Google allegedly got the Juno YouTube app removed from the Vision Pro App Store

Juno, a widely praised (unofficial) YouTube app for Vision Pro, has been removed from Apple’s App Store after complaints from Google, according to an update from Juno’s developer Christian Selig. Google, Selig says, suggested that his app violates their trademark.

It’s the latest setback for Selig, who shut down his popular Reddit client Apollo last year after the company changed its developer policies to charge for use of its API. The shutdown of Apollo and other apps like it ignited a sitewide protest from Reddit users and moderators.

This time, Selig says he doesn’t want drama, noting the $5 app was a “hobby project” for him to tinker with developing for visionOS. “I really enjoyed building Juno, but it was always something I saw as fundamentally a little app I built for fun,” Selig wrote on his website. “Because of that, I have zero desire to spin this into a massive fight akin to what happened with Reddit years ago.”

It’s unclear what aspect of Juno may have been the issue. Selig says that Google referenced its “trademarks and iconography” in a message to Apple, “stating that Juno does not adhere to YouTube guidelines and modifies the website” in a way that’s not permitted. “I don’t personally agree with this, as Juno is just a web view, and acts as little more than a browser extension that modifies CSS to make the website and video player look more ‘visionOS’ like,” Selig explains. “No logos are placed other than those already on the website, and the ‘for YouTube’ suffix is permitted in their branding guidelines.”

Google hasn’t made its own YouTube app for Vision Pro, though the company said in February such an app was “on our roadmap.” The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Selig says that people who have already paid for the app should be able to keep using it for the time being, though there’s a chance a future YouTube update could end up bricking it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/google-allegedly-got-the-juno-youtube-app-removed-from-the-vision-pro-app-store-232155656.html?src=rss

Threads will show how many followers you have in the fediverse

Meta has been steadily improving Threads’ compatibility with the fediverse over the last year. Now, the company is taking another significant step with an update that allows users to see more details about their followers and interactions with people from other servers across the fediverse.

Up to now, Threads has surfaced replies from Mastodon and other servers, and has alerted users to likes on their posts from other fediverse apps. But there was no way for a Threads user to see details about their followers from those services. That’s now changing, Adam Mosseri explained in a post.

With the update, anyone who has opted-in to fediverse sharing on Threads will be able to see a detailed list of their followers from other servers and view their profiles. This will give people on Threads a better sense of their reach and audience on Mastodon and other apps.

Threads’ fediverse support is still somewhat limited overall. Users still can’t reply to replies that originate on apps outside of Threads, and there’s no way to search for people on other servers from Threads. There’s also still a delay in cross-posting; it will now take 15 minutes for a post from Threads to appear as Meta also expanded the edit window for posts.

Elsewhere, third-party developers are also making it easier for users who want to post on multiple decentralized services. A new app called Croissant enables cross-posting to Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky all at once. The paid app, first spotted by TechCrunch, aims to replicate the functionality of enterprise social media management apps like Buffer.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-will-show-how-many-followers-you-have-in-the-fediverse-215441432.html?src=rss

Here’s how Sonos hopes to win back your trust after its app debacle

It’s been a disastrous few months for Sonos after the company botched a major overhaul of its mobile app. In an effort to win back users’ trust, the company has laid out a plan that includes several new commitments.

“Our priority since its release has been — and continues to be — fixing the app. There were missteps, and we first went deep to understand how we got here, and then moved to convert those learnings into action,” Sonos CEO Patrick Spence said in a statement. “We are committed to making changes to get us back to being the brand people love by offering the best audio system for the home and beyond.”

There are two pillars that Sonos’ latest plan is based on: tackling the core causes of the app’s problems (it wasn’t fully ready and lacked critical features) and winning back users’ trust. In the first instance, Sonos is promising an "unwavering focus on the customer experience." That nebulous commitment involves deciding on "ambitious quality benchmarks" at the beginning of a product development cycle and not releasing products before those standards are met.

The company will appoint a quality ombudsperson, who will be a point of contact for employees who have quality and customer experience concerns. Sonos leadership will consult this person during the development process and before any product rollouts. The ombudsperson will deliver a semi-annual report to the executives and employees as well.

Next, Sonos is planning to make its testing processes more stringent, such as by opening up its beta testing program to more types of users and different kinds of setups. Testing periods will be longer too. As such, Sonos thinks this will help it to address user concerns faster.

In addition, Sonos has pledged to roll out major changes to its app gradually. That way, users can provide feedback and let the company make tweaks before a significant update becomes the default for everyone. As for smaller-scoped features, there will be an opt-in toggle in the app for those who want to try them out on an experimental basis.

When it comes to earning consumers’ trust again, Sonos is making a trio of pledges. First, as a goodwill gesture, Sonos is extending the manufacturer warranty for all home speaker products (home theater gear and plug-in speakers) that are still under warranty. The company has promised to keep rolling out app updates between every two and four weeks in order to "optimize and enhance the software experience."

Last but not least, Sonos will set up a customer advisory board. This will provide the company with "feedback and insights from a customer perspective to help shape and improve our software and products before they are launched."

The company plans to implement all of these changes by the end of the year, though some of them are already in place. Sonos also notes that, unless it's able to rebuild trust with users and improve "the quality of the app experience," none of its executive leadership team members will receive an annual bonus for the fiscal year that commenced today. However, the company didn't spell out the parameters for meeting those goals.

The company debuted its new app in May in preparation for the debut of the Sonos Ace, its first set of headphones. However, to its detriment, Sonos rushed the rollout of the redesigned app. It was buggy and lacked several important and fundamental features, such as the ability to adjust alarms (it was possible, but inconvenient, to do that on the desktop app).

The company has spent several months trying to fix the issues, which it says will end up costing between $20 million and $30 million to resolve. The problems prompted Sonos to delay the release of two new products. It also laid off 100 workers in August.

Sonos says that it has brought back over 80 percent of the app's missing features and it expects to have restored almost 100 percent in the coming weeks. It claims that "the reliability and speed of the app has improved with each release."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/heres-how-sonos-hopes-to-win-back-your-trust-after-its-app-debacle-144236940.html?src=rss

Microsoft delivers new Copilot+ AI PC features with Windows 11’s 2024 update

Now that we're a few years into Microsoft's obsession with AI and its Copilot assistant, it's clearer than ever that Windows 11's role is to show off the company's artificial intelligence prowess. At least, that's the message I took away from today's announcement that the Windows 11 2024 (version 24H2) update is now beginning to roll out. While the OS itself is getting a few new features, like long overdue File Explorer tweaks, Microsoft is far more eager to hype up new Copilot+ AI PC capabilities.

There's "Click to Do," which triggers Copilot to assist you with whatever is on your screen, like removing an object in the Photos app, or summarizing a long article. It's seemingly easy to use — just hold the Windows button down and click your target — and Microsoft says it'll offer contextually relevant tips. As with so many of the company’s AI features, you can think of Click to Do as an on-demand super-powered version of Clippy, its infamous software helper from years past. But since Click to Do appears at your whim, and there are actually some potentially useful AI features, it should hopefully be far less annoying than that damn paperclip.

Windows 11 2024 update
Click to Do in Windows 11.
Microsoft

You'll also be able to upscale pictures in the Photos app by up to eight times their resolution. A slider will let you adjust precisely how much you'd like to increase the quality. This isn't particularly new—Adobe has its own AI-powered Super Resolution capability, as does the popular Mac photo editing app Pixelmator. But at least it's helpful to have it built directly into your OS. Generative AI-based fill and erase options are also coming to Paint, allowing you to remove objects or easily create new ones.

Microsoft has hinted at some AI-powered search improvements in the past, and it looks like those are finally arriving with the Windows 11 2024 update. Now you can find files using your own words, without worrying about esoteric search syntax. If you want to find pictures of your dog by the beach, you can just type that.

And of course, there's Recall, the company's debut Copilot+ feature for retrieving anything that happens on your computer. It was immediately criticized for being surprisingly insecure — researchers discovered that hackers could access the Recall screenshot database without administrator privilege. Microsoft immediately delayed Recall to revamp its security model: It's now making the feature completely opt-in, instead of flipping it on by default. Windows Hello biometric authentication is required to use Recall, and it's also encrypting the screenshot database and other interactions.

Windows 11 2024 update
Recall timeline in Windows 11.
Microsoft

Last week, the company detailed more of its security methods, including using VBS Enclaves to further isolate Recall from hackers. David Weston, Microsoft's VP of OS and enterprise security, noted in a blog post that "you are always in control" of the Recall experience. That reassurance may not be enough for users turned off by Microsoft's initial security flubs, though. If anything, Recall's rollout was a clear example of how the company was cutting corners to move quickly and be seen as an AI industry leader.

"Copilot will be there for you, in your corner, by your side, and always strongly aligned with your interests.," Mustafa Suleyman, the company's head of AI, wrote in an overly enthusiastic blog post. "It understands the context of your life while safeguarding your privacy, data and security, remembering the details that are most helpful in any situation."

Security will undoubtedly be a major concern for Copilot users moving forward, and according to Microsoft's Windows head, Pavan Davuluri, the company has learned from its troubled Recall launch.

"Ultimately, users want to have confidence with anything happening with sensitive data caches," he said in a briefing with press, adding that he believes the company has "gone above and beyond" to create that confidence. He also acknowledged that AI features enable "new attacks and defenses." For example, Windows has traditionally allowed administrator accounts to have total access to everything on a machine, but now users may want to see "additional rings of protection" with AI features.

Surface Pro Copilot+
The Surface Pro Copilot+ AI PC.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

Davuluri stressed that community feedback helped Microsoft make Recall more secure for users, and the company will continue listening as it carefully rolls out more AI-infused capabilities. That's also why all of the above Copilot+ features won't be rolling out to everyone immediately — they'll be available to Windows Insiders first, and then arrive via a phased rollout to "select devices and markets" in November. The Windows 11 2024 update will also have a staggered rollout starting today. If you're eager to snag it, make sure you've enabled "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" in Windows Update.

And what about features from this Windows 11 update that don't require Copilot+ PCs? They appear at the tail-end of Davuluri's blog post today, almost as an afterthought: There's Wi-Fi 7 support, HDR backgrounds, Energy Saver improvements to prolong battery life and better hearing aid support using Bluetooth LE. They sound like the Windows upgrades we used to see before Microsoft became completely AI-pilled, but they're certainly not as exciting as something like Click to Do.

Of course, that's all intentional. If you want to join the Copilot+ AI PC party, you'll probably have to get a new computer. And that's precisely what Microsoft and PC makers want.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsoft-delivers-new-copilot-ai-pc-features-with-windows-11s-2024-update-140048807.html?src=rss

Microsoft’s Copilot AI gets a voice and the ability to see websites you browse

Beyond debuting new features for Copilot+ AI PCs and Windows 11's 2024 update, Microsoft is also giving its Copilot AI a makeover on the web, mobile and desktop. That includes a slightly friendlier interface wherever you access it, along with new capabilities like Copilot Voice, which allows you to talk conversationally with the AI assistant. Ultimately, Microsoft is aiming for Copilot to be seen as more than just a party trick for generative AI search and image creation — it's trying to make it a core part of your daily workflow.

That starts with a cleaner and simpler UI that makes Copilot look different than a boring old search engine. That new look hits Copilot on the web, iOS, Android and Windows today. You'll also be able to access Copilot from within Whatsapp, which could be useful if you want to avoid Meta's AI assistant.

Microsoft also plans to release more experimental AI features via Copilot Labs, similar to the way Google has given users access to early features with its own Labs. There's Copilot Vision, which lets the AI see everything you're viewing in Edge, and Think Deeper, a method for letting Copilot work harder on more complex dilemmas. Both features also have the potential to create new privacy and security issues, but Microsoft appears to have learned a bit from its messy rollout for Recall on Copilot+ PCs. Notably, these Copilot Labs offerings will only be available to people paying for Copilot Pro subscriptions.

Microsoft says Copilot Vision sessions are "opt-in and ephemeral," and nothing is stored for AI training. Any data related to your session is deleted once you're done. The feature also won't work on all websites, only a "limited list of popular websites." And Microsoft notes that Copilot only interprets images and text that you're seeing on a website; it's not doing any major content processing. The company also plans to take feedback from early users, refine safety measures and "keep privacy and responsibility at the center of everything we do."

There's no doubt that Microsoft has to re-establish trust with its users after the botched rollout for Recall, a feature that was meant to help you find anything you've done on your computer, but had some gaping security holes early on. "Ultimately, users want to have confidence with anything happening with sensitive data caches," Microsoft's Windows head, Pavan Davuluri, said when we asked him about the lessons the company learned from the Recall fiasco. He added that he believes the company has "gone above and beyond" to create that confidence by establishing new security standards for Recall.

Microsoft Copilot
Copilot Discover
Microsoft

There are less controversial features coming, as well: Copilot Daily uses Copilot Voice to delivery a summary of news, weather and potentially reminders about tasks every day. Based on the demos we've seen, it's a lot like an early morning podcast built just for you. Copilot Discover, meanwhile, will give you tips about AI features to use (pictured in the screenshot above), depending on Microsoft services you've used in the past.

Personally, I'm still a bit ambivalent about Microsoft's near-instant transformation into an AI company. That's particularly true since we're still dealing with inaccuracies and other issues from OpenAI's ChatGPT, which Microsoft relies on to power Copilot. These Copilot features seem a bit more useful than being a souped-up search engine, but the company still needs to prove it can build AI features with bulletproof security and privacy.

As with practically any AI product these days, Microsoft is also staggering the release of these Copilot features. Copilot Voice and Daily launch today, but Voice will only be available in English in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and New Zealand. Copilot Daily, meanwhile, only works in the US and UK for now. Copilot Vision will head to Labs over the coming days for a "limited number" of Copilot Pro subscribers, while Think Deeper is available for Pro users in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsofts-copilot-ai-gets-a-voice-and-the-ability-to-see-websites-you-browse-140030003.html?src=rss

Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements updated with new AI features

Adobe’s updated consumer-focused Elements apps are here. Photoshop Elements 2025 adds new Magic Eraser-style object removal, depth of field adjustments and more. Meanwhile, Premiere Elements 2025 for video creators introduces dynamic titles, color correction tools and a simplified timeline.

The Elements apps, which Adobe debuted 23 years ago, take select features from the high-end professional suites and trickle them down to casual users. They’re like pared-down and easier-to-use versions of Photoshop and Premiere Pro for people who don’t want to learn pro graphic design or video-editing skills. The company also sells them as $100 each one-time purchases, rather than requiring a subscription. (You can also bundle both for $150.) With today’s AI features, the consumer-friendly apps let you do more than ever without much technical know-how.

Photoshop Elements 2025 adds an AI-powered Remove feature similar to the version in the pro Photoshop (along with Google’s Magic Eraser and Apple’s Clean-Up tool). Like those competing versions, Adobe’s tool lets you brush an object, person or animal, and it removes it, filling in a replacement background.

Elements 2025 also adds a faux portrait mode feature (Depth Blur) for any image. Select a focal point, and Adobe’s AI will add blur to create a sense of depth to simulate a wide-aperture lens. From there, you can tweak the blur strength, focal distance and focal range.

Two panes demoing Adobe's Photoshop Elements color replacement. A person wearing a hat and shirt, with different colors in each frame.
Adobe

A new color correction feature lets you select an area of a photo, pick a new color from a pop-up dial and slide it over until it looks how you want it. Photoshop Elements also has a photo-combining tool that lets you blend a subject from one image and a background from another — creating something new. The app also adds an AI motion effect feature that simulates movement blur for the subject.

Premiere Elements, Adobe’s consumer-level video app, incorporates new AI features, too. A new white balance tool and footage color LUTs (lookup tables) give you user-friendly color curves and presets — making it easier to tweak the overall mood.

Demo slide of Adobe’s Premiere Elements 2025 LUT correction. A person skateboarding with a pop-up menu showing color filter options for the entire image.
Adobe

The video app also adds a simpler timeline. “See video tracks grouped together and audio tracks grouped together for easier navigation, find the editing options you use most in the new Quick Tools menu, lock individual tracks to prevent accidental changes, and more,” Adobe wrote in its press release. In addition, Premiere Elements adds dynamic titles with more text controls, and you can use Adobe Stock title templates without paying extra.

Both Elements apps fully support Apple’s M3 chip “for faster performance on Mac computers.” (Here are the full Windows and macOS system requirements for Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements.) The pair of apps will also have scaled-down web and mobile app counterparts for editing on the go.

Adobe’s MAX conference starts on October 14. That’s where the pro editor community can learn more about the new AI (and other) features coming to the company’s high-end subscription-based desktop apps.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/adobe-photoshop-elements-and-premiere-elements-updated-with-new-ai-features-130029684.html?src=rss

Threads is adding location sharing to posts

Threads seems to be rolling out a new location tagging feature that allows users to add a location to their posts. Some users have reported seeing the change in Threads’ app, though it doesn’t seem to be available to everyone just yet.

The feature is similar to location tagging on Instagram. When you give Threads access to your location, you’ll see a list of nearby places to tag, though you can also manually search for a place. For example, I saw that a few users already jokingly tagged their posts as “hell.”

According to an in-app disclaimer from Meta, the company plans to use location sharing to better customize Threads by showing “personalized content” about places nearby. The change could help improve Threads’ search functionality, which still often falls short, and make the app slightly more useful for following breaking news and other timely events.

Meta's in-app disclaimer for location sharing in threads.
Threads

The change could also come in handy in the future when Meta finally flips the switch on advertising in Threads. Mark Zuckerberg has said the company plans to continue growing the service before bringing ads to the platform, but getting users’ consent to sharing locations would provide a crucial bit of information for the company’s ad machine.

Meta didn’t immediately respond to questions about the feature, but the company appears to still be rolling it out. Location sharing appeared for me in the Threads app, but then disappeared about an hour later. It doesn’t seem to be visible at all yet on the web version of Threads.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/threads-is-adding-location-location-sharing-to-posts-224114320.html?src=rss

Microsoft explains how it’s tackling security and privacy for Recall

The condemnation of Microsoft's Recall feature for Copilot+ AI PCs was swift and damning. While it's meant to let you find anything you've ever done on your PC, it also involves taking constant screenshots of your PC, and critics noticed that information wasn't being stored securely. Microsoft ended up delaying its rollout for Windows Insider beta testers, and in June it announced more stringent security measures: It's making Recall opt-in by default; it will require Windows Hello biometric authentication; and it will encrypt the screenshot database.

Today, ahead of the impending launch of the next major Windows 11 launch in November, Microsoft offered up more details about Recall's security and privacy measures. The company says Recall's snapshots and related data will be protected by VBS Enclaves, which it describes as a "software-based trusted execution environment (TEE) inside a host application." Users will have to actively turn Recall on during Windows setup, and they can also remove the feature entirely. Microsoft also reiterated that encryption will be a major part of the entire Recall experience, and it will be using Windows Hello to interact with every aspect of the feature, including changing settings.

"Recall also protects against malware through rate-limiting and anti-hammering measures," David Weston, Microsoft's VP of OS and enterprise security, wrote in a blog post today. "Recall currently supports PIN as a fallback method only after Recall is configured, and this is to avoid data loss if a secure sensor is damaged."

When it comes to privacy controls, Weston reiterates that "you are always in control." By default, Recall won't save private browsing data across supported browsers like Edge, Chrome and Firefox. The feature will also have sensitive content filtering on by default to keep things like passwords and credit card numbers from being stored.

Microsoft Recall Security Architecture
Microsoft

Microsoft says Recall has also been reviewed by an unnamed third-party vendor, who performed a penetration test and security design overview. The Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering team (MORSE) has also been testing the feature for months. 

Given the near instant backlash, it's not too surprising to see Microsoft being extra cautious with Recall's eventual rollout. The real question is how the the company didn't foresee the initial criticisms, which included the Recall database being easily accessible from other local accounts. Thanks to the use of encryption and additional security, that should no longer be an issue, but it makes me wonder what else Microsoft missed early on.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsoft-explains-how-its-tackling-security-and-privacy-for-recall-170059383.html?src=rss

How to mirror your iPhone on macOS Sequoia

With macOS Sequoia and iOS 18, Apple has a handy new way to hop between devices while on desktop. iPhone Mirroring shows your phone’s screen on your computer; you can even use your mouse and keyboard to interact with it. Here’s how to set up and get the most out of iPhone Mirroring.

First, iPhone Mirroring has several conditions. It only works with Apple Silicon Macs (late 2020 and later) or Intel-based models with the Apple T2 Security Chip (2018 to 2020). Of course, you’ll need to install macOS Sequoia first to use the feature. Any iPhone running iOS 18 will do.

The feature only works when your iPhone is locked (it’s okay if it’s charging or using Standby). If you unlock your iPhone while using iPhone Mirroring, the feature will temporarily disconnect.

Both devices also need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and you’ll have to sign with your Apple Account on each. Your account needs two-factor authentication (using a trusted device or phone number) activated. The feature won’t work if your phone’s Personal Hotspot is active or you’re using AirPlay, Sidecar or internet sharing on your Mac.

Screenshot of the iPhone Mirroring app icon in the macOS dock. Other apps flank it to the left and right.
Screenshot by Will Shanklin for Engadget

Open the iPhone Mirroring app on your Mac. It should already be in your Dock (see the screenshot above), but you can also find it in your Applications folder.

The app starts with a welcome screen. Tap “Continue,” then follow the prompt to unlock your iPhone.

Next, approve iPhone notifications on your Mac. This feature shows your handset’s alerts in your Mac’s Notification Center. (When you click an iOS alert on your Mac, it will open the corresponding app in the iPhone Mirroring app.) iPhone notifications on your Mac work even when the iPhone Mirroring app is closed or inactive, or if your phone isn’t nearby.

After approving notifications, a final screen will confirm that iPhone Mirroring is ready. Click the “Get Started” button to start. Once it loads, you’ll see your iPhone’s screen.

First, you may want to resize the iPhone Mirroring app. Apple only gives you three options: actual size, smaller and larger. You can change them using keyboard shortcuts: larger (Cmd +), actual size (Cmd 0) and smaller (Cmd -). You can also resize the window in your Mac’s menu bar under the View section. Dragging the edges of the window to resize it (like with other macOS apps) won’t work here.

In most cases, interacting with your virtual iPhone on your Mac is as simple as mimicking its usual touch gestures with your trackpad and typing in text fields using your Mac’s keyboard.

macOS screenshot of the iPhone Mirroring app (showing Spotify, playing a John Lee Hooker album) overlaying a webpage in Chrome on Mac. A red arrow points at two buttons (Home and App Switcher) at the top of the virtual iPhone window.
Screenshot by Will Shanklin for Engadget

Swipe-based gestures for Home, App Switcher and Control Center won’t work on Mac, but they have shortcuts. If you move your pointer to the top of the iPhone Mirroring window, a new area will appear, revealing buttons for the iOS Home Screen (left) and the App Switcher (right). (See the screenshot above.) This area also lets you click-hold and drag the app to reposition it.

You can also go to the Home Screen by clicking on the horizontal bar at the bottom of the app’s window or using the Cmd 1 keyboard shortcut. In addition, Cmd 2 activates the App Switcher, and Cmd 3 triggers a Spotlight search. Or, swipe down with two fingers on your Mac’s trackpad from the iPhone Home Screen (in the Mac app) for Spotlight.

There’s no way to activate the iOS Control Center from your Mac. You also can’t manually change the orientation of the virtual iPhone screen, but it will rotate automatically if you launch a game that starts by default in landscape mode:

The game Bloons 5 in landscape mode, running in the iPhone Mirroring app on macOS Sequoia.
Screenshot by Will Shanklin for Engadget

iPhone audio will play on your Mac while using the feature. Some iPhone videos will play in the iPhone Mirroring window, too. However, copyrighted content will be restricted in some cases, so some videos will only be viewable through corresponding macOS apps or desktop browser windows.

Apple’s Universal Clipboard can be useful while using iPhone Mirroring. Copy something on your virtual iPhone, and you can paste it on your Mac, and vice versa. You can also use AirDrop to transfer files between the two devices while using iPhone Mirroring.

iPhone Mirroring will time out if you don’t use the virtual phone for a while. Ditto for if you move your handset away from your computer. If it times out, just follow the app’s prompt to reconnect.

macOS screenshot showing the settings window for the iPhone Mirroring app.
Screenshot by Will Shanklin for Engadget

You can choose whether to require authentication every time you use iPhone Mirroring. In the Mac app, choose iPhone Mirroring > Settings in the menu bar (or type Cmd space), and you’ll see a barebones settings screen.

You can choose “Ask Every Time” or “Authenticate Automatically.” The former requires your Mac login password, Touch ID or Apple Watch confirmation to use your virtual iPhone on your desktop. Meanwhile, the latter will log into your phone automatically without authenticating each time.

You can also reset iPhone access in this settings screen. This removes your entire setup, and you’ll need to start the process from scratch the next time you open the iPhone Mirroring app.

If you have more than one iPhone tied to your Apple Account, you can choose which one to use with iPhone Mirroring under Settings > Desktop & Dock on your Mac. If this applies to you, you’ll see the option under the “Use iPhone widgets” section. (If you only have one iPhone under your Apple Account, this option won’t appear.)

For more information on Apple’s latest models, you can check out Engadget’s reviews of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro series phones, along with the latest MacBooks.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-mirror-your-iphone-on-macos-sequoia-130003743.html?src=rss

Meta will use AI to create lip-synced translations of creators’ Reels

Meta just announced an intriguing tool that uses AI to automatically dub Reels into other languages, complete with lip-sync. This feature was revealed at the annual Meta Connect livestream event and was introduced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg showed this off during the keynote, and everything seemed to work flawlessly. The technology not only translates the content, according to Meta, but will also “simulate the speaker’s voice in another language and sync their lips to match.” It’s worth noting, however, that this didn’t appear to be a live demo, but was still pretty impressive. 

As for a rollout, the company says the feature will arrive first to “some creators’ videos” in English and Spanish in the US and Latin America. Meta didn’t give a timetable here. It just said the US and Latin America will be getting it first, which indicates that it’ll be tied to English and Spanish at launch. The company did mention that more languages are coming soon.

That wasn’t the only AI tool spotlighted during Meta Connect. The company’s AI platform will now allow voice chats, with a selection of celebrity voices to choose from. Meta AI is also getting new image capabilities, as it will be able to change and edit photos based on instructions from text chats within Instagram. Messenger and WhatsApp.

Catch up on all the news from Meta Connect 2024!

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-will-use-ai-to-create-lip-synced-translations-of-creators-reels-175949373.html?src=rss