Matt Murdock has many problems in Daredevil: Born Again — and a complete lack of chemistry with his canon girlfriend is absolutely up there. When I first started the show, I was tentatively interested in Heather Glenn, who meets Matt during a blind date set up by Matt’s current law partner. They had some cute moments in the first episode, but soon it turned out that Heather had no personality of her own outside of helping Mayor Fisk and his wife with their relationship, the serial killer Muse, or Matt. All we ever saw of their relationship is generic couple stuff that then morphed into even more generic bickering.  I feel betrayed by that first episode, wherein he literally sweeps Heather off her feet to pull her to safety as a crowd rushes in. Where did that energy go? It’s a shame, because Matt Murdock is so damn charming! He has easy banter with almost everyone. There are a lot of people in the show that he interacts with that have more sizzle and pop than Heather — as well as more defined personalities and character arcs. In fact, there are so many that I just had to rank them.  Honorable mention: My MCU-sona I’m just saying if you’re trawling through AO3 and you spot an OC x Matt Murdock fic, where the OC in question is an intrepid reporter with a vaguely Eastern European name and long dark hair living in NYC… well, you know who wrote it.  9. Jennifer Walters Jen isn’t even in this show. But within one brief dalliance, she and Matt have oodles more chemistry than Matt and Heather do throughout the entire first season of Daredevil: Born Again. Alas, they are split apart by time (who knows when the heck She-Hulk took place in relation to this show) and genre (quirky legal comedy versus gritty crime drama), so their connection is probably not meant to be. Still, we can dream… 8. Karen Page As someone who didn’t watch the original Netflix Daredevil series, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on here, except that there is something. Not sure if it’s a missed connection that never panned out, but at the very least it’s a deep friendship that splintered after a tragedy. That’s already way more compelling than a forced blind date, and it’s got the chemistry to match.  7. Kirsten McDuffie Matt’s current law partner is always trying to get him to just take the business side of their practice seriously! It’s a perfect realist-versus-idealist dynamic, tossed in with some delicious co-worker tension. Like a Mulder-and-Scully duo if they were lawyers instead. I don’t know why Kirsten bothered to set Matt up with Heather when she was right there! Maybe she doesn’t see him that way. I get it. I’d also be vaguely annoyed if my law firm partner kept taking on increasingly risky pro bono cases at the expense of getting us a business loan.  6. Kamala Khan’s father Listen. I know that Yusuf Khan is happily married. I support his marriage. I love how cute he is with his wife and I love what a supportive dad he is. But… when he and Matt teamed up to go down to the safe… that immediate trust and rapport between them… maybe Matt was Yusuf’s bisexual awakening. I like to think he was.  5. Devlin The Irish bank robber just oozed charm. The two of them together sparked like fireworks. Especially all the conversations about Matt’s own Irish heritage! And c’mon, his name (or alias) is literally Devlin — that’s some beautiful parallels right there. I also like that he calls Matt “Solicitor.” There’s something very sexy about an impersonal nickname in an enemies-to-lovers ship! The only reason he doesn’t get a higher ranking is because we don’t know enough about his backstory (that’s also incidentally exactly why he ended up this high; a blank slate to project on!).  4. Sonija, the Latvian court clerk And speaking of blank slates! Matt interacts with Sonija for all of two minutes, but it’s a fiery and flirty back-and-forth in which they spar with legal jargon and Matt smells the honey cake on her lips. Uh, hello? He passes it off as a regular extrasensory thing, but it’s also shockingly intimate and makes me wonder if he’s going around sniffing everyone or if Sonija is special. They’ve clearly got some history even if she’s a one-episode character. Sonija also mentions she’s looking for “Mr. Right” and absolutely checks him out as he leaves the room. This interaction was just a tiny part of the show, but I’ve been thinking about it.  3. Kingpin’s wife, Vanessa Matt doesn’t interact much with Vanessa Fisk, but phew, that charged dance scene in the penultimate episode was 🔥🔥🔥🔥. He’s figured out her whole scheme and that’s just particularly delicious. Especially because of the personal connection and collateral damage to Matt’s life. Intrigue!  I don’t foresee this lasting and honestly on paper it doesn’t make sense, but damn if it doesn’t compel me. 2. Kingpin Maybe this is low-hanging fruit, but c’mon. They’re character foils. They know so much about each other. They despise each other. They’re in an uneasy truce. They know all each other’s moves. They have dirt on one another. They can predict how the other will react. They know each other’s weaknesses. They both want to protect New York City. They want to do it in ways so diametrically opposed that they can’t possibly let the other walk free.  1. Frank Castle Like I said before, I haven’t watched the original Daredevil — and I also haven’t watched Punisher or any of the other Netflix Marvel shows. But man, I immediately need to know more about these dual crime fighters, who get into a tense argument about their different methods. And their faces get really close and personal, and they’re grunting and panting all heavy and gruff. And they’re both in terrible points of their lives, which are manifesting in different ways, and they’re egging each other on, because they recognize aspects of themselves in the other but also don’t want to acknowledge that. When Matt finally punches Frank, it’s somehow more sexually charged and cathartic than a kiss would’ve been. Also Frank calls Matt “Red” and “Counselor,” and we’ve already established I’m into the nickname thing.  And Frank comes back to help in the last episode??? Hello????

It's officially Tax Day. If you already filed months ago, first off: Good for you. And secondly, you may have already received a pleasant surprise in the form of a slightly larger tax refund compared to last year. According to the most recent IRS report, over $211 billion has been refunded this cycle so far—a 5% increase over last year. On an individual basis, the average direct deposit refund amount is $3,186, up 3.2% from last year's $3,088. But what's driving these larger refunds? Inflation adjustments boost refundsThe primary reason for the increase in tax refunds stems from the IRS's annual inflation adjustments. For the 2024 tax year (filed in 2025), the IRS implemented significant increases to both standard deductions and tax brackets.Standard deduction increasesThe standard deduction—the amount taxpayers can subtract from their income before income tax is applied—saw notable increases:Single filers: $14,600 (up from $13,850 in tax year 2023)Married couples filing jointly: $29,200 (up from $27,700 in tax year 2023)Heads of household: $21,900 (up from $20,800 in tax year 2023)Filers who are 65 or older or are blind may be eligible to claim an even higher standard deduction. For 2024, the amounts are:Single or head of household: an additional $1,950Married filing jointly: an additional $1,550So for example, a 68-year-old single filer would claim a $16,550 standard deduction for tax year 2024. These increases mean that taxpayers who don't itemize deductions (aka the vast majority of Americans) protect more of their income from taxation.Tax bracket adjustmentsIn addition to higher standard deductions, the IRS also adjusted tax brackets for inflation. This adjustment effectively moved some taxpayers into lower tax brackets, reducing their overall tax burden even if their income increased slightly from the previous year.What these adjustments mean for taxpayersFor many Americans, these adjustments have resulted in lower tax bills or higher refunds for the 2024 tax year. However, it's worth noting that a larger refund isn't necessarily a financial win—it means you've been giving the government an interest-free loan throughout the year.Financial advisors often recommend adjusting your withholding if you consistently receive large tax refunds. This allows you to access more of your money throughout the year, potentially using it for investments or to pay down debt.If you haven't filed yet, today is the last day you can apply for an extension. Remember that it's always better to file—even if you can't pay what you owe—than not to file at all. The penalties for non-filing are substantially higher and can lead to much more serious consequences.

Following a limited, four-month preview, Google is making its Veo 2 video generation model available to more people. The company has begun rolling out the tool to Gemini Advanced users, who can use it to create 720p clips that are up to eight seconds long. "The more detailed your description, the more control you have over the final video," Google says of the model. For the time being, Gemini will only generate footage in 16:9 landscape orientation, meaning it won’t be great for creating social video. That said, Google notes you can upload videos directly to TikTok or YouTube through Gemini's share sheet, and any footage you create through the chatbot will automatically be formatted as a MP4 file. Relative to the model’s iteration, Google says Veo 2 has a better understanding of real-world physics and human motion. If you want to start using Gemini to generate video clips, you'll need Google's $20 per month One AI Premium Plan. Once the company completes the roll out of Veo 2, video generation will be available in every language you can use Gemini on both on the web and mobile. Separately, Google is bringing Veo 2 generation to Whisk. For the uninitiated, Whisk is an experimental AI application the company offers through its Google Labs beta platform. It allows you to generate images from both text and image prompts, and with Veo 2 now baked in, you can use Whisk to animate what you create through the app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-brings-veo-2-video-generation-to-gemini-advanced-170014422.html?src=rss

Researchers found unprotected database containing ID cards and other sensitive data.

The acquisition — Lyft's first in Europe — is expected to close in the second half of 2025.

I was taught that hard work would get me ahead, would ultimately pay off, and would get me promoted.  But several years ago, when I was passed up for yet another promotion, I was angry and devastated because I was convinced that I had deserved that promotion. How could I not have been promoted after all the hard work I had been doing? A mentor I reached out to finally confided this to me, “Yes, you are working hard. But you are working on the wrong things. You need to be working on things that get you visibility.” I was doing lots of work, but with little visibility. I didn’t realize that only focusing on working hard was the quickest way to not get promoted. Even if I thought I was performing exceptionally, others didn’t have that perception of me. They didn’t see me in action on the things that mattered to them. It wasn’t clear or evident to them that I was capable and should be promoted. So if you aren’t getting promoted, it’s not that you didn’t deserve a promotion, or that you aren’t capable, or that you haven’t earned it. Here’s what you might not recognize: You aren’t visible to the leaders who are behind closed doors making decisions about your career.  So if you want to get promoted, start with focusing on the following three things: Prioritize what’s important to your organization Especially in this current market, companies are having to make hard choices across the board. They are faced with executing layoffs, changing direction in strategy, cancelling initiatives, and more. Companies are prioritizing, reprioritizing, and reprioritizing again, assessing what’s the most important thing for them to achieve at this moment. And you need to make sure you have a clear understanding of what those changing priorities are. Review your project list and your goals for the year. What percentage of items are still relevant to your company’s changing priorities? All of it? Some of it? Or none of it? If you are quietly working on projects that are no longer a priority for the company, or have been put on the back burner, your work has become invisible. All that hard work has been forgotten or is just no longer important at this moment.  Check in with your boss on what you are currently working on. They may have forgotten that you are still working on something that’s no longer relevant. When meeting with them, share with them what you have heard the company’s priorities are. Make sure you are raising your hand to take on work that’s important to leadership and helps you get the visibility you need. Every job will include non promotable or administrative work. And if you are working hard on invisible work only, you need to adjust quickly to ensure your work is getting on the radar of those making decisions about your career. Make sure you are visible to other leaders One of the biggest mistakes I made was to tie all my career fortunes to my boss. At one point in my career, I became exceptional at managing up to this one boss. She knew what I was working on; she had me leading a lot of visible work with very little non promotable or administrative tasks. She advocated for me in rooms I wasn’t in. She coached and guided me on what I needed to do to get promoted. Unfortunately for me, she got a great external opportunity and left the company. And then I was left all alone, trying to navigate my career. I had lost my only career champion at the company. Make sure you aren’t just visible to your boss, but also to other leaders. If your company encourages skip level meetings, get a meeting with your boss’s boss and whoever is running your division. And if they don’t, you can certainly schedule this or ask your boss ahead of time, so they don’t think you are going behind their back. It can be a short meeting to ask them questions about their career, but also to give them the highlights of what you are working on.  You can send them quick updates once a month on progress, or share articles or books you have been reading that are pertinent to the challenges and opportunities your company is currently facing. Also, build relationships with your boss’s peers. When my boss left, one of her peers took over our team. I wish I had built a relationship with her sooner so she knew what I was working on and how I was adding value. Remember, you want to be visible not just to your boss, but to anyone who has a say in whether or not you get promoted. Be ready to present in big and small moments I thought my hard work would speak for itself. Even if I was working on the right things, I kept my head down and worked hard, and worked some more. I didn’t think I needed to promote what I was doing; that quite frankly seemed like a waste of time. I needed to be focused on the work, and not talk about the work. Now, I think about so many missed opportunities in my career to share what I was working on and be visible. All those missed opportunities cost me a number of key promotions along the way. So be ready to present, share, and be visible in those small and big moments. If they are looking for nominations to present projects at the next town hall, say yes. If they are looking for someone to ask the CEO a question about the shifting priorities, raise your hand. If they want someone to kick off a team meeting with a highlight on their project, volunteer to do it. Any opportunity to be visible and showcase what you are working on, take it. I shifted my mindset to realize this: It wasn’t about me bragging about what I was doing. It was me sharing the value I was adding to the company, and a great opportunity to hear questions and get inputs along the way to make my work stronger.  Instead of just working hard heads down, becoming more visible also meant I could get more coaching from other leaders. If you are disappointed that you aren’t getting promoted, all is not lost. Shifting from working really hard under the radar to working on the right things and being visible might just be what you need to get on the path for the promotion you deserve.

The modern man is always on the go, juggling work, travel, fitness, hobbies, and social life. In an age where efficiency, preparedness, and style are paramount, carrying the right tools can make all the difference. Enter the world of pocket-sized essentials—compact yet powerful gadgets and accessories that fit seamlessly into your daily routine, wherever life takes you. Here, we have curated a collection of the top 10 must-have pocket-sized essentials every modern man should consider, each offering unique benefits for work, play, and everything in between. From high-tech gadgets to versatile tools, these designs combine practicality with sleek design, helping you stay ready for any situation. These ten essentials prove that great power does come in small packages! 1. WUEBN G5 Lighting is a necessity, not a luxury, whether you’re navigating a dark alley, searching for dropped keys, or camping in the great outdoors. The Wuben G5 EDC flashlight sets the new standard for pocket-sized illumination. Unlike traditional, bulky torches, this innovative flashlight is designed for modern adventurers—fitting easily into your pocket, EDC kit, or even the palm of your hand. Crafted with a unique, minimalist design, the Wuben G5 is not just about aesthetics – it’s about utility. Wuben dubs it the “Easy Carry Light” (ECL), and it lives up to the name with a compact body that resembles a lighter, making it an effortless addition to your daily carry. It features a flexible clip-on mechanism and a sturdy magnetic base. Benefits for the Modern Man Ensures you’re never left in the dark, whether at home, work, or traveling. Quick access for emergencies or unexpected situations. Minimalist design complements any EDC setup. Cons for the Modern Man Lacks a sidelight and electronic battery display found in bulkier models. Smaller battery capacity may require more frequent charging for heavy users. 2. Voltwist-V1 DIY projects, repairs, and everyday tasks often call for a reliable screwdriver, but lugging around a full toolkit isn’t practical for the modern man. The Voltwist-V1 changes the game, condensing an entire screwdriver set into something no larger than a fountain pen. Designed for ease and efficiency, this electric screwdriver features 10 adjustable speeds, a maximum torque of 12 kg.cm, and both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation. The kit includes 50 driver bits, ensuring you’re ready for any screw, anywhere. What makes the Voltwist-V1 truly modern is its intuitive user interface, complete with an LCD screen displaying battery level and direction of rotation. Its metallic body and minimal design exude sophistication, while the compact size means it fits easily in your pocket, desk drawer, or glove compartment. Benefits for the Modern Man Enables quick, efficient repairs and DIY tasks anywhere. Compact enough for everyday carry, ensuring preparedness. Sleek design complements any workspace. Cons for the Modern Man Battery life may require frequent recharging with intensive use. May lack power for the toughest industrial-grade tasks. 3. Tekto A2 Badger Every modern man needs a reliable tool for those unexpected moments—be it opening packages, fixing the odd screw, or tackling survival situations outdoors. The Tekto A2 Badger is the epitome of pocket-sized utility, combining compactness with serious cutting performance. At just 3.3 inches when closed and 5.26 inches with the blade deployed, this knife disappears into your pocket until needed. Don’t let its toy-like size fool you – the A2 Badger boasts a titanium-coated D2 steel blade with an American Tanto edge, making it both durable and versatile for a range of cutting tasks. Its Out-The-Front (OTF) mechanism allows for rapid deployment and retraction, providing a satisfying, fidget-friendly experience. Benefits for the Modern Man Ready for everyday tasks, emergencies, or outdoor adventures. Compact and legal for carry in most places. A durable build ensures longevity and reliability. Cons for the Modern Man Blade length may be insufficient for heavy-duty tasks. The automatic mechanism requires occasional maintenance to ensure smooth operation. 4. FLEXTAIL Tiny Pump 2X Versatility is king in the world of modern essentials, and the FLEXTAIL Tiny Pump 2X is perhaps the most adaptable tool you can carry. This palm-sized marvel is more than just an air pump—it’s a 3-in-1 tool that inflates, deflates, and doubles as a portable lantern. Weighing just 96 grams, the Tiny Pump 2X is designed for the adventurer, traveler, or anyone who values efficiency and preparedness. With its powerful AIRVORTECH technology, it can move air at an impressive 180 liters per minute, easily handling tasks from inflating air mattresses to vacuum-packing clothes. What’s more, its built-in magnetic surface allows for hands-free operation, and the included five nozzles ensure compatibility with a wide range of items. Benefits for the Modern Man Streamlines outdoor and travel experiences with multi-functionality. Saves space and reduces the need to carry multiple tools. Magnetic mounting for hands-free use in tricky situations. Cons for the Modern Man Battery capacity may limit use during extended trips without charging. Air pressure may not be sufficient for inflating very large items quickly. 5. Speekeys In today’s digital age, data is as valuable as gold. Whether you’re a creative professional, a student, or a businessman, having fast, secure access to your files is non-negotiable. Enter the Speekeys – a palm-sized powerhouse that reimagines portable data storage. Measuring half the size of a credit card and weighing just 48 grams, this sleek SSD enclosure is a game-changer for anyone who needs to carry large files—be it 4K videos, high-res photos, or crucial documents—without the bulk of traditional hard drives. Speekeys doesn’t just impress with its capacity – it’s built tough, featuring a drop-proof, water-resistant design (IP54 rated) that stands up to the rigors of daily life. The M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure supports up to 2TB of data and delivers blazing transfer speeds of up to 1000MB/s via USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, making it ideal for professionals and hobbyists alike. Benefits for the Modern Man Enables instant, secure access to large amounts of data anywhere. Perfect for creatives, professionals, and frequent travelers. Durable and stylish enough to match any tech setup. Cons for the Modern Man Requires compatible devices with USB Type-C for maximum speed. SSD drive needs to be purchased separately if not included. 6. Autel EVO Nano+ Aerial photography and videography have become pivotal for content creators, travelers, and anyone who wants a new perspective on the world. However, traditional drones are often cumbersome, require bulky cases, and can be a hassle to carry. Enter the Autel EVO Nano+, a consumer drone that redefines portable aerial imaging. This award-winning device is not only “Made in USA” but also tips the scales at under 250 grams—lighter than your smartphone. Despite its diminutive size, the EVO Nano+ is a powerhouse, boasting a 48-megapixel camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, capable of capturing cinematic 4K HDR video with impressive clarity and color. The drone’s design is as thoughtful as it is functional – it folds down to a pocket-friendly size, making it easy to carry on city strolls, hikes, or vacations. Benefits for the Modern Man Allows instant content creation and stunning aerial perspectives on the go. Perfect for social media, travel, or professional creative work. Compact and discreet, yet packed with advanced features. Cons for the Modern Man Small size limits battery life and flight time compared to larger drones. May be affected more by strong winds due to its lightweight build. 7. Sony Reon Pocket 2 Personal comfort is often overlooked but essential for productivity and well-being, especially in extreme weather. The Sony Reon Pocket 2 reimagines climate control, offering a wearable, pocket-sized air conditioner that keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. Using advanced thermoelectric cooling, the Reon Pocket 2 can lower your body temperature by up to 13°C or raise it by 8°C, all with the touch of a button. Its latest version boasts double the performance, making it perfect for active lifestyles—whether you’re golfing, running, or commuting. This device is sweat and water-resistant, designed for all-day comfort, and compatible with a range of sportswear brands that feature dedicated pockets. With USB power bank connectivity, the Reon Pocket 2 can operate for up to 20 hours. Benefits for the Modern Man Ensures comfort in all weather conditions, boosting productivity and mood. Ideal for sports, commuting, or any outdoor activity. Discreet and stylish, fitting seamlessly into modern wardrobes. Cons for the Modern Man Requires compatible clothing or accessories for best fit and performance. Cooling and heating effects may vary based on activity level and environment. 8. TWYST Ballpoint Pen The TWYST Ballpoint Pen is a lovely example of contemporary craftsmanship, meticulously machined from a single block of copper and entirely free of plastic components. Designed with the modern man in mind, this all-metal pen bridges the gap between digital convenience and the enduring pleasure of writing by hand. The octagonal shape offers both ergonomic comfort during extended writing sessions and a sleek, professional appearance that fits easily in your pocket or bag—ideal for today’s busy lifestyle. The pen’s smooth twist mechanism ensures effortless, reliable operation, making it a joy to use whether you’re jotting down notes in a meeting or signing important documents. Benefits for the Modern Man Combines elegance and practicality, enhancing both personal and professional routines. Durable, eco-friendly materials ensure a long-lasting and sustainable writing tool. Cons for the Modern Man The pen’s solid metal construction may make it heavier than typical pens, potentially causing fatigue with prolonged use. Copper surfaces can develop a natural patina over time, which may not appeal to those who prefer a consistently polished look. 9. AirTag Carabiner Meet the AirTag Carabiner—a sleek, compact accessory engineered to deliver peace of mind by keeping your valuables secure and easily trackable. Constructed from Duralumin composite alloy, a material celebrated for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and commonly used in aerospace and marine industries, this carabiner is both lightweight and highly durable. Perfect for the modern man on the go, the AirTag Carabiner can be effortlessly clipped to backpacks, bicycles, gym bags, or umbrellas. When paired with Apple’s AirTag, it allows you to keep tabs on your essentials, reducing the worry of misplacing important items during a hectic routine. This accessory elegantly fuses robust engineering with the smart technology of the AirTag, offering a reliable solution for safeguarding your belongings in both urban and outdoor environments. Click Here to Buy Now: $119.00 Benefits for the Modern Man Offers a stylish and practical way to ensure personal items are always easily located, ideal for busy professionals and travelers. Durable Duralumin construction withstands daily wear and demanding conditions, making it suitable for both everyday use and adventure. Cons for the Modern Man The premium materials and smart integration come at a higher price point, which may not fit every budget. Requires ownership of an Apple AirTag (sold separately) to utilize its tracking features, limiting its functionality for non-Apple users. 10. Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle Called the Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle – this beautifully crafted all-metal puzzle is inspired by Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms. Made from mirror-finish stainless steel, this puzzle is engineered with astonishing precision, as its pieces fit together with tolerances as fine as 0.004mm, creating nearly invisible seams. Designed to stimulate your cognitive abilities, the intricate assembly challenges your problem-solving skills while providing a rewarding sense of accomplishment. For the modern man, the Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle offers more than just a mental workout. Its elegant design makes it a sophisticated accent for any desk or shelf, adding a touch of artistry and refinement to your workspace or home. Compact and portable, it’s a perfect companion for travel or for moments when you need a quick mental break during a busy day. Click Here to Buy Now: $299.00 Benefits for the Modern Man Promotes cognitive sharpness and stress relief, making it ideal for professionals seeking a mindful escape. Doubles as a stylish, artistic piece, elevating the decor of any workspace or living area. Cons for the Modern Man The intricate assembly may be too challenging or time-consuming for those seeking quick entertainment. The mirror-finish stainless steel surface can attract fingerprints and smudges, requiring frequent cleaning to maintain its pristine look. The post Top 10 Must-Have Pocket-Sized Essentials For The Modern Man In April 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dive into the digital sculptor's creative process, his work on major Indian films and his unstoppable 3D obsession

Meet the Sakura, the best-selling electric car in Japan. It has driver assistance, auto-parking, fast charging, bi-directional power, and acres of charm. The killer stat: It only costs $17,000.

Macworld When Apple Intelligence launched last year, Apple promised us that its AI system would revolutionize how we use our devices. Unfortunately, this past year has been much more middling than miraculous for Apple’s AI, with the platform failing to impress in the ways we were hoping. That means there are a lot of ways Apple Intelligence could be improved in the future. From improved automation to more powerful editing tools and beyond, Apple’s AI foundation opens up a world of possibilities for bringing new smart tools to our Apple devices. Here are 10 of the top features we’d love to see in the next version of Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence 2.0: Fast improvements Image generation Apple’s Image Playground app is a fun way to quickly create quirky images, but it’s still very limited and rudimentary, especially when you compare it to rival AI generators such as Stable Diffusion and GPT-4o Image Generation. For starters, Apple needs to fix those persistent bugbears that seem to afflict almost all AI generators, things like freakishly inaccurate hands and feet. But the improvements need to go beyond that if Image Playground is to gain traction. We need far more control and flexibility over the images it whips up. That means being able to import new generation models and styles, the ability to work with different aspect ratios, adjust the relative strength of each prompt, and more.  It’s doubtful Apple will give us the ability to make phot-realistic images, but there is still a lot Image Playground can do to enhance its generated art. For example, the recent OpenAI GPT-4o model update allowed users to draw images in the style of a Studio Ghibli Japanese animation film. It was a viral sensation when it launched and exactly the kind of thing Image Playground needs to get some buzz. Image Playground offers rudimentary image creation at best and needs to be much better.Foundry Photo editing Speaking of images, Apple has brought a few AI image editing tools to our devices, yet these can also be vastly improved. In the first version of Apple Intelligence, we can remove distractions in photos using Apple Intelligence’s Clean Up tool, for example, but having the option to add elements to your pictures would be a fun extra. This could extend to refining existing parts of your images, such as replacing one type of tree with another in a landscape. We’d also like to get the power to remove something from one image and add it to another. Or to summon Siri and use natural language to make edits. Imagine how much hassle you could save by simply saying, “Hey Siri, change this sky to a thunderous rainstorm.” Foundry Apple Intelligence 2.0: Foundational upgrades Natural language search One of the key ideas behind artificial intelligence is that it will simplify your day-to-day life. So why isn’t Apple Intelligence very good at doing that? One key way it could improve is by adding more natural language capabilities. This could be really effective if it was added to things like Spotlight search or the Messages app. We should be able to open Spotlight or Siri and ask, “Show me photos I took between August 3 and 5.” Right now, that doesn’t work. Spotlight brings up images, sure, but only those that contain the text you typed. With a little sprinkling of Apple Intelligence, those searches could be much more useful. On-device search should be the foundation of Apple intelligence.Foundry Apple LLM One of the more glaring examples of Apple intelligence’s ineptitude is Siri’s integration with ChatGPT, which has the unfortunate effect of directly comparing Apple’s AI engine with a far more advanced system. The comparison is not exactly flattering to Apple’s infant AI efforts. What we really need is for Apple to launch its own LLM to compete with the likes of ChatGPT. For one thing, this would inject far more power into Apple Intelligence’s engines and allow it to stand toe-to-toe with the industry’s best platforms. For another, it would better preserve your privacy, since you could stay in the Apple intelligence sphere without venturing off into less-secure cloud-based alternatives. With an Apple LLM behind the wheel, there would be no need to switch to other AI tools, which would keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted. Rumors have suggested that this kind of Apple-backed LLM is in the works, but we don’t know when it might arrive. When it eventually does drop, it could be the jump-start Apple Intelligence needs to keep pace with its rivals. Shortcuts Apple’s Shortcuts app is one of the best tools available on your iPhone, yet I’d bet most people have never even opened it. Part of the problem is that Apple only covers the most basic of tasks, so you’re on your own if you want to run more complex workflows. This is a place where Apple Intelligence could step in to fill the gap. If AI was integrated into Shortcuts so that you could simply tell it what you want to do, Shortcuts would instantly go from an underused utility to one of the best iPhone features ever. As one of the main tenets of Apple intelligence, Shortcuts could suggest simple time-saving shortcuts throughout the day like Siri suggestions, and turn your iPhone into a true digital assistant. Automatic Shortcuts could be a fantastic way to set Apple Intelligence apart from its competitors. Foundry Health and fitness Health and fitness tracking has been one of Apple’s priorities in recent years, with the Apple Watch leading the way. There’s a lot of health data stashed on our devices, and there are plenty of ways that Apple’s AI could help improve health and fitness without compromising privacy. There are already rumors that Apple is working on an AI “coach” to interpret the data collected by your devices and give you a more complete picture of your health. Such a platform could manifest itself in optimized workouts with Apple Intelligence crunching your fitness numbers and then building a custom workout plan based on your needs. Or specialized HIIT workouts, Pilates, weight training, or whatever it thinks you need to take your fitness to the next level. Apple Apple Intelligence 2.0: New features Videos Apple Intelligence is already being used to edit images on our iPhones, but what if it could apply its skills to videos as well? The iPhone is already one of the top video phones around and AI could take it to the next level. Perhaps that would mean creating a list of suggested edits for any project you feed into it. Or the power to remove distractions from videos in the same way you can currently do with images. Perhaps even automated color grading and audio mixing could be added. Of course, Apple will be very careful about treading on video editing – after all, it probably doesn’t want to imply it’s coming after the creative industries after the Crush! ad fiasco – but a few handy tools for amateur editors to play with on their iPhones would be a welcome addition. Notes One of the ways that Apple tried to demonstrate Apple Intelligence’s power at WWDC 2024 was through transcribing audio in the Notes app. Unfortunately, this is neither a groundbreaking feature nor one that’s even on par with rival AI platforms. It might work well for simple voice memos, but anything with more than one speaker quickly becomes a jumbled mess. There’s a quick way Apple can fix this by teaching Apple Intelligence how to automatically label speakers—after all, services such as Otter and the tiny independent MacWhisper app have been doing it for years. Apple’s Notes app does a great job of transcribing with Apple Intelligence, but it’s not yet smart enough to distinguish between different speakers.Apple Maps  Over the years, Apple Maps has improved so much that many iPhone users now prefer it over Google Maps. But instead of Apple running a victory lap, Apple can use AI to enhance Maps even further. At the moment, you can search Apple Maps for things like restaurants and shops near you. But I want more than that – I want to be able to ask Apple Maps for “the best restaurants near me” and only see the highest-rated ones. Or search for eateries that serve meals with specific ingredients (this is currently very hit-and-miss). Or find out where the best viewpoints are in my city (again, this is unreliable). Apple Maps struggles with that right now, but perhaps Apple Intelligence would help it get there. Apple Intelligence can also help with directions. Siri is already pretty good at getting us from Point A to Point B, but as with much of Siri’s current features, it’s still disappointingly limited to places and addresses. Apple Intelligence could step in here to make it more powerful. For example, you could ask Siri to “get me home using the most eco-friendly route,” or “create a circular walking route in the countryside near me.” Weaving more AI into the mix might make these requests more achievable for Apple’s virtual assistant. With a little Apple Intelligence, Maps can be so much more useful.Apple Home Apple is heavily rumored to be getting in on the smart home act with a new HomePad hub device reportedly launching later this year and early next, and Apple Intelligence will almost certainly take on a central role in how you interact with it. But You might one day use Apple Intelligence to analyze the connected devices in your smart home to work out how you could save money on electricity bills or reduce your carbon footprint. And with rumors swirling that Apple is working on a series of smart home hubs, it’s possible that these capabilities will appear on the horizon sooner rather than later.