Category: Technologies

Adobe on Thursday revealed a third member of its Firefly family of generative AI technologies, a tool to rapidly try out different color schemes for illustrations.

With the “recolor vectors” tool, you upload a vector graphic file like a logo, illustration or, in Adobe’s example shown off during a Firefly live meetup, a mandala. Firefly then generates a quartet of illustrations, each with a new and, ideally, pleasing combination of colors.

“Firefly gets me into the realm of colors that I like … then I can tweak it from there,” said Adobe product evangelist Paul Trani in the demo. “This is such a pain in Illustrator to try to recolor all of this.”

Adobe isn’t the first to supply generative tools, a newly creative aspect of artificial intelligence technology. But its moves are important since Adobe is the top supplier of software to help creative professionals and amateurs.

The company launched its Firefly project earlier in March and has been gradually expanding access to the beta products to those who sign up on a waiting list. The first two tools let you turn a text prompt into an image and style text in rich new ways.

Adobe plans to make the vector recoloring tool available “in the next couple weeks,” spokesperson Taylor Skelton said Thursday.

You can guide the vector recoloring tool with sample images such as taxis, galaxies, butterflies and neon lights that already have colors you like. It works in conjunction with Adobe Illustrator software and its included artwork recoloring tool.

One of Firefly’s main selling points: the artificial intelligence technology was trained on Adobe’s own library of imagery and other licensed or public domain material so businesses won’t have to worry about copyright or trademark problems. Adobe also worked to counteract bias in training data and screen out potentially troublesome subject matter like sex and violence.

Adobe has been adding tens of thousands of Firefly beta testers each day, the company said. “Soon we’ll have all #adobefirefly beta participants accepted,” Firefly leader Alexandru Costin tweeted Wednesday.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to create some personal finance explainers that are edited and fact-checked by our editors. For more, see this post.

Less than a week after Apple released iOS 16.4 to the public, the company has rolled out the first beta version of iOS 16.5. Bug fixes, security updates and new features, like new emoji and Voice Isolation in calls, were released with iOS 16.4. The first iOS 16.5 beta, which came out Thursday, has some patches and a few features as well.

New iOS features can be fun, but we recommend downloading a beta only on something other than your primary phone, just in case the new software causes issues. Apple also provides beta testers with an app called Feedback, which they can use to notify the company about any issues in the new software. That way, problems can be addressed before general release.

Here are the new features beta testers can try now with iOS 16.5 beta 1.

Apple News gets a Sports tab

The Apple News app launched in 2015, and the first iOS 16.5 beta brings a Sports tab to the app for the first time. The tab can be found in the toolbar across the bottom of your screen when you open the app. Before, the toolbar displayed tabs for Today, News Plus, Audio, Following and Search. The iOS 16.5 beta 1 gets rid of the Search tab to make room for the Sports tab.

Ask Siri to start a screen recording

With iOS 16.5 beta 1, you can ask Siri to start a screen recording for you. Prior to this beta, you had to go to add the screen recording tool to your Control Center, then turn on the tool manually. Now you can ask Siri. This could save you time, since you won’t have to edit out the beginning and end of your videos where you turn the recording on and off.

There’s no word on when iOS 16.5 will be released to the general public. There’s also no guarantee these beta features will be released with iOS 16.5, or that these will be the only features to come out with the update.

For more, check out what’s new on your iPhone with iOS 16.4 and how to become an Apple beta tester so you can try out new iOS features before others.

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

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If you have a 5G-compatible iPhone running the new iOS 16.4 and use Google Fi for your phone service, you are finally able to connect to 5G. After not offering the capability for years, Google confirmed this week that Apple’s devices on its MVNO network gained the new capability with Apple’s latest software release.

The update enables 5G support for any 5G-capable iPhone, which includes the iPhone 12, 13 and 14 lines as well as the most recent iPhone SE. As per Google Fi’s support page, to turn on 5G you will need to download and install iOS 16.4 and then head to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. From there, tap on the section labeled Voice & Data or Cellular, tap on your Google Fi number and select 5G Auto.

Google Fi uses T-Mobile’s network, so enabling this setting will allow you to connect to that 5G service in the US.

Apple’s long-awaited augmented reality and virtual reality headset is rumored to be shown off at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. However, a noted Apple analyst on Thursday cast some doubt on whether the mixed reality headset will make its big debut at WWDC 2023.

Apple has pushed the mass production schedule for the headset back another one to two months due to concerns “about the AR/MR headset announcement recreating the astounding ‘iPhone moment,’” according to a tweet from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Thursday. The delay “adds uncertainty” to whether the headset will be announced at WWDC, he said.

This week, Apple announced that its annual WWDC event, which typically spotlights its latest software, will kick off on June 5. Bloomberg reported last month that the company was planning to unveil the headset at the event.

Apple’s AR/VR headset remains mostly a mystery. The device, which has been rumored to be in the works for years, would go up against hardware from Meta, Microsoft and others. Apple’s headset could cost in the $3,000 range — Kuo’s tweet suggests the price could push toward $4,000 — and have features similar to those of Meta’s Quest Pro.

See Also: Best VR Headsets of 2023

If the iPhone maker does reveal a headset at WWDC, it could be the first of several devices. Reports have suggested Apple is working on AR glasses as well as a more affordable VR-type headset. CNET’s Scott Stein says that Apple’s first-gen AR/VR headset is unlikely to be the iPhone maker’s end goal, and is likely more “a sort of foot in the door.”

Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ready for next-gen gaming? If you still haven’t gotten your hands on the Xbox Series X console from Microsoft and are looking for a deal, check out this bundle at Verizon. Right now you can get your hands on an Xbox Series X console and an Elite 2 controller in one bundle and save $100 in the process, bringing the price down to $580. (And you don’t need to have Verizon service to take advantage of this deal.) We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later.

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s flagship console right now. It offers 4K HDR gaming, custom solid-state storage, DirectX ray tracing and powerful performance. The console also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The Elite 2 controller has swappable paddles and D-pads so you can customize it to your exact preference. It also allows you to save up to three custom profiles. The Xbox Series X goes for $500 on its own and the Elite 2 controller is priced at $180 at the Microsoft Store, making this offer from Verizon a solid deal.

Read more: Best Xbox Deals: Save on Controllers, Headsets, Hard Drives and More

The Galaxy S23 series is the latest and greatest in Samsung’s flagship lineup, with multiple models claiming a spot on our list of the best phones overall for 2023. If you’re looking to get your hands on one, right now you can get a free storage upgrade at Amazon. That scores you the 256GB model of the Galaxy S23 for $800, which is $60 off and matches the price of the 128GB model. You can also snag the 512GB S23 Plus for $1,000 ($120 off) and the 512GB S23 Ultra for $1,200 ($180 off).

These discounts are also available on unlocked models, which means you don’t have to sign up with a service plan right away. There’s no set expiration for these deals, so get your order in soon if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.

If you’re just after the basics, you can snag the Galaxy S23, which we named the best small Android phone on the market in 2023. It has a 6.1-inch AMOLED display, and the 256GB model comes with 8GB of RAM. Or, if you prefer a larger screen, you can upgrade to the 6.6-inch Galaxy S23 Plus for $1,000. The step-up 512GB model comes with 8GB of RAM, and it features a larger 4,700-mAh battery for all-day use.

And if you’re after the best of the best, you can grab the Galaxy S23 Ultra for $1,200, which we named the best premium Android phone for 2023. With the step-up 512GB model, you also get an extra 4GB of RAM, bumping the total up to 12GB. In addition to the larger 6.8-inch AMOLED display, the S23 Ultra also features a stunning 200-megapixel rear camera rather than the 50-megapixel camera found on the other models, and comes with Samsung’s S Pen stylus included for easy note-taking, navigation and more.

And if you’re looking for a different model, you can check out our roundup of all the best phone deals for bargains on iPhones, Pixels and more.

E-readers are lightweight, easy to use and allow you to read anywhere you go without carrying a bulky bag of books. Plus, switching your personal library over to a digital format can clear a lot of clutter from your shelves at home. Today only, you can snag a 2018 Kindle Paperwhite in new condition starting at just $60 for the 8GB version. You can also upgrade to the 32GB model for just $10 more, while supplies last. This offer expires tonight, March 30, so we recommend you placing your order sooner rather than later.

This Kindle Paperwhite has a 6-inch, 300 ppi, glare-free display that’s suitable for reading both indoors and outside in direct sunlight. It’s also rated IPX8 waterproof, so it’s a great option for those who enjoy reading by the pool or at the beach. Plus, this Kindle allows you to adjust font, text size and more so you can read comfortably. And for those with an Audible account, you can switch from reading to listening via Bluetooth over headphones or a speaker.

As for battery life, this e-reader can last up to six weeks per charge with normal use, giving you plenty of time before you need a boost, even if you’re on vacation. Note that this model is an ad-supported version, so advertisements will appear when the device is locked. However, you can opt out later if you want to with a one-time fee through your Amazon account. If you’re an avid reader or just want a distraction-free device so you don’t end up scrolling through social media when you’re trying to relax, this is a great deal.

YES Network, the New York Yankees cable channel, is joining the streaming game. Ahead of Thursday’s MLB Opening Day, the network announced that it’s now offering a direct-to-consumer streaming option for local fans who want to watch games without signing up for a cable or satellite package.

The new option will run $25 per month if purchased on a monthly subscription or $240 if purchased annually. As part of a special launch promotion that runs through April 30, YES will offer the service at a discounted rate of $20 per month (through the end of 2023) or $200 per year.

Once signed up, fans will then be able to watch games and other YES programming via the network’s website or its YES app, which is available on iOS, Android, Samsung TVs and smart TV platforms including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Google TV.

In addition to Yankees games, the YES Network also broadcasts games for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the WNBA’s New York Liberty. The network says that its new streaming option will be available in its “regional coverage territory,” which consists of New York state, Connecticut, northeastern Pennsylvania, and north and central New Jersey.

YES’ move marks the latest major regional sports network to offer an option to cord-cutters who want to watch their local teams without springing for a pricey cable, satellite or streaming TV package. The new option also comes amid a continued rise in cord-cutting and turmoil among regional sports networks.

Diamond Sports Group, which owns the Bally’s Sports regional sports networks and airs the local games for 42 teams across MLB, NBA and NHL, filed for bankruptcy earlier this month. Warner Bros. Discovery, which broadcasts games for six teams across the three leagues on its AT&T SportsNet offering, similarly said earlier this month that it plans to exit the regional sports business.