RM5.92) per order as a new driver for Meituan in Guangzhou. After Meituan emerged dominant, his earnings went down to 7 yuan (RM4.15) per order. As a high-school dropout, he acknowledges that no other job could have helped him pay off debts so quickly after his real estate brokerage business went under during Beijing's crackdown on the property market. 'I have great gratitude for the food delivery industry, but I won't pay allegiance to any firm,' Tang said. 'Without choices we are left with a monopoly.' – Bloomberg
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: Innovative filming makes 28 Years Later ‘like no other'
The latest installment of the apocalyptic drama franchise is directed by Danny Boyle, who filmed some of the scenes on iPhones. Taylor-Johnson told 6 Music's Nick Grimshaw: 'An iPhone can do that thing where, if someone puts it in your face, it feels very intrusive and makes you feel quite vulnerable. 'It cuts through a barrier that you don't usually have. They were being super innovative with the way they were shooting this film. 'Every day going to work was the most exciting thing, because everything just felt fresh and new. 'Danny creates this environment that allows you to be experimental and you never know if it's going to work, or if it's not going to work. 'But the end product, when you see this movie, it's got a feel that's like no other movie, because they're just inventing ways of shooting.' Taylor-Johnson appears alongside Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes in the film, which is set 28 years after the accidental release of a highly contagious virus which caused the breakdown of society. Taylor-Johnson said the movie, which premiered in London's Leicester Square on Wednesday night, is 'very visceral'. But he added 'there's a beautiful family drama within it'. 'It's very grounded, it says a lot about society, ' he said. Taylor-Johnson, who lives in Somerset with his wife Back To Black director Sam Taylor-Johnson, told Grimshaw he does not have a ticket to Glastonbury this year, but often 'at the last minute I find myself there'. 'We usually go every year and it's fantastic,' he said. 'It feels like the kick-off to summer. Our house is packed. We've had a few times where we've actually had yurts in our field and garden. 'It's a laugh to have everyone staying close by, and then we all go in.'
7NEWS
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter would ‘absolutely' ban phones at her gigs
Sabrina Carpenter is considering banning phones at her concerts. The 26-year-old pop star has been inspired by a recent Silk Sonic gig in Las Vegas where fans' devices were locked away, and she loved the 'beautiful' atmosphere it created. Asked if she would consider similar moves to Silk Sonic, Adele and Madonna, she told Rolling Stone magazine: 'This will honestly piss off my fans, but absolutely. 'Because I went to see Silk Sonic in Vegas, and they locked my phone. I've never had a better experience at a concert. 'I genuinely felt like I was back in the '70s - wasn't alive. Genuinely felt like I was there. Everyone's singing, dancing, looking at each other, and laughing. It really, really just felt so beautiful.' The Manchild hit maker pointed out that phones being held up at concerts 'feels super normal' to her generation. 'I've grown up in the age of people having iPhones at shows. It unfortunately feels super normal to me,' she said. 'I can't blame people for wanting to have memories. But depending on how long I want to be touring, and what age I am, girl, take those phones away. 'You cannot zoom in on my face. Right now, my skin is soft and supple. It's fine. Do not zoom in on me when I'm 80 years old up there.'
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Premium smartwatches for men to check out in 2025 with standout looks and everyday smart features
Are you someone who is looking for a premium smartwatch for yourself or your known ones this year, then it's not just about tracking your 10,000 steps or picking a call. Design, comfort and how naturally it fits into your daily routine matter a lot, especially when it's something you'll wear all day and it will be visible to all. So it makes sense to go for something that matches your personal style, feels light on the wrist and still handles all the useful things like calls, notifications and fitness tracking without feeling like an extra device to manage. So, explore all the options mentioned ahead in the article. Apple Watch SE 2 is made for people who want something easy to use and built around daily health tracking features. From counting steps to the sleep monitor, this smartwatch for men stays on top of your activity without feeling heavy on the wrist. The display stays clear outdoors and works smoothly with iPhones. If you're browsing premium smartwatches for men on Amazon, this one stands out for mixing useful tools with everyday ease. Seamless iPhone pairing and safety features Clean, lightweight design with key health tools No always-on display Limited use with Android phones Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen, 2023) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop. Fitness & Sleep Tracker, Crash Detection, Heart Rate Monitor, Retina Display What are buyers saying on Amazon? Smooth and simple with all the core features that matter. Why choose this product? It keeps your daily health and safety covered with trusted features. This Galaxy Watch Ultra has a great contactless payment feature which is a new smart feature in smartwatches. With ECG, BP monitor, and a detailed energy score, it keeps up with long days and stays accurate with dual GPS. The 3nm chip keeps things smooth and the screen is made with sapphire glass. It has a 100 hour battery and 10ATM water rating, which gives you the surety that the smartwatch won't run out too soon and fits well under premium smartwatches for men made for more than just city life. Long battery life for outdoor or travel use Durable and loaded with accurate health tools Bulky for smaller wrists Expensive if you need only basic tracking Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE, Silver) with Upto 100h battery | 3nm Processor | Dual GPS | Quick Button/Siren | Sapphire Glass & Titanium | 10ATM & IP68 | BP & ECG Monitor |Energy Score & AGEs What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers say it's fast, accurate, and feels premium. Why choose this product? It's built to handle long days and outdoor needs. Garmin Instinct 2 smartwatch keeps things strong and simple. It's a waterproof watch with a tough outer shell and built-in GPS, made to handle outdoor trips like trekking or water activities without a second thought. The watch works well even in rough weather, and the battery lasts long without needing frequent charge breaks. If you spend more time outdoors than indoors, this one makes more sense. It's one of those premium smartwatches for men that focuses more on build and tracking than looks. Rugged design with long battery backup Reliable health and outdoor tracking No touchscreen Display is monochrome, not colourful Garmin Instinct 2, Graphite Smartwatch, Built-in Sports Apps and Health Monitoring, Ultratough Design Features, Graphite What are buyers saying on Amazon? It does what it says without drama and feels solid. Why choose this product? Good for long use without charging often. Built for tracking outdoors with ease. This Fossil Gen smartwatch feels like a classic wristwatch on the wrist with a black dial and silver stainless steel body. It looks stylish while running on fast Wear OS by Google. It supports calls, heart tracking, and app alerts without much effort. Its display is crisp, the touch response is quick, and you can use voice commands too. It belongs in the list of premium smartwatches for men who want a classic feel with smart ease. You can check out this watch on Amazon if you are looking for a premium watch within budget. Works like a smartwatch but looks like a regular watch Has voice control and fast charging Battery may not last beyond a day Works better with Android than iPhone Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch Digital Black Dial Mens Watch-FTW4060 What buyers are saying on Amazon? Looks classy and works smooth for regular use. Why choose this product? Keeps the look of a regular watch but adds smart features. This Galaxy Watch Ultra is a great pick for those who have a habit of walking a lot or spending more time outdoors. It runs on a strong 3nm chip, lasts up to 100 hours on one charge, and the quick button makes modes easier to switch. Its titanium body feels solid, still not feeling bulky on the wrist. If you're tracking health and movement in tough weather or while travelling, this is one of those premium smartwatches for men that focuses more on purpose than just looks. Tough build with GPS and long battery Health tracking with ECG and BP May feel bulky for smaller wrists Limited use with non-Samsung phones Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (47mm, LTE, Gray) with Upto 100h Battery | 3nm Processor | Dual GPS | Quick Button/Siren | Sapphire Glass & Titanium | 10ATM & IP68 | BP & ECG Monitor | Energy Score & Ages What are buyers saying on Amazon? Feels tough, accurate and lasts long between charges. Why choose this product? Long battery life and strong health tools make it a fit for active users. The Apple Watch Series 10 adds new health features while keeping the design simple and comfortable to wear. It supports ECG, activity tracking, and comes with an always-on screen that feels more natural during daily use. The new band fits well and holds steady even during movement. If you're already in the Apple ecosystem, it syncs smoothly with your iPhone. It fits among premium smartwatches for men who want health tools with a known feel. Accurate ECG and fitness tracking Seamless iPhone integration Not compatible with Android phones Battery may not last more than a day for some users Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46 mm] Smartwatch with Silver Aluminium Case with Denim Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant What buyers are saying on Amazon: Smooth to use and great for tracking daily steps and heart data. Why choose this product? Works well for those who already use an iPhone. The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro comes with a clear edge in design and battery backup. You get up to 14 days of usage without needing to plug it in every other night. It looks great on the wrist and works well with both Android and iOS phones. It has GPS navigation that works even when offline and not connected to Wi-Fi. The comfort is decent, even with its heavier frame. If you like this option and are thinking of a premium watch for men, it suits daily use and long battery needs well. Long battery backup Sturdy titanium design with GPS Bit heavy for slim wrists No support for Google apps Huawei Watch GT5 Pro 46 mm Smartwatch, Sharp-Edged Design, upto14 Days Battery Life, Pro-Level Sports Watch, iOS & Android Compatible, (Titanium) What are buyers saying on Amazon? The battery lasts long and it looks solid, exactly what I needed. Why choose this product? Lasts long without daily charging. OnePlus Watch 2R runs on Wear OS and uses the Snapdragon W5 chip, which means smoother app use and better battery handling. The AMOLED display feels sharp, and the build feels sturdy on the wrist for daily wear. It tracks over 100 sports types and has dual frequency GPS for accurate outdoor use. This one fits men looking for smartwatches that last longer and feel simple. It's a great fit if you are looking for a premium watch for men on Amazon. Long battery backup is useful for travel Dual GPS improves location tracking Slightly limited app support outside Google ecosystem Basic strap finish might feel too plain for some OnePlus Watch 2R with Wear OS 4 by Google,Snapdragon W5 Chipset,Upto 100hrs Battery Life,1.43'' AMOLED Display,100+ Sports Mode,Dual Frequency GPS,5 ATM,IP68 & BT Calling [Gunmetal Gray] What are buyers saying on Amazon? Battery life and display are getting praise from most users. Why choose this product? It covers the daily needs expected from premium smartwatches for men. It's not just about looks or a big brand name anymore. A premium smartwatch today blends everyday usefulness with strong battery life, health features that actually matter, and a screen that's easy to read even under sunlight. Comfort is key too, since you wear it all day. Many men now look for watches that quietly fit into their routine without needing to charge every night or dig into settings all the time. If your day includes switching between work, calls, fitness, and maybe even tracking sleep, a high-end watch does make a difference. You get a smoother experience, better syncing with your phone, and sensors that are more accurate. It's not just about spending more; it's about getting something that lasts longer and does the job right without constant adjustments. Best smartwatches for boys in 2025: 10 elegant watches with GPS, fitness tracker, water resistance and more Best smartwatches with ECG tracker: Top 7 options with accurate heart monitoring for healthy living Best Bluetooth smartwatches in 2025: Top 8 stylish picks with advanced features and modern tech for everyday use Luxury smartwatches vs budget smartwatches: What do premium models offer that others don't, and are they worth it? Yes, if you wear one all day, the better comfort, battery, and tracking make a real difference. Most do, but Apple Watches work best with iPhones, while others like Samsung or Wear OS work across platforms. Yes, many models support calling through Bluetooth or LTE, depending on the model. Anywhere from 2 to 10 days; models with fewer apps often last longer. If the watch runs Google's Wear OS or Apple's watchOS, you'll be able to use Google Assistant or Siri directly from the watch. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
