Latest news with #mobileapps
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Waiting an infinity for QR code payments to go through?
JUNE 28 — Most people are aware there are some important issues and problems related to QR code payments. These include: security and fraud risks, code interoperability, merchant confusion, refunds, transaction fees, limited adoption, etc. However, there is a less critical but (potentially) no less annoying one. I was standing in line at a nasi kandar shop, waiting for my turn to pay. There were only two other customers in front of me, so I didn't envision a long wait. But then three minutes became five minutes then eight became 10 until not just me but the patrons behind me were like, okay, what on earth is happening? Then lo and behold, we found out the reason for the delay: It appears one of the folks in front of me was waiting for his Touch & Go app to load! Out of embarrassment, the person shyly showed us his screen, with the dreaded 'spinning wheel' reflecting its ongoing attempt to load. Thankfully none of us were facing some national emergency so we all patiently waited and smiled and gave each other 'Yeah I know right' nods. Eventually, perhaps after 12 minutes or so, the problem was fixed and we all managed to pay and leave. However, I wonder if this incident reflects a deeper problem with digital payments in general and QR code payments in particular. As we all know, these mobile banking and e-wallet apps require frequent updates. Long and short, we are certainly going to see longer queues when making payment at shops because the functionality and speed of old phones (or just slow ones) is a problem which won't go away too fast. — SoyaCincau pic That's fine and good given security and performance concerns but, alamak, not everyone possesses high-quality phones which can cater to so many updates and, aiyo, not everyone is phone-savvy enough to close their numerous apps before opening their e-wallets to make payment. Long and short, we are certainly going to see longer queues when making payment at shops because the functionality and speed of old phones (or just slow ones) is a problem which won't go away too fast. In case anyone is tempted to think this is 'not that big a deal', consider that every day in Malaysia we can have literally millions of over-the-counter transactions involving QR payments. Imagine if even 10 per cent of such transactions are stretched five minutes longer? How much time would be collectively wasted? Analogously, isn't this why our government created the MyBorder Pass to save an extra minute or so despite the airport's autogate working relatively fast? Because when you add up all the minutes, the time savings are substantial and everyone wins? I've lost count of the number of times I've had to tell a customer behind me at a KK Mart to go ahead and pay first (despite me being ahead of said person in the queue) because I forgot I needed about 20 seconds for my Maybank app to load and, sigh, I didn't bring my wallet. Now imagine a customer who not only has no other way (apart from the QR code) to make his payment but he also forgot to update his app such that he's got to perform the update on the spot. A perfect storm is if this person's phone is a bit dated and he refuses to let anyone take his place until the upgrade is completed. And you wonder why there are videos of people fighting over wait times! Anyway, if this article does nothing but encourage people who always use QR code payments to kindly get their apps ready before they join the payment counter queue, I'd be happy. We Malaysians certainly need less stress in our lives. * This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
CNET
4 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Adobe's New Firefly AI App Lets You Try AI Image and Video Generation for Free
Adobe's Firefly AI is now available as mobile apps for iPhones and Androids, the company announced on Tuesday. These apps are free to download and let you use Firefly to create AI images and videos on the go. Plus, the app comes with a few free generative credits for you to experiment with Adobe's AI. Adobe is also expanding its roster of third-party AI partners to include six new models from Ideogram, Pika, Luma and Runway. Google's latest AI models are also joining the lineup, including the internet-famous Veo 3 AI video generation model with native audio capabilities and the Imagen 4 text-to-image model support. Finally, its moodboarding AI program, Firefly Boards, is generally available today after months in beta. Here's everything you need to know about Adobe's newest batch of Firefly AI updates. For more, check out our favorite AI image generators and what to know about AI video models. Firefly AI for iOS and Android users Adobe's Firefly mobile apps will let you access its AI image and video capabilities from your phone. A mobile app felt like the next natural step, since Adobe saw that mobile web usage of Firefly noticeably increased after Adobe's Firefly video capability launched in early 2025. Not every Firefly feature will be available at launch, but for now, we know that these features will be included: text-to-image, text- and image-to-video, generative fill, and generative expand. You can download the app now from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app is free to download, but you'll need a Firefly-inclusive Adobe plan to really use the app. In the hopes that you'll sign up for a full plan, Adobe gives you 12 free generation Firefly credits (10 for images, two for videos, which doesn't shake out to many of each). So you can use those to see if Firefly is a good fit for you. Firefly plans start at $10 per month for 2,000 credits (about 20 videos), increasing in price and generation credits from there. Depending on your Adobe plan, you may already have access to Firefly credits, so double-check that first. Adobe's six new AI models from Google, Runway and more Adobe's also adding new outside AI creative models to its offerings, including image and video models from Ideogram, Pika, Luma and Runway. You might recognize the name Runway from its deal with Lionsgate to create models for the entertainment giant. Ideogram, Pika and Luma are all other well-known AI creative services. Google's Veo 3 AI video generator is also joining, bringing its first-of-its-kind synchronized AI audio capabilities, along with the latest generation of Google's AI image model. This is the second batch of third-party models that Adobe has added to its platform. Earlier this spring, Adobe partnered with OpenAI, Google and Black Forest (creator of Flux) to bring the companies' AI models to Adobe. What's unique about this is that all third-party models have to agree to Adobe's AI policy, which prevents all the companies from training on customers' content -- even if the individual companies don't have that policy on their own, it's standardized across all models offered through Adobe. This is also true for the new models added today. For AI-wary professional creators who make up the majority of Adobe users, that's a bit of good news. You'll need a paid Firefly plan to access outside models; otherwise, you'll just have access to the Adobe models. Here are all the AI models available through Adobe: Adobe Firefly Image 3 Adobe Firefly Image 4 Adobe Firefly Image Ultra Flux 1.1 Pro Flux 1 Kontext Google's Imagen 3 OpenAI's image generation model (new) Ideogram 3 (new) Google's Imagen 4 (new) Runway's Gen-4 Image For video, you can use: Adobe Firefly Video Google Veo 2 (new) Google Veo 3 (new) Luma AI Ray 2 (new) Pika's text-to-video generator Adobe's own Firefly AI models are trained on a combination of Adobe Stock and other licensed content. You can learn more in Adobe's AI guidelines and approach to AI. AI moodboarding gets a boost Other Adobe updates include the general release of its moodboarding program, Firefly Boards, which has been in beta since April. Moodboarding is a practice that lets you cluster together different elements, like colors and shapes, to evoke specific moods and aesthetics. It's a good initial step for planning content and campaigns. Adobe You can use the infinite canvas to brainstorm and plan content. You can generate images and videos in Boards using Adobe and non-Adobe models; the setups are very similar to generating in the regular Firefly window. Boards are collaborative, so you can edit with multiple people. A new one-click arrange button can help you organize and visualize your files more easily, a much-requested feature that came out of the beta. Firefly boards are synced up with your Adobe account. So you can select a photo in a Board, open it in Photoshop and edit it. Those changes will then be synced up with your Firefly Board in less than a minute, so you can always see the latest version of your file without needing to be limited to editing in Boards. For more, check out Premiere Pro's first generative AI feature and the best Photoshop AI tools.
Geeky Gadgets
5 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
iOS 26 & Apple News: What You MISSED This Week!
Apple's iOS 26 introduces a variety of features and updates that enhance usability, accessibility, and performance, reinforcing the company's dedication to refining its ecosystem. This release not only builds on existing strengths but also introduces new tools and improvements that cater to a diverse user base. In the video below, Brandon Butch delivers into the standout features of iOS 26, its beta performance, and other notable developments in Apple news this week. Watch this video on YouTube. Key Features and Updates in iOS 26 iOS 26 brings a host of updates designed to improve functionality and user experience. These enhancements reflect Apple's focus on creating a more seamless and inclusive ecosystem: Software Update Screen: A new barcode display for IMEI numbers simplifies device management, making it easier for users and technicians to access essential information. A new barcode display for IMEI numbers simplifies device management, making it easier for users and technicians to access essential information. Wallet App: Users can now manually input card details, offering greater flexibility and control over payment methods. Users can now manually input card details, offering greater flexibility and control over payment methods. Emoji Picker: Redesigned with descriptions for emojis and Memoji, this update improves accessibility and helps users better understand their options. Redesigned with descriptions for emojis and Memoji, this update improves accessibility and helps users better understand their options. News App: Introduces an interactive emoji puzzle game with leaderboards, adding an engaging and entertaining feature for users. Introduces an interactive emoji puzzle game with leaderboards, adding an engaging and entertaining feature for users. Haptic Feedback for Calls: Provides tactile feedback during phone calls, enhancing communication and user interaction. Provides tactile feedback during phone calls, enhancing communication and user interaction. Accessibility Enhancements: Customizable vehicle motion cues assist users with motion sensitivity, demonstrating Apple's commitment to inclusivity. Customizable vehicle motion cues assist users with motion sensitivity, demonstrating Apple's commitment to inclusivity. Safari Updates: Now supports HDR images, SVG icons, and universal web apps, making sure a smoother and more visually rich browsing experience. Now supports HDR images, SVG icons, and universal web apps, making sure a smoother and more visually rich browsing experience. Notes App: A new haptic press feature for redoing actions streamlines productivity and simplifies workflow management. These updates emphasize Apple's dedication to refining user interactions while introducing innovative features that enhance daily tasks. Performance and Battery Life in iOS 26 Beta 1 The initial beta release of iOS 26 has garnered mixed feedback, with users noting both promising features and significant challenges. Key issues reported include: Persistent bugs that lead to app crashes and system instability. Lag and stuttering during routine tasks, which detract from the overall user experience. High battery consumption, with some devices experiencing overheating during extended use. Although Apple has introduced an adaptive power mode to address battery concerns, its impact has been minimal so far. These issues are expected to be resolved in iOS 26 Beta 2, slated for release in late June 2025. The public beta, anticipated in mid to late July, will provide a broader audience with the opportunity to test the software and offer feedback, aiding Apple in refining the final release. Apple's Custom Camera Project for F1 Film In a notable development, Apple has engineered custom camera modules for an upcoming Formula 1 film. These modules integrate iPhone sensors, A-series chips, and custom iOS firmware to deliver cinematic-quality footage. This innovation has also contributed to the advancement of ProRes log video for iPhones, enhancing their capabilities for professional videography. By repurposing its technology for creative applications, Apple demonstrates its ability to push the boundaries of what its devices can achieve. Future Hardware Innovations: iPhone 17, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and MacBook Pro Apple's hardware roadmap reveals exciting updates across its product lineup, showcasing the company's commitment to innovation: iPhone 17: Rumors suggest the base models may feature new purple and green color options, along with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals on non-Pro models. These updates could significantly enhance the user experience and aesthetic appeal. Rumors suggest the base models may feature new purple and green color options, along with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals on non-Pro models. These updates could significantly enhance the user experience and aesthetic appeal. Apple Watch Ultra 3: Expected to launch later this year, this model may include satellite and 5G connectivity, making it a versatile tool for outdoor enthusiasts and remote users. Expected to launch later this year, this model may include satellite and 5G connectivity, making it a versatile tool for outdoor enthusiasts and remote users. MacBook Pro Redesign: Set for 2026, the redesign will feature OLED displays with tandem OLED technology, eliminating the notch and allowing a thinner, lighter form factor. Powered by the M6 chip family, these models may also include cellular connectivity, further enhancing their functionality. These advancements highlight Apple's focus on blending innovative design with practical functionality, making sure its devices remain at the forefront of the tech industry. Broader Tech Industry Developments Beyond Apple's ecosystem, other significant developments are shaping the tech landscape: Spotify Lossless Audio: Recent code reveals plans for a high-quality audio subscription tier, potentially positioning Spotify as a strong competitor to Apple's lossless audio offerings. Recent code reveals plans for a high-quality audio subscription tier, potentially positioning Spotify as a strong competitor to Apple's lossless audio offerings. YouTube Ad Blocker Crackdown: YouTube has intensified its efforts to restrict video playback for users employing ad blockers, signaling a shift in its monetization strategy and emphasizing the importance of ad-supported content. These trends reflect the evolving priorities of major tech companies as they adapt to changing user expectations and market demands. Looking Ahead iOS 26 represents a significant evolution in Apple's software, introducing features that enhance user experience, accessibility, and functionality. While the beta phase has revealed some performance challenges, upcoming updates are expected to address these issues. Beyond iOS 26, Apple's ongoing innovations in hardware and software continue to shape the tech landscape, offering users innovative tools and experiences. As the ecosystem evolves, these advancements reaffirm Apple's commitment to delivering technology that meets the needs of its diverse user base. Check out more relevant guides from our extensive collection on iOS 26 features that you might find useful. Source & Image Credit: Brandon Butch Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Technology News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
CNET
21-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Adobe's New iOS and Android AI Apps Let You Use Google's Veo 3, Runway and More
Adobe's Firefly AI is now available as mobile apps for iPhones and Androids, the company announced on Tuesday. These apps are free to download and let you use Firefly to create AI images and videos on the go. Plus, the app comes with a few free generative credits for you to experiment with Adobe's AI. Adobe is also expanding its roster of third-party AI partners to include six new models from Ideogram, Pika, Luma and Runway. Google's latest AI models are also joining the lineup, including the internet-famous Veo 3 AI video generation model with native audio capabilities and the Imagen 4 text-to-image model support. Finally, its moodboarding AI program, Firefly Boards, is generally available today after months in beta. Here's everything you need to know about Adobe's newest batch of Firefly AI updates. For more, check out our favorite AI image generators and what to know about AI video models. Firefly AI for iOS and Android users Adobe's Firefly mobile apps will let you access its AI image and video capabilities from your phone. A mobile app felt like the next natural step, since Adobe saw that mobile web usage of Firefly noticeably increased after Adobe's Firefly video capability launched in early 2025. Not every Firefly feature will be available at launch, but for now, we know that these features will be included: text-to-image, text- and image-to-video, generative fill, and generative expand. You can download the app now from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app is free to download, but you'll need a Firefly-inclusive Adobe plan to really use the app. In the hopes that you'll sign up for a full plan, Adobe gives you 12 free generation Firefly credits (10 for images, two for videos, which doesn't shake out to many of each). So you can use those to see if Firefly is a good fit for you. Firefly plans start at $10 per month for 2,000 credits (about 20 videos), increasing in price and generation credits from there. Depending on your Adobe plan, you may already have access to Firefly credits, so double-check that first. Adobe's six new AI models from Google, Runway and more Adobe's also adding new outside AI creative models to its offerings, including image and video models from Ideogram, Pika, Luma and Runway. You might recognize the name Runway from its deal with Lionsgate to create models for the entertainment giant. Ideogram, Pika and Luma are all other well-known AI creative services. Google's Veo 3 AI video generator is also joining, bringing its first-of-its-kind synchronized AI audio capabilities, along with the latest generation of Google's AI image model. This is the second batch of third-party models that Adobe has added to its platform. Earlier this spring, Adobe partnered with OpenAI, Google and Black Forest (creator of Flux) to bring the companies' AI models to Adobe. What's unique about this is that all third-party models have to agree to Adobe's AI policy, which prevents all the companies from training on customers' content -- even if the individual companies don't have that policy on their own, it's standardized across all models offered through Adobe. This is also true for the new models added today. For AI-wary professional creators who make up the majority of Adobe users, that's a bit of good news. You'll need a paid Firefly plan to access outside models; otherwise, you'll just have access to the Adobe models. Here are all the AI models available through Adobe: Adobe Firefly Image 3 Adobe Firefly Image 4 Adobe Firefly Image Ultra Flux 1.1 Pro Flux 1 Kontext Google's Imagen 3 OpenAI's image generation model (new) Ideogram 3 (new) Google's Imagen 4 (new) Runway's Gen-4 Image For video, you can use: Adobe Firefly Video Google Veo 2 (new) Google Veo 3 (new) Luma AI Ray 2 (new) Pika's text-to-video generator Adobe's own Firefly AI models are trained on a combination of Adobe Stock and other licensed content. You can learn more in Adobe's AI guidelines and approach to AI. AI moodboarding gets a boost Other Adobe updates include the general release of its moodboarding program, Firefly Boards, which has been in beta since April. Moodboarding is a practice that lets you cluster together different elements, like colors and shapes, to evoke specific moods and aesthetics. It's a good initial step for planning content and campaigns. Adobe You can use the infinite canvas to brainstorm and plan content. You can generate images and videos in Boards using Adobe and non-Adobe models; the setups are very similar to generating in the regular Firefly window. Boards are collaborative, so you can edit with multiple people. A new one-click arrange button can help you organize and visualize your files more easily, a much-requested feature that came out of the beta. Firefly boards are synced up with your Adobe account. So you can select a photo in a Board, open it in Photoshop and edit it. Those changes will then be synced up with your Firefly Board in less than a minute, so you can always see the latest version of your file without needing to be limited to editing in Boards. For more, check out Premiere Pro's first generative AI feature and the best Photoshop AI tools.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pixalate's May 2025 Delisted Mobile Apps Reports: 49,613 Apps Delisted from Google Play Store & 39,131 from Apple App Store
Pixalate research finds 14,602 apps delisted from the United States (U.S.) Google Play Store were ad-enabled (e.g. have an file), while 3,348 apps delisted from the Apple App Store were ad-enabled London, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pixalate, the leading global platform for ad fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics, today released the May 2025 Delisted Mobile Apps Reports for the United States (U.S.) Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The reports analyze apps delisted in May, including those enabled for programmatic advertising. The reports include a list of the top delisted apps by app store, enabled for programmatic advertising (based on the presence of an file). The report identifies applications that are no longer available for download from the U.S. Apple App Store and Google Play Store, according to Pixalate's data. Delisted apps do not indicate who initiated the delisting action, i.e., Apple, Google, or the app developer. While some apps are delisted for benign reasons, others are removed due to more nefarious behaviors, including ad fraud and non-compliance with privacy regulations or app store policies, which may expose advertisers to potential financial or legal risks. Because apps can be delisted for various reasons, Pixalate neither asserts nor assigns a reason for any delisting action. Additionally, it is generally not publicly available information as to who the initiator of the delisting is, so it is often not possible to know whether the app store or the developer triggered the research focuses on app profile information. It provides various insights observed in the programmatic advertising bid stream, such as the developer's country of registry, the level of app abandonment, and the number of delisted apps with advertising (as indicated by an file).Key Findings: Delisted Mobile Apps (May 2025)Google Play Store Delisted apps: 49,613 apps delisted in May 2025, representing a 19% decrease from April 2025 14,602 apps delisted were enabled for programmatic advertising (i.e., had declared an file) in May 2025 Country of origin: United States-registered apps had the highest number of delistings (1,882) in the Google Play Store, followed by South Korea (929) in May 2025 Among the apps that provided a country of registration, 3,842 were registered in Asia-Pacific (APAC), which is the highest among global regions, followed by 2,812 in EMEA, 2,062 in North America, and 735 in LATAM, according to PixalateGoogle Play Store: Top 5 Delisted Apps in May 2025 (by downloads) Rank App ID App Title Estimated Downloads Developer Name 1 Qblock: Wood Block Puzzle Game 100M Oakever Games 2 PAC-MAN 100M Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. 3 mAst: Music Status Video Maker 100M mAst App 4 Control Center Simple 50M TD Application 5 Kpop Music Game - Dream Tiles 50M Dream Tiles Piano Game Studio Apple App Store Delisted apps: 39,131 apps delisted in May 2025, down 11% from April 2025 3,348 apps delisted were enabled for programmatic advertising in May 2025 Country of origin: United States-registered apps had the highest number of delistings (1,389) in the Apple App Store, followed by China (494) and South Korea (360) in May 2025 Among the apps that provided a country of registration, 1,755 were registered in APAC, which is the highest among global regions, followed by 1,502 in North America, 1,272 in EMEA, and 166 in LATAM, according to PixalateApple App Store: Top 5 Delisted Apps in May 2025 (by downloads) Rank App ID App Title Estimated User Ratings Developer Name 1 1668632772 爸爸的面馆-记忆中的小店 148.7K Guangzhou Yoqu Technology Co., Ltd 2 1417033792 BoxFresh 匿名質問アプリ - ボックスフレッシュ 67.1K App-CM Inc. 3 1393913947 Miles - Travel, Shop, Get Cash 66.0K ConnectIQ Labs Inc 4 417281773 Авито: бронирование отелей 37.8K LLC DOUBLETAPP 5 1578231174 グランサガ (Gran Saga) 33.7K Npixel Co., Ltd. To compile this research, Pixalate's data science and analyst team analyzed over 2 million apps delisted from the United States Apple App Store and over 5.6 million apps delisted from the United States Google Play Store between January 2021 and May 2025. Download the complete reports here: Google Play Store Apple App Store About PixalatePixalate is a global platform specializing in privacy compliance, ad fraud prevention, and digital ad supply chain data intelligence. Founded in 2012, Pixalate is trusted by regulators, data researchers, advertisers, publishers, ad tech platforms, and financial analysts across the Connected TV (CTV), mobile app, and website ecosystems. Pixalate is accredited by the MRC for the detection and filtration of Sophisticated Invalid Traffic (SIVT). The content of this press release, and the May 2025 US Google Play Store & US Apple App Store Delisted Mobile Apps Reports (the 'Reports'), reflect Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. Any data shared is grounded in Pixalate's proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate's opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees. Pixalate is sharing this data not to impugn the standing or reputation of any entity, person or app, but, instead, to report findings and trends pertaining to programmatic advertising activity across mobile apps in the time period studied. CONTACT: Nina Talcott ntalcott@
