• SambaNova and Hugging Face Simplify AI Chatbot Integration with One-Click Deployment
    www.marktechpost.com
    The deployment of AI chatbots has long been a significant challenge for organizations, particularly for those without the necessary technical expertise or infrastructure to support advanced AI models. Developing AI chatbots requires training complex models, managing cloud resources, optimizing inference, and maintaining compatibility across platforms. As a result, many businesses find themselves either compromising on performance or outsourcing their AI projects, both of which can be costly and time-consuming. The high barrier to entry has made AI chatbot deployment particularly challenging for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual developers, limiting the widespread adoption of conversational AI across industries.One-Click Integration: Simplifying DeploymentSambaNova and Hugging Face are changing the AI chatbot landscape with their new one-click integration, designed to make deployment accessible to a broader audience. The collaboration between these two companies enables developers to seamlessly deploy advanced AI models for chatbots with minimal configuration and setup. This one-click integration aims to streamline the process of getting an AI chatbot up and running, reducing complexity, costs, and the need for extensive technical knowledge. By combining SambaNovas expertise in hardware acceleration and Hugging Faces extensive collection of pre-trained models, this integration provides a holistic solution that addresses multiple pain points in the chatbot deployment process.Technical Details and BenefitsAt the core of this integration lies a powerful collaboration that blends SambaNovas Reconfigurable Dataflow Architecture (RDA) with Hugging Faces open-source AI models and tools. The technical aspect revolves around providing optimized hardware infrastructure through SambaNovas DataScale system, which is well-suited for AI workloads, along with Hugging Faces model repository. With the click of a button, developers can deploy advanced models like GPT-3 or Bloom directly to a scalable and efficient environment without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. The integration simplifies deployment and ensures that the models run efficiently on high-performance systems, thereby improving inference speeds and enhancing the user experience. Furthermore, the collaboration allows developers to leverage SambaNovas support for large-scale model training while benefiting from Hugging Faces popular transformers library, which is known for its user-friendly interface.The Importance of One-Click IntegrationThis one-click integration is significant for several reasons. It allows developerseven those with limited AI experienceto quickly build and deploy sophisticated conversational agents without getting bogged down in infrastructure details. Early reports from developers using this solution indicate substantial time savings, with some citing deployment processes being reduced from weeks to mere hours. This ease of deployment also translates into quicker iterations and improvements, enabling businesses to be more agile in their chatbot strategies. For enterprises that rely on customer interaction, the reduced complexity and increased speed of deploying chatbots can enhance customer service and drive engagement. Additionally, the availability of pre-trained models from Hugging Face means developers can tailor chatbot behavior to their specific needs with relatively little customization, further boosting the accessibility of AI tools.Getting Started with One-Click IntegrationFor developers looking to try out the service, the process is quite simple. Start by visiting SambaNova Clouds API website to obtain an access token. Next, use Python to execute the following three lines of code:import gradio as grimport sambanova_gradiogr.load("Meta-Llama-3.1-70B-Instruct-8k", src=sambanova_gradio.registry, accept_token=True).launch()The final step involves clicking Deploy to Hugging Face and entering the SambaNova token. In just a few seconds, a fully functional AI chatbot will be available on Hugging Faces Spaces platform, ready for use.ConclusionIn conclusion, the partnership between SambaNova and Hugging Face marks a significant step forward in democratizing AI chatbot technology. The one-click integration they have introduced makes the deployment of powerful chatbots feasible for a much wider range of users, from individual developers to large enterprises. By reducing technical barriers and leveraging powerful, optimized infrastructure, SambaNova and Hugging Face are pushing the boundaries of whats possible with conversational AI, encouraging further innovation and enabling more organizations to benefit from advanced AI solutions. Check out the Source and Details. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. If you like our work, you will love ournewsletter.. Dont Forget to join our55k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences. Listen to our latest AI podcasts and AI research videos here
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  • Insert One Million Records With Just A Few Lines of SQL Code
    towardsai.net
    LatestMachine LearningInsert One Million Records With Just A Few Lines of SQL Code 0 like November 9, 2024Share this postLast Updated on November 9, 2024 by Editorial TeamAuthor(s): Kamireddy Mahendra Originally published on Towards AI. Save Time and Effort in Creating data to Practice SQLThis member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Image by authorHello!In this article, You will find a very important tip to generate your data to practice SQL or any technology with your created data of any number of records. Here is One Million Records, Im going to insert. You can do it for any number of records.Recently, I received a small task from one of my clients asking me to generate sample data with one million records for their practice or some other reasons and Shared a requirements document.So I Prepared a table having one million records in just a few minutes with this technique that Im going to share in this article.As I couldnt share exact client requirements due to privacy concerns, I will create new requirements (You can also create your requirements). As per these requirements, Im going to insert one million records.MeanLifeStudies by authorWe can insert manually just a hundred to a few hundred records. But inserting thousands or millions of records manually will be exhausting and takes more amount of time and effort. To save time and effort, this technique will be very useful to create our data.Lets get Started!In the client-given document, Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post
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  • Andor Season 2 Release Date Announced for Disney+ at D23 Brazil
    www.ign.com
    At D23 Brazil, Lucasfilm confirmed that Andor Season 2 will premiere on Disney+ on April 22, 2025.To help celebrate the announcement, Andor's wonderful droid B2EMO was brought on stage and that alone is a reason to celebrate. You can also check that out below.On April 22, 2025, #Andor returns to @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/c6P3pdNBi6 Star Wars (@starwars) November 9, 2024 #Andor's B2EMO has arrived on the #D23Brasil stage. pic.twitter.com/XSU7ye7ghi Star Wars (@starwars) November 9, 2024 Andor also had a big showing at D23 in Anaheim, with a teaser trailer confirming Krennic and K-2SO would officially be returning for some prequel action. As for what else fans can expect from Season 2, Andor actor Diego Luna says it will turn Rogue One: A Star Wars Story into a completely "different film." "I think people watching Rogue One, after watching Season 2, are going to see a different film," Luna said. "Everything will be signified differently knowing what had to happen for Kaytoo to be there. It's going to make you witness the journey of Rogue One in a different way, I think. And not just with Kaytoo, but with many other characters. I think it'll be really cool."Many fans will be very excited for the return of Andor, and we are part of that enthusiasm as we said it is "one of the best things ever to come out of the Star Wars universe" in our review.For more, check out our ranking of the Star Wars Disney+ live-action TV shows and all the other upcoming new Star Wars movies and TV shows.Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.
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  • Get the Most Out of Your Carry-On Bag: What to Bring and How to Pack It
    www.cnet.com
    A carry-on bag is most people's security blanket, best friend and lifeline when traveling. Your carry-on often has essentials for the airplane. For me, that means snacks and entertainment, but a carry-on should also include valuable, hard-to-replace items such as passports, prescriptions, toiletries, cash and clothes in case your checked luggage gets lost. Believe me, packing a day or two extra clothes saved me when my suitcase was lost on the way to London.Following Transportation Security Administrationguidelines for each major US airline is also a must and doing a little research on the latest rules and regulations can help you ace the experience without getting held up. What TSA officials confiscate isn't in your control, but what you pack and how you pack it is in your control. Here's how to pack your carry-on bag efficiently for your next business or pleasure travel.For more travel tips, explore these travel essentials you need for every vacation and then take a look atthis travel checklist. The best carry-on travel bags Before you start packing, you'll have to find the right carry-on bag. Here are a few important things to keep in mind. What size carry-on should you get?The first and most important aspect to think about is size. Federal Aviation Administration regulations say carry-on items can't exceed dimensions of 22 by 14 by 9 inches, though you might find an inch or two of difference depending on the airline. The general rule is that it must fit under your seat or in the overhead enclosed storage compartment on the plane. Here's a quick reference for size limits for the most popular US airlines. Carry-on items by airline AirlineCabinMaximum size Air Canada All55 x 40 x 23 cm; 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inAlaska Airlines All55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inAmerican Airlines All56 x 36 x 23 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inBritish Airways All56 x 45 x 25 cm; 22 x 18 x 10 inDelta Air Lines All56 x 35 x 23 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inFrontier Airlines All60.96 x 40.64 x 25.4 cm; 24 x 16 x 10 inHawaiian Airlines All55.9 x 35.5 x 22.9 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inJetBlue Airways All55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 inSouthwest Airlines All60.9 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm; 24 x 16 x 10 inSpirit Airlines All56 x 46 x 25 cm; 22 x 18 x 10 inUnited Airlines All56 x 35 x 22 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in Carry-ons should have an easy access tech compartmentIf you decide to bring electronics like a laptop, iPad, Kindle or other tablet on board, your carry-on should ideally have a separate, padded compartment for secure packing. Be sure these compartments are easily accessible, since at security checkpoints, the TSA will require you to remove your electronic devices and place them in the plastic X-ray tray. Make sure you're carry-on is comfortable on your back or shoulderRemember, you'll need to lug your carry-on bag or suitcase across the airport and down long corridors, and you might even need to run with it so you don't miss your connection. Consider whether you need padded handles or cushioned straps or a backpack or a rolling suitcase for ease. The general rule is that all carry-ons must fit under your seat or in the overhead enclosed storage compartment on the plane. Getty Images How to pack your carry-on the right way Though what to pack in your carry-on ultimately depends on your preferences, there are a few guidelines for the best way to pack your luggage: Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.).Pack the things you'll use the least at the bottom of the bag.Keep most of your valuables in your carry-on luggage, and store them in side compartments or safely padded around other items.Place valuables at the bottom of your bag, away from the opening.Keep your wallet, credit cards and cash in an inner pocket so they'll be harder to steal.Pack a small, separate bag for toiletries. (Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on must follow the3-1-1 liquids rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container; all liquids must fit in one quart size, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; one bag per passenger.)Roll your clothes tightly to save space in your luggage.Sometimes you lose your luggage. It happens. Though it's frustrating, it's important to pack a spare set of clothes (including socks and underwear!) in your carry-on to hold you over until your bags are found and returned. Pack clothing that can easily be rolled up and put in the bottom of your bag. Rolled clothing can save space in your tight bag or suitcase. Getty Images Essential items for your carry-on bag There's some items that are just better in your carry-on luggage. If you do decide to check a bag, be sure to keep these items with you on the flight. Most of these carry-on essentials are items that would be hard to replace or purchase when you get to your destination. Prescriptions and medicationsContact lenses or glassesValuables like jewelry, wallets, passports, IDs and boarding passesCameras and smartphonesEntertainment like tablets, books and laptopsHeadphones to watch TV or movies if a longer flightChargers for electronicsPrinted itinerary, or hotel and flight confirmationsExplore this complete guide for essential travel items you may forget to pack. Place your larger electronics in secure yet easily accessible compartments, since you'll need to pull them out at TSA security checkpoints. Getty Images What you should never pack in your carry-on bag The TSA has specific guidelines covering which items are banned from flights and the agency takes those rules very seriously. In 2022 alone, the TSA screened nearly 761 million passengers and crew members nationwide, and it confiscated a record number of firearms (6,301) and many other items. TSA policy says that individuals carrying weapons, especially loaded firearms, can face fines or criminal penalties. These are some of the most commonly confiscated items: FirearmsFireworksBox cutters, utility knives and razorsBats, clubs and bladesSwiss Army knivesSharpIf in doubt, always refer to theTSA's guidelines on packing for flights, to ensure you have safe and easy travels. If you're planning a vacation soon and are stressed about packing or preparing, CNET has plenty of resources to help. Get ready for your next trip with these hacks and tips:
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  • The iPhone 16 Camera Control Is About to Get Better in iOS 18.2. Here's All It Can Do
    www.cnet.com
    If you recently bought aniPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, you may have missed the newest hardware button that lies flush on the right side -- or maybe you activated the camera by accident. The Camera Control is more than just a physical shutter button for taking photos and in the upcoming iOS 18.2, now in public beta, it'll activate one of the newest Apple Intelligence features.More than just a clicky button, the Camera Control is also a touch-sensitive capacitive control surface that responds to pressure and also detects finger movement like a tiny, narrow trackpad.Using a physical button to trigger the camera shutterisn't a new concept. You can snap a photo by pressing the volume control button in the Camera app. So if the new Camera Control were simply another button -- even if better positioned when holding the phone in its wide orientation -- it would have felt like a letdown. Instead, it's a feature exclusive to theiPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Check Out the iPhone 16 Pro Max's Cameras, Display and Colors See all photos How the Camera Control button worksThe iPhone's Camera Control is a physical button that depresses when you push it, but it's also accentuated with haptic feedback like the MacBook trackpads (which feel indistinguishable from a physical mechanism even though the trackpad is just a solid piece of glass). The Camera Control sits flush on the edge of the iPhone case. Screenshot by CNETThe surface of the button is a smooth capacitive surface that responds to the motion of your fingertip. (TheMacBook Pro Touch Bartechnology lives on!)When you lightly press the button -- exerting some pressure on the surface but not enough to depress the switch -- an onscreen overlay appears. Did you notice how iOS 18 introduced a subtle user interface animation that shows a black indent where a physical button press occurs? The Camera Control button extends that area to an overlay where the Camera Control options reside. Lightly press the Camera Control to reveal an overlay. Numi Prasarn, CNETOpen the Camera app with the Camera Control buttonOne of the new standout iOS 18 features is the ability to remove the default Camera icon from the lock screen and replace it with something else. I've personally never used this shortcut, preferring to swipe from the right edge to open the app.Now, pressing the Camera Control button quickly launches the built-in Camera app, which is arguably faster because it's positioned near where your thumb or finger rests while holding the iPhone. The iPhone 16's Camera Control button lets you launch the camera without touching the screen. Lisa Eadicicco/CNETIf you find yourself accidentally launching the app when you don't mean to, you can require a double-press: Go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control and under Launch Camera select Double Click.Capture a photo or video the 'traditional' wayCamera ergonomics are often overlooked, but they can mean the difference between composing a shot comfortably and twisting your fingers into pretzels to tap the shutter button onscreen.To take a picture, press down on the Camera Control button. To start recording video, press and hold the button. (Hopefully, a future update will add a setting that lets you change the hold behavior, allowing it to capture bursts of images instead of video. You can already do that by pressing the Volume Up button, but only after enabling the option under Settings > Camera > Use Volume Up for Burst.) Take a photo the way you would press the shutter on a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Apple/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETA light press also temporarily hides most of the interface items for a clutter-free look at your subject. If you don't mind the information, go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control and turn off Clean Preview.In iOS 18.2 -- currently in public beta and expected in December -- you will be able to lock auto exposure and auto focus (AE/AF) with a light press and hold of the button, the way you can with a half-press of the shutter button on most cameras. In the meantime, you can touch and hold on the screen where you want to focus and the app will lock focus and exposure at that point, even if you recompose the shot.Zoom and switch between the camerasPerhaps the biggest advantage of the Camera Control is having so many functions available without having to move your fingers all over the screen.To zoom in and out, you lightly press to bring up a slider and drag to adjust the focal length. Zoom in or out using the Camera Control. Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNETA light double-press of the Camera Control button brings up a sliding overlay of other camera options.The Cameras option -- represented by an icon that looks like a shutter -- allows you to switch between cameras and their focal lengths, such as selecting the Ultra Wide camera (0.5x zoom) or the Telephoto camera (5x zoom).Quickly adjust exposure and depthAlso included in the overlay that appears when you lightly double-press the Camera Control button are options for Exposure Compensation and Depth. The latter is the iPhone's way of changing the aperture (it even uses a icon to indicate f-stops), but because all iPhone cameras include fixed physical apertures (the opening through which light passes through the lens to the image sensor), the control adjusts the simulated depth in Portrait mode; if the camera detects a subject in the scene, it automatically saves depth information. Adjust the Depth setting for portraits and other scenes with a person or pet as the main subject. AppleChoose Photographic StylesApple has revamped its Photographic Styles feature on the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, replacing the stock filters and making the styles more editable. They're also selectable via the Camera Control. (The iPhone 13, 14 and 15 models still use the Photographic Styles feature introduced in 2021, which operates differently.)Double-press lightly on the control to view the capture overlay and drag to select the Photographic Styles option. Then slide your finger to preview the styles in real time and choose one. Preview Photographic Styles from the Camera Control overlay. Apple/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETCamera Control works for capturing video, tooThese Camera Control options also apply when shooting video. In Apple's event video, a demo suggested that switching between resolutions and frame rates, such as 4K 120 FPS, is possible using the control, but that feature doesn't yet appear. You can zoom, choose cameras and adjust exposure.Apple also demonstrated how it can be applied in third-party photo and video apps by highlighting the Grid Composer feature in Lux Software's Kino video app, which cycles among types of visible guides. The video app Kino uses Camera Control to switch between types of onscreen guides. Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNETWhat about non-photo features of the Camera Control?The button is reserved for photographic uses, including features that third-party developers include in their photo and video capture apps. If you don't want to take pictures using the control, you can also use it like a second Action button to scan QR codes or launch the Magnifier Control Center tool. Go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control and choose Code Scanner or Magnifier in the list of apps.But Apple is also sneaking in an Apple Intelligence feature called visual intelligence that uses the camera. It's not available yet for most people, but if you install the iOS 18.2 public beta, it works like this:With the iPhone locked, press and hold the Camera Control button to bring up the camera. When you snap a picture in this mode, Apple Intelligence looks up what you're pointing at. You can then do a visual search of whatever is in front of the camera or tap an Ask button to send the query to ChatGPT. In Apple's examples, a person snapped a shot of a restaurant to get more information and check its operating hours and then looked up the breed of a passing dog. You can invoke Apple Intelligence by using the Camera Control button and, in this instance, learn more about a restaurant. Apple/Screenshot by James Martin/CNETCamera Control is exclusive to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. For more on what's new in the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, see ourfull coverage of Apple's September event. Watch this: Review: Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Is an Impressive Upgrade 12:06
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  • Photo Fix Strategies Using the Apple Intelligence Clean Up Tool
    www.cnet.com
    We've barely had it for two weeks, and most of the Apple Intelligence features released so far on iOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia are focused on text -- such as generating summaries for notifications -- and email, helping to correct your writing and delivering smarter Siri responses. But one feature uses generative AI to work with images: the new Clean Up tool in the Photos app.Clean Up analyzes an image, suggests items you'd likely want removed, such as people or vehicles in the background, and then fills in the deleted area. Sometimes the fix can be invisible to most viewers -- and sometimes the results are laughably poor. After running many types of photos through the tool, I've come up with a few general guidelines to help you get the best cleaned-up images. The Clean Up tool can remove distractions. Jeff Carlson/CNETSurprisingly, Photos on the iPhone and iPad has never had a tool like Clean Up for removing small distractions. The Mac version does include a basic Retouch tool that can repair some areas, which is supplanted by Clean Up on compatible Macs.It's important to remember that Clean Up is a feature of Apple Intelligence, so you will see it only if you're running a compatible device and you've been granted access to the Apple Intelligence beta. That includes iPhones running iOS 18.1, iPads with M-series processors (and the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip) in iPadOS 18.1 and Macs with M-series processors in MacOS Sequoia 15.1.For more on Apple Intelligence, see which features I think you'll use the most and where its notifications need improvement.How is Clean Up different from other retouching tools?The repair tools in most photo editing apps work by copying nearby or similar pixels to fill in the space where you're making a fix. They're great for removing lens flares or dust spots against a sky, for example.The Clean Up tool uses generative AI, which analyzes the entire scene and makes guesses about what should fill the area you've selected. If you want to remove a dog standing in front of a tree, for example, generative AI creates a replacement based on what it knows about tree texture and foliage in the background, and also takes into account the lighting level and direction in the photo.The "generative" part of generative AI comes from the way it creates the image. The pixels that fill the area literally come from nothing: The software starts with a random pattern of dots and iterates quickly to create what it determines would appear in the same space.Keep in mind, retouching tools that use generative AI are the ultimate YMMV, or "your mileage may vary." I've gotten good results in difficult compositions and terrible results in areas I thought would be simple for the app to handle. Watch this: Apple Intelligence Impressions: Don't Expect Radical Change 09:05 How to remove distractions using Apple's Clean Up toolThe Clean Up tool takes two approaches to repairing photos. Using machine learning, it suggests items such as people or vehicles in the background as possible items to remove. Or, you can drag over what you want to remove and direct Photos to work on that area. The process breaks down like this:1. Open a photo and tap the Edit button. (On MacOS, click the button labeled Edit, or press the Return key.)2. Tap Clean Up. The first time you use the tool, Photos needs to download Clean Up resources, which will take a minute or so depending on your Internet connection. Photos analyzes the image and highlights any potential items to be removed with a translucent shimmer. Open the Photos edit interface and tap Clean Up. Photos makes suggestions about what to remove. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET3. To remove a suggested item, tap it. Or, draw a circle around any item that isn't glowing.4. Don't be surprised if the area isn't cleaned fully on the first attempt -- you may need to draw over remaining areas to do more removal. If you're not happy with a fix, tap the Undo button. If Clean Up doesn't snag everything -- note that the person's legs in the image on the left are not highlighted -- use the tool again to keep cleaning the area. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET5. When finished, tap Done. As with all edits in Photos, you can revert back to the original if you want to start over: Tap the More () button and choose Revert to Original.An unexpected and cool feature: Safety FilterPrimarily you'll use the Clean Up tool to get rid of distracting elements in a scene, but it has another trick available: You can hide the identity of someone in the photo.Draw a circle around their face. You don't have to fill it in -- a general swipe will do the job. Photos applies a blocky mosaic pattern in place of the person's face to obscure it. The Safety Filter is a clever use of the Clean Up tool. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETWhere you'll see the most success with Clean UpSome scenes and areas work better with Clean Up, so it's good to know where to focus your efforts.In my testing, I've found the most success in these general categories of fixes:Small distractions. Items such as litter on the ground or dust and threads on people's clothing consistently turn out well.Background textures. Areas such as tree leaves, grass or stone can be replicated well.Lens flare. As long as it's not too large, lens flare caused by light bouncing between camera lens elementsBystanders or vehicles in the background that don't occupy much area.Areas with sparse detail or background. Sometimes Clean Up works well -- originals on top, edited versions on the bottom. Jeff Carlson/CNETIn general, when dragging around an area, make sure you grab reflections or shadows cast by the item you want removed. Fortunately Photos often picks up on those and will include them in its selection. Be sure to select shadows and reflections (left). Clean Up detects what should be removed based on the broad selection (middle). A little reflection is left over (right), but that can be cleaned with one more swipe of the tool. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETAreas to avoid when trying to use Clean UpSome Clean Up targets are going to frustrate you when you try to remove them. For example:Very large areas. If it's too big, Photos balks and tells you to mark a smaller area or it makes a mess of the area. It is also inconsistent about coming up with what would plausibly appear in such a large space.Busy areas with clearly defined features. Tree leaves in the distance generally work well, but not so when there are recognizable structures or items. Removing a prominent leaf from a pile of leaves, or clearing out people from recognizable landmarks, for instance, doesn't turn out well. Removing large objects in the frame becomes a jumble of pixels. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETWhere Clean Up needs more workRemember, Clean Up and the other Apple Intelligence features are still technically in beta, even though they're available to anyone with a compatible device who signs up for the beta program. (I have some thoughts about installing beta software in general.)And while you can get some good results, there are still a few areas I'm looking forward to Apple improving in future releases. Namely, the quality of the replaced areas is spotty, sometimes looking more like non-AI repair tools. I would have expected Apple's algorithms to do a better job of determining what's in a scene and building replacement areas.In terms of the user experience, if you don't like what Clean Up offers for a removal, your only options are to undo or reset the edit. And if you undo, then try again, you get the same already-processed results. Adobe Lightroom, by contrast, offers three possibilities for every fix, with the option to generate another set if you don't like what it came up with. Lightroom (iPhone app shown here) gives you three options for a removed area. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNETClean Up -- and other similar AI-based removal tools -- also suffer from their projected expectations: We've seen where it can do great things, which raises the bar for what we think every edit should do. When the tool gets confused and serves up a mess of disparate pixels, we expect it to do better. Maybe in the next releases.For more on what Apple Intelligence brings to your Apple devices, get a peek at the visual intelligence feature. Check Out the iPhone 16 Pro Max's Cameras, Display and Colors See all photos
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  • Creating a Videogame in Blender (+Free Download)
    www.blendernation.com
    Creating a Videogame in Blender (+Free Download) By Bart on November 10, 2024 Video Stache created a fully interactive videogame in vanilla Blender using a model from Sketchfab, a YouTube tutorial and some Python coding help from ChatGPT. The result is pretty cool!Key Techniques Covered Car Modeling: Creating a car model from scratch in Blender to avoid using third-party assets. Physics-Based Rigging: Setting up a realistic car rig using Blenders rigid body system and constraints. Python Scripting for Controls: Using ChatGPT-generated Python scripts to control the cars speed and steering with keyboard inputs. Rendering with EV Next: Leveraging EV Next for real-time lighting and reflections to achieve a stylized, pixel art look. Game Design Variations: Experimenting with game mechanics like maze-solving, traffic avoidance, and stunt jumps. Interactive Gameplay Setup: Implementing custom game elements, including car controls (W, A, S, D) and a braking system. Compositing for Visual Effects: Adding effects like bloom, glare, and color grading through Blenders compositor. You can try this game yourself - download it here!
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  • Blender Jobs for November 10, 2024
    www.blendernation.com
    Here's an overview of the most recent Blender jobs on Blender Artists, ArtStation and 3djobs.xyz: Particle Hair For more jobs, look here.Source
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  • Taylor Swift Fans Are Leaving X for Bluesky After Trumps Election
    www.wired.com
    Although Justin says he has been on Bluesky for more than a year, he mostly used X until this week. After the election, the timeline was full of Swifties getting DMs from Trump supporters threatening rape or sexual assault and making sexually violent comments gloating because Trump won, he says.On Bluesky, however, both Justin and Kim say that they have noticed a tangible difference, feeling safer and more supported by the community itself. The Swifties are here and I, for one, welcome our new overlords, one user posted.Bluesky literally feels like a social media app again, where I'm just connected with my community or like other interesting posts. I feel like people aren't as geared up to fight you, says Kim. Over the past 48 hours she has been hopping back to X to encourage people to migrate to Bluesky. Who knows if the momentum will keep up and everything will actually move over and stay there, she says, but right now it just feels like such a breath of fresh air.As of this writing, there are nearly 200 Swift-themed starter packscollections of accounts that Bluesky users can invite people to follow. Nearly all of them have been created in the past 24 hours.If I, one day, can never open [X] again because all the Swifties are here, it's a massive triumph, says Justin.
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