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Apple Music for Android reveals lossless audio could be imminent

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Apple might have bigger plans for next week than initially thought. The new iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K are all set to start shipping to early preorder customers on or around May 21st, but now it seems there could be two surprise announcements: a hi-fi streaming tier of Apple Music, and maybe even AirPods 3.

The Apple Music part seems extremely likely when you factor in a report from 9to5Google. Digging into the latest Apple Music for Android beta app, they discovered direct references to high-resolution audio that didn’t exist previously

These are the prompts found in the app’s code, though they’re not user-facing quite yet:

Lossless audio files preserve every detail of the original file. Turning this on will consume significantly...

Continue reading…

source https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/14/22436575/apple-music-android-lossless-audio-airpods-3

#Technology

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A driverless Waymo got stuck in traffic and then tried to run away from its support crew

Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge

One of Waymo’s fully autonomous minivans got stuck at an intersection in Chandler, Arizona, prompting the company to send a roadside assistance team to come extract it. But when the crew arrived, the vehicle started to drive away before pulling over and completely blocking a three-lane road. It was a rare moment captured on video of one of Waymo’s driverless vehicles performing erratically.

The incident was recorded from inside the vehicle by Joel Johnson, who publishes videos on YouTube under the handle JJRicks Studios about his experiences using Waymo’s Level 4 autonomous vehicles, which operate without a safety driver behind the wheel. Johnson’s video is a rare unedited look at what happens when one of the world’s most proficient...

Continue reading…

source https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/14/22436584/waymo-driverless-stuck-traffic-roadside-assistance-video

#Technology

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The Fujifilm X-E4 is the Last To Use X-Trans IV Sensor: Report

The Fujifilm X-E4, announced in January, is the last Fujifilm camera to use the company’s X-Trans IV sensor, according to a new report. The sensor was first introduced on the X-T3 and later found its way into several other cameras over the course of the last three years.

According to FujiRumors, Fujifilm will no longer use the X-Trans IV sensor that is the heart of the Fujifilm X-T3, X-T30, X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10 most recently the X-E4. The X-Trans IV is Fujifilm’s fourth-generation backside-illuminated 26.1-megapixel CMOS that the company says integrates the unique X-Trans color filter array to reduce moire and false colors without the need for an optical low pass filter. This combines with its backside-illuminated structure to reduce noise levels and increase image quality.

When the X-Trans IV was first announced as part of the X-T3 release, Fujifilm touted its ability to expand its standard ISO range to ISO 160, which was previously only available via extended ISO. The native ISO range of 160 to 12,800 could then be further expanded to ISO 80 at the new low and ISO 51,200 as the new high.

The X-Trans IV Sensor | Fujifilm

While the sensor has served as the core of several beloved Fujifilm cameras since its 2018 introduction, this new report alleges that the company is set to leave it behind, meaning the X-E4 will be the last Fujifilm camera to use it.

In the interview above published last month, Fujifilm product manager Takashi Ueno notes that Fujifilm’s focus on its XF18mm f/1.4 release was “resolution,” which Fuji Rumors reports is a hint that higher-megapixel cameras would come in the future. Building on the report that Fujifilm is set to leave the 26.1-megapixel sensor behind, the hope is that an equally functional but higher resolution sensor will come soon.

Unfortunately, such a sensor and a new camera is unlikely to come this year, Fuji Rumors alleges in a separate report from earlier in the week. According to the rumor, Fujifilm will not release any new X-series cameras for the rest of 2021, which is total turnaround to the company’s bustle of activity early in the year as it announced not only the X-E4, but also the GFX100S and multiple lenses including the aforementioned 18mm f/1.4.

source https://petapixel.com/2021/05/14/the-fujifilm-x-e4-is-the-last-to-use-x-trans-iv-sensor-report/

#Photo

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7 Behaviors That Mean Someone Absolutely Isn’t Ready For A Relationship — No Matter How Badly You…

The way someone speaks about their ex tells you everything you need to know about how they still feel.

Continue reading on P.S. I Love You »

source https://psiloveyou.xyz/7-behaviors-that-mean-someone-absolutely-isnt-ready-for-a-relationship-no-matter-how-badly-you-3e3bd499c917?source=rss-------8-----------------relationships

#Relationships

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Your Guide to Surviving NRE: What To Do When You Despise New Relationship Energy

The first step of dealing with NRE is to acknowledge and accept that you’re feeling it.

Continue reading on Polyamory Today »

source https://medium.com/polyamory-today/your-guide-to-surviving-nre-what-to-do-when-you-despise-new-relationship-energy-48823d5d1720?source=rss-------8-----------------relationships

#Relationships

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UFC 262: Michael Chandler's title fight plan? 'Pressure, position and damage'

Former Bellator champion targeting UFC greatness in only his second bout in the octagon. source https://www.express.co.uk/sport/ufc/1436379/ufc-262-michael-chandler-fighting-style-charles-oliveira-press-conference

#Sport

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McDonald’s Fails to Quell Strike for $15 Minimum Wage With Limited Pay Increases

The recent wage hike doesn’t apply to 95 percent of workers at franchise restaurants. Detroit and Flint workers will join McDonald’s employees in 15 other cities in a walkout next week.

https://detroit.eater.com/2021/5/14/22436509/mcdonalds-worker-strike-detroit-flint-fight-for-15-minimum-wage source https://detroit.eater.com/2021/5/14/22436509/mcdonalds-worker-strike-detroit-flint-fight-for-15-minimum-wage

#Food

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Despite CDC COVID Guidance, Some Still Require Masks

New CDC guidance says fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks indoors, but many businesses like Starbucks and some state and local governments have not relaxed their own mask rules yet.

source https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210514/despite-new-cdc-covid-guidance-some-still-require-masks?src=RSS_PUBLIC

#Health

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Go read this story about how TikTok and apps are making Starbucks orders obnoxious

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

BuzzFeed News has published a great story that looks at the cultural phenomenon that was on display when that picture of a mile-long Starbucks order (which included over 18 pumps of flavor) went viral earlier this month. It explores both the phenomenon of people ordering more customizations when using apps (something I know I’ve fallen prey to myself, though nowhere close to the extent displayed in the photo), as well as the world of TikTok Starbucks influencers.

Wait, what? Starbucks influencers? If you, like me, had never heard of this corner of the internet, be prepared to read about TikTok teens and even some Starbucks employees on the platform coming up with drink recipes that can become so popular that some employees estimate they...

Continue reading…

source https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/14/22436442/tiktok-app-starbucks-long-coffee-orders

#Technology

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Here are the best Amazon Echo deals right now

The Echo Show 5 (left), Echo Show 8 (middle), and the Echo Show (right). | Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

When it comes to the Echo smart speakers, Amazon has a slew of devices to choose from, one for practically every occasion. For example, maybe you simply want to add Alexa to a room, or you are looking for an Echo device that will allow you to easily manage your other smart home products. Regardless of the reason, these are the best Echo deals available right now.

Echo Dot

Late last year, Amazon released the fourth generation of the Echo Dot, which looks more like a sphere than an actual dot. But if you prefer the previous design, don’t worry: Amazon has not discontinued the third-gen Echo Dot, which still retains the familiar dot shape.

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we saw the fourth-gen Echo Dot go down to its lowest price of...

Continue reading…

source https://www.theverge.com/21546591/best-amazon-echo-deals

#Technology

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Leaked renders reveal an even more affordable 5G Samsung phone

Images show what could become Samsung’s least expensive 5G phone, nabbing the A32 5G’s title. | Image: 91mobiles

A new batch of leaked images shows what could become Samsung’s least expensive 5G phone yet: the Galaxy A22 5G. The Galaxy A32 5G currently holds that title at an already low $279. The images come from 91mobiles and match up with previous leaks hinting that the phone might be on its way with a 200,000 KRW price (~$180), though it may be only destined for India and parts of Asia in the immediate future.

The leaked images show two variants — 5G and 4G versions — with two slightly varied sets of specs. The 5G model will allegedly have a 6.4-inch LCD and a rear triple-camera array (probably a 48-megapixel main / macro / depth sensor combo). A MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset looks likely, thanks to a previous Geekbench leak, plus a substantial...

Continue reading…

source https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/14/22436362/samsung-galaxy-a22-5g-leak-renders

#Technology

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10 Tips To Leverage Neon Lights for Stellar Portraiture

Neon signs give off a unique light that can make for some stunningly colorful, glowing photographs. But the same properties that make them look magical to the human eye can also make them difficult to photograph.

In the video above, I show you how to utilize neon lights to create unique portraits that transport your subject to another world. I’ve included some behind-the-scenes footage from a few of my actual neon portrait shoots, and I have some of the final images posted below as well as my top ten tips for getting the best out of neon light portraiture.

1. Use Complementary Colors

Neon lights come in a variety of colors. I’ve found that using complementary colors is a great way to introduce color contrast in your photographs. Blue & Orange, Purple & Yellow, Red & Green — all opposites on the color wheel that tend to create the best contrasting hues.

As a quick side note, actual Neon gas creates a reddish-orange glow. Various gasses such as Helium, Argon and Xenon, are used to create other “neon” sign colors like Orange, Purple, and Blue. To avoid any needless confusion in this article, we’ll still refer to all multi-colored gas lights as “neons.”

2. Don’t Use Yellow Neon Lights

As a personal rule, I avoid yellow neon signs. Using any single-colored sign (just like a single gelled light source) will appear as if your white balance is incorrect in your photos. Yellow, even when combined with a complementary color, can be tricky to white balance and I’ve never been a fan of the result. I encourage you to go experiment for yourself though, and you’ll quickly find your favorite (or least favorite) hues to work with.

3. Expose for Your Subject, Not the Lights

Your subject should undeniably be the most important part of your photograph, whether that’s a mountain, dog, coffee cup, or in the case of a portrait, your person. Unfortunately, there are some photographers out there who give the advice that you need to be underexposing your portraits by what I consider to be a ridiculous four to five stops in order to preserve your highlights (Highlights that they will end up clipping in post-processing later anyways).

When you are photographing in a studio, do you meter for your subject’s face or for the bulb of your strobe? The answer seems fairly obvious to me.

While I’m not opposed to underexposing by maybe one-stop, don’t take this to the extreme. This will save you from grainy images and therefore the need to use excessive noise reduction later on.

4. Don’t Clip Your Highlights, Add Light

“Hey TJ,” you say. “This tip goes against what you just said in tip number three, right?” Well no, not necessarily. More than anything, pay attention to your histogram during your shoot.

If there is such a difference between your light source and your subject, this could be a great opportunity to add additional light to your scene. That can be as simple as a reflector to fill in shadows or even a small strobe or speedlight.

5. Make Sure That Eyes Are in Focus

When the eyes are in focus, your portrait is in focus. Conversely, when your subject’s eyes are out of focus, the whole image is out of focus. We all know the saying, “the eyes are the windows to the soul,” and that’s especially true for portraits.

Take the time to ensure your subject’s eyes are tack sharp before snapping that shot. Nothing is worse than getting home and realizing all of the photos are focused on the tip of the nose or the ears.

6. Don’t Kill Your Highlights in Post

This tip is all about post-processing. I see a ton of new photographers jump into their post-processing software of choice, and their first step is to drag the highlight slider to -100.

The reason this is so detrimental to neon photography is that the data containing your that lovely neon glow sits squarely in your highlights. You’ll see that by playing with your highlight slider that you are adjusting how much glow your sign is giving off. Why shoot beautifully glowing neon signs just to kill any life it gives in post?

7. Bring the Light and Your Subject Together

The closer you can get your subject to the light source, and the more they interact with it, the better your portrait will be. It’s a general rule in photography that the closer your light is to the subject, the softer the light will be. As you can see from the example in the video above, the more your subject “interacts” with the light and poses with the light in mind, the more colors wash over your subject in unique ways.

8. Manage Your Shutter Speed

Similar to other light bulbs, neon signs flicker; usually at a high enough frequency that it’s a continuous stream of light to the human eye… but not to your camera! Try photographing a neon sign at a shutter speed of 1/500th, and you’ll see your camera produces some ugly flicker which is usually represented by big dark bands across your photos.

I try to keep my shutter at 1/125th or lower. This may vary slightly depending on the sign’s refresh rate, but it’s a good place to start. You may need to utilize a tripod, monopod, or sturdy wall to help stabilize your camera if you don’t have a steady hand.

9. Don’t Over Edit

Don’t kill your photos in post, but by no means am I saying don’t tone your portraits. I see this trend among many photographers: Highlights -100, Shadows +100, Clarity +100, then cover up all the noise you just created with Luminance Noise Reduction +100.

All RAW photos inherently need some toning but take care not to process the life right out of an already beautiful neon portrait. Take a step back, come back later with fresh eyes and ask, “did I make this image look better or worse?”

10. Use Fast Primes

We all love our fast prime lenses! Shooting at wider aperture values like f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2, will allow the most light through your lens and therefore to your sensor (or film). Remember, the more light you’re getting through your lens, the lower your ISO will need to be, which means less-noisy photos!

Shallow depth of field also creates a soft, dreamy look that’s great for emphasizing the glow of neon lights. I find that my personal “sweet spot” is around f/2 to f/2.8. Sure, my lens may not be at its sharpest, but with proper focus (Tip #5) and a steady hand, it will be as sharp as we need. As long as the eyes are in focus, the rest of the background can blur out into nice bokeh to complement the neon.

Bonus Neon Portrait Tip!

I call my Nikon 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm prime lenses my “portrait lens trifecta.” If I’m going on a portrait shoot, these are the minimum lenses that I will have in my bag.

As we discussed in the previous tip, fast primes lenses are great for allowing the most light into your camera. I typically use the 35mm for shooting head-to-toe full body shots. For waist-up portraits, I’ll throw on the 50mm, which will give me a bit shallower depth of field and some great bokeh. I use the big gun (85mm f/1.4) for tight head and shoulders shots and in instances where I want to blur everything behind my subject into oblivion.

About the Author: JT Armstrong is an award-winning military photographer and is currently the video director for the U.S. Space Force. He runs the Youtube channel RunNGun Photo that focuses on sharing photography tips, tricks, and hacks. This article was also published here.

source https://petapixel.com/2021/05/14/10-tips-to-leverage-neon-lights-for-stellar-portraiture/

#Photo

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How We Made Your AI-Generated Lover With A GAN

We imagined a better future with no dating apps.

Continue reading on BuzzFeed Tech »

source https://tech.buzzfeed.com/how-we-made-your-ai-generated-lover-with-a-gan-bdcd347b0038?source=rss-------8-----------------relationships

#Relationships

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I’m Heartbroken; Here Are 4 Lessons I Learned From My Relationships

My last relationship of almost three years ended about three months ago, and it taught me so much.

Continue reading on The Ascent »

source https://medium.com/the-ascent/im-heartbroken-here-are-4-lessons-i-learned-from-my-relationships-1f548efcd323?source=rss-------8-----------------relationships

#Relationships

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Novak Djokovic saved by the rain as Stefanos Tsitsipas takes control at Italian Open

Inclement weather lends a helping hand as Djokovic struggles at the Italian Open. source https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1436348/tennis-news-novak-djokovic-italian-open-saved-by-rain-stefanos-tsitsipas

#Sport

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Can Some Movies Change Your Life? Maybe

A new study finds watching certain movies may help you navigate difficult times in your own life.

source https://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20210514/can-some-movies-change-your-life-maybe?src=RSS_PUBLIC

#Health

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HIV: Managing Setbacks

HIV setbacks can be difficult to figure out. Sticking to treatment, navigating relationships, and maintaining your overall health can be overwhelming at times. Find out ways to cope with emotions and manage your well-being with HIV.

source https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/features/hiv-managing-setbacks?src=RSS_PUBLIC

#Health