Netflix tests biggest redesign of TV app in 10 years to keep you streaming

 

On Thursday, Netflix began releasing the first significant update to its television app in ten years. The updates are intended to make it easier for users to choose what to watch quickly.

The forerunner of video streaming updated the home page by rearranging content, increasing title cards, and emphasizing easily readable sections like a show or movie. "stayed in the top 10 for 8 weeks."

A new "My Netflix" page was added, containing series or movies that a user has begun viewing or ones they have saved to watch later, along with other changes to the TV app, like moving the navigation button from the left to the top of the screen.

According to studies conducted by the company, customers were searching for titles that piqued their interest by doing what Netflix executive Pat Flemming referred to as "eye gymnastics," or circling around to different areas of the Netflix home page.

Flemming, senior director of member product, told Reuters in an interview that viewers were flitting from "the row name to today's top picks, to the box art, to the video, back to the synopsis."

"We really wanted to make everything easier to navigate, simpler, and more intuitive."


The modifications, which were made available to a portion of Netflix's around 270 million global users, aim to lengthen users' stays on the app in order to encourage them to switch to its new, less expensive advertising-supported plans.

 

In order to keep users on the app longer and get them to sign up for its new, less expensive plans with advertising, the streamer aims to extend the amount of time viewers spend using it.
Netflix
Before releasing it to a wider audience, the corporation will consider user comments and may make adjustments.

Telling investors that engagement time is the "best proxy for customer satisfaction," Netflix has been highlighting it as a crucial statistic.

In order to refocus Wall Street's attention, the business will cease regularly releasing membership statistics starting in 2019.

Before releasing it to a wider audience, the corporation will consider user comments and may make adjustments.
stock.adobe.com/diy13
Netflix will keep providing each customer with customized recommendations.

It is not making any changes to its recommendation algorithm as part of the redesign, Flemming said.

Samsung to bring a new way to check the time on Galaxy phones

 

A function that will enable you to check the time on your Galaxy smartphone is being developed by Samsung. Strangely, though, in order to activate that feature, you would need to install two more Samsung apps.

Good Lock's Registar module to bring a new way to check the time on Galaxy phones

A recent update to the Registar app will include a new functionality that allows users to check the time on Galaxy phones with a double-tap gesture on the rear of the smartphone (via @tarunvats on X via 9To5Google). Even with the screen off, this feature will function. When the screen is off, Registar's current version is unable to initiate actions.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 will ship with One UI 6.1.1, which will introduce this feature. With the One UI 7.0 upgrade, which is anticipated to be launched in the fourth quarter of this year, it will eventually be compatible with additional devices. To utilize this function, users must install the Registar and Good Lock apps. The seven choices available for the double-tap gesture are given below.

Grab a screenshot and distribute it.
Open the Google Assistant by clicking the Start pop-up box.

Display alerts
Display recently used apps
Back button
Launch the app of your choosing.

In certain situations where the user won't be able to touch the screen or push the power button, the double-tap gesture to check the time may be useful. We are unsure of its extent of use, though, as the likelihood of seeing such a situation is probably quite remote.

 

Apple will reportedly build a dedicated Passwords app for the iPhone and Mac

 

According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple intends to include a password management tool directly into the upcoming releases of the Mac and iPhone operating systems on Thursday. The new program, Passwords, will take on established password managers such as 1Password and LastPass, which often charge users a monthly fee to create and store passwords that are unique. On June 10, Apple intends to introduce the app during the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

With iCloud Keychain, a tool that syncs passwords across all of your Apple devices and Windows PCs via a browser extension, Apple already creates and saves unique passwords. However, passwords saved in iCloud Keychain are oddly kept under the Settings app, making it difficult to find or modify them. Not only would this be made simpler, but having a password-specific app built into Apple devices would give users even more incentive to stick around.

According to reports, Apple's Passwords app will divide passwords into many categories such as accounts, WiFi networks, and Passkeys, just like its competitors (here's our in-depth explanation of how they operate). Additionally, you may import passwords from competing applications, and when your smartphone recognizes that you are entering into a website or app, it will automatically fill them in. Similar to Authy and Google Authenticator, passwords on Apple's $4,000 Vision Pro headset will likewise function and enable two-factor verification codes. Whether the Passwords app will allow you to safely store files and photographs in addition to passwords—something that LastPass and 1Password both offer—is still up in the air.

On Monday, Apple is anticipated to unveil Passwords as well as the upcoming iterations of iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, WatchOS, and VisionOS. It is said that completely new AI functions would be included in the updated software versions.

 

Meta brings AI, video calls, and new styles to its Ray-Ban smart glasses

 Although the idea of smart glasses has never really taken off, it has also never really succeeded. However, Meta appears to have broken the code with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, and it is now adding additional AI functions, video calling, and more to its smart glasses developed in collaboration with Ray-Ban.

Last year, Meta's second-generation smart glasses were introduced to much praise. The glasses have speakers, microphones, and a built-in camera to assist deliver helpful tools to you in an ambient manner. Even without an integrated monitor, it's a practical tool.

 

 

 Meta is already expanding on this concept in a number of significant ways.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are learning new skills thanks to some recent upgrades. The camera is used by two of them. The glasses' camera will work with Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp in a piece of marketing synergy. This is being released "gradually," but it looks like a really helpful tool for expressing your viewpoint.

 

 Furthermore, multimodal AI is now possible with the camera. Stated differently, Meta's AI may now be instructed to take a photo using the context of what you're viewing. After being tested late last year, this is now being made available to all US and Canadian eyewear owners in beta.

Meta provides an illustration of how this may be helpful:

 

 

 

 At last, new styles of Meta Ray-Bans are available. Preorders for the "Skyler" frame and a new low-bridge Headliner design are currently being accepted.

You can pre-order these new models from Ray-Ban and Meta's web store. A selection of styles of Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are available for purchase from Amazon, Best Buy, and other shops.

As noted by 9to5Mac, a recent update from Meta also included Apple Music connectivity.

 

 

 

 https://go.fiverr.com/visit/?bta=214852&brand=fp

 

 

Tim Cook hints at new Apple Pencil 3 coming next month – here’s what the rumors say

 

Apple Pencil

 Apple said on Tuesday that it will host a unique occasion on May 7. The artwork on the invitation clearly indicates that the event will be focused on iPad, even though the firm often keeps event subjects under wraps. An Apple Pencil is seen in the artwork. Apple CEO Tim Cook added gasoline to the flames by implying that a new Apple Pencil 3 will be released next month, at the very least.

 

 

 

 

Apple Pencil 3 is coming soon

 

 Cook posted the event's artwork on X along with the message, "Pencil us in for May 7!" The CEO also confirmed that Apple would undoubtedly introduce new iPads and maybe a new Apple Pencil during its special "Let Loose" event on May 7 by adding a pencil emoji to the tweet.

2018 saw the final release of a new generation of Apple Pencils (except from the less expensive USB-C model that debuted the previous year). At that time, the Apple Pencil received an upgrade that included magnetic charging, a new double-tap gesture, a matte finish, and improved grip. So what can we anticipate from the Apple Pencil 3 specifically?

 

 A couple distinct rumors suggest that Find My integration may be included in the upcoming Apple Pencil. In the same way as AirPods and AirTags make it easy for consumers to locate and track lost Apple Pencils, this would also help. Additionally, according to some speculations, the Apple Pencil 3 will include magnetic tips that can be switched out.

Additionally, many bits of information have been discovered by 9to5Mac that seem to indicate the new Apple Pencil will allow a type of "Squeeze" action. It's possible that the new Apple Pencil will recognize when a user presses down on its surface to carry out certain brief tasks, including signing documents or adding text.

 

 

What about the new iPads?

 New iPads will, of course, be on display at an iPad event. There are rumors that Apple may release new iPad Air and iPad Pro models. The next iPad Pro will be powered by the M3 chip and have OLED displays in addition to a smaller design. The iPad Air 6 will use the M2 chip and will be available in a bigger version with a 12.9-inch screen for the first time.

Furthermore, there are rumors that Apple has created a new Magic Keyboard that would eliminate the iPad's existing floating form and instead make it resemble a conventional laptop.

The special event from Apple is scheduled to occur online at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windows 11 Start menu ads are now rolling out to everyone

 

Windows 11 Start menu

 

 Microsoft is beginning to allow all users to see advertisements within the Windows 11 Start menu. Microsoft has begun rolling out update KB5036980 to Windows 11 users this week, which adds “recommendations” for programs from the Microsoft Store under the Start menu. This comes after testing them out short with Windows Insiders earlier this month.

In the update notes for its most recent public Windows 11 release, Microsoft states that "the Recommended section of the Start menu will show some Microsoft Store apps." "A select group of developers created these apps." Although the purpose of the advertisements is to encourage Windows 11 users to download more applications, the developers who Microsoft is attempting to persuade to create more Windows apps stand to gain the most.

 Given that Microsoft began testing these advertisements just two weeks ago, it's astonishing how quickly this "feature" moved from the Beta Channel to release. When we were first testing, I said that Microsoft "may decide to ditch these ads" if enough evidence indicated that they weren't well-liked. However, two weeks of feedback is definitely insufficient to make that determination.

Luckily, you can turn off these advertisements, or as Microsoft refers to them, "recommendations." Go to Settings > Personalization > Start after installing the most recent KB5036980 update, and disable the "Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more" checkbox. Although KB5036980 is currently optional, Microsoft plans to deploy it to all Windows 11 computers in the upcoming weeks.

 

 Similar advertising placements in the Windows 10 lock screen and Start menu preceded Microsoft's decision to allow advertisements in the Windows 11 Start menu. Last year, Microsoft also began testing advertisements inside of Windows 11's File Explorer. However, they quickly disabled the trial and declared it to be "not intended to be published externally." I hope the experiment stays just that—an experiment.

 

 

How to Use Photoshop’s New AI-powered Image Tools

 Although AI pictures are nothing new to Adobe, the company that makes Photoshop, today represents a significant advancement in its attempts to provide ethical, accessible generative AI. Users may now create whole photos from scratch in the Photoshop app for the first time ever without ever having to exit the application. The Firefly picture 3 model, which the business just released, powers the innovation along with features like backdrop generation, reference picture uploading, and iterative AI art. 

 

 

What is Adobe Firefly?

Adobe's version of an AI art generator, Firefly, has been gradually incorporated into Photoshop since last year, allowing for features like aspect ratio stretching generative expand. However, up until now, the only place to create original artwork has been the Firefly web app (aside from a few tricks involving generative fill on a blank canvas).

By restricting its training data to stock photos and artwork owned by Adobe, Firefly sets itself apart from other AI art models in an effort to make it safer for usage in commercial applications. The most recent model upgrade, Firefly Image 3, promises "higher-quality images" with an emphasis on lighting and composition as well as improved rapid comprehension. 

How to start generating AI images in Photoshop

 

 Download the Photoshop desktop beta first, as these features are still in the testing stages. Next, launch a new project, select "Generate Image" from the Contextual Task Bar. If it's not there, try searching in your Tools panel or going to Edit > Generate Image.

Next, type your prompt. Additionally, there have to be buttons in the Contextual Task Bar that allow you to apply Style Effects to your output and switch between Photo and Art as the Content Type. These can be used both before and after generation; the Properties Panel should also display them.

 

 

How to use Photoshop to generate an AI image with a reference

 You are not limited to creating photos from scratch with Photoshop. To help the AI decide what to create, you may also utilize an already-existing image.

Create a foundation image using the preceding steps before utilizing it as a reference while creating AI art in Photoshop. Next, choose Reference Image from the Properties Panel or Contextual Task Bar. To make your image more in line with your reference, upload it and then run your prompt again. In addition, Photoshop has several built-in reference photos that you may use in place of uploads.

 

 

 

 

How to tweak AI art generated in Photoshop

 The most recent Photoshop beta has a function called "Generate Similar" that lets you make minor adjustments to AI pictures that have previously been generated. This function basically functions similarly to the "Reference Image" functionality, except instead of forcing you to download and re-upload photos, it lets you utilize newly produced ones.

To create similar AI art, start by creating an AI image from scratch using the instructions in the second subheading of this article. Next, pick your photo and select Generate Similar from the Variations Panel's three dots icon or the Contextual Task Bar. From the Properties Panel, you can see the variants that you have produced.

 

 

 

How to generate an AI background in Photoshop

 Additionally, you may change the backgrounds in current photographs with newly created ones produced by AI. In order to accomplish this, first choose Import Image on an empty canvas, and then in the Contextual Task Bar or Discover Panel, pick Remove background.

After that, choose Generate Background from the Edit Menu or Contextual Task Bar. From there, you may create a picture from scratch using a procedure that is similar to this one.

 

 

How to enhance detail in Photoshop

The final AI feature in the new Photoshop beta is the ability to Enhance Detail. This is an adjustment to Generative Fill, which you can select in either the Contextual Task Bar or Edit Menu. Unlike Generate Image, Generative Fill will generate objects only in specific parts of your canvas.

Once you’ve generated an object with Generative Fill, navigate to the Properties Panel and then Variations, where you can pick a specific version of that object and click the Enhance Detail icon to increase its sharpness and general detail.

 

New non-AI features in Photoshop

 

 

Joining this new suite of AI features is the Adjustment Brush, which can apply non-destructive, non-AI-powered color and lighting edits to specific parts of an image. For instance, turning a section of blue hair into green hair.

To use the Adjustment Brush, select it within the Brush Tool in the Tools Panel. From there, choose your adjustments and paint where you’d like them to be applied. They’ll show up in a new layer that won’t change the underlying image file.

Alongside the Adjustment Brush, the new Photoshop beta also includes an improved font browser that will allow direct access to fonts stored in the cloud without requiring the user to leave the program.