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The latest Instax printer is a pricey but worthy upgrade

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The latest Instax printer is a pricey but worthy upgrade

FujiFilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 printer is a much-loved $100 accessory in my travel journal kit. I often tape a printed image next to my handwritten thoughts to preserve a moment in time. The prints produced by the instant film can, however, be soft and muddy — something the new $169.95 Instax Mini Link+ promises to improve.

The big upgrade is a new Design Print mode. It’s supposed to make text and intricate illustrations crisp and legible, but I didn’t see much of an improvement, despite that being a big selling point. I did, however, find that the improved processing inside the Mini Link+ enhanced contrast, colors, and sharpness, to reveal more details in a wide variety of photos, and I think that’s more important to most people.

From my testing, the new Mini Link+ is definitely an upgrade, but don’t expect this, or any instant film Instax printer to perform miracles, especially for images measuring just 62 x 46mm (2.44 x 1.81 inches).

$170

The Good

  • Best Instax Mini printer yet
  • Improved colors, sharpness, and contrast on most photos
  • Fun for creatives

The Bad

  • Little improvement on text heavy illustrations
  • Expensive
  • App is overwrought

FujiFilm’s Instax printers all use its Instax Mini instant film which typically costs around $30 for 20 sheets, or about $1.50 per photo. To print, you need to download the “Instax Mini Link” app available for both iOS and Android.

The app is overwrought with features that let you visualize your photos in real space with VR and use the printer as a remote camera shutter. It also helps you organize your images; imagine your prints in frames, on shelves, or as a collage taped to the wall; and prettify them with text, stickers, and filters. You can even connect your Pinterest account if you want. Fun, I suppose, but I’m not twelve-years old – I’m a full-grown man, damnit, and I just want to print photos in my iPhone’s photo library, and do it quickly!

It comes with a lanyard.

The Mini Link+ (left) is only slightly larger than the Mini Link 3 (right).

It uses the same Instax Mini instant film. Each cartridge holds 10 sheets.

It can even be used as a remote shutter button for your phone.

To do that, I have to first import the image into the Instax Mini Link app, hit print, choose either the Simple or Design mode, then wait 20 seconds for the printout. Simple print promises “smooth color tones for everyday images” and produces softer images that, in general, are still an improvement over most anything the Mini Link 3 can print. Design mode is exclusive to the Mini Link+ and the reason you might want it.

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I tested the different modes with a variety of images and generally found Design prints made on the Mini Link+ were superior for faces, landscapes, high contrast images, and macro shots of nature. Everything, really, other than text-heavy illustrations, where I saw no obvious improvement.

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (center), Link+ Simple mode (right).

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (center), Link+ Simple mode (right).

For example, look at my stupid face. Photos with intense lighting were susceptible to blowout when printed on the older Mini Link 3. The Simple and Design prints from the Mini Link+ handled the lighting better, with improved contrast, more detail in the eye, and more accurate colors and skin texture.

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (center), Link+ Simple mode (right).

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (center), Link+ Simple mode (right).

In the example above, everything in the Mini Link 3 print is super soft and blends together in a muddled mess. The Mini Link+ again offers improved contrast, with visible textures on the rock faces, tree branches, and improved colors throughout. The wooden slats on the barn, lines of individual trees, and wheel detail are more pronounced on the Design print, with less saturation on that big pine to the left.

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (right).

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (right).

Here, the Mini Link 3 struggles to depict the snow as anything but a white smear, while you can make out individual snowflakes and depth on the Mini Link+ Design print.

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (center), Link+ Simple mode (right).

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (center), Link+ Simple mode (right).

In this example, the Mini Link 3 really flattens the sky and removes the texture from the distant mountain. The greens and blues are more brilliant with the Simple and Design prints, while the separation between bits of gravel and blades of grass is more apparent in Design mode.

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Instax Mini Link 3 (left) versus Link+ Design mode (right).

In this Spotify screenshot, Design mode sharpens the lettering and artificially enhances the white text with a black outline, most visible on the letters “a” and “s.” Simple mode doesn’t do this. The outlining does make the lettering pop.

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (center), Link+ Simple mode.

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (center), Link+ Simple mode.

Link+ Design mode (bottom), Mini Link 3 (top).

Link+ Design mode (left), Mini Link 3 (right).

I find surprisingly little difference between these illustrations printed by the Mini Link 3 and the Mini Link+, even in Design mode. Strange because this is where FujiFilm’s new printer is supposed to excel. Nevertheless, they all look good enough for hobbyists, and anyone looking to spice up a journal or decorate a room.

1/7

USB-C charging with a user-replaceable battery if you live in Europe.

After printing 15 photos over the last few days, the battery on the Instax Mini Link+ is still at 80 percent. The battery charges over USB-C, and, if you’re in Europe, the FujiFilm NP-70S battery can be user-replaced when it no longer holds a charge.

From my testing, I think it’s clear that if you want the best photo quality available in an Instax printer, then the $169.95 Mini Link+ is the one to get. It also makes the case for being a worthy upgrade for some Mini Link 3 owners, so long as you’re not expecting improved prints of text-heavy illustrations.

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But its price puts the Mini Link+ into direct competition with dye-sublimation printers like the Canon Selphy QX20 which yields prints that are sharp and accurate with better resistance to water and fading. Otherwise, the Mini Link 3 is still a great printer for the price, and the soft, moody images it prints is a vibe worth $100.

Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

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Technology

Jury finds Elon Musk’s ‘stupid tweets’ caused Twitter investors’ losses

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Jury finds Elon Musk’s ‘stupid tweets’ caused Twitter investors’ losses

A California jury determined that Elon Musk misled Twitter investors before making a $44 billion deal to buy the company in 2022, reports CNBC. The New York Times reports that Musk had testified this month that he didn’t believe his posts would spook markets, but he did say that “If this was a trial about whether I made stupid tweets, I would say I’m guilty.”

CNBC reports Musk’s attorneys are expected to file an appeal, as damages could reach as high as $2.6 billion, according to attorneys representing the plaintiffs.

While finding that Musk did not engage in a specific scheme to defraud shareholders, the jury cited two of Musk’s tweets, from May 13th and May 27th, 2022, as materially false or misleading, causing some investors to sell shares in Twitter at values below the $54.20 per share bid.

Twitter deal temporarily on hold pending details supporting calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users

20% fake/spam accounts, while 4 times what Twitter claims, could be *much* higher.

My offer was based on Twitter’s SEC filings being accurate.

Yesterday, Twitter’s CEO publicly refused to show proof of

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This deal cannot move forward until he does.

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AI smart glasses could generate fake photos instantly

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AI smart glasses could generate fake photos instantly

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Smart glasses are gaining new momentum thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). Companies like Google, Meta, Samsung and possibly Apple are exploring AI-powered glasses that combine cameras, speakers, voice assistants and computer vision in a wearable device.

At first glance, the features sound familiar. Smart glasses can take photos, give directions, answer questions and help you navigate the world hands-free. However, a recent demo hints at something much bigger.

These glasses may soon generate or alter photos instantly. In other words, the image you capture may no longer reflect what was actually there.

That raises an important question: If AI can change a photo the moment it is taken, how do we know what is real anymore?

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Google product lead Dieter Bohn demonstrates prototype AI smart glasses during a demo showing how the device can capture and modify photos using generative AI. (X/ @backlon)

A new AI trick inside smart glasses

During a demo of upcoming smart glasses, Google’s Dieter Bohn showed how the device could capture a photo and modify it using AI. The prototype, shown as Android XR glasses with a display, connects to Google’s generative AI tools, including Google Gemini and an experimental image generator called Nano Banana.

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In the demonstration, Bohn asked the glasses to take a photo of people in the room. Then he gave another command. He asked the system to place those people in front of the famous church in Barcelona that he could not remember by name.

Within moments, the AI produced a new image showing the group standing in front of the Sagrada Família. The people in the photo never traveled to Spain. The background came from AI. To someone viewing the image later, it could look like a real travel photo.

Smart glasses are following the same playbook

The hardware approach behind these devices looks similar across the industry.

Most smart glasses include:

  • A built-in camera
  • Speakers for audio feedback
  • A microphone and a voice assistant
  • Computer vision powered by AI
  • Navigation and contextual information
  • Optional displays inside the lenses

This design mirrors products like the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, which combine sunglasses with an AI assistant and camera. Those glasses already allow users to capture photos, livestream video and ask questions using voice commands. However, the editing tools currently available inside Meta’s glasses focus more on artistic effects. For example, the system can transform photos into a cartoon or painting style. The goal is creative expression rather than photorealistic manipulation. Google’s demo hints at something different. It shows how AI can place people into entirely new scenes that never happened.

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A close-up of prototype Android XR glasses with a built-in display, part of Google’s concept for AI-powered smart glasses. (X/ @backlon)

Why this matters for photography

AI-generated images already exist across social media. Smartphones have also introduced powerful editing tools. Google’s Pixel phones, for example, have leaned heavily into AI photography with tools that remove objects, adjust lighting and generate backgrounds.

The difference with smart glasses is speed. The technology removes the delay between taking a photo and editing it. Instead of capturing an image and opening editing software later, the AI can change the photo immediately. That could make altered images far more common. Photos that once served as proof of where someone was or what happened may become harder to trust.

The demo still leaves open questions

It is important to note that the Google demo was short and carefully staged. The company acknowledged that parts of the video were edited. That suggests the AI process may take longer in real-world conditions.

There is also the question of reliability. Generative AI tools sometimes produce mistakes, strange artifacts or unrealistic details. Still, even an imperfect system could change how people interact with cameras and images. As the technology improves, the gap between real and AI-generated photos may shrink.

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What this means for you

Smart glasses could soon become another everyday device. That means the way we capture and share images may shift again. If these tools become common, you may start seeing photos that were generated or heavily modified by AI. A picture posted online may look like a real moment from someone’s life. In reality, it could be a mix of real people and AI-generated scenery. That does not mean every image is fake. It does mean digital images may carry less proof than they once did. Understanding how AI editing works can help you approach viral photos, travel shots or dramatic images with a healthy level of skepticism.

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses combine cameras, speakers and an AI assistant, showing how wearable devices are bringing artificial intelligence into everyday eyewear.  (Meta)

How to spot AI-generated or altered photos

AI editing tools are becoming easier to use. That means altered images may appear more often online. A few habits can help you avoid being misled.

1) Question images that look too perfect

If a photo looks unusually polished or dramatic, pause before assuming it is real. AI images often create scenes that feel cinematic or unusually clean.

2) Look closely at small details

AI systems sometimes struggle with small elements. Check hands, reflections, shadows and background objects for strange shapes or mismatched lighting.

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3) Check where the image came from

If a photo spreads quickly online, try to trace the original source. Reverse image search can reveal if the picture appeared somewhere else first.

4) Be cautious with viral travel or event photos

AI tools can place people into locations they have never visited. A convincing background does not guarantee that the moment actually happened.

5) Watch for photos used in scams or misinformation

AI-generated images can appear in fake travel posts, romance scams or misleading news claims. If a photo appears alongside urgent requests for money or emotional stories, take time to verify it before reacting. Avoid clicking suspicious links and consider using strong antivirus software that can block malicious websites and scam pages before they load. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

6) Treat photos online as information, not proof

Photos once served as strong evidence of where someone was or what occurred. With generative AI, an image may be a mix of real people and computer-generated scenes.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Smart glasses promise convenience, hands-free computing and powerful AI tools. At the same time, they blur the line between photography and digital creation. Technology keeps pushing toward a world where capturing a moment and generating one can happen in the same instant. The devices themselves may become smaller and smarter. The challenge may be deciding how much we trust the images they produce.

So here is the question worth asking. If AI glasses can create realistic photos of places you’ve never visited, will pictures still count as proof of reality? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Microsoft is ending the Windows Update nightmare — and letting you pause them indefinitely

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Microsoft is ending the Windows Update nightmare — and letting you pause them indefinitely

While Microsoft isn’t doing away with automatic updates entirely, Windows boss Pavan Davuluri is promising that in future, you’ll be able to pause them “for as long as you need.” You’ll be able to reboot or shut down your computer “without being forced to install them.” To be fair to Microsoft, I’ve seen an option to reboot or shutdown without updating for a while now.

Even if you fail to pause them, you’ll only have to reboot your computer once a month, Microsoft promises — though its says you’ll be able to get updates faster if you wish. If you’re the kind of user who wants new features so quickly that you’re part of the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft says it’ll make that easier and make it clearer what you’ll get.

And as part of those updates, Microsoft says that this year, it will improve performance, responsiveness and stability, reduce memory consumption, make File Explorer and other apps launch and run faster, reduce crashes, improve drivers, make devices wake up more reliably, and much, much more.

It feels like Microsoft has also taken our feedback about the recent ridiculous hour-plus setup process for some Windows handhelds and laptops to heart. Davuluri writes that we’ll have “the ability to skip updates during device setup to get to the desktop faster.” And even if you sit through, there should be “fewer pages and reboots to getting started is simpler.” Plus, Microsoft will finally let you use gamepad controls to create your PIN during setup, instead of making you smudge the touchscreen.

Bravo, Microsoft, if this is all true, and if you can implement it in a reasonable length of time.

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Davuluri writes that his team has spent months analyzing the feedback of Windows users, and “What came through was the voice of people who care deeply about Windows and want it to be better.”

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