Photoshop Gets Its Most Powerful Free iPhone App So Far – With a Mix of Classic Tools and Firefly AI
The new Photoshop app for iPhones offers desktop-style tools like layers and masking with Firefly AI image generation, combining classic Photoshop functionality with modern AI-powered features. The free version provides a range of tools, including Spot Healing Brush, Tap Select tool, and access to Adobe Stock assets, while the paid plan unlocks more powerful tricks, including Magic Wand, Object Select, and Firefly tools. With its release, Adobe has created a powerful alternative to smartphone photo editors like Snapseed and Pixelmator.
By introducing this new app, Adobe is successfully reinvigorating Photoshop's relevance in the competitive mobile photo editing space, where AI-powered image generation is increasingly the norm.
Will this move be enough for Adobe to retain its leadership position in the market, or will competitors like Canva and Apple's recent acquisition of Pixelmator continue to chip away at its dominance?
The new Photoshop for iPhone app finally delivers on its promise of offering powerful pro features, including layer masking and blending, as well as generative AI features, making it a worthy successor to the desktop version. After hours of tinkering and prodding, this author found that the app is easy to learn, has all the core features, can handle big files and tasks, and even includes Adobe Camera Raw. However, there are still some tools missing compared to the desktop version.
This new development signifies a significant shift in the way photographers approach their work on-the-go, leveraging the capabilities of AI-driven editing tools to streamline their workflow and improve image quality.
How will the growing adoption of generative AI-powered editing apps impact the future of creative software development and the role of human editors in the industry?
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra boasts an impressive array of AI-powered features, including a comprehensive suite of tools for enhanced photography. The phone's AI-driven capabilities extend to its camera system, allowing users to edit and enhance their photos using advanced algorithms. HyperOS 2.0 brings these capabilities to the forefront, providing users with intuitive and user-friendly interface options.
The seamless integration of AI features into Xiaomi's camera app is a significant departure from traditional photo editing software, raising questions about the future of user interaction with visual content.
How will the widespread adoption of AI-powered editing tools in smartphones impact the way we create, share, and consume visual media?
Apple's decision to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development has sparked optimism among investors, with the company maintaining its 'Buy' rating despite increased competition from emerging AI startups. The recent sale of its iPhone 16e model has also demonstrated Apple's ability to balance innovation with commercial success. As AI technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, Apple is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.
The growing focus on AI-driven product development in the tech industry could lead to a new era of collaboration between hardware and software companies, potentially driving even more innovative products to market.
How will the increasing transparency and accessibility of AI technologies, such as open-source models like DeepSeek's distillation technique, impact Apple's approach to AI research and development?
Apple's latest iOS 18.4 developer beta adds the Visual Intelligence feature, the company's Google Lens-like tool, to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, allowing users to access it from the Action Button or Control Center. This new feature was first introduced as a Camera Control button for the iPhone 16 lineup but will now be available on other models through alternative means. The official rollout of iOS 18.4 is expected in April, which may bring Visual Intelligence to all compatible iPhones.
As technology continues to blur the lines between human and machine perception, how will the integration of AI-powered features like Visual Intelligence into our daily lives shape our relationship with information?
What implications will this widespread adoption of Visual Intelligence have for industries such as retail, education, and healthcare?
The iPhone 16e delivers a seamless software experience thanks to its compatibility with iOS and the availability of Apple Intelligence features, including Writing Tools, Notification Summaries, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, Clean Up, and Genmoji. This personal intelligence system allows users to access advanced assistance based on their personal information and context. However, it's essential to note that the iPhone 16e's camera capabilities may not meet the expectations of photo enthusiasts.
The iPhone 16e's affordability makes it an attractive option for those seeking a balance between cost and feature set, potentially setting a new standard for entry-level iPhones in the market.
How will the widespread adoption of Apple Intelligence impact the long-term evolution of AI-powered assistants, and what potential implications might this have on user behavior and expectations?
Apple Intelligence is slowly upgrading its entire device lineup to adopt its artificial intelligence features under the Apple Intelligence umbrella, with significant progress made in integrating with more third-party apps seamlessly since iOS 18.5 was released in beta testing. The company's focus on third-party integrations highlights its commitment to expanding the capabilities of Apple Intelligence beyond simple entry-level features. As these tools become more accessible and powerful, users can unlock new creative possibilities within their favorite apps.
This subtle yet significant shift towards app integration underscores Apple's strategy to democratize access to advanced AI tools, potentially revolutionizing workflows across various industries.
What role will the evolving landscape of third-party integrations play in shaping the future of AI-powered productivity and collaboration on Apple devices?
The development of generative AI has forced companies to rapidly innovate to stay competitive in this evolving landscape, with Google and OpenAI leading the charge to upgrade your iPhone's AI experience. Apple's revamped assistant has been officially delayed again, allowing these competitors to take center stage as context-aware personal assistants. However, Apple confirms that its vision for Siri may take longer to materialize than expected.
The growing reliance on AI-powered conversational assistants is transforming how people interact with technology, blurring the lines between humans and machines in increasingly subtle ways.
As AI becomes more pervasive in daily life, what are the potential risks and benefits of relying on these tools to make decisions and navigate complex situations?
Flashes, an Instagram alternative based on the Bluesky platform, has launched its photo-sharing app on the App Store, attracting nearly 30,000 downloads in its first 24 hours. The app offers a customizable experience, allowing users to create custom feeds and access over 50,000 curated content options from the Bluesky network. Flashes also includes features catering to photographers, such as Portfolio Mode and built-in photo filters.
By leveraging the existing user base of Bluesky, Flashes can tap into its vast audience without requiring significant marketing efforts, potentially establishing itself as a formidable competitor in the social media landscape.
Will the adoption of Flashes lead to increased innovation within the Bluesky platform, or will it remain primarily a conduit for users seeking alternative experiences to Instagram?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro face off in a battle to capture the essence of travel photography as they take on the iconic streets of London, yielding varying results depending on the scene. The camera showdown tests the prowess of each device's optics, revealing distinct strengths and weaknesses in low-light conditions and fast-paced street photography. Ultimately, it comes down to which smartphone delivers sharper images with more nuanced colours.
The outcome of this comparison highlights the importance of mastering the subtleties of light and shadow in travel photography, skills that only the most adept photographers possess – but can smartphones really keep up?
Will future advancements in camera technology on these high-end smartphones bridge the gap between professional-grade image quality and consumer-level capabilities?
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is reportedly working on a revolutionary new iPhone that combines foldable technology with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, set to launch in 2026 at a staggering price point of over $2000. The company's latest innovation promises to further enhance the user experience, but it also raises questions about the sustainability of such expensive devices in the long term. Analysts are eagerly watching Apple's progress in this area, as it may determine the trajectory of the entire smartphone industry.
The emergence of foldable and AI-driven smartphones signals a significant shift towards more premium and innovative products, potentially leading to a reevaluation of traditional budget-friendly options.
How will the widespread adoption of such high-end devices impact consumer spending habits and the broader economy in the coming years?
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users will now have access to Visual Intelligence, an AI feature previously exclusive to the iPhone 16, through the latest iOS 18.4 developer beta. This tool enhances user interaction by allowing them to conduct web searches and seek information about objects viewed through their camera, thereby enriching the overall smartphone experience. The integration of Visual Intelligence into older models signifies Apple's commitment to extending advanced features to a broader user base.
This development highlights Apple's strategy of enhancing user engagement and functionality across its devices, potentially increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction.
How will Apple's approach to feature accessibility influence consumer perceptions of value in its product ecosystem?
Honor has unveiled a new strategic realignment as it enters the age of AI, introducing highly useful enhancements for its Magic7 Pro camera system and other features. The company's Alpha Plan also includes interoperability with Apple's iOS for data sharing and the industry's first all-ecosystem file sharing technology. Honor's AI Deepfake Detection will be rolled out globally to Honor phones starting in April, while AI Upscale will restore old portrait photos and become available soon on the international release of its Snapdragon 8 Elite flagship.
This new strategy marks a significant shift for Honor as it aims to bridge the gap between Android and iOS ecosystems, potentially expanding its user base beyond traditional Android users.
As phone manufacturers continue to integrate more AI capabilities, how will this impact consumer expectations for seamless device experiences across different platforms?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro are put to the test with a stroll through the iconic streets of London, capturing the essence of travel photography. The two smartphones return images that not only rival each other in quality but also adapt to their surroundings, showcasing the versatility of modern smartphone cameras. From bustling cityscapes to tranquil street art scenes, both devices excel in preserving the nuances of their subjects.
The remarkable similarity between the camera performance of these two flagships underscores the advancements made in smartphone photography, where device manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of image quality and processing power.
How will the proliferation of high-end smartphones with exceptional cameras influence the way we consume and share visual content on social media platforms?
AI has revolutionized some aspects of photography technology, improving efficiency and quality, but its impact on the medium itself may be negative. Generative AI might be threatening commercial photography and stock photography with cost-effective alternatives, potentially altering the way images are used in advertising and online platforms. However, traditional photography's ability to capture moments in time remains a unique value proposition that cannot be fully replicated by AI.
The blurring of lines between authenticity and manipulation through AI-generated imagery could have significant consequences for the credibility of photography as an art form.
As AI-powered tools become increasingly sophisticated, will photographers be able to adapt and continue to innovate within the constraints of this new technological landscape?
The Leica Lux Grip is a camera grip designed specifically for the iPhone, offering a unique photography experience with its two-stage mechanical shutter release, rotating settings dial, and freely definable function buttons. The grip's intuitive operation and high-quality manufacturing set new standards for photographic precision using a smartphone, perfectly complementing the Leica LUX app. By harnessing the power of MagSafe technology, the Leica Lux Grip allows iPhone users to benefit from a more direct and creative photography experience.
The integration of professional camera features in a smartphone accessory highlights the growing trend of democratizing high-quality photography, challenging traditional notions of what it means to be a photographer.
Will the Leica Lux Grip's innovative design influence future smartphone camera manufacturers to prioritize creative controls and precision over simply producing more megapixels?
Apple has revamped its mid-tier tablet lineup, enhancing the iPad Air with its M3 chip and artificial intelligence capabilities in a bid to spur upgrades among customers. The company's latest move aims to attract customers and keep pace with rivals such as Samsung and Huawei, which are racing to embed AI into their products. With pre-orders opening on Tuesday, Apple seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-powered devices.
By integrating AI features, Apple is effectively redefining the concept of a mid-tier tablet, blurring the lines between consumer electronics and productivity tools.
Will this strategic shift in focus from hardware to software capabilities enable Apple to expand its market share beyond the premium segment?
Google's recent software update has introduced several camera features across its Pixel devices, including the ability to take a picture by holding your palm up, improved performance for older phones, and new functionality for Pixel Fold users. The update also brings haptic feedback changes that some users are finding annoyingly intense. Despite these updates, Google is still working on several key features.
This unexpected change in haptic feedback highlights the importance of user experience testing and feedback loops in software development.
Will Google's efforts to fine-tune its camera features be enough to address the growing competition in the smartphone camera market?
Developers can access AI model capabilities at a fraction of the price thanks to distillation, allowing app developers to run AI models quickly on devices such as laptops and smartphones. The technique uses a "teacher" LLM to train smaller AI systems, with companies like OpenAI and IBM Research adopting the method to create cheaper models. However, experts note that distilled models have limitations in terms of capability.
This trend highlights the evolving economic dynamics within the AI industry, where companies are reevaluating their business models to accommodate decreasing model prices and increased competition.
How will the shift towards more affordable AI models impact the long-term viability and revenue streams of leading AI firms?
The upcoming foldable iPhone from Apple is expected to be a game-changer in the tech industry, with its price tag and features potentially setting a new standard for the market. With an estimated starting price of "above $2,000," the device's cost may be prohibitively expensive for some consumers, but Kuo believes it will generate strong replacement demand if quality meets expectations. Additionally, Apple's AI capabilities are expected to play a significant role in the foldable iPhone, with features such as multimodal functionality and cross-app integration.
The luxury branding and premium price of this device could fundamentally alter consumer perceptions about what is acceptable for "smartphone" technology, making it difficult to gauge its adoption potential.
Will the true innovation potential of the AI-driven phone be realized when Apple starts to integrate these features into daily, mundane tasks beyond just photography and video calls?
Apple has postponed the launch of its anticipated "more personalized Siri" features, originally announced at last year's Worldwide Developers Conference, acknowledging that development will take longer than expected. The update aims to enhance Siri's functionality by incorporating personal context, enabling it to understand user relationships and routines better, but critics argue that Apple is lagging in the AI race, making Siri seem less capable compared to competitors like ChatGPT. Users have expressed frustrations with Siri's inaccuracies, prompting discussions about potentially replacing the assistant with more advanced alternatives.
This delay highlights the challenges Apple faces in innovating its AI capabilities while maintaining relevance in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, where user expectations for digital assistants are increasing.
What implications does this delay have for Apple's overall strategy in artificial intelligence and its competitive position against emerging AI technologies?
Gemini, Google’s AI-powered chatbot, has introduced new lock screen widgets and shortcuts for Apple devices, making it easier to access the assistant even when your phone is locked. The six new lock screen widgets provide instant access to different Gemini functions, such as voice input, image recognition, and file analysis. This update aims to make Gemini feel more integrated into daily life on iPhone.
The proliferation of AI-powered assistants like Google Gemini underscores a broader trend towards making technology increasingly ubiquitous in our personal lives.
How will the ongoing development of AI assistants impact our expectations for seamless interactions with digital devices, potentially redefining what we consider "intelligent" technology?
DeepSeek has broken into the mainstream consciousness after its chatbot app rose to the top of the Apple App Store charts (and Google Play, as well). DeepSeek's AI models, trained using compute-efficient techniques, have led Wall Street analysts — and technologists — to question whether the U.S. can maintain its lead in the AI race and whether the demand for AI chips will sustain. The company's ability to offer a general-purpose text- and image-analyzing system at a lower cost than comparable models has forced domestic competition to cut prices, making some models completely free.
This sudden shift in the AI landscape may have significant implications for the development of new applications and industries that rely on sophisticated chatbot technology.
How will the widespread adoption of DeepSeek's models impact the balance of power between established players like OpenAI and newer entrants from China?
ChatGPT, OpenAI's AI-powered chatbot platform, can now directly edit code — if you're on macOS, that is. The newest version of the ChatGPT app for macOS can take action to edit code in supported developer tools, including Xcode, VS Code, and JetBrains. Users can optionally turn on an “auto-apply” mode so ChatGPT can make edits without the need for additional clicks.
As AI-powered coding assistants like ChatGPT become increasingly sophisticated, it raises questions about the future of human roles in software development and whether these tools will augment or replace traditional developers.
How will the widespread adoption of AI coding assistants impact the industry's approach to bug fixing, security, and intellectual property rights in the context of open-source codebases?
The Vision Pro's spatial computing capabilities are rapidly expanding with new apps, including the highly-anticipated Spatial Gallery and the web. However, these innovations also raise questions about the ecosystem's direction and user experience. The App Store's presence on the Vision Pro is a significant development in its growth as a platform.
As spatial computing continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Apple navigates the complex relationship between its own virtual reality offerings and third-party apps like Spatial Gallery.
What role do you think AR and VR will play in the future of online education, making complex concepts more accessible and engaging for students?
Meta has introduced a new widget that brings instant access to its Meta AI assistant, allowing users to easily engage with the technology without having to open the app first. The widget provides one-tap access to text search, camera for image-based queries, and voice input for hands-free interactions. While the feature may be convenient for some, it has also raised concerns about the potential intrusiveness of Meta AI.
As AI-powered tools become increasingly ubiquitous in our daily lives, it's essential to consider the impact of their integration on user experience and digital well-being.
How will the proliferation of AI-powered widgets like this one influence the development of more invasive or exploitative applications that prioritize corporate interests over user autonomy?