Category: iPhone

The battle of the camera phones continues with Nothing’s latest flagship put to the challenge against my Samsung S24 Ultra.

There’s a buzz around the latest Nothing Phone (3a) Pro release, especially as it promises something new in the camera department. Fans have been asking Nothing to work on its camera module for quite some time now, and today I can confirm that it has delivered, making the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro one of thebest budget camera phonesat a price of just $459 / £449 – although this has come at a cost of acontroversial design shift for Nothingthat our Arts and 3D Editor isn’t too keen on.

I’m always interested in the growing performance of smartphone photography, especially now that almost all of thebest camera phonesare being stuffed with AI tools for the best possible shot. And gone is the day that the only option for quality content creation was from one of thebest iPhones for photography– there are some serious contenders out there now.

I got my hands on the new Nothing Phone (3a) Pro in the office this morning, so I headed out into the sunny streets of Bath for a camera phone shootout, pitting the futuristically designed Nothing Phone (3a) Pro against mySamsung GalaxyS24 Ultra.

Take a look at the results and image sliders below (drag the slider to see the full image) and compare how Nothing’s newest flagship held up.

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Camera Phone Specs

Nothing 3a Pro and Samsung S24 Ultra specs

	Nothing Phone 3a Pro	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Chipset:	Qualcomm  SM7635: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Main Camera:	50 MP (f/1.9) 24mm wide with a Samsung 1/1.56-inch sensor	200 MP (f/1.7) 24mm
Zoom Camera:	50MP Sony Periscope (f/2.6) 70mm (3x optical zoom, 6x in-sensor zoom, 60x ultra zoom) with a 1/1.95-inch sensor.	10 MP (f/2.4) 67mm (telephoto) + 50 MP (f/3.4) 111mm (periscope telephoto) with 5x optical zoom
Ultrawide camera:	8 MP (f/2.2) 15mm, 120˚	12 MP (f/2.2) 13mm, 120˚
Selfie Camera:	50MP Samsung (f/2.2) 24mm (1/2.76-inch sensor)	12 MP (f/2.2) 26mm
Price:	$459 / £449	$1,299.99 / £1,249

Image comparisons

https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/juxtapose/latest/embed/index.html?uid=88f15058-f90b-11ef-9397-d93975fe8866https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/juxtapose/latest/embed/index.html?uid=e38ae436-f909-11ef-9397-d93975fe8866

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro comes equipped with a generous triple-lens array featuring a 50MP (f/1.9) wide lens, a 50MP 70mm periscope telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide lens, which is a little bit meh but still nice to have as an option. I found that the default setting with the Nothing (3a) Pro is a 12MP quality image, so you’ll need to go into the phone settings and change this if you want to get the best out of the camera phone.

In comparison, my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a 200MP main camera (f/1.7), a 10MP telephoto (f/2.4), a 50MP periscope telephoto (f/3.4), and a 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2) camera array. In terms of footage, my Samsung can shoot 8K at 30fps, compared with 4K at 30fps with the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.

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As you can see from the image galleries and sliders above, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has a very capable camera unit that produces vibrant shots. The beautiful weather in Bath this morning has definitely helped the cause, but the Nothing seems to have truly captured the vibrancy and essence of Spring.

I used the same 50MP lens and aspect ratio on both camera phones wherever possible to keep things fair. SeeRankin’s 8 steps to smartphone photography successfor some excellent tips on portraiture with a smartphone.

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Image galleries

Photos from the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

Photos from my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

I was also hugely impressed by the Macro mode on the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, which actually beat my S24 Ultra in both quality and the distance needed between the phone camera and the subject.

Verdict

I have to say that I think my Samsung S24 Ultra takes the win on this one, as even though theNothing Phone (3a) Pro comes very close, the image quality just isn’t on par, as you can see when zooming into the crisp details of the images. However, one area where the Nothing phone really shines is with the Macro camera and the front camera in portrait mode, and I really enjoyed getting to test out this new camera phone. Also – that’s a pretty tempting price!

It’s like March Madness, but for your Pixel.

(Image credit: Google)

What you need to know

• Google’s March feature drop is here, bringing scam detection alerts for texts and calls to Pixel users.
• The Pixel Watch 3 will receive its Loss of Pulse detection feature by the “end of March,” but users should soon receive its Menstrual Cycle tracking and prediction.
• The feature drop expands Find My Device app’s usefulness for locations while users on Verizon and T-Mobile see a Satellite SOS expansion.

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March is here, and so is Google’s expected feature drop for Pixels and Pixel Watches for all eligible users.

The year’s first feature drop brings a load of new Pixel features, beginning with AI-powered scam detection. In a press release, Google informs Pixel 6 and newer devices are receiving suspicious text alerts. The company says these devices will leverage on-device AI to “flag text patterns commonly associated with scams.” The post states these safety measures should help protect users from having their personal information fall into the hands of wrongdoers.

Similarly,Pixel 9 devicesin the U.S. are picking up the same scam protection measures for calls in the U.S. Google says its on-device AI will monitor for “conversation patterns” that scammers typically use to safeguard you and your information. Like texting, this feature is hitting Pixel 9 devices today (Mar. 4).

Google’s Find My Device app now lets users share their location with “trusted contacts.” Dubbed “Live Location,” users can show where they are with a contact who can view it on a map from their phone or tablet.

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Pixel Fold users are getting a small update, which brings video recording support to Dual Screen. Google states users can now utilize the phone’s cover display to view what’s being recorded. Elsewhere, Pixel 9 Pro Fold owners grab Add Me for Dual Screen, the AI-powered feature that lets you smartly edit yourself or others into a group photo.

(Image credit: Google)

Meanwhile, Pixel 9 devices receive gain support for multiple cameras for streaming. Google states you can “Connect your Pixel phone with a GoPro or other Pixel phone camera, and use popular social apps to stream from different angles.”

Satellite communication capabilities are being expanded in March, with Google stating its Pixel Satellite SOS is arriving in Europe, Canada, and more for the Pixel 9. This lets users who’ve gone out of cell service range to remain connected with family and the world around them. Google states users should understand that this is arriving in beta, so there may be issues.

Pixel 9 series users are also getting in on satellite messaging via Verizon and T-Mobile.

Google’s AI software Gemini is coming to two new countries: Japan and Germany. The post states both areas can enjoyPixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Pixel AI Weather, and more through the Pixel 9 series.

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More for your Pixel Watch

(Image credit: Google)

Google’s Pixel Watch isn’t being ignored this month as leading off the March feature drop is the arrival of its Loss of Pulse detection. It wasrecently reportedthat the FDA had signaled its approval of Google’s new life emergency feature which, according to the company, will begin rolling out in the U.S. “by the end of March.”

Google reiterates this approval, stating it has “received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for our Loss of Pulse Detection feature starting with Pixel Watch 3.” If your Pixel Watch 3 cannot detect your heart beat anymore, it will automatically call emergency services if it’s unable to reach you first.

Another major addition is Menstrual Cycle tracking on thePixel Watch 3. Users can now log their period, view cycle status, or see a prediction about the next one from the Watch 3.

All Pixel Watches are picking up better step accuracy. Google states its wearables will now better detect when you’ve “deviated” from your typical walking patterns to avoid a miscount. It hopes this can better aid users trying to hit their walking goals and see more reliable daily insights.

Google is also expanding its Automatic Bedtime mode to the Pixel Watch 2. Through this, the watch will try and detect when you’ve fallen asleep and “turn off your watch face and disable notifications to minimize distractions.” Pixel Watches are also receiving new media playback control actions such as fast forward, rewind, playback speed, and playback queue controls.

Lastly, the Pixel Recorder app’s auto-transcribe function is hitting Pixel 6 and newer phones, as well as Google’s Pixel Watches and Tablets.

So this is what Lorde was singing about

What if your laptop could get a full hour’s worth of charge simply by leaving it in sunlight for 20 minutes? That’s the promise of Lenovo’s latest concept laptop, a Yoga model featuring a photovoltaic solar panel on the rear of the screen, converting light into charge for the laptop’s battery.

I’ve seen a lot of great concept devices from Lenovo and other laptop makers at events likeMWC 2025, and I’m usually pretty excited about them. So let me be absolutely, unequivocally clear about this one:

I am curious as to whether the Lenovo logo in the middle affects the solar panel’s performance…

I’m serious. To be honest, I can’t believe it took this long for a tech company to strap a solar panel to the back of an ultrabook. We need more of this. It feels like such a straightforward idea; naturally, the Yoga Solar PC can be charged conventionally via a cable, but just being able to close the lid and let it soak in the solar rays is brilliant – and basically ensures that you’ll never be stranded without any charge again (unless it’s the middle of the night, I suppose).

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The power of the sun, in the palm of my hand

I can’t be the only one who’s gone on a trip or even just off to work, only to find that I’ve forgotten my laptop charger. Thus begins that stressful game of watching the battery life tick down, turning on efficiency mode, lowering the brightness, and praying.

But with Lenovo’s Solar Yoga? I could just leave it on a windowsill for an hour while I have lunch, and come back to a freshly-charged battery.

It’s also just a general triumph of eco-friendly engineering. The solar panel on the rear of the display (which, incidentally, doesn’t appear to make the laptop noticeably thicker than Lenovo’s other Yoga ultrabooks) offers an energy conversion rate of more than 24%, which is among the very best you’ll see inanytype of photovoltaic solar cells.

Lenovo also designed a ‘Dynamic Solar Tracking system’, which continually monitors the influx of electricity and adjusts the laptop’s battery consumption to prioritize the solar energy to better preserve your battery life.

Despite packing an entirely new energy source atop its lid, this laptop is still impressively thin and light.

Solar-powered devices aren’t a new thing, of course – fellow laptop manufacturerAcersells afoldable 200W solar panelthat you can hook up to a power bank, ideal for charging your devices when you’re out in nature (or in aMad Max-style apocalypse). But the Yoga Solar PC is the first ultrabook in the world with a fully-integrated solar power solution – and even though it’s just a concept right now, it’s one that Iseriouslyhope makes it beyond the prototyping phase.

Having handled the device in person at MWC, it certainly looks and feels like it could be retail-ready. I can practically picture myself taking this bad boy camping, or even just down to the cafe.

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The downsides?

Alright, okay, as much as Ilovethis, I will admit that there are some potential stumbling blocks to this sort of tech being widely implemented in our laptops. For starters, solar panels aren’t exactly the most durable things in the world – and I have to imagine that replacing an integrated panel like this would be a costly and difficult affair. Having a laptop with glass on theoutsidedoes feel a little bit like a recipe for disaster. Drop it once, and it might be game over.

Heat buildup also feels like a natural problem here. After all, you generally don’t want your laptop to be too hot. But surprisingly, Lenovo had the Yoga Solar PC sitting under a bright lamp on their stand at the expo (presumably for hours at a time), and while the back panel itself was a bit warm to the touch, the rest of the laptop didn’t feel hot at all. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that a metal exterior lid would probably cook your laptopmoreif you left it out in the sun.

The Yoga Solar PC is also partially constructed with recycled and eco-friendly materials.

Lastly, I suspect that if it were to make it to general production, the Yoga Solar PC would beveryexpensive. I’ve looked into getting solar panels installed on my house – and sure, this is just one solar panel, and it’s a lot smaller, but it’s also part of the laptop chassis rather than a standalone item – oh, and these Yoga laptops aren’t exactly bargain-basement hardware to begin with.

Still, as someone who enjoys a good foray into the great outdoors, I think this proof-of-concept is a fantastic idea and I’d gladly throw money at Lenovo to own one. A laptop that’s more eco-friendlyandcan save my bacon if I forget my charger? Sign me up.

Your PC’s CPU utilization reading is about to become more accurate.

Microsoft just released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3360 to the Dev and Beta Channels, with Windows Task Manager getting a minor but important upgrade. According to the Windows Blog, “Task Manager will now use the standard metrics to display CPU workload consistently across all pages and aligning with industry standards and third-party tools.” So, if you get this update, the Details tab of the Task Manager should now more accurately show you your PC’s current CPU utilization.

The function has previously been criticized for its inaccuracy because it based its computational charts on your computer’s base clock, not its actual or boost frequency. That means Task Manager was showing you a lower CPU utilization value versus what it actually used because it based its computation on your processor’s slower base clock. So, if it used all of your processor’s resources, you would often find that your CPU utilization went above 100% in the Details tab, adding the numbers manually.

You will not see this happen if you look at the CPU graph in the Performance tab, though, as Windows limits it to 100% CPU load even if its computation is already above the number. The issue gets worse if you go under the hood of your PC and underclock your processor. Task Manager will never report that your CPU is already at 100% utilization, even if it’s already at max performance based on the frequency numbers that you set.

This inaccuracy is missed by most Windows users, which is probably the reason why Microsoft did not bother fixing it for a long time. After all, if you know enough to care about your CPU utilization and tinker with your processor’s frequencies, you also know that you could easily download third-party monitoring apps like Process Explorer.

But finally, enthusiasts will finally get their wish if this Dev and Beta Channel update will make it to the main release. This update ensures that Task Manager will be as accurate as possible, and you can rely on it to show you your PC’s actual performance, even if it’s pushing its processor way above the base frequency that Intel or AMD said it would have. It will still retain the old reading, though, for backward compatibility and rename it as CPU Utility.

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(Image credit: Microsoft)
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Despite all its shortcomings, we appreciate the minor improvements that Microsoft releases with its updates. For example, itupdated how Task Manager reports RAM speedsfrom MHz to the more technically accurate MT/s in May 2024. While these updates will likely not impact the majority of Windows users, they will appease the tech enthusiasts who still stick with the operating system, finally giving them readings that are as accurate as possible.

We can feel it

(Image credit: Apple)

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• Tim Cook just teased that something’s in the AIR this week
• It’s not an event invite, but rather a video teaser for something new
• If rumors are right, we could see a new MacBook Air with M4 or a new iPad

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Hot off the heels of fresh rumors about a MacBook Air refresh with the latest, super-speedy M4 chip,AppleCEOTim Cookis teasing that there is something in the ‘AIR’ this week. It’s likely a very smart choice of words, but this all but confirms that there is at least an Apple launch on the horizon.

As with the tease for what turned out to be theiPhone 16e, Tim Cook took to X (formerly Twitter), writing “This week.” and then a six-second teaser video. While it doesn’t show any product, it flashes one word individually at a time, writing out: There’s something in the AIR. And that points to two of Apple’s products – the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air and the iPad Air.

Hinting at speed is the fact that something slides through the word Air, causing a ripple effect. That could be a new MacBook Air or an iPad Air, likely with some improved performance courtesy of Apple Silicon.

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The teaser, which was posted at 10:54AM ET on March 3, 2025, comes a day afterBloomberg’s Mark Gurman sharedthat Apple’s planned refresh for the MacBook Air with the M4 chip could come as soon as this week.

Apple initially launched the M4 chip in May of 2024 with the iPad Pro and then brought it to theiMac,Mac mini, and MacBook Pro (14-inch and 16-inch) in October of 2024. So you could say it’s about time to arrive in Apple’s most popular and portable laptop, the MacBook Air.

We’re not expecting a wildly different design with the new MacBook Air, but the M4 chip could speed up tasks thanks to an improved CPU and GPU, and it could also be better at Apple Intelligence thanks to bigger leaps with the Neural Engine. It should also help stretch the battery life even further.

Tim Cook also chose an important set of words that have some history at Apple. You might recall that before Steve Jobs pulled the original MacBook Air out of the manila envelope, the event was teased with the sub-line, “2008 There’s something in the air.” This time around, there is extra emphasis on theAIR.

Considering thatthis tease from Apple doesn’t specify one new additionto the family, we could be getting more than one new product from the Cupertino-based tech giant.

According to recent reports, Apple is also preparing anupgraded iPad Air and a new entry-level iPad, likely the 12th gen. Apple refreshed the iPad Air, bringing down Face ID and a design that was more similar to the iPad Pro in May of 2024, but it could be improving performance by either the M3 or M4 chip, as well as new accessories.

Regarding the base entry-level iPad, it should also see a speed improvement, but rumors suggest that will be about it. In the same report as the MacBook Air, Bloomberg noted that the iPad launches could be further out.

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We’ll know more soon, though, as Apple says the news will be made this week. Of course, stick with TechRadar for the latest as we break down whatever Apple has in store. In the meantime, I’m asking Siri to play a Phil Collins classic –In The Air Tonight.

The launch will also accompany the addition of Horizon Realms, and bring better graphics modes beyond what’s possible on Xbox Series X.

About a month ago, we learned that the once unthinkable would soon be a reality—a Forzagame was finally headed to PlayStation, and quickly. Slated for this spring, Forza Horizon 5has now been given an official release date of April 29.

As usual these days, that’s just the launch day for the normie standard release; fork over $100 for the Premium edition and you can play the game four days earlier, on April 25. Premium buyers also receive both the Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure expansions, the car pass, and VIP access that tosses in perks like double race payouts and weekly Super Wheelspins that award random prizes.

I playedFH5when it launched for Xbox and PC four years ago, and if you ask me, this game is actually best experienced bynotpaying for all the goodies. Players are rewarded so often and easily inHorizonthat being bombarded with free stuff for doing literally anything kind of devalues the whole exercise. That said, the two expansions there are comprehensive, and unique enough from the main game in their own right that they’re worth exploring once you’ve seen everything else.

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Otherwise, FH5landing on PS5 brings with it the Horizon Realms feature. Playground Games describes it as “a curated collection of some of the community’s favorite previously released Evolving Worlds,” which is a definition that certainly assumes some working knowledge of what “Worlds” are in this game. Far as I can tell watching the trailer below, these are limited-time zones with unique themes, from beach-style fare to a winter wonderland, to something that looks pulled out of Tron, and some (but not all) are housed within the map’s soccer stadium. There are 12 in all. You’ll have to forgive me for not being up to speed here—I haven’t touched this game in at least two years, which may as well be a lifetime in the Forza Horizon universe.

Forza Horizon 5 – Horizon Realms Trailer PS5 Games

What Idounderstand and would be excited to check out are some of the newer cars added in, like theHyundai Vision N 74and an honest-to-god Nissan Pike Factory Car Pack. No, really—the Pao,Figaro, Be-1, and Scargo are all coming toFH5, something even we boomers can appreciate.

Alongside the launch date, theForzateam has also announced how graphics mode will play out on PS5. For the base console, there will be the same choice between a 60 frame-per-second Performance mode and 30 fps Quality mode, just like on Xbox Series X. Naturally, the PS5 Pro will take both experiences further; the Performance mode will offer “increased visual fidelity”—possibly an improved base rendering resolution and higher settings across the board—while the Quality mode will stay at 30 fps but add “ray-traced car reflections to races and free roam.” Raytracing is already possible on consoles when viewing cars in the dealer and the player’s garage, which is why that part is worded so specifically for PS5 Pro.

The process includes injecting fresh lithium into batteries to give them a prolonged life

(Image credit: Anu Adamson, Dalhousie University, Halifax)

Researchers from Fudan University in China have developed a method to refresh and extend the lifespan of lithium batteries, a breakthrough that could improve battery sustainability and reduce electronic waste. The findings, recentlypublished at Nature, are based on a technique that rejuvenates degraded lithium-ion cells, potentially increasing their usability for long periods.

As we know, lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles, but their efficiency declines over time due to electrode degradation and chemical side reactions. The research led by Peng Huisheng and Gao Yue from Fudan University, along with other collaborating Chinese research institutions, began by identifying and synthesizing a lithium carrier molecule – lithium trifluoromethanesulfinate (LiSO₂CF₃). The researchers described the white powdered functional salt as a “precise-treatment medicine for lithium-ion batteries.”

Over time, lithium-ion batteries lose efficiency as lithium becomes trapped in inactive compounds and electrode materials degrade. The new method involves introducing an electrolyte solution containing dissolved LiSO₂CF₃ into a degraded battery. When a voltage is applied, the compound breaks down, releasing lithium ions that reintegrate into the electrode material, effectively restoring lost capacity.

Simultaneously, the breakdown process generates gaseous byproducts, including sulfur dioxide (SO₂), trifluoromethane (HCF₃), and hexafluoroethane (C₂F₆), which naturally escape from the electrolyte if the battery is designed to allow venting.

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Extending lifespan from 1,500 to 12,000 charge cycles

Once the lithium restoration is complete, the battery is sealed and tested to confirm its performance. Early experiments have shown that lithium-iron phosphate batteries treated with this method can regain nearly all of their lost capacity, extending their lifespan up to 12,000 charge cycles. For comparison, a typical electric car battery has a lifespan of around 1,500 charge cycles.

According to Gao Yue, “The battery only lost 4% of its performance after 11,818 cycles. For an EV that charges twice a day, this means the battery could last up to 18 years. In comparison, current EV batteries usually lose 30% of their performance in just 2.7 years with the same charging routine.”

However, practical implementation requires that batteries be designed with electrolyte replenishment and gas venting in mind, which may limit the new technology’s feasibility for widely used consumer electronics. While still in the experimental stage, this process presents a promising approach to reducing battery waste and increasing the longevity of rechargeable lithium-ion cells, particularly in large-scale energy storage systems.

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The breakthrough not only has the potential to extend battery lifespans and reduce e-waste, but it can also lower the environmental impact of lithium mining. More testing and regulatory approvals will be needed before this method can be implemented widely, but it seems to be a promising step toward a more sustainable battery industry.

Move files from your iPhone to Mac the easy way

YouriPhoneis essentially a pocket computer and it’ll end up being packed with files whether they’re photos, documents, audio, video and more. At some point, you may want to transfer some of those files to your Mac.

While you could use clunky methods like emailing files to yourself or sending them through Messages, there are some slicker solutions, as we’re about to see. One of these is a more recent addition: the ability tomirror your iPhonein a window on your Mac.

If you’ve tried it, you’ll know just how effective it can be. What’s more, withiOS 18.2,Apple has made connecting your iPhone to a Mac even easier by introducing a new way to trust an unknown computer. So, let’s take a look at how to transfer files from an iPhone to a Mac.

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How to transfer files from an iPhone to Mac using iPhone mirroring

Using iPhone Mirroring makes it easy to transfer files.

1. Connect your iPhone

Launch the iPhone Mirroring appon your Mac andfollow the promptsboth on your Mac and iPhone as required.

2. Transfer files

Use your mouse or trackpad and keyboard to navigate the iPhoneon your Mac’s screen andfind a file— perhaps in the Files app. Simplydrag that filefrom the iPhone window to your Mac.

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How to transfer files from an iPhone to Mac using AirDrop

Another easy way to transfer files is to use AirDrop

1. Find a file

Identify a fileon your iPhone that you want to transfer to your Mac andtap the share icon.

It could be an image in the Photos app (open an imageandtap the Share icon) or a file in the Files app (tap the three-dot menunext to a file andselect Send a Copy).

In short, if you’re able to share something, AirDrop is likely to be available.

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2. Select a device

You will see an AirDrop icon.Tap AirDropand you’ll be able to select nearby devices — one of which will hopefully be your Mac.

If you cannot see your Mac listed, then take a look athow to use AirDrop on Macand make sure it’s discoverable.

How to transfer files from an iPhone to Mac using iCloud

If you have iCloud active on your iPhone and Mac, then any files saved on your iPhone will be automatically available on your Mac.

1. Set up iCloud on an iPhone

Go to Settingsandtap your name. If it isn’t there,tap Apple Accountandsign in. Thentap iCloudandselect the itemsyou want to store there.

2. Set up iCloud on Mac

Now on your Mac,select the Apple Menuandchoose System Settings. Be sure the Apple Account is the same one you set up on your iPhone andclick iCloud.

Decide which features you want to sync andclick Done. If they marry up with those selected on the iPhone, the files will automatically be made available across both devices.

How to physically transfer files from an iPhone to Mac

The third way is to use something physical —either a cable or an external storage drive.

When using a cable, plug the charging cable into your phone and plug the other end into your Mac.

1. Launch Finder

When you do this, you canlaunch Finderandselect your iPhonefrom the sidebar.

2. View your files

Select Filesand you will have access to the files on your iPhone.

If using an external driver, it might be beneficial to check out thehow to use an external storage device with your iPhone.

Once files are saved to that drive, you canunplug it,connect it to your Mac, thenlaunch Finderandselect the drive from the sidebarto access them.

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And there you go! You now know how to transfer files from an iPhone to Mac. But there’s more. For Windows PC and Mac users, check outhow to transfer photos from an iPhone to a computer. And it’s worth knowinghow to copy and paste images between your Apple devices with Universal Clipboard, andhow to transfer Google Photos to PC or Mac.

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.

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Scene analysis

1. Imbalanced frame
From this angle, there is too much empty space on the left side of the frame

2. Busy detail
This foreground area contains lots of distracting small rocks and debris left by the tide

3. Dull material
Dry sand absorbs light, creating an uninspiring and monotonous area of bland colour

4. No structure
Here, the foreground, middle ground and background aren’t clearly defined

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Shooting steps

1. Lower the camera

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.

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2. Stop down

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 

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.

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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

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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.

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When to increase the camera’s ISO

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).

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What are the types of image noise?

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!