Tag Archives: Software

Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve 21 takes on Adobe Lightroom with a new Photo page

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Many creators have already switched from Adobe Premiere to DaVinci Resolve, and now the developer, Blackmagic Design, is going after Lightroom and Photoshop. The Australian company just unveiled DaVinci Resolve 21 in beta at the NAB 2026 broadcast convention with a brand new page called Photo designed to let you do things like crop and color-correct still images. At the same time, the new version introduces video AI tools that can age a subject or reshape their facial features. 

DaVinci Resolve has always let you edit photos as clips on a video timeline, but now it's greatly simplified with the Photo page. You can import and manage photographs, including RAW files from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony, directly into the new page. Then, you adjust them using the node-based Color page that offers similar and arguably even more powerful tools than Adobe's Lightroom.

Just as with video, the Color page includes primary color correction, curves, qualifiers and power windows (along with noise reduction, sharpening and more). However, Resolve's node-based workflow really shines for photo editing. You can add nodes in series or parallel to build complex grades, then save them to apply to other images or an entire photo album. You can also reframe and crop images at their original source resolution and aspect ratio, without affecting the original image quality. 

Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve takes on Adobe with new photo editing features
Steve Dent for Engadget

The LightBox view lets you see an entire album with grades applied. "Select any image and grade it live while seeing the results update across the whole collection in real time. Filter by graded, ungraded, star rating, flag and clip color," Blackmagic Design explains in a press release. Albums, meanwhile, let you build collections like you do in Lightroom. Those also appear as timelines in the Color, Cut and Edit pages for easy access. 

For pro photographers, the Color page includes camera controls that let you tether a Sony or Canon camera to Resolve for live image capture, while adjusting settings like ISO, exposure and white balance. You can save capture presets to "lock in a consistent look before customers shoot," according to Blackmagic. 

Other Resolve tools also work with the Photo page, like the AI Magic Mask that lets you make one click selections of an object or person. It's also possible to do advanced VFX on still photos using Resolve's Fusion page, or add OpenFX or FusionFX filters directly on the Photo page. Finally, you can collaborate with others using Blackmagic Cloud, though that does require a paid subscription. 

I briefly tested the Photo and Color tools and, as someone who's admittedly familiar with DaVinci Resolve, I found it easy to grasp. It's simple to import and organize images (easier than Lightroom in my opinion) and is as powerful as Lightroom's Develop page for most adjustments, though I really missed the latter's "Clarity" tool. The node based workflow is powerful, and Resolve makes it easier to apply adjustments to multiple images. When you're ready to export, that's done through a special photo-only version of the "Export" page and is relatively intuitive as well. Whether or not I'll cancel my Photoshop/Lightroom subscription remains to be seen, however. 

DaVinci Resolve AI Age Transformer
Blackmagic Design

On top of the Photo page, Blackmagic Design introduced a number of new features for video and VFX as well. Among the most interesting are a series of AI tools for facial adjustments. The AI Face Age Transformer tools lets you analyze a face, enter the subject's age and adjust the age offset slider to add things like wrinkles and facial fullness. You can also change the way a subject looks through the AI Face Reshaper tool that lets you adjust the eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows and overall face shape. Plus, you get an AI Blemish Removal feature that reduces the appearance of superficial skin imperfections like acne, discoloration and large pores, while retaining the skin's natural texture. 

Another tool that will no doubt be popular is AI UltraSharpen that can upscale video "to make previously unusable footage sharp in higher resolutions," according to the company. It can also be used to improve slight focus errors. Meanwhile, the AI Motion Deblur fixes slightly blurred images, making it particularly useful for slow motion and freeze frame shots. 

Other key new upgrades, to name just a few, include the ability to edit Fusion effects from within the Cut and Edit pages, the addition of the Krokodove library of compositing tools and new immersive VR tools for delivery to platforms like Meta Quest and YouTube VR. Most of the new features are available in Blackmagic Design's free version of DaVinci Resolve, though a couple of tools (AI Magic Mask and Film Look Creator) are only available with the paid, $295 DaVinci Resolve Studio version. A complete list of new features is here and you can download the free and paid versions here. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/blackmagics-davinci-resolve-21-takes-on-adobe-lightroom-with-a-new-photo-page-053034084.html?src=rss

How to de-Gemini your Google apps

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Over the past couple of years, Google has found ways to stuff Gemini in nearly every app and service it offers. Whether it's Gmail with its AI inbox or Chrome with its chat sidebar, Gemini is now inescapable inside of Workspace. I don't know about you, but I don't need an AI to tell me how to write a =SUM equation in Sheets or an outline for a first draft. Most of the time, I find Gemini is a distraction. If you feel the same way, this how-to is for you.    

From the "General" tab of Gmail's settings menu, look for the Smart features checkbox.
From the "General" tab of Gmail's settings menu, look for the Smart features checkbox.
Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

To turn Gemini off, you will need to disable two separate sets of options. The first set covers a set of features, including smart compose, that are shared across Gmail, Chat and Meet — so if you turn them off in one app, they won't be available in any of the three. All of this is most easily done through Gmail's web client.  

  1. In Gmail, tap the cog icon.

  2. Select See all settings.

  3. Under the General tab, scroll down to find Smart features.

  4. Disable Turn on smart features in Gmail, Chat, and Meet.  

In Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or European Economic Area, smart features are turned off by default.  

Next, turn your attention to Workspace. 

  1. In Gmail, tap the cog icon.

  2. Select See all settings.

  3. Under the General tab, scroll down and click Manage Workspace smart feature settings.

  4. Toggle off smart features in Google Workspace and Smart features in other Google products.

A word of warning: completely disabling smart features in Google Workspace turns off not only Gemini integration but also access to basic capabilities like spelling and grammar corrections. You'll also lose features that have been Google staples for years. In Gmail, for example, the app will stop sorting incoming emails by priority, a notification at the top of the screen informing you that smart features are required for inbox categorization. Whatever Google's motivation for this state of affairs, it's a design decision that actively discourages users from disabling Gemini integration. 

Disabling Gemini in Google Workspace will also turn off other features.
Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

If you want to rid yourself of Gemini but would still like to use some of the other features the company offers through Gmail and its other apps, I recommend leaving the first set of smart features on while disabling the Workspace-specific ones. You can also opt to turn off some of the features included in the first group, while leaving others on. Below is a list of those features, with a brief overview of the less self-explanatory ones.    

  • Grammar

  • Spelling

  • Autocorrect

  • Smart Compose — as you write an email, Gmail will generate predictive writing suggestions  

  • Smart Compose personalization — as you write, Gmail will tailor Smart Compose suggestions to your writing style 

  • Nudges — Gmail will generate notifications prompting you to respond or follow up on unanswered emails   

  • Smart Reply — Gmail will generate suggestions on how to respond to an email

  • Package tracking — Google will display shipping updates inside of Gmail

  • Desktop notifications — Yes, for some reason you need the power of AI to get notifications on your PC 

Unfortunately, Google doesn't offer this same level of granular control when it comes to smart features inside of Workspace. For instance, if you turn off Gemini in Docs, Calendar won't automatically display events from Gmail. Again, Google really wants to dissuade you from disabling Gemini. 

If your workplace uses Google Workspace, all of the above options should be present in Gmail's settings menu, and you can follow the same steps to turn off most of the smart features Google offers. Unfortunately, the second part of the process does nothing. You will still see Gemini in Docs, Sheets and elsewhere, even with smart features in Workspace turned off. Only your admin can completely turn off Gemini for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/how-to-de-gemini-your-google-apps-170000462.html?src=rss

X’s messaging app, XChat, may be available soon

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XChat is now on the App Store, where its listing says that it’s expected to be available for download on April 17. This isn’t the same IRC app from the early aughts, which you may remember if you’re of a certain age. This is a messaging app specifically for X users. X chief Elon Musk first talked about rolling out a new version of his social network’s direct messaging feature in mid-2025. In a series of posts back then, he said the new version would be encrypted and would feature a “whole new architecture.” He also said all X users were getting XChat in June last year, but Musk is pretty infamous for being overly optimistic about timelines.

Now, instead of an upgraded DM feature on X, users are getting a standalone app. It allows them to chat with anybody on X and call each other across devices. The app is end-to-end encrypted and will let users edit and delete their messages for all participants in the conversation. It will also allow users to block screenshots and enable disappearing messages if they want the sensitive details they send in-chat to vanish within five minutes. The app allows users to create massive group chats with up to 481 members, as well. X promises in the App Store listing that XChat will not have ads and will not be tracking users.

Users can now pre-order XChat for iPhones and iPads so that it automatically downloads on their device when it comes out.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/xs-messaging-app-xchat-may-be-available-soon-114722904.html?src=rss

X’s messaging app, XChat, may be available soon

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XChat is now on the App Store, where its listing says that it’s expected to be available for download on April 17. This isn’t the same IRC app from the early aughts, which you may remember if you’re of a certain age. This is a messaging app specifically for X users. X chief Elon Musk first talked about rolling out a new version of his social network’s direct messaging feature in mid-2025. In a series of posts back then, he said the new version would be encrypted and would feature a “whole new architecture.” He also said all X users were getting XChat in June last year, but Musk is pretty infamous for being overly optimistic about timelines.

Now, instead of an upgraded DM feature on X, users are getting a standalone app. It allows them to chat with anybody on X and call each other across devices. The app is end-to-end encrypted and will let users edit and delete their messages for all participants in the conversation. It will also allow users to block screenshots and enable disappearing messages if they want the sensitive details they send in-chat to vanish within five minutes. The app allows users to create massive group chats with up to 481 members, as well. X promises in the App Store listing that XChat will not have ads and will not be tracking users.

Users can now pre-order XChat for iPhones and iPads so that it automatically downloads on their device when it comes out.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/xs-messaging-app-xchat-may-be-available-soon-114722904.html?src=rss

Google adds E2E encryption to Gmail for iOS and Android enterprise users

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Google has announced that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Gmail on Android and iOS is now rolling out for its enterprise users. Emails that require E2EE in Workspace can be composed and read within the Gmail app, so eligible users won’t need additional apps or portals.

The new feature expands Google’s client-side encryption (CSE) offering, a little more than a year after E2EE was introduced to Gmail on the web. According to a Google blog post, any encrypted message sent to a recipient who uses the Gmail app will appear in their inbox as any email thread would. If they don’t have the app, they’re still able to read and reply to the email in their browser securely, regardless of their email address.

Google says the new functionality "combines the highest level of privacy and data encryption with a user-friendly experience for all users, enabling simple encrypted email for all customers from small businesses to enterprises and public sector." Of course, "all users" applies only to Enterprise Plus members here, with the millions of people who use Gmail as their personal email service currently unable to take advantage of the highest level of privacy and data protection.

In order for Gmail users to start using E2EE in the app, an admin must first enable Android and iOS clients in the CSE admin interface, which is available in the Admin Console. When sending an email, you have to click the lock icon and select additional encryption before sending. Attachments can then be added as normal.

E2EE is available straight away in the Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. Enterprise users will need the Assured Controls or Assured Controls Plus add-on, which provides businesses and organizations that handle sensitive data with extra security and compliance-related tools.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/google-adds-e2e-to-gmail-for-ios-and-android-enterprise-users-165345116.html?src=rss

Google adds E2E encryption to Gmail for iOS and Android enterprise users

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Google has announced that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Gmail on Android and iOS is now rolling out for its enterprise users. Emails that require E2EE in Workspace can be composed and read within the Gmail app, so eligible users won’t need additional apps or portals.

The new feature expands Google’s client-side encryption (CSE) offering, a little more than a year after E2EE was introduced to Gmail on the web. According to a Google blog post, any encrypted message sent to a recipient who uses the Gmail app will appear in their inbox as any email thread would. If they don’t have the app, they’re still able to read and reply to the email in their browser securely, regardless of their email address.

Google says the new functionality "combines the highest level of privacy and data encryption with a user-friendly experience for all users, enabling simple encrypted email for all customers from small businesses to enterprises and public sector." Of course, "all users" applies only to Enterprise Plus members here, with the millions of people who use Gmail as their personal email service currently unable to take advantage of the highest level of privacy and data protection.

In order for Gmail users to start using E2EE in the app, an admin must first enable Android and iOS clients in the CSE admin interface, which is available in the Admin Console. When sending an email, you have to click the lock icon and select additional encryption before sending. Attachments can then be added as normal.

E2EE is available straight away in the Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. Enterprise users will need the Assured Controls or Assured Controls Plus add-on, which provides businesses and organizations that handle sensitive data with extra security and compliance-related tools.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/google-adds-e2e-to-gmail-for-ios-and-android-enterprise-users-165345116.html?src=rss

Microsoft starts removing unnecessary Copilot buttons in Windows 11

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Microsoft has rolled out a Notepad update for Windows Insiders that removes the Copilot branding and icon from within the app, Windows Central has reported. The old Copilot menu has been replaced with “writing tools,” but it’s worth noting that the tools are still powered by AI and are pretty much identical to the selection found in the old menu. Microsoft has just replaced the Copilot button with a pen icon. In addition, the company has removed mentions of AI in the Settings menu and has placed the option to disable the AI-powered writing tools within the “Advanced features” section.

The company first announced that it was dialing back its Copilot branding last month, most likely in response to all the criticisms against the AI assistant. It’s not very well-liked, with people complaining that Microsoft is forcing them to use the assistant inside all its apps and that Copilot doesn’t provide a consistent experience across different applications. “You will see us be more intentional about how and where Copilot integrates across Windows,” said Windows and Devices EVP Pavan Davuluri. Microsoft also promised to remove “unnecessary Copilot entry points,” starting with Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos and Widgets. According to The Verge, Microsoft has already stopped showing the Copilot button when selecting areas to capture with the Snipping Tool, as well. Clearly, the company has been making good progress on yanking at least the visual reminders of Copilot from its apps.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-starts-removing-unnecessary-copilot-buttons-in-windows-11-120346728.html?src=rss

Spotify now lets you turn off all video

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Sometimes, you just want your dang music streaming app to play music. Spotify, which has increasingly incorporated video features through the years, is finally giving us the option to turn that mess off. Behold: universal video toggles.

Spotify's video settings control several areas. First, the old Canvas toggle (videos on the Now Playing screen) is still there. But now you'll find two additional switches alongside it. One lets you control whether the app plays music videos. The other, "all other videos," covers video podcasts, vertically scrolling videos and artist clips.

You'll find the controls under Settings > Content and display. Once you choose your preferences, they'll apply universally across all platforms. And if you're a family account manager, you can toggle video settings for all members on your plan.

Spotify has increasingly leaned on video in recent years. The Canvas video loops arrived back in 2018. Then came video podcasts in 2020, as the format was enjoying a pandemic-era boom. The platform added music videos in 2024 (though they didn't arrive in the US until late last year). Then there are artist clips, the 30-second vertical videos where creators can send intimate (promotional) messages to their fans.

The company claims that over 70 percent of its users say more video content would enhance their experience. So, don't be surprised if more video features arrive in the future. Fortunately, Spotify recognized that certain (perhaps older?) users don't want or need a TikTok-ified music app.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-now-lets-you-turn-off-all-video-130000034.html?src=rss

Google bakes NotebookLM, its research tool, into Gemini

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Google has fully integrated NotebookLM, its AI-powered research tool, into the Gemini app. The company launched a standalone NotebookLM app last year, but as it said in its announcement, “keeping track of everything can be a challenge.” It added NotebookLM as a source in the Gemini app last year, but now you can create notebooks right inside the chatbot.

You can now find the option to create a new notebook in Gemini’s side panel and then select “Add sources” that the tool can use, such as PDFs, documents, website URLs, YouTube videos and even copy-pasted text. NotebookLM will use information from those sources to create a searchable repository of information for you, and you can ask Gemini to create things like reviewers, infographics and video and audio overviews that turn your uploaded information into an easy-to-understand format. Take note, however, that Google warns users within the NotebookLM interface that it can be inaccurate, and that it’s best if you double-check information it puts out.

The company is rolling out NotebookLM’s full integration into Gemini this week for Google AI Ultra, Pro and Plus subscribers on the web. It will be available on mobile, in more locations and to free users over the coming weeks.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-bakes-notebooklm-its-research-tool-into-gemini-101850634.html?src=rss

WhatsApp adds a better, native interface for CarPlay

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Meta has released a new version of WhatsApp for CarPlay that has much better integration that its previous version. As MacRumors and 9to5Mac report, the new app gives users access to a native interface. The old WhatsApp for CarPlay is mostly limited to Siri-operated features. Users can, for instance, ask Siri to compose messages or place calls for them. The new interface has a contact info section, where they can see the profiles of people saved in their account, as well as a favorite contacts section that makes it easy to find users they usually message or call.

Users can also find a list of their recent chats and call history within the app. Plus, they’ll see new shortcut buttons for sending messages via dictation or for placing a call, in case they don’t want or can’t give verbal Siri commands. Meta has been beta testing the new app since at least last week. Now that it’s available, users can have access to all the features we’ve listed by updating their iOS app and connecting to their infotainment systems. OpenAI also recently rolled out ChatGPT's Voice mode to CarPlay, allowing drivers to hold a conversation with the chatbot while on the road.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/whatsapp-adds-a-better-native-interface-for-carplay-112127361.html?src=rss