OPPO launches Find X9 Series in New Zealand, featuring advanced cameras, durable design, and powerful specs starting at NZD $1,999. Read...

First, there was generative AI, allowing creators, editors and memelords to create artificial worlds with just a few words. Now, Adobe is offering the ability to edit those worlds with Prompt to Edit, a new feature within Firefly plus audio. Photoshop is also adding generative upscaling and a “harmonize” feature, too. Adobe announced the new capabilities at its Adobe MAX conference, where it typically rolls out new capabilities within its Adobe Creative Cloud suite as well as Firefly, its AI image generator — which now includes soundtracks and AI voiceovers. Obviously, users have the ability to use Firefly to create entirely new images or use one of Adobe’s other tools to make edits to the finished product. But Prompt to Edit is probably one of the more interesting additions to Adobe’s set of tools. Firefly’s Prompt to Edit capability is generally available to customers today, Adobe said. However, it remains to be seen how effective it is and how much Adobe will “charge” in terms of image credits. Firefly’s new capabilities also include new models from ElevenLabs and TopazLabs, and the ability to create 4-megapixel models, which means images up to 2560×1440 pixels. Until December 1, however, that’s a moot point. Adobe will allow unlimited AI image generations as well as the Firefly Video model until then, the company said. Adobe added a Firefly Video Editor in private beta, which includes a timeline editor for trimming and organizing clips, with the ability to add start or end frames. Users will be able to perform edits using the video editor or via a text transcription. Concept art of Adobe’s new music soundtrack generator.Adobe Firefly users will also be able to add a soundtrack, too. Adobe is debuting the commercially safe Firefly Audio Model for background music as well as the Firefly Speech Model (plus another from ElevenLabs) for voiceovers. This comes as OpenAI reportedly is thinking about its own music generator. Suno, a dedicated AI music generator, also released an updated “4.5 All” model to the general public on Tuesday. Adobe also previewed “Project Moonlight,” an AI assistant which sniffs out a creator’s social channels and makes recommendations based upon the existing content. Photoshop, Premiere, Lightroom add AI improvements Adobe’s additions to Photoshop include generative upscaling and a new “harmonize” feature. Generative Upscale is a feature that Topaz Labs has offered for years; image upscaling is also built into Windows, though you’ll need a Copilot+ PC to enable it. Essentially, upscaling takes a low-resolution photo or image and intelligently adds pixels to it, effectively turning it into a more detailed image. Adobe says that you’ll be able to create up to 4K images using the new feature. Harmonize also uses AI to blend people or objects into new scenes, which very much sounds like the traditional “Photoshopping” of images that the online community has embraced. Harmonize is used for “matching light, color and tone for natural, realistic results—completing the bulk of the compositing process,” Adobe says. Photoshop is also adding Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, Black Forest Labs FLUX.1 Kontext and Firefly Image Models to its Generative Fill capabilities. All of these are available today. Adobe doesn’t seem to have added the Prompt to Edit capability to Photoshop yet, but the company did show off a “limited private beta” of an AI assistant in Photoshop that appears to offer similar changes. It’s an improved version of tools like Copilot Vision in Windows. Adobe is testing an AI assistant for Photoshop.Adobe Meanwhile, Adobe is adding an AI Object Mask to Premiere, a public beta. The technology “automatically identifies and isolates people and objects in video frames so that they can be edited and tracked without the need for manual rotoscoping,” Adobe said, “Object Mask makes the process of color grading, blurring and adding special effects to a moving background quicker and easier.” Finally, Adobe is testing “assisted culling” in Lightroom, which will assess and pull out the “best” images in a collection, using focus, angles and sharpness as metrics. Read...

Uh oh, Meta is implementing a change that some users aren’t going to like (and others are going to applaud). Due to new guidelines for WhatsApp business accounts, soon AI chatbots will no longer be allowed when they’re used as the main purpose of the messenger app. The relevant policy text says: Providers and developers of artificial intelligence or machine learning technologies, including but not limited to large language models, generative artificial intelligence platforms, general-purpose artificial intelligence assistants … are strictly prohibited from accessing or using the WhatsApp Business Solution, whether directly or indirectly, for the purposes of providing, delivering, offering, selling, or otherwise making available such technologies when such technologies are the primary (rather than incidental or ancillary) functionality being made available for use, as determined by Meta in its sole discretion. In layman’s terms, this means that AI tools like ChatGPT will be removed from WhatsApp, and AI providers (such as Perplexity) will no longer be allowed to offer chatbots via WhatsApp. The only AI you’ll be allowed to use for support on WhatsApp will be Meta’s own AI. Officially, the change won’t take effect until January 16th, 2026, but it’s possible that OpenAI will remove ChatGPT from WhatsApp before then to avoid conflicts with Meta. Why is WhatsApp banning AI chatbots? According to Meta (via TechCrunch), chatbots like ChatGPT “placed a lot of burden on its system with increased message volume and required a different kind of support, which the company wasn’t ready for.” However, the fact that Meta’s own AI has also been available in WhatsApp since earlier this year is also likely to be a factor that led to this decision, especially as Meta’s AI can’t be deactivated or deleted. Starting January 2026, it’ll still be possible to use chatbots and AI in WhatsApp, for example to provide support or customer service. But there can no longer be a real AI assistant. Anyone who fails to adhere to the guidelines risks being banned from WhatsApp Business Solutions. What should you do about this? To date, over 50 million people are said to have used ChatGPT via WhatsApp, which should be seen as a huge success for both apps. Nevertheless, the end of the brief collaboration is inevitable. Starting January 2026, anyone who wants to continue using ChatGPT will have to use one of ChatGPT’s apps (like the Android version on the Play Store) or directly in the web browser. Both options offer more features than ChatGPT via WhatsApp, and they’re less limited when it comes to uploading files or voice input. Alternatively, you can start chatting with Meta AI via the search bar in WhatsApp. Meta AI is currently based on the Llama 4 language model, which offers efficient and solution-oriented answers but isn’t as good at working with context as ChatGPT is. Note that Meta AI will start snooping on your chats soon for personalizing ads and content. If you don’t want to lose access to your chat history with ChatGPT, you should back it up by January 15th, 2026. To do this, you need to link your WhatsApp account to your ChatGPT account, which you can do via ChatGPT on WhatsApp by clicking the three-dot menu and then View contact. Scroll down, then select Link your ChatGPT account. Further reading: Fun ways to use ChatGPT when you’re bored Read...

When your doorbell rings, can you be sure it’s just a pack of trick-or-treating kids? Or is it someone else? With a video doorbell, you can peek at your doorstep using your phone and even talk to whoever’s there. And if you don’t have a video doorbell yet, here’s a deal worth jumping on: the Ring Battery Doorbell is now 50% off on Amazon. Instead of its usual $99.99, you can now get it for just $49.99! That matches its historical low price, by the way. This is the ideal video doorbell for first-time smart homers thanks to its built-in battery that charges via USB-C. You don’t need to worry about hooking up any doorbell wires! Recharging is as simple as detaching it from its mount (which stays attached to your outside wall) and plugging it into an outlet for a bit, then snapping it back in when it’s done. Just connect this video doorbell to your home Wi-Fi network and you’re good to go. It’ll capture head-to-toe footage in 1080p with clear night vision for day and night surveillance. With live view and two-way audio, you can check in on your phone at any time and even chat with whoever’s outside. You can do stuff like telling your delivery person what to do with a package or instructing trick-or-treaters to candy. Another nice feature is integration with Alexa and other Echo devices, allowing you to (for example) check your video feed on your Echo Show. And with a paid Ring subscription, you can unlock advanced features like motion detection notifications. This is one of the best starter video doorbells for smart home newbies, and it’s a steal with this 50% discount. Get the Ring Battery Doorbell for $49.99 before this limited-time deal expires! Save 50% on the popular Ring Video Doorbell while you canBuy now at Amazon Read...

If you use the Microsoft 365 app on your mobile phone or tablet, you should think carefully before updating to the latest version. For a long time, the Microsoft 365 app was great for its focus on Office, allowing you to view your recent documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more—both local and cloud-synced. It was also a great way to create new files and launch them in their respective apps. Unfortunately, a recent update for both Android and iOS versions of the Microsoft 365 app has pushed aside those “basic” features in favor of Copilot, Microsoft’s AI tool. When you open the new app, front and center are options to chat with Copilot and create AI-generated images. To access your Office files like before, you now need to open the three-line “hamburger” menu and perform a search for them, which is more complicated and less efficient. Microsoft is reeeeally stretching for ways to promote Copilot, seemingly hoping that people will eventually cave and start using it if they’re inundated by it in every Microsoft product for long enough. But most users are extremely unhappy with the latest update, with many choosing to give it 1-star ratings on the App Store and Google Play Store, reports Windows Latest. Read...

Consider this an apology to Hyper and to its parent, Targus. I don’t want to use HyperSpace’s TrackPad Pro standalone haptic trackpad and I’ve probably wasted your time, Hyper’s, and mine. Perhaps you, dear reader, will feel differently. Me? I just can’t stand it. Hyper’s $150 haptic Trackpad Pro (or $109 on Kickstarter) taught me that I’m primarily a mouse person, and I have absolutely no need for the advanced capabilities that the trackpad offers, such as deep clicking and various “zones” in which clicks trigger different actions. I want nothing to do with them. When I saw the TrackPad Pro at the 2025 CES show, I appreciated the concept but was less than impressed by the execution. It just didn’t really work. It does now. Still, my time with Hyper’s TrackPad Pro taught me that this touchpad peripheral is a device for input and trackpad nerds. And I’m neither. A haptic touchpad is worth your time, though. Put simply, haptics are like the OLED of touchpads. They’re a step up, as they’re clickable across the entire breadth of their surface. Both Apple Macs and some Microsoft Surface devices use a haptic touchpad or trackpad, and they’re effective and futuristic, all in one. Some have compared Hyper’s TrackPad Pro to Apple’s Magic Trackpad and that comparison seems fair. In fairness, the signs were there from the start. Hyper sent me a TrackPad Pro for review, and I received it right before setting off on two weeks of business travel, with a laptop — and a mouse. Why am I a mouse person? I’m left-handed, and I’ve determinedly held on to a left-handed Razer DeathAdder mouse I purchased years ago. Lefties are forced to make all sorts of accommodations in their lives like learning to use scissors right-handed or grudgingly accepting that the WASD setup on a computer keyboard isn’t for them. (I prefer the superior number-pad layout instead.) As a result, I use a left-handed mouse, but have been trained to left-click with my middle finger as opposed to my index finger. Chaos! This is the trauma the right-handed world imposes. Hyper’s TrackPad Pro matched up with its competition: a laptop trackpad.Mark Hachman / Foundry As a result, touchpads usually mess with my head. I’m supposed to click which corner of the touchpad to right click? (The lower left.) And though Windows allows you to tap with two fingers to right-click, the Hyper touchpad didn’t. Ugh. This isn’t entirely my fault In my defense, however, I think it’s fair to say that Hyper’s setup experience is bad. The device itself is fine: the TrackPad Pro measures 3.85 inches x 6.29 inches (98mm x 160 mm) and maybe half an inch thick, which connects to your PC via a braided USB-C cable. Physically, the device works well. The surface is metallic and smooth, with a 240Hz report rate. All that means is that the trackpad feels extremely smooth and responsive, without any hitches or judder. To enable all of the bells and whistles, however, you need to download a Hydra Connect application. First, Hydra mandates the need for an account and password, which instantly makes me suspect that something nefarious is going on behind the scenes. Second, the software immediately asks if it can send you marketing email — I think not. Third, though the software attempts to guide you through its features, the accompanying text windows are too small to fit the entire explanation, which feels amateurish. Fourth, why dedicate an entire tab of the application to Hydra Connect, a feature listed as “coming soon”? This isn’t a good start to the HyperSpace TrackPad Pro experience.Mark Hachman / Foundry Finally, did anyone in the age of Marvel really think that ‘Hydra’ would be perceived positively? Especially after it asked to send you spam? Come on. The Hydra app, to its credit (?), is extremely detailed. You can define zones on the trackpad surface, where specific clicks will have specific defined actions. Unfortunately, I kept stumbling into a zone where clicking locked my laptop–this got old fast. You can define profiles for various applications like Photoshop, where specific types of clicks have various functions. Interestingly, though the TrackPad Pro seemed big enough to use it as a drawing tablet, that feature didn’t seem to be enabled. I will be honest: I tried to test out the TrackPad Pro. But I knew from the start that I disliked it, so I didn’t give it more than a few hours. In the spirit of fair play, I’m going to point you to a competitor, Wired, whose own Hyper TrackPad hands-on feels more objective. The Hydra software is very detailed, but some UI flaws make it difficult to work with,Mark Hachman / Foundry The TrackPad Pro does have one interesting feature–a “deep click.” Simply touching the tablet is one input, depressing it enough so that it clicks is another. But you can depress it even harder so that it records a “deep click,” which can signal something else entirely. Sensing how far you’ve depressed the trackpad is a bit iffy even at the best of times and you really shouldn’t set one command to trigger at the various levels of pressure. (I once found a way to configure these deep clicks, and then seemingly lost that ability to forever within the stomach of the Hydra.) In any case, if you’re the type of person who likes to set up a trackpad just so, with specific functions mapped out, the Hyper TrackPad Pro might be for you when it ships in early 2026. Had I realized that I truly had no use for it, I would’ve politely declined a review copy. But I learned something! While I still think that a haptic touchpad is probably the future of laptop input, Hyper’s dedicated touchpad just isn’t for me. Read...

When AI and images are mentioned together, most people first think of AI image generators like Midjourney, ChatGPT, and Gemini. But AI can do more than just generate images. In fact, AI can also do traditional image editing—for example, removing distracting elements, replacing backgrounds, and automatic color correction. Here are several interesting AI tools that can transform your photos and images in a snap, with varying degrees of success. Luminar Neo Skylum Luminar Neo is aimed at ambitious amateurs and photographers who want quick results without a steep learning curve. In addition to classic functions like masking, exposure correction, and color adjustment, Luminar offers several exciting generative tools: GenErase removes objects without manual re-stamping. GenSwap exchanges image areas for other content, for example a gray sky for a sunny one. GenExpand expands sections of an image and intelligently fills in missing image areas. There are also specialized AI features like Water Enhancer AI (enhances reflections and contrasts in water surfaces) and Twilight Enhancer AI. The latter optimizes evening moods by highlighting light sources and reducing noise in darker parts of the image. With our discount code PCWELT30, you can currently save 30 percent on Luminar Neo’s regular prices. Price: Various lifetime licenses start around €99 (~$114.95 USD). Suitable for: Photographers who work visually, prefer uncomplicated operation, and need fast results. Less suitable for: Pure professionals with very complex compositions and/or special retouching requirements. Fotor Fotor Fotor is an inexpensive all-rounder with simple operation. In the free version, it automatically makes basic adjustments such as exposure correction, sharpening, and colors. In the paid Pro version, Fotor significantly expands its repertoire: Automatic background and object recognition to crop people or products out of images. AI image enlargement that preserves details and reduces artifacts. Creative filters such as the AI Age Changer (simulates aging effects) or the AI Beard Filter (adds realistic beards). Batch processing to optimize multiple images at the same time. The great strength of Fotor lies in its very low barrier to entry. If you have little experience with image editing, you can achieve visible results in seconds with its user-friendly interface. The cloud connection is also practical: photos can be edited directly in your browser. For professional users, there’s a lack of advanced functions like high-level RAW support or precise manual retouching options. In addition, some filters appear too playful and not serious enough. Price: Basic version is free, while the Pro version costs $3.99/month and the Pro+ version costs $8.33/month. Suitable for: Beginners, social media users, and anyone who wants to improve photos on a basic level without much effort. Less suitable for: Professionals with high demands on quality, attention to detail, and advanced features. Adobe Photoshop (with Firefly 3) Adobe Photoshop will always be the primary reference when it comes to professional image editing. With the integration of Adobe Firefly 3, the program has been greatly expanded with AI features. Functions such as Generative Fill make it possible to seamlessly remove unwanted objects or replace them with realistic content. With Generative Expand, image borders can be intelligently expanded so that sections that are cropped too tightly can be enlarged without any problems. Automatic background generation via text input also facilitates creative compositions. What’s special here is the depth of integration: all AI tools are embedded directly in Photoshop’s familiar workflows. Professionals who already work with layers, masks, and filters can seamlessly use the AI features. Price: A single-app subscription to Photoshop costs $22.99/month while a full-blown Creative Cloud Pro subscription costs $69.99/month (with access to all Creative Cloud apps). Suitable for: Professional photographers, agencies, and creatives. Less suitable for: Beginners who only occasionally want simple adjustments. Photoshop is too complex and expensive for that. Canva Visual Suite 2.0 Canva Canva has established itself in the field of AI image editing with the introduction of Magic Studio. While the free version primarily offers basic functions and the simplest AI—such as the ability to make automatic color corrections and generate text—the truly relevant AI tools are part of Canva Pro. The Magic Studio includes, among other things: Magic Eraser: Removes distracting objects from photos with pinpoint accuracy. Magic Grab: Removes individual image elements and allows them to be placed elsewhere. Extract text from images: Captures embedded text and makes it editable. Background Remover & Generator: Removes or replaces backgrounds automatically. Magic Edit: Exchanges image areas and replaces them with new content. Magic Expand: Expands sections and adds missing image areas to suit the subject. Canva’s great strength lies in its combination of ease of use and design integration. Users can not only edit photos, but also insert them directly into templates and quickly publish them. However, there are limitations in terms of the level of detail. Canva is not a good first choice for precise retouching, RAW files, or complex layer editing. Price: Basic version is free while Canva Pro (including Magic Studio) costs $120/year (which comes out to $10/month). Suitable for: Social media teams, marketing departments, and beginners looking for a quick all-in-one solution. Less suitable for: Users who expect full creative control and professional retouching functions. Topaz Photo Topaz Labs Topaz Photo differs significantly from most other AI tools: instead of creative editing, the focus here is on maximizing image quality. The software combines several specialized AI engines in one interface and is therefore particularly suitable for photographers who want to get the best out of difficult shots. The central features include: Denoise AI: Reliably removes image noise, even at high ISO values or when shooting in low light. Sharpen AI: Analyzes motion blur or slight misfocusing and corrects it in a targeted manner. Recover Faces: Reconstructs details in portraits when faces appear washed out due to blurring or low resolution. Upscale AI: Scales up photos with minimal loss (e.g., for large printouts or processing old digital photos). What’s special about Topaz is its combination of automation and control: if desired, the tool can optimize images on its own, but professionals can also specify which AI engine should intervene and to what extent. There are limits when it comes to creative tasks like replacing backgrounds or complex retouching—this is not what Topaz is designed for. Price: The Personal plan costs $21/month with annual commitment while the Pro plan costs $58/month with annual commitment. Suitable for: Professional photographers, enthusiasts, and anyone working with difficult lighting conditions or old shots. Less suitable for: Users looking for creative effects, design integration, or quick social media features. Read...

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is just $29.97 (MSRP $229) for a limited time — one payment, no subscription fees, all the essential apps you already use every day. Make Office a one-and-done purchase. For $29.97, secure a lifetime Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 license for Windows. Use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and OneNote for as long as you like, with no ongoing fees. This is one of Microsoft’s most widely used Office versions for good reason. It’s stable, streamlined, and packed with the features that everyday users, business owners, freelancers, and spreadsheet wizards rely on. Whether you’re managing invoices, writing your next pitch deck, editing a résumé, or organizing your inbox like a boss, Office 2019 is built to make your life easier. Once installed on your Windows PC, it’s good to go with — no recurring costs, no cloud dependency (thank goodness), and no fuss. Plus, this version’s got some sweet upgrades: better inking across apps, more data analysis in Excel, improved email handling in Outlook, and sleek new transitions in PowerPoint. Don’t miss getting lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2019 while it’s just $29.97 (MSRP $229). No coupon is needed. Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for WindowsSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

IBM launches Digital Asset Haven, a secure blockchain platform for institutions, combining advanced custody features across 40+ blockchains from late 2025. Read...

DoiT has acquired CloudWize for $250m, enhancing its Cloud Intelligence platform with advanced multi-cloud security and compliance features. Read...