A new Microsoft patent reveals the company is working on an autonomous smart home system for Windows devices.
This “multi-device cross-experience” will be powered by artificial intelligence, according to tech news site Windows Report. It enables connected hardware to communicate with each other via “advertising” and without direct user input. Advertising in this context doesn’t refer to literal commercials but rather signal transmissions. Gadgets on the system will be constantly communicating with each other, triggering actions if criteria are met. For example, an electric car may send a notification to the owner’s smartphone or laptop informing them that they left the door open. Or you could transfer a phone call from one device to another.
As a side note, we’re not entirely sure why these transmissions are called ads. Perhaps Microsoft is invoking the image of advertisements – bits of information constantly bombarding the peripherals of this proposed smart home network.
Smart by design
Technology like this already exists in some form. As Windows Report points out, Microsoft’s system functions similarly to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Seamless and Samsung Galaxy Connected. These two are cross-platform networks that allow connected devices “to discover each other and share information” seamlessly, hence their names.
The main difference with Microsoft’s version is the aforementioned AI enabling its system to “intelligently decide… when to act”. It’s explained in the patent that the AI allows network gadgets to send out contextually appropriate notifications to users. Plus, it can determine if another device is needed for the scenario. What’s more, various connectivity standards will be supported. This includes, but is not limited to, Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, cellular signals, “and even cloud connections.”
There is one major flaw in all of this. The author of the patent states the system requires an enormous amount of power to work. Devices will have their batteries quickly depleted when they’re connected because they’re constantly sending out signals on the network.
What’s next
It’s unknown when Microsoft’s autonomous smart home system will launch, if at all. The tech appears to still be in its early stages, although Windows Reports believes it could arrive soon. The publication argues the recent introduction of Copilot and the company’s proclamation of 2024 being the year of AI as signs of what’s coming down the line. It also points to rumors claiming Windows 12 will receive “groundbreaking AI”.
In our opinion, the new network probably won’t be coming out for a while – assuming it exists in the first place. While the presence of a US patent suggests Microsoft’s interest in the project, many patents never see the light of day as commercial products. What’s more the document offers multiple examples of how the system could work, however, it doesn’t describe exactly how it works.
If you’re interested in reading what Microsoft is cooking up, the patent can be read for free on the official website of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Be warned, the material is pretty dense.
There’s been plenty of whispers about AMD’s Zen 5 architecture, including possible release delays. However, a new report asserts that the upcoming Ryzen processor will be released on schedule.
According to AMD’s latest earnings call for Q4 2024, a representative confirmed that “Zen 5 is on track for the consumer market for the second half of [2024],” as reported by Paul Alcorn of Tom’s Hardware. However, AMD hasn’t narrowed down which of its processors will launch in that release window, but it seems to be between the desktop Grinate or the mobile Strix Point.
Earlier rumors surrounding the Ryzen 8000G series processors and the Ryzen 5700X3D support this assertion and might even worry Intel. All of this could be arriving around the middle or the end of 2024.
AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su also confirmed that Turin, based on Zen 5, will be coming out in the second half of 2024 as well. According to hardware leaker Kepler, the Ryzen X3D series packing Zen 5 should make its debut during CES 2025. If all these rumors and reports are true, then it seems like AMD has a stacked year.
AMD and Intel going head to head
AMD is gunning for Intel’s Arrow Lake if the 2024 launch for Zen 5 Ryzen processors turns out to be true. They may have a big target. Team Blue’s CEO Pat Gelsinger has also been adamant about the Arrow Lake processors with 3-node technology releasing this year, despite disappointing revenue during the first quarter of 2024.
If both Team Red and Team Blue can launch their Ryzen 8000 and Arrow Lake processors this year, this could mean a nasty rivalry between the two tech giants. As such, any one of these could be one of the best AMD processors and best Intel processors, competing for the best processor spot.
However, according to a recent rumor, Intel won’t be launching Arrow Lake until late 2024, which gives AMD some breathing room if it gets its Zen 5 Ryzen processor out before then. And that puts Intel at a disadvantage, especially if AMD manages to get a foothold in the market.
Whatever you’ve heard or read about Apple‘s new Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset, nothing quite prepares you for seeing it in person, putting it on, and experiencing for the first time Apple’s vision for spatial computing. You realize quite quickly that this is more than a marketing term, it’s a new approach to the digital experience.
I’m still getting a feel for the glass, aluminum, and fabric system but I thought I’d start by sharing my first hours with the $3499 (to start), US-only mixed reality headset. It was mostly smooth sailing with one early, albeit tiny, bump in the road.
Apple Vision Pro box (Image credit: Future)
A package arrives
January 30th 4:30 PM:
The box arrives! It’s large because Apple sent me both the 1TB Apple Vision Pro ($3,899) and a carrying case ($199). Inside is a tall white box that reminds me of oversized iPhone packaging. I mean, it is different, but also oddly familiar – at least on the outside.
The carrying case looks like it might be more at home on the moon. A covering I initially took for packaging is the case’s Apollo-mission space-suit-like material. I quickly put the case aside so I could get to the business of unboxing the fruits of Apple’s first new product category in almost a decade.
While it’s not remotely cramped, there is a lot in the Vision Pro box. First is the spatial computer itself, nestled comfortably inside with its Solo Knit Band already attached. Every accessory is wrapped in Apple-ly cardboard. There’s the Dual Loop Band, which can replace the Solo Knit Band and potentially offer more support for the 1.3lb. headset. The bands are easy to swap but I’m determined to try wearing the Vision Pro with the default gear (though in most of my previous brief demos, I preferred the Dual Loop and wish Apple had created a hybrid that combines the Solo Knit with a top loop band).
There’s an extra Light Seal Cushion. They come in a few sizes but I also have to use the thicker one because I’ll be wearing the Vision Pro with my optional custom Zeiss lens inserts (an extra $149).
There’s a cover to protect the Vision Pro’s lustrous glass front, and a cleaning cloth to wipe away the smudges that instantly appear when you pick it up.
There’s the battery which is attached to a cable that runs to a proprietary power port on the Vision Pro. While some might think it odd that Apple didn’t simply go with a USB-C charge port, I think that would stick too far out from the headset and look more awkward than the battery-power solution Apple cooked up.
There’s also a USB-C cable and power adapter to charge the battery.
What comes in the box. (Image credit: Future)
Unboxing Vision Pro
5:00 PM ET
I unbox the Vision Pro during a TikTok live stream. While doing so, I realized that Apple still has my Zeiss lens inserts. Without them, the visuals in the headset will be blurry. I decide to plug in the battery to charge it up while I wait for the Zeiss lenses to arrive.
In the meantime, I examine the Vision Pro and practice swapping the Solo Knit for the Dual Loop Band. It’s an easy process because, like almost everything else on the Vision Pro, the bands are held in place mostly by magnets or magnetized posts. Things easily pop off. I noticed that if I picked up the wrong part of the Vision Pro, the whole light seal would pop off. Again, super easy to put back on.
I pop one light seal foam off and put the thinner one on to see how it looks and feels. The difference between the two is barely perceptible.
6:00 PM ET
Time to take some photos of the Vision Pro
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7:15PM ET
My custom Zeiss lenses arrive. Now the fun begins. To get started, I connect the power to the side of the Vision Pro. It’s a push-and-turn operation, similar to how you might mount a lens of a DSLR. It’s easy (very little with the Vision Pro isn’t easy). Next, I insert my lenses, which are clearly marked left and right and, like everything else, snap in with strong magnets. These lenses are not going anywhere.
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Setup is familiar
Vision Pro starts by teaching you about using Vision Pro (there’s also a nice booklet-sized, color manual to help you get started). It explains the eye tracking and subtle gestures you use to control the device. I think Apple did a good job here.
There are a few steps to go through to get set including making sure the pupillary distance is right (just a press of the digital crown), scanning my Zeiss lens code, scanning a code with my phone to get it properly paired with my iPhone and set up with my Apple ID details, scanning the front and backs of your hands, and the process of staring at a circle of dots (three sets) while pinching my thumb and index finger, which calibrates the system.
The headset also asks if I want to set up Optic ID, which registers my Iris for some security and commerce functions but, though I try multiple times, I can’t get it to work.
I start by using the Solo Knit Band, which means the headset is fairly tight on my face. However, the back of the band is, at least initially, more comfortable than the Dual-Loop.
As with any VR or mixed reality headset, there are prominent safety reminders including, Stay Aware of Your Surroundings, Use in Safe Areas, and Take Frequent Breaks.
It’s during the setup that I learn that Vision Pro is not intended for kids, or at least anyone under 13.
Meet my Persona
My Vision Pro Persona (Image credit: Future)
You can’t get around creating a Persona, which is a digital representation of you that will be used in things like FaceTime and Zoom calls, so you don’t have to appear on camera wearing the headset and looking ridiculous (I did this once or twice).
Vision Pro guides me to take off the headset, and then use the system’s 3D cameras to capture my face (left side, right side, top, bottom), as well as a couple of expressions. It takes less than a minute for Vision Pro to build my Persona (the system is still in beta, by the way).
I decide to slide the battery pack into my front pocket.
With the questions about transferring existing data and keeping the device up to date with updates, sharing audio recordings with Apple, Apple Pay and Card setup, this is a lot like setting up an iPhone. You go through virtually all the same steps.
I make a FaceTime call to my wife in the other room. Her reaction to my digital persona is not exactly enthusiastic. She calls it disturbing. My son says it reminds him of one of those AI avatars in sci-fi movies that can only answer questions they’ve been pre-programmed to answer (see iRobot for reference). I ask my wife to grab some screenshots and send them to me (see above).
I think it did a decent job, though Apple appears to have shaved my goatee and fixed my teeth, the latter of which I do not mind.
7:35PM ET
The visuals are still pretty astounding. The home screen floats in my home office with icons sharp enough to touch (I like how some interface elements look like frosted glass – such an Apple thing to do). I use Siri to open Safari. The expert integration of Siri throughout the system is a nice revelation. Imagine if it had worked this well when Apple launched it on the iPhone 4s.
7:50PM ET
Had to take a break because it was hurting my forehead.
The right fit and an endless desktop
The home screen that you reach by pressing the Digital Crown. (Image credit: Future)
8:10PM ET
Switched to Dual Loop Band. Now that I got the adjustment right, I think it’s more comfortable.
I want to play Wordle, as I do every night, but to do so, I must use Vision Pro’s Safari instead of the Chrome browser I usually use on my Mac. This means I have to sign into my NY Times account again, which gives me a nice opportunity to use the virtual keyboard. It lets you type on an AR keyboard in the air using your fingers. It’s pretty cool, though without tactile feedback, typos proliferate.
My two-factor authentication uses my iPhone, which I naturally cannot unlock with FaceID but, fortunately, my PIN works fine. I never have to take off the headset to see my phone or anything else, for that matter. The passthrough is good enough that I can always see whatever I need to see.
Apple Vision Pro with the Dual Loop Band. (Image credit: Future)
I’ve been typing on my MacBook Pro M3 and get ready to expand my desktop into augmented reality. Using the control panel, I access the Mac Virtual Display. Vision Pro immediately finds my MacBook and once I select it, the Mac Screen goes dark and a giant virtual MacBook desktop appears floating in front of me. No more looking down at a laptop screen! Of course, I still have to occasionally look at my hands to type. Later when I switch to my real desktop it feels incredibly cramped.
I’m a bit torn about the control panel system. You access it by looking up at a tiny green arrow near the top of your viewport. The Control Center, which is one level down, looks like the one that you’d find on the iPhone but with some Vision Pro-specific touches. I just feel like that little arrow is one of the rare, non-obvious interface bits in the Vision Pro system.
Adding Mac Virtual Desktop to my Vision Pro interface. (Image credit: Future)
Immersive landcapes and the real feel
8:30PM ET
Have not solved Wordle, which is not designed for this interface but the gaze and pinch system of letter selection works well enough. Itching to have some more immersive fun.
I try the moon environment, which virtually puts you on the surface of the moon. I spin the digital crown to make the environment fully immersive and then realize that by doing that, I can no longer see my keyboard – just my hands floating about the dusty, gray surface of the moon.
I take a break from typing and get ready to sample the 3D version of Avatar: Way of Water….Oh, wait, I have to pay for that. Never mind.
I choose Prehistoric Planet: Immersive, which is just wild. The visuals here are stunning. This is what I imagined when I first started thinking about virtual reality. Having a realistic dinosaur just centimeters from your face changes you.
Vision Pro control panel. (Image credit: Future)
Perfect for panoramas and meeting EyeSight
8:40PM ET
I switch back to Wordle to give it another shot. I’m enjoying moving things around my endless virtual desktop.
Do some screen recording, which shows the view inside the Vision Pro, and then I switch to checking out my own panoramic photos. There is simply no better platform for viewing all these photos than the Vision Pro. I have almost 150 panoramic images in my library and I can finally see them in all their vivid detail and beauty. In a photo of a lovely rainbow cresting over my neighborhood, I spot colors I previously missed.
The spatial videography that I captured on my Phone 15 Pro Max looks great.
I leave my home office and walk into the living room. It’s easy enough to use the digital crown to dial back the immersion so I can see where I’m going. I sit down on the couch next to my wife and as I start to talk to her she appears slowly, breaking through the immersive landscape as if coming through a fog. On her side, she can see my “eyes” in the Vision Pro’s front display. I could almost hear the air quotes in her voice. She did not love the look of Vision Pro Eyesight, which creates a simulacrum of my eyes and their movements based on what the internal cameras can see.
The view of my Vision Pro EyeSight in action. (Image credit: Future)
The home movie house
9:05PM ET
I discover that I can use my MacBook mouse across all the apps floating in my virtual desktop; it doesn’t matter if they’re native to macOS or visionOS.
While the Vision Pro works with virtually all iOS and iPadOS apps, I wanted to see what the platform could do with apps that were built for it. There are, at the moment, about 20 such apps. I install a half-dozen free ones.
I load up Disney Plus and am even able to copy and paste a password from the Mac Pro into the Vision Pro Disney Plus app. I love how smoothly the different platforms work together.
It takes a beat to download an environment like the Avengers Tower.
9:30PM ET
The degree to which I enjoy watching 3D movies with the Vision Pro surprises me. Watching Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness in the darkened Avengers Tower environment takes me back to being in a real movie theater. Even though the headset has some heft, I’m noticing it less and less. I’m sure I can handle a two-hour movie in this thing. Where is my popcorn?
As I type this, I realize that my pocket is warm. The battery does generate some heat while in use. Also, I see I’m down to 37% power. Doubtful I’ll make it through this whole movie.
Battery life
9:45PM ET
Down to 20% battery life. Movies seem to drain the battery fast.
Found a game called Loona. There’s an adorable blue character. When I look at her (it?) and pinch my fingers she hiccups and giggles. It’s intoxicating. Loona turns out to be a calming puzzle game that I manipulate by pinching and dragging pieces into place.
I switch back to the movie. What a wonderful experience.
10:05PM ET
Vision Pro ran out of power. The battery is warm. Time to recharge and catch some shuteye.
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(Image credit: Future)
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January 31, 7AM ET
My goal is to work, play, and learn about the headset all day long. Instead of running solely off battery power, I’m keeping the battery plugged into a wall outlet. This has the unfortunate side effect of doubling the number of wires running near my body. Not a big deal but I can’t just get up and walk away from my desk.
Just realized I never finished Wordle. Oh well, there goes that streak.
While I’ve viewed a lot of spatial imagery through the headset, both in demos with Apple, and during my first day with Vision Pro, I’d never taken a spatial photo or video with the device.
I press the dedicated button on the upper left side of the headset and it asks about location tracking (I set it to While using the App), and then lets you toggle between spatial photos or video with a gesture. I take a spatial photo, which is pretty straightforward, but when I take a video, there’s on-screen visual guidance that seeks to keep the view straight and fixed in one position.
The 3D spatial photo of my hand is so good it’s creepy.
The 3D spatial video, despite the somewhat annoying visual guidance, looks excellent.
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(Image credit: Future)
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Showing your work
7:30AM ET
Noticing that some of the interface text nearest to me and at the bottom of the field of view is broken into two images. Not sure if something has gone wrong with the calibration.
The system just asked me to move the Vision Pro slightly to the left on my head. It’s constantly tracking my eyes, so perhaps it noticed the eye-tracking was slightly off. That may have solved my little parallax issue.
Been experimenting with capture. I don’t know how to just record my Persona in action, besides having someone else screen-record my call. I try doing it by screen recording the view of my Persona in Settings but the recording also captures all my real-world head movements, making the video unwatchable.
I did just discover that the easiest way to capture a screenshot of your Vision Pro environment is to simply ask Siri to grab a screenshot of the desktop. It works perfectly every time.
7:53AM ET
I experience my first app crash. The App Store stopped responding and then it disappeared. Can’t seem to get my virtual keyboard to appear at all in the App Store or Safari.
Answering questions
8:06AM ET
Pull the headset off for a short break, not because I’m uncomfortable but because I want to let the rest of my face breathe.
8:20AM ET
Back in it and the keyboard malfunction appears to have solved itself. Realize that if I make my Virtual Mac Desktop too large and put it too high on the Vision Pro desktop, I’m craning my neck to read what’s at the top. Making adjustments.
I haven’t spent much time in environments but I think I prefer them dialed in about 50% when working. 100% and I can’t see my physical keyboard and the atmospheric audio is maybe a bit too much for the workday.
Someone asks me on Threads if there’s a lot of light leakage. I tell them little, if any. I notice just a bit around my nose, but, especially in passthrough mode, your real-world blends seamlessly with the augmented one. It’s quite something.
My wife asks me if I feel disoriented when I remove the headset. I don’t. Perhaps that’s because I’m often using it with the real-world view intact. Still, I think it has a lot to do with the virtual quality and eye-tracking capabilities.
Heading into video meetings that my Vision Pro persona does not support.
Using the Apple Vision Pro virtual keyboard. (Image credit: Future)
Ready to game
10:00AM ET
I want to tie off this initial test run with a game. Apple provided an Xbox controller that I should be able to hook up to the Vision Pro and play some Apple Arcade Games.
Turns out there are a lot of simple mini-games designed explicitly for the Vision Pro. I end up playing What the Golf, which takes me a little while to master. Later I connect the controller and use it to play Asphalt 8: Airborne Plus. I find that I prefer these virtual gaming screens as large as possible and often with the Environment immersion turned to 100. I do think gamers who can afford it will come to love the Vision Pro.
Asphalt 8 in Vision Pro. (Image credit: Future)
10:45AM ET
I end up playing for just 15 minutes before getting back to work. I launch Photoshop on my MacBook Pro and try editing photos on the big screen. It’s generally a good experience though I do wonder if I’m seeing the most accurate colors on the Vision Pro Virtual Mac Display.
As I’m working, an iMessage alert comes through. I pinch on the floating iMessage icon and it launches iMessage where I can read it in the app. I could use the Virtual keyboard to type my reply, but it’s not good for any more than a few words of typing. I want to use the MacBook’s keyboard, but since that app is not inside the Mac, I can’t. So I switch to iMessage on the Mac for full control and the ability to type on a physical keyboard.
Initial thoughts
Wearing Apple Vision Pro. (Image credit: Future)
What did I learn from the first two days with Apple Vision Pro? It delivers on its promises. It’s versatile and powerful. The eye and gesture tracking is almost faultless. I only had to occasionally remind myself that a hand hanging down at my side would not be seen by the system cameras.
While I’d struggled to find a comfortable fit in some of my demo experiences, the time and space to select my best fit with the Dual Loop Band resulted in long-term comfort. I wore it for an hour or more at a time without any pain or discomfort.
It’s as good at fun and content consumption as it is at work. I especially appreciated the Mac virtual display integration, something I now believe could transform my work life. I’ve always wanted a bigger desktop and now I have an almost limitless one.
For all that, I still don’t know if I would spend $3,500 on it. The reality is that I don’t even spend that much on my computers (if I can help it). Is a device that’s equal parts work machine and entertainment room worth those extra bucks? Maybe. To be fair, it’s early days and I may have a more concrete opinion when I finish my review.
Looking for this week’s best Target TV deals? I’m rounding up all the best offers on this page, with a wide range of sizes and prices on 4K, QLED, and OLED TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, Vizio, TCL, and Hisense.
Target’s TV deals include everything from big-screen budget sets to premium OLED displays, with competitive prices, so there’s hopefully something for everyone. Right now is a particularly great time to pick up a bargain, thanks to impressive Super Bowl TV deals at the retail giant, with record-low prices from all the top brands.
Below, you’ll find all the best Target TV deals, which will be updated weekly with all the top offers. If you’re looking for more bargains, you can visit our main TV deals guide, and if you’re after a premium display, you can check out our OLED TV deals roundup.
Are you throwing a Super Bowl party? Or maybe you want to upgrade your TV or home appliance to watch the game at home. Either way, Target has a massive Super Bowl sale with deals on everything you need for the big game, including TVs, air fryers, soundbars, NFL gear, and party essentials.
I’ve listed all the best deals below, which include Super Bowl TV deals from brands like LG and Samsung, cheap soundbars starting at $149.99, and cooking appliances from Ninja, Crock-Pot, and Instant Pot. Some highlights include this TCL 65-inch 4K smart TV on sale for an excellent price of $399.99, the best-selling Instant Pot pressure cooker marked down to $79.99, and LG’s stunning 65-inch C3 OLED TV on sale for a record-low price of $1,599.99.
Below, I’ve listed links to Target’s most popular sale categories, followed by today’s best Super Bowl deals. If you’re interested in more TV bargains, you can visit our main Super Bowl TV deals guide for all the best offers around the web.
Artificial Intelligence has become the common technology term these days and developers and service providers have already started leveraging the capabilities of AI to improve their services. However, most of the AI large language models have been developed by US-based companies like OpenAI, Meta, etc. Now, to complete China has approved around 40 artificial intelligence models for public use. The recent approval includes 14 new large language models from prominent Chinese companies such as Xiaomi Corp (1810.HK), 3Paradigm (6682.HK), and 01.AI, marking the fourth round of approvals for public use. This move is indicative of China’s commitment to fostering innovation and technological advancements in the realm of AI. China’s AI language approval history The regulatory framework in China requires companies to seek approval for their large language models intended for public use, a process initiated in August. The first batch of approvals, granted in August, featured industry giants like Baidu (9888.HK), Alibaba (9988.HK), and ByteDance, showcasing the nation’s emphasis on ensuring responsible and regulated deployment of AI technologies. Subsequent to the initial approvals, November and December witnessed the regulatory bodies granting approval for two additional batches of large language models. The recent approval of 14 more models signifies China’s sustained efforts to establish a comprehensive and diverse ecosystem of AI applications. While the specific details of the approved large language models remain undisclosed, reports from Securities Times suggest that around 40 AI models have received approval for public use. This underscores China’s strategic focus on cultivating a competitive AI landscape and signifies the nation’s determination to play a leading role in the global AI arena. The continuous expansion of approved AI models aligns with China’s broader goals of advancing technological capabilities and contributing to the ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence on a global scale.
OpenAI has announced a new feature for its AI-chatbot — ChatGPT that allows users to interact with custom GPTs easily. The new feature is aimed at offering ChatGPT users an easy way to enable custom GPTs and interact with them to get the desired results. “You can now bring GPTs into any conversation in ChatGPT – simply type @ and select the GPT. This allows you to add relevant GPTs with the full context of the conversation,” said the company in a post on X. OpenAI integrates custom GPTs into ChatGPT’s chat box ChatGPT now has the option to bring up any GPT into any conversation just by typing “@” symbol right within the chat box.This saves users from the effort of opening the GPT Store in the ChatGPT, finding the GPT they want to use and then clicking on it to start using. With the new feature, users can directly type the GPT name with the “@” symbol and start interacting with it in the middle of any conversation. This allows users to add relevant GPTs with full context of the ongoing conversation. Open AI has also dropped a small video showcasing the feature in action. According to the video, users need to login into their ChatGPT account and start interacting with it. The moment they feel the need of a custom GPT for a specific task, all they need to do is type @ symbol in the chat box and choose the GPT they want to pull up in the conversation. Bard offers a similar function, but for different services Google’s Bard also has a somewhat similar feature available where users can type the @ symbol and then choose one of the available services like YouTube, Google Workspace apps, Gmail, Flights, Drive, etc.
Creating content and sharing our lives online has become the norm, but not everybody can just sit down at their computer and put together high-quality video footage. Editing can be complicated even for advanced users. With Wondershare Filmora, it doesn’t have to be. Filmora 13.1.0, the latest update to the video editing suite from Wondershare, was designed to make content creation accessible to all, regardless of skill level. Ease of use doesn’t mean lacking in functionality, though, and Filmora is packed with useful features to give your videos an extra kick.
AI Music Generator and Text-to-Speech
(Image credit: Wondershare)
Sometimes we just want to create and share videos about our day-to-day lives, but we want to make those videos more interesting with background music. If you’ve taken an incredible vacation and want to share video footage of your adventure, you’re going to need music to accompany that, even if you’re just planning to share the footage with family and friends. However, finding the right music for your videos can be time-consuming.
Filmora offers a solution with their AI Music Generator tools that can help you create soundtracks for your videos that fit your vibe and are safe to commercialize. With Filmora you can easily make those shareable moments in your life look and sound good without worry. Filmora’s latest slate of enhancements makes it even easier to use, as well, allowing you to utilize Text-to-Speech to add voice-overs to your vlogs with natural-sounding tones that are categorized by scene type.
Vlogs are not the only content that can benefit from these new features, either. Many of us have taken our educational endeavors online in recent years. Teachers and professors have had to find new ways to engage their students via video, becoming content creators in the process. Soundtracks created with Filmora’s AI Music Generator can help set the tone for your lectures. Text-To-Speech to translate your lesson, giving your students clear, natural-sounding audio that is easy for them to understand and easy for you to create.
Special effects for everybody
Some stories are too good not to be told, but not everybody has the backing of a major motion picture studio at their disposal. Filmora 13.1.0 features improved professional caliber tools that allow you to easily create short films and music videos with ease, regardless of skill level (or production teams.)
Special effects have traditionally been thought of as an extremely skill-dependent part of content creation and cinematography. Filmora demystifies special effects. With just a few clicks of your mouse, your video’s action sequences can be taken up a notch with realistic motion blur that can be customized to suit your specific needs. Want to draw extra attention to a particular element in a scene? Filmora features a Lens Zoom Effect to simulate camera zoom, giving you creative freedom to hone in on a part of a scene and further enhance your storytelling. Get ready for your close-up, a well-timed zoom-in can set the scene and change the tone of your video.
With the ability to digitally zoom also comes the option for digital magnification. The Magnifying Glass Tool in Filmora makes it easy for you, as an editor, to examine a scene in your video by getting up close and personal with it. Zoom in, make adjustments, correct your footage as necessary, and then return the frame to its proper size with the corrections intact. That’s professional-quality editing with no more effort than a few clicks of your mouse.
Create with the power of the cloud
Whether you’re creating with the power of a production team or you’re a personal creator looking to share your life, one thing remains true: video content is a resource hog. If you’re working on projects that involve others, you may find that harnessing the power of the creative cloud can streamline the process and make it more accessible for everybody involved.
Filmora 13 features improvements to Cloud Resource Management and Beautification tools, making it easier to enable migration of custom LUTs to cloud storage. Seamless synchronization allows you and your collaborators to color-grade assets across multiple devices, streamlining remote work and improving your workflow. Custom LUTs can even allow for the direct import of media files from cloud storage. If your video content features episodic content and color grading is important, the cloud-based custom LUT feature of Filmora 13 can streamline that process by allowing you to enhance and color grade your footage with the power of the cloud.
Every day editing at a professional scale
With Filmora from Wondershare, creators of all skill levels can create professional quality videos and content with ease. From the DIY homemaker creating short content for YouTube to full-scale production teams working on episodic content, Filmora’s suite of tools can help you put out the best content with less work. Wondershare continues to work and improve Filmora with each upgrade so that you can spend less time editing and more time creating.
Amazon India continually seeks to enhance the online shopping experience for consumers through innovative tools and features. These endeavours aim to promote convenience, security, affordability, and facilitate seamless product discovery. Below, we offer a brief overview of some of these useful tools and guidance on how to locate them, empowering you to become a savvy shopper!
Discover top-notch bargains within the ‘Today’s Deals’ section
Exclusive shopping events such as Prime Day and the Amazon Great Indian Festival aren’t the sole occasions to discover bargains across your preferred categories.Daily, you have the opportunity to explore and purchase from a wide array of deals spanning various categories by visiting the ‘Today’s Deals’ page. This page presents a diverse selection of limited-time deals featuring popular, reputable brands. Additionally, Prime members can further refine their search by filtering for Prime Exclusive deals, unlocking access to exclusive benefits reserved for members.
Create ‘Lists’ to organise items of interest and monitor deals and rewards
‘Lists’ serve as a helpful method for monitoring items you intend to purchase but are not prepared to buy immediately. By default, all Lists are private; however, you have the option to share your list and invite others to collaborate, particularly for events like birthdays, parties, and other gatherings.
Use ‘Keep shopping for’ to resume your browsing from where you last left of
f In the Amazon Shopping app, navigate to the Me icon (depicted as a person) located at the bottom of the screen to access ‘Keep shopping for’. Alternatively, this option can be found on the mobile app’s home page. For desktop users, the feature is prominently displayed at the top of the Amazon.in homepage as ‘Pick up where you left off’. When searching for previously viewed products within the mobile app through the Me tab, you’ll discover all the items you were considering neatly categorised. Upon selecting any category, you’ll find your previously viewed products along with similar items, best sellers, deals, and top-rated items within that category, facilitating informed purchasing decisions tailored to your preferences.
Visualise products in your space using augmented reality virtual viewing
This functionality ensures that you won’t have to fret over whether your new couch will fit into your living room. Utilising the Amazon Shopping app, customers can visualise how specific products, such as furniture or TVs, will appear within their home environment by selecting the ‘View in your room’ option found on designated product detail pages. Upon scanning the intended area, this tool seamlessly integrates the item into the space, allowing you to assess its physical dimensions and visual compatibility with your existing decor. Additionally, you have the flexibility to manipulate the item’s placement and orientation as needed.
Complete your online purchase and then collect it at a nearby Amazon Pick Up Store
Amazon provides the option to buy online and collect your items from an Amazon Pick Up Store, available for select products and PIN codes. This allows you to pick up your purchase instead of having it delivered. Opting for this service enables you to collect your order from a nearby Amazon Pick Up Store at a time convenient for you, particularly beneficial if you lack a physical delivery address. Simply select an Amazon Pick Up Store in your area to finalise your order.
Experience virtual try-ons for glasses and makeup
Amazon provides virtual ‘Try-On’ capabilities for certain sunglasses and beauty products, allowing you to experiment without leaving your home. Navigate to the Amazon Shopping app and locate the ‘Try-On’ feature on the product detail page while browsing. For sunglasses, the app utilises your phone’s camera to enable a direct virtual try-on experience. For makeup, you have the option to upload a photo to visualise how the product appears on your face. Additionally, you can select a face or complexion similar to yours from the available options if you prefer not to upload a picture.
To make the optimal selection, compare an item with similar alternatives
For items in your cart that you’re contemplating buying, you can compare them with similar products by selecting the ‘See more like this’ button conveniently positioned beneath the item description in the cart. This allows you to swiftly assess Amazon customer ratings, prices, shipping options, colours, dimensions, weight, and other relevant details for each product at a glance.
Make informed purchasing decisions with Smartphone Genie on the Amazon mobile app
Customers can now discover the ideal smartphone for their specific requirements in just four straightforward steps using ‘Smartphone Genie,’ powered by Digit, on Amazon.in. This interactive tool aims to streamline the process of making informed smartphone purchases, guaranteeing that consumers select the perfect smartphone tailored to their individual needs. ‘Smartphone Genie,’ crafted to offer expert recommendations, streamlines the smartphone purchasing journey. Shoppers can effortlessly navigate the extensive array of smartphones by specifying their budget range, key usage scenarios, and preferred features.
Earlier today, several Apple users reported facing issues with iCloud services for the third time in the last four days. This time, the outage affected iCloud Mail, iCloud website, Apple Pay and more. Apple was quick to acknowledge the outage and update its status website. The good news is that the services are back online after the outage and Apple has also updated the same on the status support page with outage details. Outage details Apple hasn’t exactly revealed the reason behind the outage, but it has confirmed the issues that people were experiencing during the outage. For iCloud Mail, Apple has confirmed that only “Some users were affected”. Also, the outage prevented users from sending, receiving and accessing mail. For iCloud Web Apps (iCloud.com), Apple has mentioned that the outage prevented users from signing in into their Apple iCloud account. Also, only some users were affected during the outage. Apple hasn’t confirmed the outage details for the Apple Pay on its support page. However, several users from across the globe have reported on the microblogging platform, X, about facing issues while making payment using Apple Pay as well. Services are back online and are working fine now As mentioned, Apple has updated the support page to confirm that the outage have been resolved and all the services are currently up and running without any slowdown or issues. We at TOI Tech also verified the same by accessing both iCloud Mail as well as iCloud.com and both the services are currently available and working fine. Previous outage details In the past few days, several Apple services have faced the outage, including iTunes Sstore, Mac App Store, iPhone App Store and some users also reported that they are facing issues with Apple Music.
