Category: Technologies

Hit that send button a little too soon? WhatsApp now has an edit feature that lets you edit sent messages, letting you fix a type or maybe giving you a chance to rethink your words. The new feature is rolling out for the securing messaging app on Monday and should be available to everyone in the “coming weeks,” the company said.

The new feature does have a time limit though. You’re only able to edit messages within 15 minutes of it being sent. Once a message has been edited on WhatsApp, it will display “edited” next to it making the receiver of the message aware of the changes.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of WhatsApp parent company Meta, shared an example of the new feature in a Facebook post on Monday, changing the typo “Beast of luck!” to “Best of luck!”

WhatsApp has incorporated several new features in recent months. In February, the popular app added a Status feature, which is similar to Instagram Stories allowing users to post a picture or video that is only available for 24 hours. Then in April, WhatsApp said it would start letting people use their accounts across multiple phones.

How to edit a sent message in WhatsApp

Message editing allows you to correct already sent messages on WhatsApp, and it’s pretty simple if you’re still in the 15-minute window when edits are enabled.

Find the message you want to edit and do a long press, the same way you’d add an emoji reaction or reply to a message. When the menu pops up, select Edit. You can then fix typos or alter the message.

Amazon is committed to updating the software on its new Kindle Scribe. On Monday, the company announced its third update to the device since its launch last November. The latest update marks the end of the first series of improvements, according to Amazon, and brings substantial improvements to notebooks, PDFs, and even some ebooks.

One of the biggest complaints with the Scribe is that users are not able to write directly onto their Kindle books and are instead forced to write their notes on the Sticky Note app. This update does not change this for most books, but does introduce a few types of books where you are allowed to use the pen to write directly onto the text.

See Also: Best E-Reader for 2023: Top Picks for Book Lovers

Amazon calls these books Write On content and they are currently limited to a small selection of guided journals and books of crossword puzzles and Sudoku that users must purchase separately through the Kindle store.

Watch this: Kindle Scribe: An In-Depth Look at Amazon’s Newest E-Reader

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PFDs management has also been difficult on the Scribe, but the latest update attempts to address some of the Scribes biggest issues in this area. Scribe users will finally be able to crop the margins of their PDFs to increase font size, which potentially fixes the current need to zoom in and out on every page in order size the page appropriately. You’ll also be to switch between portrait and landscape mode in PDFs, as well as have the ability to look up dictionary definitions, translations, and Wikipedia results. Unfortunately, you’ll need to send your PDFs through Amazon’s Send-to-Kindle feature in order to access the new features. PDFs uploaded directly to your Kindle through your computer will operate as they did before.

Other improvements include a new lasso tool that allows you to select, resize, move, copy and past handwritten text across notebooks and other documents. Additionally, users will now be able to convert their entire handwritten notebooks to text when exporting, just by tapping a button.

Overall, these updates appear to push the Scribe in a better direction, though there is still significant room for improvement. While it makes sense to allow journals and games to take advantage of writing directly on the page, it seems as though it shouldn’t be difficult to make that experience accessible to all books — especially when Kobo, the Kindle rival, lets users write on any book in the Kobo library.

Kindle Scribe $340 at Amazon

Apple released iOS 16.5 on Thursday, almost two months after the release of iOS 16.4. The latest iOS update provides a few new features to your iPhone, like a new sports tab in the Apple News app, but you should really download the update for all the security patches and fixes it includes.

To download iOS 16.5, go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the onscreen prompts.

The latest iPhone update patches almost 40 issues and bugs, Apple said in its patch notes, including three security issues that might be actively exploited. These three security issues relate to WebKit, the internet browser engine used in Safari and developed by Apple.

One of these issues could disclose sensitive information to a third party, and another could allow a third party to execute commands on your device without your knowledge. Fixes for these issues are in 16.5 for anyone who missed the release of the first iPhone Rapid Security Response, iOS 16.4.1 (a). The third issue could allow a third party access to more information across your device than is allowed.

The iOS update also patches an issue where someone could access your contacts from your lock screen. While Apple has provided ways to customize your lock screen, some people have run into issues where the lock screen can allow others to access some iPhone features, like replying to messages and even your Wallet.

Other patches in the update include stopping some apps from bypassing privacy preferences, blocking some apps from reading sensitive location information and preventing app termination when opening a PDF file.

For more, you can check out what new features iOS 16.5 brings to your iPhone and what features you may have missed in iOS 16.4.

Watch this: iOS 16: Powerful Features You May Have Missed

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Designed as a powerful companion for creative people, Sony’s new Xperia 1 V is like no other phone on the market right now. And if you’re looking to get your hands on one when it hits shelves in July, you won’t want to miss out on this preorder offer from Amazon. The Xperia 1 V lists for a pricey $1,400, but when you preorder yours through Amazon, you’ll get some nice bonuses, including a free pair of Sony LinkBuds (a $180 value) and a $50 Amazon gift card. There’s no set expiration for this offer, so there’s no guaranteeing how long you have left to take advantage. We’d recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings. Similar promos are available at Best Buy and directly at Sony.

While the new Xperia 1 V is a slight step down from the Xperia Pro, which we named the overall best phone for creatives in 2023, it’s equipped with cutting-edge hardware like a second-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 processor and a stunning 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display, with a 240Hz touch-scanning rate for extremely fluid performance. It’s even designed to be compatible with Sony Alpha cameras, so you can use it as an external monitor or for live streaming. Plus, it’s extremely durable, with an IP68 weather-resistance rating, and it features a substantial 5,000-mAh battery so you can go all day without needing to recharge.

“The phone brims with numerous quality of life improvements for its target audience of creative types like photographers, filmmakers, musicians and gamers who want nuanced control over the content they make,” CNET’s Patrick Holland wrote in his review. You can see his video review below.

This bundle also includes a pair of Sony LinkBuds earbuds, which earned a spot on our list of the best open wireless earbuds for 2023. Their unique ring design allows you to stay aware of your surrounding when you’re listening to music, but does mean that there’s no noise-canceling capabilities. However, they do automatically adjust the volume based on your surroundings, and feature a V1 processor for impressive audio quality.

Watch this: Review: We Tested the Cameras on the Sony Xperia 1 V

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the term “generative AI” at least a handful of times now, perhaps thanks to the wildly popular ChatGPT service. The AI-powered chatbot’s success didn’t just shine a spotlight on OpenAI, the creator behind it, but it also catalyzed an AI arms race in the tech industry – a race from which Apple has been noticeably absent.

Earlier this month, Google made a flurry of AI-related announcements at its annual developer conference, including a new AI-infused version of search and Bard, its AI-powered chatbot, which is being rolled out across the world. It’s not just Google. Before that, Microsoft built generative AI into its suite of long-established productivity apps like Word, PowerPoint and Outlook in a move that’s changing how more than a billion people work. In February, Meta released its own sophisticated AI model, which has many of the same capabilities at ChatGPT and Bard, as open-source software for public use.

But what about Apple?

The short answer: Even though AI technology is hardly new to Apple, the iPhone maker still remains missing – at least publicly – from the current generative AI gold rush.

“We’re in the heart of the generative AI hype cycle, and there are major new developments weekly, ” Avi Greengart, analyst at Techsponential, told CNET. “Apple can afford to be deliberate in how it applies new technologies to fit its ecosystem.”

Apple’s wait-and-see approach

Apple has typically adopted a wait-and-see approach around emerging technology, and that has often worked for the tech giant. For instance, the iPad wasn’t the first-ever tablet, but for many, including CNET editors, it is the best tablet. A more recent example on the hardware side is foldable phones. Apple is the only major holdout, with Google beating it to the punch. The search giant launched its inaugural foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, at its developer conference in May – and it hasn’t been making phones for as long as Apple. There are rumors, however, that a foldable iPhone, possibly known as the iPhone Flip, could go to market in 2025.

Based on remarks from CEO Tim Cook, it seems like Apple may be taking a similar approach with generative AI. “I do think it’s very important to be deliberate and thoughtful in how you approach these things,” Cook said in response to a question related to generative AI on Apple’s earnings call in May. “And there’s a number of issues that need to be sorted. … AI is being talked about in a number of different places. But the potential is certainly very interesting.”

However, with a fast-developing AI technology, Apple could risk falling far behind its rivals. For all Apple’s business success, it has lagged in specific categories. For instance, its HomePod smart speaker didn’t hit the market until years after the Amazon Echo and Google Home, which have a far higher market share than Apple in the smart speaker category.

When it comes to the topic of AI, Apple isn’t alone in adopting a cautious approach. It’s also coming from the technology’s own backers – including the founder and CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, who has concerns ranging from election disinformation to mass jobs displacement.

Last Tuesday, speaking before a Senate subcommittee, Altman said he’s “eager” for artificial intelligence to be regulated. He also spoke about the promise of artificial intelligence and discussed its potential harms. “If this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong,” he said.

Altman’s comments followed calls by a group of AI researchers and tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak, to pause development of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4 over concerns about runaway risks without sufficient guardrails. Geoffrey Hinton, credited as the “godfather of AI,” resigned from Google in May so that he could freely share his concerns about the technology he helped create, which he says could cause the world serious harm.

Does generative AI fit into Apple’s business?

Although Apple hasn’t publicly entered the generative AI fight, a recent 9to5Mac report said that the iPhone maker is working on an upgrade to Siri, one that could improve the virtual assistant’s conversational abilities via ChatGPT-like AI concepts. Apple didn’t reply to a request for comment.

While Apple hasn’t publicly discussed any plans for generative AI-based products, Cook did discuss the company’s focus on AI during its May earnings call. He cited AI-powered features like fall and crash detection, which are both available on the latest iPhones and Apple Watches.

“We view AI as huge,” he said. “We’ll continue weaving it into our products on a very thoughtful basis.”

AI is far from a brand new concept to Apple. Siri, which was released 12 years ago, uses speech recognition and machine learning to understand a query and serve up an answer. In recent months, Apple debuted camera enhancements such as photographic styles and the ability to cut and paste a subject from an image, both of which depend on AI.

In addition, Apple’s Macs and MacBooks, which now run on Apple-designed M1 and M2 chips, have dedicated neural engines with 16 cores, which are aimed at AI and machine learning tasks. Apple says AI performance is 40% faster than with its old Intel chips.

“You can expect that AI performance will become more and more important as more developers figure it out,” wrote CNET’s Stephen Shankland in a January article detailing Apple’s M2 chipset.

But as Greengart highlights, it would make sense for Apple to bring the tech to certain products that extend beyond Siri as well as its current AI-powered offerings.

“Apple likes to position itself as being at the intersection of technology and liberal arts,” Greengart told CNET in an email. “Generative AI would fit nicely into tools and software that Apple provides for artistic and personal expression; that could include anything from GarageBand to photo editing to email across iPhones, iPads, and Mac.”

However, a chatbot in the vein of OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Bard is likely not in the books for Apple. The underlying technology behind those chatbots, known as large language models, has a high resource requirement for development. That means significant investment in the form of computing resources, human talent and power, rendering it a possibility for huge enterprises with vast resources. While Apple presumably has those resources, it’ll have to be a worthwhile investment for the iPhone maker.

All eyes on WWDC

After Google devoted a considerable amount of air time to generative AI at its conference this month, all eyes are on Apple and what it might reveal at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 5. Apple executives could offer more clues on how the iPhone maker views generative AI and how it fits into the broader business. At WWDC, Apple typically introduces new software for the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and so on, and it’s possible that Apple could bake more AI into those updates.

Ahead of the conference, Apple previewed a slew of accessibility software features expected to make their way to its upcoming iOS 17 mobile operating system. One of the noteworthy drops is called Personal Voice. It uses on-device machine learning to allow users at risk of speech loss to replicate a voice after about 15 minutes of training. The phone can then speak aloud typed-out phrases, and it’s compatible with FaceTime and phone calls in a feature that could be a form of generative AI for voice.

More likely to take center stage, however, is Apple’s highly anticipated mixed reality headset, which would mark the company’s first entry into a new hardware category since 2015. According to a January Bloomberg report, it’ll cost around $3,000, run on Apple’s latest M2 chipset, boast eye- and hand-tracking systems, and feature a digital crown that lets users switch between AR and VR modes. It’s also probable that Apple will take advantage of fast-developing AI technology for its latest device as well.

“We need to keep in mind that generative AI is not only about generating text but also other types of content like graphics,” Will Wong, of market researcher International Data, told CNET. “Thus, it will be an area that is favorable for Apple to look into, especially if there is an AR/VR headset that comes into its product portfolio.”

Samsung’s next foldable phone could be right around the corner. If the smartphone maker maintains its typical product launch cycle, we could see another new version of Samsung’s book-style foldable phone around the August time frame. A recent report suggests it could arrive even earlier than usual.

Rumors indicate Samsung’s next foldable, expected to be called the Galaxy Z Fold 5, will be a minor update to the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Among the biggest changes is expected to be a redesigned hinge that should reduce the device’s thickness. But, of course, we won’t know for certain until Samsung makes an announcement.

Still, the rumors pointing to routine changes like a thinner build suggest Samsung is still fine-tuning the Galaxy Z Fold’s design. Each year, Samsung has implemented modest but useful changes to the Z Fold’s physique that make it more palatable. With the Galaxy Z Fold 4, for example, Samsung increased the cover display’s width, a small change that makes it feel a bit more like a regular phone when closed. But the Z Fold 4 is still notably girthy when folded compared to a standard phone, showing there’s still work to be done.

Samsung will also have more competition this year now that Google has introduced its first foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, which ships in June.

Here’s what we know about the Galaxy Z Fold 5 so far based on rumors and historical Samsung product launches.

Watch this: The Most Exciting Phones I Want to See in 2023

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Galaxy Z Fold 5 release date

Samsung typically releases new foldable phones in August. The Galaxy Z Fold 4, for example, was announced on Aug. 10 and went on sale Aug. 26. Before that, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 hit store shelves on Aug. 27 in 2021.

Samsung seems to have built a tradition around launching its foldable phones in August, and it seems likely the company might do the same this year. Plus, it gives Samsung an opportunity to generate buzz around its own products heading into the fall, which is when Apple and Google typically unveil their new smartphones.

However, Korean news outlet Chosun reports that Samsung will introduce its new foldable phones earlier than usual on July 26 in South Korea.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 price

Samsung’s tablet-style foldable doesn’t come cheap. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 starts at $1,800 without a trade-in. That’s certainly cheaper than Samsung’s original Galaxy Fold, but it’s still considerably more expensive than your average phone. It’s also the same price as Google’s recently announced Pixel Fold.

We haven’t heard much about the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s price when it comes to leaks and rumors. But TM Roh, president and head of Samsung’s mobile experience division, acknowledged when speaking with CNET last August that pricing is a challenge.

“It’s definitely a challenge that we are tackling, and we will need to tackle,” he said.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 design

If the rumors turn out to be true, Samsung may make some design refinements to the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Korean news outlets The Elec and ET News, as well as prolific leaker Ice Universe, have reported that Samsung will implement a new water drop-shaped hinge for the Galaxy Z Fold 5. This could result in a less noticeable crease and a slimmer profile when closed, similar to the Oppo Find N, which has this hinge style. The biggest benefit would be that the phone folds completely shut with no gaps, making it feel more sleek when being used as a normal phone.

That would be a much-appreciated improvement, considering one of the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s biggest drawbacks is that it still feels chunky when folded. Competitors like Oppo and Huawei have also done a better job at hiding the crease, as my colleagues Sareena Dayaram and Eli Blumenthal have written, so this new hinge could help Samsung catch up.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 S Pen

Samsung’s book-style foldable has supported the S Pen since the Galaxy Z Fold 3, so it seems likely that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will as well. The question, however, is whether you’ll be able to store it within the device as you can with the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

ET News reported that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will not include a storage slot for the S Pen. There’s less room for S Pen storage since the hinge structure has changed, the report said citing a person close to the issue.

However, a previous report from The Elec said Samsung cited adding a designated slot for the S Pen as a challenge that it believes needs to be overcome to further popularize foldable phones. This suggested that Samsung was indeed considering adding an S Pen holster to its next foldable.

Embedding the S Pen in the Galaxy Z Fold 5 could make it more useful as a productivity device, further defining who that product is truly for. But doing so while reducing the device’s thickness is certainly a challenge. One solution could be to create a magnetic mechanism for attaching the pen to the Z Fold 5, similar to the way the Apple Pencil attaches to the iPad.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 storage and other specs

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 will likely have some specifications in common with the Galaxy S23 lineup. The phone may be available in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage options, just like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, according to Sam Mobile.

It’ll also likely run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, according to The Elec, just like the Galaxy S23 family. Samsung optimized the version of the chip that’s inside its latest flagship phones, so it’s possible it will do the same for its next foldables.

We haven’t heard many rumors about the camera yet, but The Elec reports it could have a 12-megapixel selfie camera and a triple-lens rear camera with a 50-megapixel main camera. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 also has a 50-megapixel main camera, so it sounds like we won’t be seeing too much of an upgrade there. But if it does have the new Samsung-optimized edition of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, we may see some of the behind-the-scenes improvements to image processing that arrived on the Galaxy S23.

The 12-megapixel front camera would also represent an upgrade from the 10-megapixel selfie camera on Galaxy Z Fold 4’s cover screen, provided that The Elec’s information is correct.

Overall, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 seems like it could be a modest improvement over the Galaxy Z Fold 4. But if the rumors turn out to be true, it’ll represent another step toward addressing some of the aesthetic compromises that come with foldable phones, like screen creases and thick designs when shut.

Apple’s sleek MacBooks have long been some of our favorite laptops on the market, and the powerful MacBook Pro remains our favorite option out there for creative types. The latest M2 MacBook Pro may have claimed the spot on our list of the best laptops overall for 2023, but the previous-gen M1 models still have tons to offer, and today only you can snag one at a major discount. B&H Photo is currently offering a whopping $1,700 off an advanced configuration of a 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021), which drops the price down to $3,199. This deal is only available until 8:59 p.m. PT (11:59 p.m. ET) tonight, so be sure to get your order in before then if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

This powerful configuration features the most advanced specs and hardware available for the M1 MacBook Pro, so it can handle just about anything you throw at it. It’s equipped with an upgraded 10-core M1 Max CPU, along with a substantial 64GB of RAM and a 4TB solid-state drive for lightning-fast performance. The screen is a stunning 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, and it’s coupled with a 32-core integrated GPU for seriously impressive graphics. It’s also extremely versatile, thanks to the multiple USB-C ports, built-in SD card reader, HDMI port and 3.5mm headphone jack. Other features include an HD webcam and a touch ID sensor so you can log in instantly with a fingerprint scan.

And if you don’t need the most advanced (and expensive) configuration available, Woot has a selection of refurbished M1 MacBook Pro models that you can snag for less right now as well. Or you can check out our full roundup of all the best laptop deals available for even more bargains.

Amazon just kicked off a huge gaming promotion offering discounts on PC and console gaming devices, games and accessories. Running May 22 through May 28, Amazon’s Gaming Week offers a rare chance to save on some of the best products from reputable gaming brands outside of big events like Prime Day and Black Friday.

With everything from prebuilt gaming PCs and gaming laptops to headsets, mics, components and even gaming-related media like movies and books, there’s something for every gamer in this sale. To make things easier for you, we’ve pulled out a few of our favorite deals below. The deals are all limited in time, though, so you don’t want to wait on grabbing anything you need.

Sony InZone H7 wireless headset: $148 (save $82)

This wireless Sony PS5 headset also works with PCs and is back down to its lowest price to date. It offers an immersive over-ear design with 360-degree spatial sound and a flexible, flip-up boom mic.

Razer Naga Pro wireless gaming mouse: $90 (save $60)

Razer makes several gaming mice, but the Naga Pro is among the most customizable with its three interchangeable side plates and up to 19 programmable buttons. Today’s price is within $5 of its best ever.

Razer Blade 14: $2,000 (save $500)

Our favorite small gaming laptop is seeing a steep $800 discount right now returning it to its best-ever price. We like that it delivers a lot of gaming power for its size without feeling small, offers decent battery life and is a nice size for travel.

ROG Strix G15 gaming desktop PC: $1,100 (save $330)

If you want a solid, entry-level desktop gaming PC without breaking the bank, the ROG Strix G15 is worth a look at a new record-low price. It’s equipped with an Intel Core i7 processor, GeForce RTX 3060 12GB graphics, 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD.

Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G6 gaming monitor: $410 (save $290)

Down to a new all-time low price, this curved Samsung monitor offers a QHD resolution, 240Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for smooth gameplay. It also works as a smart TV.

More notable deals:

• Corsair MM300 gaming mouse pad: $17 (save $13)
• Razer Wolverine V2 wired controller for Xbox: $60 (save $40)
• HyperX Cloud II gaming headset: $60 (save $40)
• Logitech G Fits true wireless gaming earbuds: $160 (save $70)
• Blue Yeti USB microphone: $90 (save $40)
• Razer Huntsman Mini gaming keyboard: $80 (save $50)
• MSI Creator 17 Professional: $1,340 (save $1,009)
• Razer Blade 15: $2,500 (save $1,200)
• Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16: $2,000 (save $500)
• LG 27-inch UltraGear 27GP95R-B gaming monitor: $550 (save $150)

• Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB M.2 SSD: $115 (save $25)