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    4 ways Android cameras are about to get better, thanks to Qualcomm – even for dogs

    Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETThe chipset in your smartphone does much more than power speed, efficiency, and cool features — it plays a critical role in the performance of all your phone’s functions, including photography. With Qualcomm’s latest mobile platform, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the company aims to enhance how you interact with your camera.Whether you’re setting up a video call, snapping a photo, recording a video, or capturing moments with your furry friend, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite introduces new, enhanced mobile photography experiences.Also: Qualcomm’s new chipset that will power flagship Android phones makes the iPhone seem outdatedSince many Android phones utilize Qualcomm’s latest mobile platforms, it’s likely that many of the new Android phones launching over the next year, including the latest from Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola, will feature not only this chipset but also some of the enhanced photo-taking capabilities it supports.I had the opportunity to demo most of them at Snapdragon Summit and rounded up the features you can expect, ranked by how helpful I think they will be when they are ready to launch. 1. Video Object Editor If you are familiar with Google’s Magic Eraser, a feature that allows you to wipe out unwanted subjects in an image with a quick tap, Video Object Eraser is very similar to that for video. Users can swipe out an object and select “delete” to declutter the background or remove the photobomber. Also: How to turn your old Android phone into a security or pet cameraOne of the biggest advantages is that it happens on device, making the typically cumbersome process quicker and circumventing the cloud, which keeps your video more private. When demoing the feature, I found that it wasn’t entirely flushed out yet, but it clearly had promise.2. AI Keeper Like the feature above, AI Keeper is a photo-editing feature that ensures that what ends up in your shot is exactly what you want. With the feature, you can select the subjects of your photo you want to keep, and then it automatically eliminates everything else. The feature is simple to use, has no frills, and worked well in the demo.  More

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    Join Costco and get a $20 gift card – here’s how

    A new Costco membership comes with a $20 gift card right now. StackSocial Thinking about joining Costco? Or, have you been sharing a membership card with your parents or friends? Now that Costco is starting to crack down on membership sharing (in the coming months, the stores will start scanning cards at the entrance and […] More

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    Canva introduces new Dream Lab featuring Leonardo.ai image generation

    Canva With so many AI text-to-image generators on the market, it is difficult to stand out. However, Leonardo.ai can produce high-quality renditions that have even earned it a spot on ZDNET’s best AI image generator roundup, and now it’s available in Canva.  On Tuesday, Canva launched a new Dream Lab powered by Leonardo.AI, which the company acquired […] More

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    The best Motorola phones of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

    While iPhones remain a popular pick, Android offers more variety. From form factor to software, you get to choose from a wide range of options. And if you’re set on Android, the best Motorola phones feature an unbeatable value — its user interface is similar to that of Google Pixel phones, but with more customizations. It also includes my favorite implementation of the always-on display feature.Also: Best Android phones: Expert testedThe hardware variety includes a phone with two screens, a phone with a built-in stylus, and a phone built for battery life. No matter what you need, Motorola has you covered. What’s the best Motorola phone right now?At ZDNET, we spend weeks testing phones to help you find the right option. Our pick for the best Motorola phone overall is the  Motorola Razr Plus (2024) More

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    I actually want to put these $300 sleep earbuds in my ears every night

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Ozlo Sleepbuds, founded by three Bose engineers, just launched, and they are the most useful sleep earbuds I’ve tested so far. The sound is perfect for masking environmental annoyances that keep you awake, and the fit is comfortable and secure. The sleep tracking feature hasn’t hit the earbuds yet, and […] More

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    12 iPhone 16 Camera Control secrets for better photos and videos – faster

    Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETThe iPhone 16 series comes with a physical Camera Control button that you can press to snap a photo or video, tap to display different settings, and slide to adjust the exposure and other elements. But the control can be challenging to operate, especially if you’re used to swiping and tapping the on-screen settings to take a photo.Also: My new favorite iPhone accessory makes shooting professional videos so much easierI’ve been trying the Camera Control for the past few weeks, using it to shoot photos and videos out and about. There’s definitely a learning curve. You have to figure out how to access each setting and apply the right press or tap to activate it. You also need to understand how adjusting the exposure, depth of field, style, and tone will affect your photo — and which of these elements you should use and when.I’m still trying to get used to the control to determine whether I prefer it over the standard on-screen camera settings. If you’re struggling with the control as well, here are 12 tips that should make it easier to use.How to use Camera Control on the iPhone 16 More