Technology

Apple’s WWDC may include AI-generated emoji and an OpenAI partnership

Published

3 weeks ago

May 26, 2024

Apple’s WWDC may include AI-generated emoji and an OpenAI partnership

Recent rumors have held that Apple will be allowing chatbots to integrate more deeply into its operating systems, and it seems that OpenAI is getting the first crack at that with ChatGPT. But Apple is still working on an agreement with Google to do the same with Gemini, according to Gurman. It’s also been rumored to be talking to Anthropic. (Those talks started before OpenAI’s ongoing Scarlett Johansson dust-up, but they underscore why Apple might want more than one iPhone chatbot deal.) Outside of whatever those potential partnerships will mean, Apple’s approach to AI will apparently focus on being practical.

One big, noticeable improvement Apple will reportedly announce could be a “smart recap” feature that Gurman mentions. This will apparently summarize missed texts, notifications, and other things like “web pages, news articles, documents, notes and other forms of media.” That might be particularly nice when it comes to dealing with iOS notifications, which can be overwhelming and difficult to tame. And if you squint, it vaguely echoes Microsoft’s recently-announced Recall feature that lets you look back at what you’ve been doing on your computer.

The Voice Memo app could also get a big boost in AI-generated transcripts, Gurman writes. Selfishly, that will be key for referring to interview recordings, but it could also be handy for, say, students recording their lessons for later reference. Apple devices have similar features already, like auto-generated voicemail transcripts and system-wide captions for videos, audio, and conversations.

The company also reportedly plans to announce AI-powered improvements to on-device Spotlight search, internet searches with Safari, as well as writing suggestions for emails and texts. And the company may also use AI to retouch photos and generate emoji on the fly, based on what you’re texting — a type of feature that seems to consistently lead to trouble for these companies. (See Meta’s gun-toting Waluigi AI stickers or Google’s inappropriately racially diverse nazi pictures.)

Apple could showcase a better, more natural-sounding voice for Siri, based on Apple’s own large language models, as well as better Siri functionality on the Apple Watch. Where it can, Apple’s devices will do all of this stuff locally, but for complicated tasks, they’ll offload processing to Apple’s own M2 Ultra-based servers, Gurman writes. In general, he says devices “released in the last year or so” will gain most of the new on-device AI features.

Apart from AI features, the company may announce an iOS 18 feature to let users change their app icons to different colors, according to Gurman. Something similar is possible now, using the iOS Shortcuts app, but I’d sure welcome a more straightforward method. That’s in addition to the other upcoming rumored iPhone home screen change will finally let users put app icons wherever they’d like instead of iOS forcing a top-to-bottom, left-to-right arrangement. What’s next? Custom launchers?

Update May 26th, 2024, 11:38AM ET: Fleshed out some rumored features and added more context.

Technology

Nikon’s new $2,500 Z6 III has the world’s first partially stacked CMOS sensor

Published

48 mins ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

Nikon’s new $2,500 Z6 III has the world’s first partially stacked CMOS sensor

At the beginning of a recent photo walk with a Nikon representative, I was told it was only a matter of time before I became a “birder”. Because eventually every photographer runs out of things to take photos of and is left with only one subject to master: birds. Which, because of advancements in sensor technology, have become a much easier target.

The Nikon Z6 III has an articulating back screen that is typical of hybrid photo / video cameras.

It was on this same photo walk that I got a few hours with the new $2,500 Nikon Z6 III. And the big news in this camera is its 24.5-megapixel partially stacked CMOS sensor. This is the first camera, ever, to employ this technology. Instead of the circuit parts and pixel area both stretching the full corner-to-corner dimensions of the image sensor and sitting on top of each other, as in the more expensive Nikon Z9 or Nikon Z8, or not being stacked at all, as in the previous Nikon Z6 II, the Z6 III’s circuit parts are stacked as bars on the top and bottom of the pixel area.

It results in higher continuous shooting rates, faster autofocus, higher video frame rates, and less rolling shutter effect than the previous Z6 II, with its BSI CMOS sensor in e-shutter mode. But it also means that the Z6 III is not as speedy as the more premium Z8 or Z9 with their fully stacked sensors. In simple terms, partially stacking the sensor allows Nikon to keep this camera’s price below that of the Z8 and Z9 while also much improving the performance of it over the previous generation.

The other important updates are the Z6 III’s incredibly bright electronic view finder that can reach a peak brightness of 4,000 nits and the cameras ability to film 6K RAW video at up to 60fps and 4K RAW up to 120fps. Nikon is also promising Z8 level build quality, which means the camera is dust and moisture sealed and rated for operation down to 14°F/−10°C. Simply put, Nikon builds very resilient cameras that don’t skimp on specs. And also cameras that can turn any photographer into a birder.

The handgrip on the Nikon Z6 III is deep enough for long-term comfort.

I chose the Staten Island Ferry for my photo walk with the Z6 III because of its endless opportunities for people watching and incredible views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. Match that with the boat’s iconic orange color and you are guaranteed at least a few great shots. What I had never paid much attention to before were all of the birds using the boat’s slipstream to move across the harbor.

While the Z6 III does not have a dedicated bird focus mode, Nikon claims that its autofocus is 20% faster than the Z6 II and has an extended range down to -10EV, meaning it is more sensitive even in lowlight conditions. And while on the back of the ferry, it had absolutely no trouble locking onto birds. Within minutes of taking off from Lower Manhattan I was whipping the Z6 III from left to right attempting to capture seagulls. Eventually I smartened up and framed One World Trade Center and waited for a bird to cross my frame. And as soon as a bird would enter the camera locked right the moving object that was a seagull. Within minutes I had shot well over 100 photos.

Photos taken with the Nikon Z6 III + Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Lens

There of course then came the moment I thought “what the hell am I going to do with all these photos of birds”. Which is why I would like to thank you all for clicking through the above slideshow and giving my new found passion for bird photography a reason to exist.

Much like the Z8 and Z9, Nikon increasingly makes cameras that are so responsive and intuitive that you no longer have to spend as much time thinking about problems such as focus, hand shake, or shutter speed. You can quickly point the camera in any direction and it will capture something in focus.

That being said, there is only so much I could test in my few hours with this camera. I didn’t have a low light environment to test the ISO ranges or low light autofocus, I didn’t have multiple subjects to test skin tone representation on, and I didn’t have ND filters in order to get a proper video exposure for testing 6K RAW. So while I had a lot of fun, and am now a certified “birder” there is certainly a lot more testing that needs to be done on this new partially stacked sensor technology. But in my short time with it, I can confidently say that in no way did it feel like a step back. The Z6 III will be available starting today for $2,500.

Technology

Is this pint-sized electric vehicle about to be big disruptor in US?

Published

1 hour ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

Is this pint-sized electric vehicle about to be big disruptor in US?

You’ve probably never heard of Eli Electric Vehicles, but this little company is making big waves in the electric vehicle world. It just announced reservations are now open in the U.S. for its popular Eli Zero microcar.

So what’s the deal with these “microcars” anyway?

They’re basically tiny EVs designed for zipping around cities. In Europe, they’re called quadricycles, and in the U.S. they fall under the low-speed vehicle (LSV) category.

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Eli Zero (Eli Electric Vehicles)

Tiny footprint, ample interior space

The Eli Zero has compact dimensions of 88.6 inches in length, 54.3 inches in width and 64.4 inches in height. It rides on 165/65 R13 tires with alloy rims. The wheelbase measures 63 inches, while the track width is 45.67 inches. It has a seating capacity for two occupants and offers 5.65 cubic feet of trunk space for storage.

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Eli Zero (Eli Electric Vehicles)

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The Eli Zero is tiny but mighty

Despite its tiny size, the Eli Zero packs a pretty big punch. Thanks to its 8 kWh battery pack, it can go 60 miles on a single charge. And with a 3.2 kW onboard charger, you can top it up in just under three hours at a 240V station. Sure, it’s no speed demon, with a top speed of 25 mph. But it’s got all the amenities of a regular car, like A/C, keyless entry and even an optional Sony infotainment system.

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Eli Zero (Eli Electric Vehicles)

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Eli Zero is the ultimate city car

With a footprint shorter than a Hummer EV is wide, you could literally park four of these things in one parallel spot. No more circling the block for parking. It’s the ultimate city car.

Eli’s CEO and founder, Marcus Li, tells CyberGuy that he sees the Eli Zero as a game-changer in urban mobility: “It’s about transforming urban trips and significantly improving city life by making transportation easier, cleaner and more efficient through micro-EVs that seamlessly integrate into our daily routines.”

Eli Zero (Eli Electric Vehicles)

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Eli Zero’s safety features

The Eli Zero prioritizes safety with features like four hydraulic electric-powered-assisted disc brakes, MacPherson front struts with an anti-roll bar, and an electronic parking brake. Safety belts with a seat belt reminder help ensure occupants are properly secured. A rearview camera and radar parking sensors aid visibility and make parking easier. A tow button allows the vehicle to be towed if needed. An acoustic vehicle alert system warns pedestrians of the Eli Zero’s presence at low speeds. Emergency alerts are also integrated for added safety.

Eli Zero backing into a parking space (Eli Electric Vehicles)

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The Eli Zero is a niche success story

It’s a pretty niche market. Most new automakers in this space have struggled to sell more than a few dozen units. But the Eli Zero has already found success in Europe and French Polynesia, with hundreds cruising the streets (though I guess “hundreds” is still niche in the grand scheme of things).

Eli Zero (Eli Electric Vehicles)

Eli Zero is coming to America

Now Eli is bringing their pint-sized EV to the States, and you can reserve yours today for just $200 (fully refundable). At $11,990, the Eli Zero is pretty affordable, too. Deliveries are slated for Q3 2024, so you won’t have to wait too long if you get your order in.

The US version has been upgraded to meet federal safety regulations for LSVs, making it street-legal to drive just like a regular car. Well, kind of; it’s limited to roads with speed limits up to 35 mph. But let’s be honest, that covers most city streets anyway.

Eli Zero (Eli Electric Vehicles)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The Eli Zero definitely seems to be filling an interesting niche in the EV market. While it may not be for everyone, it could be the perfect urban runabout for folks who don’t need to go far or fast. With its tiny size, zippy performance and car-like features, the Eli Zero makes running errands a breeze without the headache of parking a full-sized vehicle. And at less than $12,000, it’s pretty affordable, too. Eli says they have some innovative new features in the works for the U.S. launch, too. Who knows, this little microcar could be the next big thing in eco-friendly city mobility.

What do you think about microcars like the Eli Zero for city driving? Would you consider getting one as an affordable, eco-friendly option for running errands and short commutes around town? Or do the limitations like a 25 mph top speed and 35 mph road restriction make it impractical for your needs? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Chrome on Android can read webpages out loud from within the app

Published

8 hours ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

Chrome on Android can read webpages out loud from within the app

Google is rolling out a new option called “Listen to this page” that can read a webpage out loud to you from within the Android Chrome browser. The feature comes with playback controls similar to those you’d find in music or podcast players, letting you pause, change the reading speed, scrub forward, or skip ahead or back by 10 seconds at a time.

You can also change the voice it uses, as well as the language. The feature supports several, including English, French, German, Arabic, Hindi, and Spanish, according to a Google help page about the feature. To see if you have it, head to a page with a lot of text, then tap the three dots menu and “Listen to this page,” which should appear just below the Translate option.

I recommend the breathy voice of Ruby: Mid-pitch, Calm.

Screenshots: Google Chrome