If you are among the people who aren’t impressed by the camera app on their Android phone, there are several third-party options that you can opt for. These third-party camera apps often pack advanced, pro-level controls and filters that aren’t available on the stock camera app.

However, they usually lack some of the basic features offered on the stock camera app. To fix this OEM can package its features into an “extension” that third-party camera apps use. As of now, Android has five types of extensions, but the upcoming Android 15 update could add support for a sixth extension dubbed Eyes Free videography.

On the inside, every camera app, be it the OEM stock app or a third-party app, is developed on top of Android’s Camera2 API. The Camera2 Extensions API offers a method for camera apps to access extensions that OEMs have implemented on their phones.

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Android 15 Wants To Make Third-Party Camera Apps Better

With Android 14, the Camera2 Extensions API offered support for five different types of extensions:

• Auto: “adjusts the extension mode according to the current scene background”
• Bokeh: “sharpens the foreground subject and blurs the background”
• Face retouch: “touches up skin texture, under-eye tone, and more”
• HDR: “widens exposure range, resulting in more vivid photos”
• Night: “brightens photos in low-light situations”

It’s not necessary that all these five extensions will be available for devices of all brands. For instance, Samsung has used every extension for several of its devices, while Google has only implemented the Night extension on its recent Pixels. Furthermore, these five extensions can only be used during image captures and previews but not for video recordings.

The new Eyes Free videography Camera2 extension, in turn, could be Android’s first Camera2 extension that can come in handy for video capture. This sixth Camera2 extension “aims to lock and stabilize a given region or object of interest” according to its description in AOSP.

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Android 15 To Make A Level Playing Field

While the ISP and camera pipeline in most devices already support basic video stabilization, more advanced techniques will need a bit of support. Third-party developers creating camera apps that support different Android devices face difficulties in creating a universal implementation of features such as night mode, HDR, bokeh, etc, which is similar to the stock implementation.

That’s the reason Camera2 extensions API exists, to provide third-party camera apps access to the same night mode, boken, HDR, and other features seen on the stock camera app. Android 15 will extend the list of available extensions to include a new Eyes Free videography extension.

Sony seems to be playing with the idea of a PlayStation controller that comes with a dedicated “rewind” button, as per a recently published patent. The patent spotted by Tech4Gamers is for gameplay rewind technology that would activate when the user pressed "a universal button on a controller during live gameplay."

The button will activate a mode where players can see several image frames of the live gameplay that they can then scroll through. Selecting one will allow the player to review their gameplay from that point.

As per the patent images, the button could be located where the “Share” button on the controller is currently. Another image shows an on-screen interface button similar to those on a TV remote, with images indicating Play, Pause, Next, Previous, Fast Forward, and Rewind. Moreover, there’s also a “Return” button.

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How Will This New Feature Come In Handy For Users

The patent description suggests that this feature would come in handy in a number of ways, such as reminding a player of important quest information they might have missed, or how to reach a location they have been before that they cannot recall how to access.

It also describes that a player might bookmark certain sections of gameplay they may want to revisit later, with the rewind button enabling them to quickly revisit these saved moments. The patent also talks about the challenges:

"Accessing recent gameplay while the player is playing a video game is difficult, and requires hacking an existing service to view the portion of the gameplay of interest," the patent explains.

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When Will the Feature Go Into Development Phase

"For instance, the player may have to specifically instruct the gaming system to create a file including portions of gameplay for purposes of sharing with other players. The player may have to exit the gameplay in order to create the sharing file. When the sharing file is completed, the player can then access the portion of the gameplay of interest for viewing."

While this patent is certainly interesting, it doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to see a rewinding controller in the coming days. Gaming firms often patent tech they are working on, some of which makes it to market, and some do not. In the last few years, Sony has patented adaptive game difficulty systems, an interactive AR-based trophy system, auto-play and slow mode features, NFT, and blockchain tech.

Microsoft seems to be stepping back from charging Microsoft 365 Personal and home subscribers another $20 per month to get access to AI-powered Office features. The software giant quietly announced it’s making Copilot Pro features part of its Microsoft 365  personal and Family subscription recently, but only in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand for now.

“It’s been nine months since we introduced consumers to Copilot in our Microsoft 365 apps via Copilot Pro. We’ve spent that time adding new features, improving performance, and listening carefully to customer feedback,” says Microsoft in a press release spotted by ZDNet. “Based on that feedback, we’re making Copilot part of our Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions.”

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Microsoft 365 Getting New Apps In Select Markets

The company is also adding its Microsoft Designer app to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions in these select markets. “Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers will receive a monthly allotment of AI credits to use Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Designer,” explains Microsoft. “The credits will also apply to apps like Paint, Photos, and Notepad on Windows.”

If you have a Microsoft 365 Family subscription in one of these select markets, only the subscription owner will get access to Copilot and it cannot be shared with other family members. While some Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers are getting more for their monthly subscriptions, prices are going up in exchange for Microsoft rolling in Copilot Pro.

“To reflect the value we’ve added over the past decade and enable us to deliver new innovations for years to come, we’re increasing the prices of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family,” says Microsoft. “The price increase will apply to existing subscribers upon their next renewal.”

Also Read: Xbox Game Pass November Line-Up Revealed

Microsoft’s AI-Powered Chatbot Available For Some Xbox Users

Microsoft has been testing their AI-backed chatbot for Xbox for several months and now the update is available for selected users. Dubbed Support Virtual Agent, it is an AI-powered technology designed to help Xbox players resolve support-related gameplay difficulties more efficiently.

As per the tech giant, the AI chatbot can quickly gain information from Xbox help pages to answer questions about Xbox console and game support difficulties. According to reports, Xbox Insiders based in the US can try the Xbox AI chatbot through support. Xbox. Command will address questions about the Xbox console and game support issues.

Megha Dudani, Senior Product Manager Lead Xbox said, “We appreciate feedback from Xbox Insiders on this preview experience, and any feedback received will be used to improve the Support Virtual Agent," as quoted by The Verge.

Beats, Apple’s iconic audio brand, has announced a new collaboration with Kim Kardashian, launching a special-edition version of its Beats Studio Pro headphones and the Beats Pill speaker to the Indian market.

As of November 2024, fans of the brand and Kardashian’s aesthetic can buy the limited-edition Beats x Kim collection on Apple.com/in and at selected Apple outlets and authorized retailers across India.

The Beats x Kim collection gives two popular Beats products a chic makeover, bringing Kardashian’s signature neutral palette to the design. The Beats Studio Pro headphones are now available in three distinctive shades: Moon, Dune, and Earth. Meanwhile, the Beats Pill portable speaker is offered in two colors: Light Grey and Dark Grey.

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Beats x Kim Kardashian Headphones, Speakers Price

Available in limited quantities from November 7, the Beats x Kim collection brings a premium price tag. The Beats Studio Pro headphones are priced at Rs 37,900, while the Beats Pill speaker retails at Rs 16,900. 

Customers can find these special-edition products at select Apple stores in Mumbai’s Apple BKC and New Delhi’s Apple Saket, as well as online retailers including Amazon, Flipkart, Croma, and Reliance.

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Beats Studio Pro Headphones Features

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are designed with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, enabling users to eliminate noise for a focused audio experience. Moreover, the Transparency in varied environments. For an immersive experience, these headphones support Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.

The headphones have prioritized comfort with UltraPlush leather cushions that offer wearability over extended listening sessions. The headphones come with an impressive battery life of up to 40 hours and, with USB-C compatibility, enabling users to enjoy Lossless Audio, making good clarity.

The compact Beats Pill speaker, another highlight of the collection, is designed for portable, high-quality audio with up to 24 hours of battery life. Like the Studio Pro headphones, it charges via USB-C, facilitating faster recharging. The speakers for a fuller audio experience. With compatibility across iOS and Android devices, the Beats Pill caters to a wide range of tech preferences.

Besides, Android users will also be able to use added features through the Beats companion app, making this device accessible across platforms. 

iQOO 13 is set to launch in India soon. The company has confirmed that the smartphone will come packed with Qualcomm’s latest octa-core Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It has teased the design of the handset alongside some display features.

Now, the company has announced the launch timeline of the iQOO in India. The smartphone was launched in China on October 30. the Indian version is said to be similar to its Chinese counterpart in terms of design and key specifications.

The iQOO 13 will hit the Indian market in December, the company confirmed in an X post. As part of the company’s collaboration with BMW Motorsport, the smartphone will arrive in a Legend Edition with blue-black-red tricolor patterns.

Also Read: Oppo Find X8, X8 Pro To Launch In Indian Market Soon

iQOO 13 Under The Hood

The Indian variant of the iQOO 13 will be available for purchase through the official iQOO e-store and Amazon. An Amazon microsite for the handset has gone live. The smartphone is teased with the Halo light feature. The microsite reveals that it will get a 2K LTPO AMOLED display panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. It is said to carry a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC paired with a Q2 gaming chipset.

The iQOO 13 launched in China with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, an in-house Q2 gaming chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of onboard storage. It ships with Android 15-based OriginOS 5. It is said to arrive in India with a FuntouchOS 15 skin on top. The smartphone sports a 6,150mAh battery with 120W wired fast charging support.

The iQOO 13 comes equipped with a 6.82-inch 2K (1,440 x 3,168 pixels) BOE Q10 8T LTPO 2.0 OLED screen with up to 144Hz refresh rate and HDR support. As for the cameras, the smartphone has a 50MP triple rear camera unit, which has a 50MP telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide shooter. The front-facing camera is a 32MP sensor and the phone has an IP68 and IP69-rated build as well as an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for security.

Also Read: Honor Magic 7, Magic 7 Pro Launching Globally Soon

iQOO 13 Posts Impressive Benchmark Scores

The benchmark scores hint at a robust processing power for the upcoming handset. The benchmark shows that the iQOO 13 scored 3,142 points in single-core tests and 10,052 points in multi-core tests. These scores surpass those of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which reportedly achieved 3,069 and 9080 points respectively using an 'overclocked' Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset.

When pitted against Apple’s latest smartphone, the iPhone 16 Pro Max managed to get higher scores in single-core tests with a score of 3,562 but fell short in multi-core tests with only 8,814 points.

This comparison highlights the competitiveness of iQOO’s upcoming smartphone might hold against other flagship devices. Despite these promising features and performance scores, some leaks hint that the iQOO 13 could have slower charging capabilities compared to its precursor, the iQOO 12.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series will reportedly come with a new ‘Slim’ model alongside regular vanilla, Plus, and Ultra models. This new version should come months ahead of the also new and rumored Apple iPhone 17 Slim/Air, providing the Samsung smartphone an edge over other devices. Now, the alleged Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim launch timeline and more details have been reported in the latest development.

Besides, the new ‘Slim’ model, another leak reveals the Galaxy S25/S25+ has two new Sparkling colors. The launch timeline for the Samsung Galaxy S25 series flagships seems to be fast approaching as the speculations intensified in recent days.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim Appears Online
 

The regular Galaxy S25 models reportedly have the model numbers: SM-S931 (S25), SM-S936 (S25+), and SM-S938 (S25 Ultra). Smartprix notes the company is working on a fourth new smartphone with the model number SM-S937U, where the ‘U’ at the end could mean it will be the US version.

The model number has appeared on the GSMA IMEI database. The database listing mentions the market name as just Galaxy, possibly because the company doesn’t want the actual name to come out. The Samsung SM-S937U is said to be the Galaxy S25 Slim US variant, although the moniker is not officially confirmed.

The report suggests that Samsung usually registers its devices in the GSMA IMEI database 6-7 months before the launch. This will give the brand enough time to test before officially launching. Smartprix notes the alleged Samsung S25 Slim will be announced in Q2 2025. This is months after the regular Galaxy S25 launches.

Also Read: Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip Powering Flagships Has Heating Woes

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim To Take On iPhone SE 4

If the timeline turns out to be true, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim will look to take on the Google Pixel 9a and the Apple iPhone SE 4, which are said to launch around the same timeline.

While it’s too early to know the specifications, tipster Ice Universe claims the Galaxy S25 Slim will have an ‘Ultra’ camera. While it is not clear what this exactly means, it is possible the smartphone could pack a similar camera setup as the Galaxy S25 Ultra or better than the regular S25 and S25+ camera setups. Apart from the Galaxy S25 Slim, the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ are said to get two new colors: Sparkling Blue and Sparkling Green.