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Master the challenges of coastal locations at low tide with a careful approach to composition
What you’ll need
– Wide-angle zoom lens
– Low-level camera support
– Polariser (optional)
Harbors and marinas are great places to explore with a camera and offer a tremendous range of detail on which we can focus. It’s possible to find subjects for both close-up shots and wide vistas, allowing us to capture the many facets of this fascinating environment.
However, as with all coastal locations, harbors are subject to extreme tidal changes in water level and, unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to be on location at the ideal time of the tidal cycle – when water is rushing in or out of the harbor, drawing attractive lines around the boats and rocks.
During low tide, you’ll often find that the boats are resting on sand and the retreating water has revealed a jumble of rocks, seaweed, barnacles and other debris on the seabed, which doesn’t often make for the most photogenic of foregrounds.
Also, when dry, sand absorbs a lot of light rather than reflecting it, which can make colours appear dull and muted within the frame. This can all add up to produce a boring middle ground in our landscape shots, so we must work to control the relative proportions of all areas of the frame. Let’s explore the best ways to reduce unsightly parts of the scene through careful composition and creative use of exposure.
The key aspect to the success of this technique is to hide areas of the scene that you don’t want the viewer to see. Get the camera as low as possible to hide the dry middle ground. We used our camera bag, rather than a tripod, for the lowest position.
As the camera is close to foreground elements, the depth of field is greatly reduced, so choose an aperture setting of at least f/11. For this scene, f/16 was needed to get both the foreground rocks and the distant castle sharp. Magnify the preview to check this.
3. Crop the foreground
At 24mm on our full-frame camera, there is a little too much foreground. Zoom in to balance the weight of each area of the scene and reduce the middle ground further, keeping an eye on the depth of field as you change the focal length.
4. Focus the scene
Double-distance and hyperfocal focusing aren’t always reliable when objects are located at greatly different distances. We used a hyperfocal distance app for the focus values at our focal length and f/stop, then performed visual micro-adjustments.
5. Wait for the light
With the camera set, wait for a break in the clouds. The harsher summer evening light has some drawbacks, but one advantage is dramatic spotlighting. We took a frame as a cloud moved across the sun, breaking up the lighting structure a little.
6. Underexpose
We used negative 1EV exposure compensation to darken the shadows a little. While harsh shadows are generally avoided in landscape photography, underexposing dull, non-reflective areas can draw attention away from boring middlegrounds.
Pro tip
Try shooting vertically
If the composition isn’t working, try making the foreground a major feature of your landscape scene
Your options to minimise dull middle grounds and foregrounds include pitching the camera up and exaggerating the sky or going all-in on the foreground. Where there is a good amount of detail to focus on close to the camera, try shooting in portrait orientation to capture texture in the rockpools that are often left once the tide has gone out. Use a polariser to cut through reflections and see the detail at the bottom of pools.
Editing steps
1. Balance the range
After setting the Black and White points, manage the distribution of shadows and highlights. In an image with darker rocks in the foreground, these will block up quickly. By waiting for the sunlight to hit them, only a small Shadows increase is needed.
2. Control colour luminance
After making a Curves adjustment to darken the mid tones, we also increased the Luminance of the Greens and Yellows in HSL to prevent the green seaweed from being dulled, too. We then darkened the Blues to deepen the sky contrast.
3. Dodge and Burn
To enhance the pools of light we waited for on the shoot, we used the Adjustment Brush inLightroom(K) with -0.50 Exposure to burn the soft shadows cast by the clouds. We then applied a Dodge to highlight areas with positive +0.40 Exposure.
4. Tone the highlights
The late afternoon sunlight is a little cool, so we applied some Color Grading by adding a Yellow tone to the Highlights and light Magenta to the Midtones for a natural colour depth. Adjust the Balance to ensure that fresh greens don’t turn yellow.
5. Adjust colour calibration
We used the Calibration Tab to adjust the Hue and Saturation of the Green Primary and also adjusted the other colour options to create a saturated but natural colour balance. The final colour step was to reduce the global Saturation by -2.
6. Selective Sharpening
Setting the aperture to f/16 produced sufficient DOF, but diffraction has lowered critical sharpness, especially in the foreground detail. Use the Adjustment Brush or the Sharpen Brush to extract extra texture in the rocks and vegetation.
Before/After
Lack of contrast This scene has a range of detail in the shadows thanks to the lighting from behind the camera but the colours lack depth
Final shot This image has a better structure, with less dead middle ground. The edit enhanced the colours and texture in the foreground
Users won’t have access to the store and its digital currency after August 20.
What you need to know
Amazon is bidding farewell to its Appstore on Android devices starting Aug. 20 this year.
In an announcement to app developers, the company stated that this move was made to shift focus on improving the app store experience on its own devices.
Users will have no access to the store and the digital currency —Amazon Coins will be refunded to them.
Amazon is discontinuing its app store on Android devices starting Aug. 20 this year. In an update to App developers, the company stated that they will no longer be accepting new apps for the store moving forward. Developers can continue to update existing apps on the Appstore until the above deadline.
The Amazon Appstore is currently available in 200 countries and allows users to download games and mobile apps on supported devices. It is a third-party app store that comes pre-installed on all Amazon devices.
However, it has always been an alternative Appstore for Android users that offers free apps and content that isn’t found on theGoogle Play Store.
On its FAQ page, Amazon stated that “any apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore will not be guaranteed to operate on Android devices,” after Aug.20.
An Amazon spokesperson told Android Central in an email that it has decided to take this step with Android devices as the company is looking inward and wants to focus its efforts “on the Appstore experience on our own devices, as that’s where the overwhelming majority of our customers currently engage with it.”
According to the company, only a small number of customers use the app store outside Amazon devices, which pushed them to take this step.
Amazon added that its virtual currency aka Amazon Coins, which users use to purchase eligible apps and in-app items from the Appstore will also be discontinued. The company will refund unused coins to users after Aug.20. That said, the Appstore will remain untouched on Amazon’s devices like the Fire TV and Fire Tablet.
It looks like Amazon is following suit after what went down with Microsoft devices last year. Windows 11 users at least got a year’s headstart on this shift. As of March 5, even Microsoft devices will no longer support several apps available on the Amazon Appstore once this date arrives.
Xiaomi 14was released in India in March this year. It is one of the best compact flagship phones available on the market. The smartphone boasts a solid set of specifications. However, it lags behind its competitors in some key areas.
If you plan to upgrade to theXiaomi 14(full review), don’t forget to check out its best alternatives, which will help you make a better decision. Before we move on to the alternatives, let’s quickly recall the device via the spec sheet below.
SoftwareAndroid 14, Funtouch OS 14 3 Android upgrades
Connectivity5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 7/Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.4 NFC supported
Unlike Xiaomi 14, theVivo X100has a curved display that’s around 6.6% bigger in size. The Xiaomi 14 uses an OLED panel, while the rest of the display specifications are almost similar.
Both smartphones are IP68 certified for dust & water resistance. However, the Vivo X100 lacks protection, whereas the Xiaomi 14 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The Vivo X100 rocks a big circular camera module that’s easily distinguishable from the crowd, whereas the Xiaomi 14 features a rectangular camera module.
Both smartphones have a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 50MP ultrawide camera (theVivo X100has a larger field of view). The periscope telephoto lens on the Vivo phone supports 3x optical zoom, while it is 3.2x on the Xiaomi 14).
Both smartphones take stunning photos and videos using the main camera in varying lighting conditions with fine details, sharpness, and colour accuracy. However, the dynamic range could have been better on the Vivo X100.
The Vivo phone takes good shots with its ultrawide cameras in various lighting conditions. It also takes good macro shots. However, the selfies and videos using the front camera are pretty decent, with some sort of skin smoothing.
Notably, the Vivo X100 supports up to 4K video recording using the rear camera, but only 1080p with its selfie camera. In contrast, the Xiaomi 14 can record up to 8K videos using its rear camera and 4K with its selfie camera.
Both smartphones take excellent photos and videos. However, in most cases, the Xiaomi 14 produces better shots, particularly with its rear camera setup. The Vivo X100 might have an edge when it comes to portrait selfies.
The Vivo X100 is powered by a Dimensity 9300 chip, whereas the Xiaomi 14 uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Both are the fastest mobile CPUs from their respective manufacturers and have similar benchmark results. They deliver excellent performance, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has slightly better gaming stability. Check out the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs. Dimensity 9300 for more details.
The Xiaomi 14 and Vivo X100 have similar connectivity features, except the former has a faster USB data transfer rate.
The Vivo X100 has a larger battery capacity and supports much faster wired charging compared to Xiaomi 14. This means you’ll benefit from more screen time and quicker battery filling on the Vivo phone. However, the Vivo phone lacks wireless and reverse wireless charging.
Connectivity5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 NFC (supported) USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
The Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon version) is another good alternative to the Xiaomi 14. It’s more compact and lightweight than the Xiaomi 14 and features a 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen — the brightness peaks at 2600nits (slightly lower than Xiaomi 14).
The Galaxy S24 uses the second-generation Gorilla Glass Victus, while the Xiaomi 14 has the first-generation Gorilla Glass Victus protection. Both devices are powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. There’s also an Exynos version, but it’s difficult to recommend because of Exynos problems.
The Galaxy S24 packs a lesser battery capacity than the Xiaomi 14, and as you may already know, Samsung is not a fan of superfast charging. Hence, you only get 25W charging support, while the Xiaomi 14 supports 90W fast charging. Both devices support wireless and reverse wireless charging, although they are faster on the Xiaomi phone.
Samsung phones are better known for software updates. The Galaxy S24 is promised seven years of Android and security updates, while the Xiaomi 14 will only get 4 Android updates and five years of security patches.
3. OnePlus 12
OnePlus 12 Specs
Body164.3 x 75.8 x 9.2mm 220g
Display6.82″ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED 1440 x 3168 pixels resolution HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500nits (peak) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
ChipQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) Adreno 750 GPU
Connectivity5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 7/Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.4 NFC (supported) USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
The OnePlus 12 is another solid alternative to the Xiaomi 14. It’s slightly bigger and bulkier and has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. Both smartphones have the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which delivers superior performance.
The OnePlus 12 has a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision support, and 4500nits of peak brightness. Compared to Xiaomi 14, it has a bigger display with more pixels and higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. Also, it is protected by a Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the Xiaomi 14 uses first-gen protection.
Both smartphones come with Android 14 out of the box and have been promised four years of Android updates from their respective brands.
The OnePlus 12 boasts a circular camera module featuring a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens with OIS, 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide lens with 114-degree field of view (FOV). The camera setup is made in collaboration with Hasselblad to achieve better colour accuracy. There’s a 32MP camera for selfies.
SoftwareAndroid 14, Funtouch OS 14 3 Android upgrades
Connectivity5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 7/Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.4 NFC (supported) USB Type-C 2.0
iQOO 12 was released last year with a strong spec sheet. It boasts a slightly larger LTPO AMOLED screen than the Xiaomi 14 with a higher refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3000nits.
The iQOO device is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the same chip inside the Xiaomi 14. It’s the most powerful chip for Android phones, ensuring superior performance and efficiency.
Let’s get to the cameras. The iQOO 12’s main camera takes detailed, sharp daylight images with excellent dynamic range. The overall image processing is sound, but sometimes, you may observe various imperfections due to weak processing.
The telephoto cameras are excellent, offering great details, colours, right sharpness, and less noise. The dynamic range and overall contrast are also impressive. The 64MP high-res zoomed images are okay(ish) with a good amount of details, accurate colours and good dynamic range, but they are pretty noisy.
Connectivity5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.3 NFC (supported) USB Type-C 3.2
The Pixel 8 has similar pricing to the Xiaomi 14 and offers good value for money. Hence, it is an alternative to the Xiaomi 14 worth exploring.
The Pixel 8 is a compact flagship phone featuring a 6.2-inch OLED screen, although it’s not an LTPO panel and has a lower peak brightness than the Xiaomi 14.
The smartphone is powered by an in-house Tensor G3 chip, which isn’t as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the benchmarks. That doesn’t make it a bad choice for high-end phones. The chip can still deliver great performance.
The Pixel 8 has only two camera sensors on the back — a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 126-degree FOV. It is also equipped with a 10.5MP camera for selfies.
The smartphone takes good daylight shots with nicer details, consistent white balance, and good saturation. The ultrawide camera also shoots great images. It also has an autofocus that enables both general close-up shots and macro shots.
The Pixel 8 does an impressive job in low-light conditions, all thanks to good image processing. However, the portrait shots are just acceptable. The device takes nice selfies with good details. The video quality of the Pixel 8’s main camera is impressive. The ultrawide camera outputs an average video quality at night but does a fantastic job in daylight.
note:
The Xiaomi 14 is a solid flagship phone. However, these five phones are better than that in one or more key areas. Would you pick Xiaomi 14 or any of these alternatives? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
OPPO’s 100W charging tech is incredible, and it is available on all OnePlus phones as well.
All Android phones have fast charging built in, but not all standards are created equal. While several brands rely on USB’s standard Power Delivery, Chinese manufacturers use their own tech instead, delivering significantly higher charging speeds on their phones.
OPPO’s SuperVOOC is the industry leader in this area, with the brand able to push battery charging to as much as 240W. That’s an outlier, but on most OnePlus and OPPO phones available today, you’ll see 65W and 100W charging as standard, allowing these devices to fully charge their batteries in under 30 minutes.
To put that into context, Samsung uses 45W charging on theGalaxy S24 Ultra, but the device takes over 60 minutes to charge the battery — more than twice as long as the OnePlus 12. The best part is that you don’t get any downsides to 100W fast charging; I used OnePlus and OPPO devices based on the 100W tech for three years now, and long-term battery degradation is in line with other phones.
So here’s everything you need to know about the SuperVOOC charging standard — how it evolved over the years, how it works in the latest devices, and how it’s different to other fast charging solutions.
OPPO introduced its VOOC charging tech back in 2014, and if you’re curious, it is an abbreviation of Voltage Open Loop Multi-step Constant-Current Charging. VOLMCCC doesn’t quite have the same allure, so OPPO shortened it to VOOC. In the early days, the standard went up to 20W (5V/4A), allowing devices at the time — like theOnePlus 6T— to charge up to 60% in just 35 minutes, a sizeable achievement.
Then came SuperVOOC in 2006, going up to 50W by pushing 10V at 5A, but not many devices used this standard. The biggest upgrade came in 2019 with the debut of VOOC 3.0, which made 30W charging standard across most OnePlus and OPPO devices. The tech switched to 5V/6A to deliver faster charging, with devices like theOnePlus 7Tgoing up to a 70% charge in just 30 minutes.
The next evolution occurred in 2020 with SuperVOOC 2.0, which introduced the 65W standard that’s still in use today. It moved the charging tech to deliver 10V over 6.5A, introducing the ability to fully charge devices in under 40 minutes. When I tested the OnePlus 8T that year, I saw that the battery charged in just 38 minutes, a record at the time.
OnePlus used OPPO’s charging tech from the very beginning, but because it was set up as a standalone entity, it changed the moniker. The 20W standard was called Dash Charge, and with the switch to 30W came Warp Charge. And when 65W charging became available, the manufacturer went with Warp Charge 65.
There was a derivative of this — dubbed the 65T — on theOnePlus 9 Pro, which allowed the device to maintain a sustained voltage for an extended duration, and it unlocked a full charge in under 30 minutes. The biggest advantage to the SuperVOOC standard is that it doesn’t overheat your device; that’s because most of the charging circuitry is built into the wall unit.
This is why you can only get the quoted charging speeds only when you use a SuperVOOC charger; while USB PD also has 65W charging, the voltages are different, so you don’t get the same benefits.
How does SuperVOOC work? A standard smartphone battery is highly reactive, which is why phone companies have several safeguards built into the charging circuitry. Lithium-Ion batteries are able to take in more power initially, tapering out as the charge builds. It is on this principle that fast charging works.
Qualcomm’s Quick Charge technology delivers a higher voltage to the battery to expedite charging time. Quick Charge 5.0 is fully compliant with the USB-C Power Delivery (PD) spec, and while some manufacturers like ASUS use Qualcomm’s solution, most brands have switched over to USB PD instead.
Samsung, for instance, switched to USB Power Delivery’s Programmable Power Supply (PPS) spec starting with the Galaxy Note 10 series, offering 45W charging. This is still the case on its latest devices, but most of its mid-range phones still use a 25W standard.
SuperVOOC’s differentiation comes by way of using a dual-cell battery; theOnePlus 12has a 5400mAh battery, but it is made up of two 2700mAh cells. This way, the 100W charge is split over both batteries at the same time, allowing the device to charge in under 30 minutes.
The key difference between SuperVOOC and other charging standards is that while USB PD uses higher voltages to charge batteries, OPPO instead focuses on delivering a higher amperage. For instance, USB PD pushes 20V at 3.25A to send 65W to devices, whereas SuperVOOC delivers 10V at 6.5A to attain 65W. But because all the associated circuitry is in the wall unit, you’ll get all the advantages of fast charging without any of the downsides (overheating).
SuperVOOC 100W: Charging your phone in 30 minutes
One of the main benefits of SuperVOOC is its ability to keep temperatures low while charging. The fast charging option allows you to watch videos or play games while the phone is charging, with no net drop in speeds. That isn’t the case with other charging solutions, as the higher voltages invariably lead to the phone reverting to normal speeds to prevent overheating.
With SuperVOOC 100W, you can easily charge a phone battery in under 30 minutes, and it is a proven technology by this point — I used it on dozens of phones. There’s also a SuperVOOC 150W standard, but that was available on just a few devices, and while OPPO showcased SuperVOOC 240W as well, it isn’t practical on its flagships.
Like other charging standards, SuperVOOC takes more than twice as long to go from 50% to a full charge, and that’s to prevent damage to the battery (and more importantly, you), with the wall charger limiting output after hitting 70% and going even lower after reaching 80%. With the OnePlus 12, the phone goes up to 72% in just 15 minutes, but takes an additional 15 minutes to go the rest of the 28%.
The dedicated microcontroller unit inside the phone constantly monitors the charge level to determine the desired amperage to be delivered. This is a good thing, because it ensures that everything doesn’t burn down when you plug your phone in overnight. Of course, the main downside is that you’ll need to use OnePlus and OPPO’s bundled chargers to get the full charging potential.
That said, OPPO has licensed the technology to third-party vendors like Anker, and the charging brand is delivering SuperVOOC 65W on select power banks and chargers, including the Prime 27,650mAh power bank that goes up to 250W. This is a huge deal, as it allows you to get all the advantages of the charging tech on the go.
An additional thing to mention here is that while you get 100W charging in most regions, OnePlus limits the chargers to 80W in North America. This has to do with voltages again, so if you’re using the OnePlus 12 in the region, you’ll only be able to use 80W. In real-world use, that means the device will take roughly eight additional minutes to charge.
A key update introduced in 2022 is the ability to increase battery longevity. Even with SuperVOOC 100W, OPPO is guaranteeing 1600 charge cycles before battery degradation, and that’s a huge achievement. Also, the best part about using the SuperVOOC 100W charger is that it doubles as a USB PD charger as well, going up to 65W. So if you have other devices that leverage PD, you can charge those easily.
What is AIRVOOC 50?
TheOnePlus 8 Probecame the first device from the manufacturer (globally) to offer wireless charging, and in usual OnePlus fashion the company outfitted the phone with 30W wireless charging. AIRVOOC 30 — also called dubbed Warp Charge 30 Wireless on OnePlus devices — could deliver up to a 50% charge in just 30 minutes, allowing it to become a standout option in the wireless charging segment.
To deliver sustained 30W wireless charging, OnePlus used two charge pumps and clever charging tech. The charger coil itself sends 20V at 1.5A (netting 30W) to the first charge pump, which then halves the voltage to 10W while boosting the amperage to 3A (once again creating 30W). The second charge pump halves the voltage yet again to 5V, with the amperage doubled to 6A. That 5V at 6A charge leads to 30W, and it’s this charge that’s sent to the charging coil on the back of the phone.
OPPO is using this technique because there’s no way to safely deliver a 6A charge directly from the induction coil on the wireless charger to the one on the phone. That would create a lot of heat and inevitably burn things down, so it’s instead relying on two charge pumps. The technology is very interesting, and it continues to be one of the best wireless charging solutions around.
With the OnePlus 9 series, OnePlus introduced 50W wireless charging, and this is still the same tech that’s used in the Find X7 Ultra and the best OnePlus phones. It is called AIRVOOC 50, and the tech is able to charge a device in under 45 minutes, but you’ll need to use the dedicated wireless charger, and that’s no longer available in most markets.
OPPO continues to lead the way with its charging tech, and SuperVOOC 100W allows you to easily charge your phone in under 30 minutes — and do so safely. With the Find X8 and OnePlus 13 set to launch soon, it is interesting to see how the charging tech will evolve in the coming years.
Acer CEO warns customers will see laptop prices rise from March 2025
10% rise follows news of tariffs imposed by Trump administration
The tariffs apply to products imported from China
The chairman and chief executive ofAcer, one of the world’s biggest computer manufacturers, has warned a 10% price rise is coming to US customers ‘by default’ as a result of President Trump’s tariffs on imported Chinese goods.
In an interview withThe Telegraph, CEO Jason Chen confirmed price adjustments for customers will be added on Acer laptops to reflect the tariff, noting “we think 10pc probably will be the default price increase because of the import tax. It’s very straightforward.”
The tariffs are applicable on items imported from China, but don’t apply to products that left before February 2025, so it could be a few weeks before the prices rise to reflect this. Since electronic goods make up a significant portion of Chinese imports, and most Acer products are manufactured in China – it’s likely many products across the industry will be affected.
The move was pretty widely predicted in the industry, with theCEO of the Consumer Technology Association recently warning the tariff plan would be ‘devastating’, reminding that tariffs are not paid for by either country involved, “they’re paid for by the consumers that are paying for a tax”.
Whilst 10% may not seem like a lot, Acer laptops can often sit between $2,000-$3,000, meaning customers will see hundreds of dollars added to their bills.
Acer is not the only company to manufacture their products overseas, in fact almost 80% of laptops and 40% of all tech products imported into the US are made in China and will be affected by these tariffs one way or another – so Americans can expect to see their pockets hurt in the near future.
Some firms may use the tariffs as an excuse to raise prices beyond 10%, but many companies have not yet confirmed how they expect their products to be affected.
Chen confirmed that Acer is looking into the possibility of “different supply chains beyond China”, and that “one of the options” was an American manufacturing line.
Microsoft 365 is available in free and paid versions, so we’ve explored the differences and discovered which could be the best option for you
(Image credit: Claudio Scott / Pixabay)
Microsoft365 is available in lots of different guises for home and business users, but these productivity packages can get expensive – so it’s no surprise that lots of people turn to Microsoft 365’s free version instead.
There are usually compromises when it comes to free versions of paid apps, though. That means it can be difficult to know if these versions are worth the download or if you should just stump up the cash for a paid version instead.
To stave off the confusion, we’ve weighed up the free and paid versions of Microsoft 365 to find out exactly what you get with the free app – and to see how the paid products go further.
Microsoft 365 free: what’s included?
Microsoft 365 offers a free version designed for users who need basic functionality without the cost. This version, accessible online via Office.com, allows individuals to utilize stripped-down editions of popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote directly from their web browsers. These basic features are sufficient for light document creation, spreadsheet management, and presentations, making it an excellent option for occasional users or those with simple needs. Microsoft 365 provides a free version designed for users who need basic functionality without any cost. This version is accessible online via Office.com and allows individuals to use simplified editions of popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote directly from their web browsers. These basic features are adequate for light document creation, spreadsheet management, and presentations, making it a great option for occasional users or those with simple needs.
In addition to the free version, Microsoft offers a 30-day free trial of the entire Microsoft 365 suite. This trial enables users to explore the full range of premium applications and services, which include advanced features like real-time collaboration in Word, Power BI for data analysis, and sophisticated design tools in PowerPoint. During the trial, users can also take advantage of extensive cloud storage provided by OneDrive, allowing them to access files from any internet-enabled device.
Furthermore, Microsoft 365 Education is free for students and educators, subject to eligibility verification through participating educational institutions. This version includes additional tools designed for learning, such as Microsoft Teams for classroom collaboration and Intune for Education to manage devices securely. By utilizing these resources, educators can create a more interactive and engaging learning environment, while students gain exposure to essential software that can support their academic and future professional endeavors.
In addition to the free version, Microsoft offers a 30-day free trial of the entire Microsoft 365 suite. This trial allows users to experience the full range of premium applications and services, including advanced features such as real-time collaboration in Word, Power BI for data analysis, and sophisticated design tools in PowerPoint. During the trial, users can also explore the extensive cloud storage offered through OneDrive, which enhances productivity by enabling file access from any device with internet connectivity.
Moreover, Microsoft 365 Education is free to students and educators, subject to eligibility verification through participating educational institutions. This version offers access to additional tools tailored for learning, such as Microsoft Teams for classroom collaboration and Intune for Education to manage devices securely. By leveraging these resources, educators can create a more interactive and engaging learning environment, while students gain exposure to essential software that can support their academic and future professional endeavors.
Whether to pay for Microsoft 365 depends on your needs, usage habits, and specific requirements.
A paid subscription may be worthwhile if you require regular access to the complete suite of desktop applications—such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These desktop applications offer advanced features, extensive formatting options, and greater functionality than their online counterparts. Additionally, a subscription includes services like OneDrive, which provides cloud storage for your files, allowing you to access them from any device and collaborate seamlessly.
On the other hand, if your needs are more basic, and you primarily use the online versions of these applications for simple tasks like drafting documents, creating spreadsheets, or making presentations, the free version of Microsoft 365 might be sufficient. The online applications are user-friendly and accessible, though they may lack some advanced features in the paid version.
It’s also important to consider your budget. Subscriptions can range in price depending on your chosen plan, so reflect on whether this cost aligns with your financial goals. Furthermore, think about how frequently you will use the software. If you only need it occasionally, a pay-as-you-go approach or sticking with free alternatives could be a more economical choice. Ultimately, evaluating these factors will help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs.
Microsoft 365 provides a comprehensive suite of business plans tailored to address the diverse needs of organizations of all sizes. These plans typically include essential productivity applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, serving as the backbone for daily operations. In addition to these core tools, Microsoft 365 enhances business functionality with features like business-class email, which includes custom domain names and advanced calendar sharing, facilitating professional communication.
One of the standout offerings is OneDrive, which provides secure online storage and file-sharing capabilities. This empowers teams to access documents from anywhere, collaborate in real time, and ensure data safety with automated backup features. Complementing these tools is Microsoft Teams, a versatile platform that fosters seamless collaboration through chat, video conferencing, and integrated file sharing, making remote work and communication efficient.
Moreover, organizations can use advanced security features to safeguard sensitive data from threats, depending on the selected plan. Features like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), advanced threat protection, and data loss prevention help businesses protect their information and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
Specialized applications, such as Access for database management and Publisher for professional-quality publications, are also available for those requiring tailored solutions. With varying tiers, businesses can select a plan that best suits their size, budget, and specific requirements, ensuring they have the tools to boost productivity, enhance collaboration, and maintain a competitive edge in their industry.
Microsoft 365 represents a versatile and scalable solution for modern businesses, ensuring organizations can thrive in a digital workspace.
Microsoft 365 paid and free versions: what should you use?
When deciding between the paid and free versions of Microsoft 365, it’s essential to evaluate your specific needs and how you plan to use the software.
If your primary focus is on basic document editing and you primarily access Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for quick tasks, the free version available at Office.com may be all you require. This option provides online access to essential features, making it convenient for casual users or those who need to create and edit documents occasionally. The free version is ideal if you don’t need advanced functionalities, offline access, or extensive cloud storage.
However, if your work demands a more robust suite of tools, the paid Microsoft 365 subscription may be a better fit. The paid version offers the full desktop applications, ensuring you have access to the complete range of features, including advanced editing tools, formatting options, and powerful data analysis capabilities in Excel. Additionally, it includes business-class email through Outlook, making it suitable for professionals who need reliable communications.
One of the significant advantages of a paid subscription is the increased cloud storage via OneDrive, allowing you to store, share, and collaborate on documents seamlessly. Moreover, features like Microsoft Teams facilitate effective communication and teamwork, especially for those working in larger organizations or on group projects.
Consider your usage patterns, the complexity of your projects, and whether you often require offline access to documents when weighing your options. For instance, frequent travelers or remote workers might find offline functionality crucial, which is only available with a paid subscription.
In summary, the free version is fantastic for casual users or students, while the paid plans cater to professionals, business users, and anyone who requires a comprehensive suite of productivity tools. Make your choice based on how frequently you’ll use the software and the level of functionality that best suits your needs.
Apple’s new-generation iPhone SE is called the iPhone 16e
Applehas officially launched the iPhone 16e. The company announced the new budget-friendly iPhone at 11am ET / 8am PT / 4pm GMT on February 19, confirming that the iPhone 16e is a new member of the iPhone 16 family and not, as many suspected, a standalone iPhone SE 4.
The new phone features the A18 chipset, a 6.1-inchOLEDdisplay, Apple Intelligence compatibility, a single 48MP rear camera, and a 12MP front-facing camera. The iPhone 16e also features a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, but it does inherit the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 lines.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e begin on February 21, and the device will ship from February 28. It starts at $599 / £599 / AU$999 and comes in either 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage configurations.
Follow along as we react to the announcement of Apple’s latest mid-range model, which has discontinued both the iPhone SE (2022) and the iPhone 14.
The Galaxy S25 Edge has two cameras, one less than the Galaxy S25
One Apple product that the iPhone 16e might foreshadow is the rumorediPhone 17 Air. With Samsung launching a super-slimGalaxy S25 Edgelater this year, it is more likely than ever than we’ll see an extra-thin iPhone from Apple to answer the long-running rumors.
With its single high-resolution, wide aperture camera, the iPhone 16e might be a good model for a thin iPhone 17 Air. Cameras add much of the thickness to today’s big phones, so I expect two cameras on an iPhone Air at most, but one great camera with flexible shooting modes, like we see on the new iPhone 16e, would do the trick.
Will the iPhone 17 Air arrive looking like a slimmed-down iPhone 16e? We’ll find out eventually, if the rumors are true.
If the iPhone 16e is drumming up Apple nostalgia for long-time Apple followers, for me it resembles nothing so much as the original (in)Famous iPod nano. I personally loved the nano’s look and design, but it replaced the iPod mini, the most popular iPod of all time (thus far). The iPod mini was bright and colorful, available in pink and blue and green. The iPod nano was sleek and professional, available only black and white.
The iPod nano was the future, of course, with its solid state storage. I might argue that Apple’s incredible investment in the iPod nano and solid state drives drove the price of that technology down faster, and ultimately led to the smartphones and other mobile innovation we have today. It all started with the iPod nano, folks.
So, if the iPhone 16e color options make you sad, they don’t bring me down. They remind me of an important an influential time for Apple, when it shifted from old and fun to innovative and new.
20 February 2025 at 03:50
An Apple iPhone 5c in green
Let’s be honest, this is a huge price hike for Apple’s bargain iPhone offering. It’s a big jump over theiPhone SE (2022), which started at $429 / £419 / AU$719, but that phone was also more expensive thanitspredecessor, theiPhone SE (2020), which cost only $399 / £389 / AU$679.
Of course, to be fair to Apple, the original budget iPhone was theiPhone 5c, launched in 2013, and that phone cost $549 / £469 / AU$739 at launch (wow, sorry GBP :-£).
Also, previous budget iPhone models have skimped on the processing power, and therefore the potential longevity with software updates, compared to the base model iPhone of the same year. It’s a very big deal that the iPhone 16e gets an Apple A18 chipset and Apple Intelligence features. Those would have been doubtful for the predicted iPhone SE 4 that did not arrive today.
20 February 2025 at 03:09
So what does the iPhone 16e get that makes it worth more than the iPhone SE, besides the latest Apple A18 processor? The addition of FaceID is especially interesting. Unlike basic face unlock methods on Android phones, Apple isn’t just using a camera for FaceID. It has specialized hardware that would make it a more expensive proposition for a bargain phone.
FaceID needs an infrared emitter to spray your face with invisible dots (you can see them with an infrared camera). Then it has a special camera to read those dots and make a 3D model of your face, which is much more secure than simply reading a photograph of your face. That’s why banks have long allowed Apple to use FaceID to unlock banking apps, but Android phones usually won’t let you use your face to unlock your bank account.
I’ve used every unlock method, and I’d have to say that Apple’s FaceID is the fastest and most reliable by a wide margin. Whatever sacrifices the iPhone 16e makes, Apple clearly felt the super-fast, secure unlock method was worth the trade for bargain hunters.
20 February 2025 at 02:20
C1, who?
(Image credit: Apple)
Let’s talk quickly about that C1 modem.
Ever since Appleacquired Intel’s modem business for $1 billion, the company has been racing to build its own modem in a bit to reduce reliance on Qualcomm, which produces the modems for all current iPhone models. Perhaps surprisingly, the iPhone 16e is the first beneficiary of this years-long project.
It’s not yet clear how much better or worse Apple’s C1 modem is versus Qualcomm’s equivalent, but superior battery efficiency could be on the cards for iPhone 16e owners. Indeed, Apple is touting 26 hours of video playback, which is certainly an impressive figure.
20 February 2025 at 01:28
(Image credit: Apple)
Here’s the front and back of the new iPhone 16e, which comes in either Black or White (where are the funky colors, Apple?).
20 February 2025 at 01:26
‘Apple is finally simplifying its iPhone lineup’
“Apple is finally simplifying its iPhone lineup, squeezing almost all of it into the 16 family. This is a good thing for people trying to choose and it also means that the distance from a budget iPhone to a Pro one isn’t as great as it used to be. For my money, though, the inclusion of the C1 chip is the most intriguing bit. It isn’t often your most affordable handset gets your newest and maybe most controversial piece of tech.” – Lance Ulanoff, Editor-at-Large
“What would have sold it for me is Apple opting down in terms of computing power to offer a non-AI iPhone alternative, which would cater to a big chunk of consumers who just aren’t bothered about AI et. But then, that’s basically admitting that consumers might not care about Silicon Valley’s latest golden goose.” – Josie Watson, Managing Editor, Lifestyle
“I’ve never noticed Tim Cook’s accent before – isn’t it lovely?” – Becky Scarrott, Audio Editor
Thanks, Becky.
20 February 2025 at 01:19
No MagSafe?!
(Image credit: Apple)
A quick look at Apple’s newmodel comparison pagereveals a few frustrating omissions for the iPhone 16e.
The biggest is the lack of MagSafe support. Yes, you read that right:the iPhone 16e will not support MagSafe cases, wallets, and wireless chargers. The phonedoeshave wireless charging capabilities, but only up to 7.5W, which is punishingly slow. There’s also no ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, and the GPU is made up of only four cores (compared to five and six on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max, respectively).
20 February 2025 at 01:03
‘I think this could be a hit for Apple’
Some more reactions to the iPhone 16e announcement from the batterymap team for you here:
“I like the simple, unfussy design paired with some powerful chips and access to Apple Intelligence. I think this could be a hit for Apple, though the price is a bit high, but I think people will gobble it up.” – Roland Moore-Colyer, Managing Editor, Mobile Computing
“At $599, the iPhone 16e is more expensive than any of us were hoping – but it looks like there’s some serious Apple power under the hood, too. Looking forward to trying this one out, but not sure I’d recommend pre-ordering.” – Jamie Richards, Staff Writer, Mobile Computing
“It’s somehow killed off two phones [the iPhone 14 and previous iPhone SE] without filling the void left by either of them.” – Rob Dunne (aka The Dunnster), VPN Editor
20 February 2025 at 00:40
(Image credit: Apple)
Here’s that 48MP camera lens up close. It’s the same ‘Fusion’ camera as you’ll find on the iPhone 16, which Apple claims “has the capabilities of two cameras in one.” That’s because it features an integrated 2x telephoto that lets you zoom in with optical quality. The 48MP Fusion camera lets you shoot 4K video in Dolby Vision, too, which is neat.
20 February 2025 at 00:33
Do the specs justify the price?
Now for those specs…
The iPhone 16e features the A18 chipset, a 6.1-inchOLEDdisplay, Apple Intelligence compatibility, a single 48MP rear camera, and a 12MP front-facing camera. There’s a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, but the new phone does inherit the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 lines.
All told, then, this is a major step up from the iPhone SE (2022), but the iPhone 16e’s $599 / £599 / AU$999 price tag also marks a major increase over that of its predecessor.
20 February 2025 at 00:16
The official iPhone 16e announcement video
Introducing iPhone 16e – February 19 – YouTube20 February 2025 at 00:16
Here’s the official iPhone 16e announcement video, hosted by Tim Cook himself.
20 February 2025 at 00:15
Farewell, iPhone 14 and iPhone SE (2022)
(Image credit: Apple)
And just like that, the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE (2022) are no more. Apple has removed both models from its website.
20 February 2025 at 00:13
(Image credit: Apple)
Here’s the official product page for the iPhone 16e in the UK.
The phone will start at $599 / £599 / AU$999 and comes in either 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage configurations. That’s a huge increase on the $429 / £419 / AU$719 starting price of the iPhone SE (2022). Can we really consider this a budget phone?
20 February 2025 at 00:07
The iPhone 16e is official!
(Image credit: Apple)
The iPhone 16e is official!
Appleofficially announced the new deviceon its website at 11am ET / 8am PT / 4pm GMT, confirming that the iPhone 16e is a new member of the iPhone 16 family and not, as many suspected, a standalone iPhone SE 4.
We don’t yet know the name of Apple’s new device, but is this its official design?
The above images (or perhaps best-guess renders) shared by leakerMajin Buare the closest thing we have to a peek at the new iPhone SE’s possible design. They certainly line up with previous leaks; the device in question has a notch, a flat metal frame, and a single-lens camera.
There’s also a customizable action button (a nice bonus for a more affordable iPhone). The notch means this should also be the first SE model with Face ID, which is a nice time-saver on my iPhone 16 Pro. If this is all true, it could prove popular – if the price is right…
19 February 2025 at 23:53
The Apple Store is down!
(Image credit: Apple)
OK, here’s our first big indicator that a product launch is imminent. Apple has closed its online store for maintenance, which is almost always a sign that new devices are on the way.
In this case, Apple has only closed theproduct page for the iPhone SE (2022), which (surprise!) strongly hints that a replacement device is about to be revealed. But will it be the iPhone SE 4, the iPhone SE (2022), or the iPhone 16E? Given Tim Cook’s “family” comment, my money’s on the latter.
19 February 2025 at 23:42
The biggest iPhone SE upgrade rumors
(Image credit: Apple)
As for the iPhone SE 4 specifically, we’re expecting the new device to bring major hardware and software improvements over its now-outdated predecessor. Thebiggest rumored upgrades for the iPhone SE 4are as follows:
A bigger, better display: Where the iPhone SE (2022) uses a 4.7-inch LCD panel, its successor is tipped to use a 6.1-inch OLED display running at a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels.
Apple Intelligence compatibility: The iPhone SE 4 will likely be the cheapest entry point into Apple Intelligence, and therefore one of the best AI phones at its price point.
A more powerful camera: The iPhone SE 4 will very likely get a better camera than the almost three-year-old iPhone SE (2022), and the latest rumors point towards a single 48MP rear snapper and a 12MP selfie camera.
A longer-lasting battery: The iPhone SE 4 will almost certainly get a larger, longer-lasting battery than that of its predecessor. The latest leaks suggest it’ll be an iPhone 14-style 3,279mAh cell, which will surely bring tangible improvements to endurance.
Let’s kick off with a proper look at Apple’s official teaser, which was shared to X on February 13. Tim Cook’s shiny Apple logo doesn’t give a lot away, but the internet has some compelling theories.
Firstly, the tagline “get ready to meet the newest member of the family” does tally with rumors of a new iPhone SE. It’d be part of the iPhone family, but does that also hint at a rebrand? The iPhone SE 3 was simply theiPhone SE (2022)and there have also been rumors that the new model might be called the iPhone 16E.
The circle around the logo could also be hinting at the new SE’s single camera, or the move away from a physical home button. It does also look a lot like an AirTag (potentially theAirTag 2?), but we weren’t expecting to see a new one of those for quite a while yet…
Okay… exactly what is ISO in photography? This is what it stands for, what the numbers mean and when you should change them
It may be a simple question: what is ISO in photography? However, the answer isn’t quite so straightforward – mainly because it’s a term that originated before digital imaging.
So, let’s rewind: what is ISO in photography in terms of analog shooting?Camera filmcomes in different speeds, with a higher ISO rating equating to a ‘faster’ film – which means it is more sensitive to light, enabling you to use faster shutter speeds than you can with ‘slower’ film.
Using a higher-sensitivity ISO is useful for moving subjects (where faster shutter speeds are required) and particularly for shooting in low light. Thus, ISO forms one corner of theexposure triangle– along withapertureandshutter speed.
Okay, but how is this speed measured? A number of different scales were introduced when film was invented, and two of the best known – the American ASA and German DIN scales – were ultimately brought together to create the standardized ISO system.
Thebest digital cameras, of course, do not use film – but the same ISO scale is still used today to measure the camera’s sensitivity to light. Although the camera’s image sensor cannot be changed the way film can, its sensitivity can be boosted by the camera’s circuitry. This is done with theISO control.
What is ISO in photography? It’s like turning up the volume dial on an old radio when the signal is weak – and the higher you go, the more distortion or noise you get
What does ISO stand for?
So, we’ve answered “what is ISO in photography”. Butwhat does ISO stand for? ISO is the name of the International Organization of Standardization: a body that creates thousands of agreed standards for a huge range of products, procedures, and practices. ISO isn’t an acronym and doesn’t stand for anything – it simply refers to the Organization.
For the photographer, ISO is simply a set of numbers. The base sensitivity – the lowest native setting – of many digital cameras is ISO100. But is typically increased by pressing the appropriate button, rotating a dial, swiping the touchscreen or changing a menu setting. On some cameras, you may even get a separate ISO control dial.
The scale is such that doubling the ISO number doubles the sensitivity of the sensor. So increasing the ISO setting from 100 to 200 means that, to get the same overall exposure, you can use a shutter speed that is half as long (or twice as fast).
Each doubling of the ISO also increases the sensitivity by a full exposure ‘stop’ – with the typical full-stop ISO scale progressing to 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and so on. The top ISO setting varies depending on the age and cost of your camera. Typical maximum settings range from ISO3200 to ISO819,200. Some of thebest low-light camerasare particularly good at handling high ISOs
What is ISO in photography is one question – what ISO actually means is another!
Confusingly, the top ISO settings on some models are hidden and must be enabled using a custom option called ‘ISO Expansion’ or similar. The reason for this is that each time you increase the ISO setting, you also get a small and cumulative decrease in image quality. So, while cameras boast extremely high or low ‘expanded’ ISO sensitivities, you may not want to use them!
Boosting the picture signal also amplifies impurities in the signal known as ‘noise’. This noise shows up as grain and color mottling in the image – and this gets progressively more noticeable the higher the ISO is set.
You only need to use a high ISO in low light if the camera is handheld, or the subject is moving. With static subjects, and a tripod, you can use the slowest setting – here a setting of ISO100 (Image credit: Chris George)
For low light images where the subject is moving, a higher ISO (here ISO1600) become essential
Some photographers try to resist increasing the ISO at all costs in search of getting the best, grain-free images. However, pumping up the ISO often actually increases image quality overall, as this simple change lets you use a faster shutter speed – thereby eliminating camera shake. A grainy picture is always better than a blurry one!
A higher ISO can also enable you to use a narrower aperture – increasing depth of field, and thus increasing the resolution of a lens – to give you sharper-looking pictures.
Although higher ISO settings are invaluable in low light, they are not essential for all low-light situations, in fact, if you can keep the camera steady, they are often best avoided. If you are using a solid tripod, the slowest ISO setting (ISO100) is usually the best option – as you can then use a longer shutter speed to make up for the lack of light.
Similarly, if you are using flash, high-ISO settings are not needed (although increasing the ISO will increase the effective range of your flash).
Luminance noise: Traditional monochromatic grain in darker areas (as seen in the wall behind the statue in the detail above right) is typical of luma noise
Chromatic noise:Low light interior shows chromatic noise in shadows, as seen in the rainbow speckles in the detail
There are two different types of noise found in digital images. Luminance noise shows up as a speckled pattern, like specks of black sand, and is similar to the grain that was found when using high-ISO black-and-white films. Chromatic noise is colored and looks like the rainbow-like sheen when looking at a patch of oil (and is similar in appearance to the blotchy dye patterns that you saw when enlarging high-ISO color films).
It’s important to look at these two types of noise separately – as each can be reduced using different tools during the editing stage. These are often provided as separate noise-reduction sliders by a RAW converter (such as inAdobe Photoshop’s Camera Raw utility). Specialist software, such asDxO Dfine, is particularly useful for reducing noise without sacrificing detail.
So, what is ISO in photography? It’s a whole lot of things – and all of them are important!
Nintendo is set to discontinue its Gold Points rewards scheme
From March 24, 2025, you’ll no longer be able to earn them
However, points you earn now will be redeemable for another 12 months
Nintendo has confirmed it will be winding down its eShop Gold Points rewards scheme next month.
The announcement was made over on the officialMy Nintendo website, confirming that the earning of Gold Points will be discontinued on March 24, 2025. At the time of writing, the website is currently returning an error for that page. But an FAQ (sourced byGo Nintendo) provides more details, reading:
“Beginning at 9:30 p.m. PDT on 3/24/2025, users will no longer be able to earn My Nintendo Gold Points. Gold Points will no longer be earned for digital purchases on Nintendo eShop after 9:30 p.m. PDT on 3/24/2025.
“Gold Points will no longer be earned on physical games that release after 3/24/2025. For physical games that released on or before 3/24/2025, Gold Points may still be earned by registering eligible titles within one year from the original release date of the game.
“All earned Gold Points will continue to be valid and redeemable for 12 months after they are issued. Please note that there are no changes to how you redeem the Gold Points you already earned.”
Suspiciously, this is happening about a week and a half ahead of April 2’s scheduledNintendo Switch 2Direct. Nintendo currently hasn’t announced a replacement for the Gold Points rewards scheme, but there is a chance the company could be implementing a new system for when its new console arrives later this year.
If not, then that’s definitely a shame. Gold Points are a pretty great way of saving cash on digital eShop purchases. Like PlayStation Rewards, Gold Points are added to your Nintendo account after registering a physical game or purchasing a game digitally on the eShop. Over time, this lets players save a substantial amount on thebest Nintendo Switch games.
Nintendo has confirmed that Nintendo accounts will transfer to Nintendo Switch 2, so, could a bigger Nintendo eShop overhaul be on the way? Let’s hope so, because it definitely needs one.
Older Intel CPUs are still supported with 24H2, despite some reports claiming otherwise
Some reports mistakenly claimed Windows 11 24H2 has dropped support for Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th-gen CPUs
Microsoft has made it clear this isn’t the case
The confusion arose due to a support document which is correct, but aimed at PC makers, so it only applies to new, not existing, Windows 11 systems
Windows 11hasn’t dropped support for some olderIntelprocessors with its latest incarnation, the (rather problematic) 24H2 update, despite some reports that are floating around claiming this is the case.
Windows Latestbrings this clarification, complete with word fromMicrosoftthat these older Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th-generation processors are still fully compatible with Windows 11 24H2, and nothing has changed in that respect.
So where did this errant idea originate? It came from an official list of supported CPUs for Windows 11, which was indeed very recently updated for the 24H2 release, whereupon the mentioned Intel chips were removed.
However, the key point is that this is a support document that lists processors that are okay to use for laptop and PC manufacturers in their new Windows 11 devices. The text clearly states: “OEMs [PC makers] may use the following CPUs for new Windows 11 devices.”
There’s a clear difference between CPUs recommended to go in new Windows 11 PCs, and chips that are inexisting PCs which are supported by Windows 11. Something has changed in the former case – those mentioned Intel processors are now considered too out of date to be included with a new machine packing 24H2 (even though they’re still technically okay) – but nothing has changed in the latter case with existing devices.
In short, you’ll be fine to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 if you’re using an Intel 8th, 9th, or 10th-gen chip, there’s no need to worry on that score.
Windows Latest received a clarification direct from Microsoft with a statement that the “requirements haven’t changed” for Windows 11 24H2, and indeed they haven’t been modified since the OS was first released.
In a separate support article elsewhere on the Windows Hardware Development portal, regarding the CPU requirements for Windows 11 which are provided, Microsoft also notes: “Changes to the processors listed do not indicate or impact a customer’s existing Windows support and are intended for OEMs to determine processors which may be used in new Windows devices.”
Analysis: It’s easy to see where confusion crept in
That clears up the matter definitively, then. That said, there is something of an oddity in that theWindows 11 system requirements page– the official effort for consumers – links across to a ‘list of approved CPUs’ which is the aforementioned recommendations for OEMs, not consumers.
So, Microsoft could do with tidying up its support literature here, as it’s easy to see how someone might become confused. If you don’t read the full text of the article, you won’t spot the reference to OEMs (and who reads everything these days?).
What are you supposed to do, then, as a consumer wondering about the exact CPU requirements for Windows 11? Well, Microsoft evidently doesn’t want you poring over any lists of supported processors, and instead recommends you run thePC Health Check app– which admittedly is an easy and hassle-free way to see if your computer does indeed support Windows 11. (Also checking for every possible requirement, not just the processor).
I’d still recommend Microsoft cleans up the mentioned support documentation, though, to ensure that any possible confusion is kept to a minimum, because clearly, as this episode illustrates, there’s some room for befuddlement.
You only need to use a high ISO in low light if the camera is handheld, or the subject is moving. With static subjects, and a tripod, you can use the slowest setting – here a setting of ISO100 (Image credit: Chris George)
Luminance noise: Traditional monochromatic grain in darker areas (as seen in the wall behind the statue in the detail above right) is typical of luma noise 
(Image credit: Shutterstock)