Google's revolutionary AI-powered Ask Photos feature may be released soon

Google's revolutionary AI-powered Ask Photos feature may be released soon


Google is coming up with an AI feature called Ask Photos in the Google Photos app, as was announced at Google I/O 2024. Ask Photos will be like an advanced version of an already existing search in Google Photos. 


This feature will use generative AI to change the way users interact with Google Photos. With the help of Gemini, Ask Photos is expected to gather information more quickly and make the process of identifying objects in photos and finding photos more seamless. 


Google had earlier shared how the feature will work and now more information has been revealed. The feature has not started rolling out but one of the readers of 9to5Google was given access to the new feature on Pixel 8 Pro and has seen how the feature will look like within the app. 


The feature did not show up on any other device as Google Photos app mentioned that it was part of a “pre-release” study. According to the disclaimer viewed by 9to5Google, Google might be looking for feedback from users. 


Reportedly, Ask Photos appears on the Search bar in the Google Photos app. Next to the search bar, an “Ask” button will appear with the Gemini logo, just above familiar faces and image categories. Google had previously shown the feature as a dedicated tab within the app, but the design was subject to change. 


A new page is also set up with the feature and the app asks users to assign names to people in the photos. Another page asks users for prompts or to write their own questions about what they would like to see. According to 9to5Google, the sample prompt of “Photos of me” over time was not active and disappeared briefly afterward. 


With over 6 billion photos uploaded to Google Photos every day, it can be a monumental task to find a particular photo or a video from among thousands in your gallery. “With Ask Photos, you can ask for what you’re looking for in a natural way, like: “Show me the best photo from each national park I’ve visited,” says the company, adding that “Google Photos can show you what you need, saving you from all that scrolling.”


Google had previously said that the feature would be introduced in the coming months. There is no clarity about when it might be launched but considering the information being released, it could be soon.

First Published: Jul 19 2024 | 1:21 PM IST



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Google brings final beta version of Android 15 ahead of public release

Google brings final beta version of Android 15 ahead of public release


Google has released the fourth beta of the new Android 14 operating system for smartphones. In an update to the Android Developers Blog, Google said that the new beta version is the last scheduled update in Android 15 beta program, before the company starts rolling-out the new OS to general users. 


Google also said that with the fourth beta release, developer Application Programing Interfaces (APIs) and all app-facing behaviours are now final and ready to be integrated into apps that have been developed for the platform. Additionally, the american software giant stated that with beat 4, it has optimised and fixed some of the issues that were reported.


Consumer facing version of the Android 15 OS is expected to be launched with the upcoming Pixel 9 smartphone series which is set to be unveiled at the “Made By Google” event scheduled for August 13. 


Android 15 Beta 4: What’s new?


Google announced that the Android 15 achieved Platform Stability with the Beta 3, thus beta 4 primarily focuses on improving the overall experience and fixing issues and bugs that were reported during testing.


According to a report by 9To5Google, with Beta 4 Google has resolved the lock screen issues which reportedly demanded authentication for interacting with elements on the lockscreen that generally does not require the device to be unlocked.


The report also stated that Google has added improved Device diagnostic features to Android 15 with Beta 4. Within the System option in Settings app, there is a Device diagnostics section that allows users to run manual tests and view battery and storage health. There is also an Evaluation mode that allows users to assess another device using their smartphone.

First Published: Jul 19 2024 | 12:42 PM IST



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Microsoft resolves cloud outage that led US airlines to ground flights

Microsoft resolves cloud outage that led US airlines to ground flights


The Microsoft Corp. logo. The company is increasing its cybersecurity staff. Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg


Microsoft said early on Friday that its cloud services outage in the Central US region was resolved after it led to the grounding and cancellation of several flights.

 


Low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines, a unit of Frontier Group Holdings, Allegiant and SunCountry had reported outages that affected operations. Frontier said late Thursday that it was in the process of resuming normal operations, and that the ground stop had been lifted.

 


US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said the department was monitoring the flight cancellation and delay issues at Frontier, adding that the agency will hold the company and all other airlines “to their responsibilities to meet the needs of passengers”.

 


Frontier said earlier that a “major Microsoft technical outage” hit its operations temporarily, while SunCountry said a third-party vendor affected its booking and check-in facilities, without naming the company.

 


“The Allegiant website is currently unavailable due to the Microsoft Azure issue,” Nevada-based Allegiant said in a statement to CNN. Allegiant did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for a comment.

 


Frontier cancelled 147 flights on Thursday and delayed 212 others, according to data tracker FlightAware. 45 per cent of Allegiant aircrafts were delayed, while Sun Country delayed 23 per cent flights, the data showed. The companies did not give details on the number of flights impacted.

 


Microsoft said its outage started at about 6 pm ET on Thursday, with a subset of its customers experiencing issues with multiple Azure services in the Central US region.

 


Azure is a cloud computing platform that provides services for building, deploying, and managing applications and services.

Separately, Microsoft said it was investigating an issue impacting various Microsoft 365 apps and services.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Jul 19 2024 | 12:19 PM IST



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Google revels Pixel 9 Pro first look, new Fold gets Pixel 9 series branding

Google revels Pixel 9 Pro first look, new Fold gets Pixel 9 series branding


Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google has officially released the first look of two of its upcoming smartphones from the Pixel 9 series. In a teaser video posted by the company on X (formerly Twitter), Google released the first look of the Pixel 9 Pro smartphone. 


Additionally, the tech giant’s next generation foldable smartphone has also been made official. However, this time the Pixel Fold will be incorporated into the Pixel 9 series while getting rebranded as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.




Google has also confirmed that the Pixel 9 Pro Fold smartphone will be available in India, unlike Google’s first generation Pixel Fold that skipped the launch in the region. 


Google Pixel 9 series: Launch details


Google has already confirmed that it will be hosting its “Made By Google” event on August 13 this year, where it will be unveiling the Pixel 9 series. The company has also updated its Google Store website with a dedicated page for the Pixel 9 series which states “Coming 14 August”.


While Google has confirmed that the next foldable smartphone will hold the Pixel 9 series branding, it is also likely that the Pixel 9 series will feature a fourth model. According to reports, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro are likely to have displays of the same size, but Google might bring a Pixel 9 Pro XL with a larger screen.


Google Pixel 9 Pro: First look


The image released by Google for the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro reveals the new design of the smartphone and a new camera module. The Pixel 9 Pro features a flat frame design instead of the curved edges seen in past generation devices. Apart from the new frame design, the Pixel 9 Pro sports a floating island-style camera module, which is disconnected from the frame, unlike the camera visor design on the Pixel 8 series.


Standard Pixel 9 and the anticipated Pixel 9 Pro XL model are also expected to carry a similar design to the Pixel 9 Pro.

Google Pixel 9 Pro


Google Pixel 9 Pro


Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: First look


In the first official image released by Google for the upcoming Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the company offers a glimpse at the smartphone’s cover display and rear design. Instead of the traditional camera bar on Pixel devices, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an isolated square-shaped camera island on the top left side of the device. Similar to the Pixel 9 Pro model the Pro Fold also appears to be featuring a flat frame design. 

On the display front, it is difficult to say but the smartphone seems to be featuring a  narrower cover screen, which would likely affect the aspect ratio of the inner foldable display as well.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold


Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

First Published: Jul 19 2024 | 11:05 AM IST



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Online enrollment in AI courses sees a 50% growth on a YoY basis: Report

Online enrollment in AI courses sees a 50% growth on a YoY basis: Report



Enrolment in online Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) courses has surged by 50 per cent over the past 1 year, driven by the expanding application of AI technology in industries, said a research by hiring platform foundit.  The report also highlighted that freshers skilled in AI, ML, and cybersecurity currently bag the highest salaries in India. 


Key trends


12 per cent increase in AI and ML job openings over the last year


Enrollment in AI and ML courses online has surged by 50% over the last one year


AI and ML freshers have the highest average minimum salary (Rs 7.8 LPA) and average maximum salary (Rs 10.3 LPA) compared to other roles

First Published: Jul 19 2024 | 12:06 AM IST



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Tech wrap Jul 18: HONOR 200 series, OnePlus 2r, Nothing Phone 2a Plus, more

Tech wrap Jul 18: HONOR 200 series, OnePlus 2r, Nothing Phone 2a Plus, more



Nothing, the British consumer technology brand, has announced that it will be launching a “Plus” variant of the Nothing Phone 2a on July 31. In a press note released by the company announcing the name and the launch date, Nothing said that an “extraordinary new smartphone is coming.”


China’s HONOR has launched its 200 series smartphone in India. The series encompasses two models – HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro. Both of these smartphones offer artificial intelligence-powered features such as Magic Portal feature that the company said will enhance user’s interaction with the smartphone by understanding messages and guiding them to relevant apps. HONOR 200 series smartphones also get AI powered tools for photo enhancement, video editing and more.


OnePlus has announced that its recently launched Sunset Dune colour variant of the OnePlus 12r smartphone will be available in India starting July 20. Priced at Rs 42,999 the new colour variant  is offered in 8GB RAM and 256GB on-board storage configuration.


Dyson has launched its maiden high-fidelity headphones called Dyson OnTrac. The Singaporean technology company, known for its household appliances, offers customisation options on its first audio-only headphones with interchangeable caps and cushions for a more personalised experience.


Microsoft Designer app is now generally available for both iOS and Android users with a personal Microsoft account. With the AI-powered Designer app, the users can create custom images, stickers and more using a wide range of templates. Users can also edit images using AI and restyle them or create collages of images. Designer also arrives with an avatar creator which it prompts you to use on the mobile version of the app. 


Google Gemini has been less useful on the lock screen as it required the user to unlock the phone for even answering the simplest question. However, after receiving new updates, Google Gemini on Android can now answer ‘general questions’ even from the lock screen. 


Apple has clarified that its artificial intelligence features that the company collectively calls Apple Intelligence is not powered by the company’s OpenELM AI model. This comes after a Wired report stated that many technology giants including Apple, Nvidia and Amazon-backed Anthropic used material from thousands of YouTube videos, including video subtitles to train their AI models


Actor Scarlett Johansson has raised her concerns about OpenAI and deepfake technology, calling it “so disturbing” and expressing frustration after the company allegedly mimicked her voice for its ChatGPT system – Sky. She also took a jibe at OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman, suggesting he would make a good “Marvel villain”.


An era in space exploration will conclude when the International Space Station (ISS) is anticipated to be decommissioned in the early 2030s. Considered the epitome of international cooperation in space, the ISS will be succeeded by a next-generation Dragon spacecraft, developed by Elon Musk-owned SpaceX.

First Published: Jul 18 2024 | 8:03 PM IST



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