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Tech giant Google is bringing its artificial intelligence model Gemini to replace Google Assistant for Android phones. By the end of this year, this Google Assistant will not be available on most mobile devices or Google Play Store. Apart from this, other devices connected with this facility will also be upgraded to Gemini. Google said that it will give more information to the users about this and till then Google Assistant will continue.

Google’s updated Find My Device app has become available to most users. The app was announced last week with new features. According to a 9 to 5 Google report, Google Maps already has a way to reach friends and family members through the location shared by them. Its interface is similar to Apple’s Find My app.

WhatsApp is working on a new feature, which will make it easy to see the replies to any message. Right now, if you want to see the reply to a message, then you have to go to the top of the chat and search. According to the report, this feature has been seen in WhatsApp’s Android beta version 2.25.7.7, but there is no information yet about when it will be launched for all users.

Microsoft has added the feature of creating a summary of text with artificial intelligence in the Notepad app of Windows 11. The new AI Text Summary feature has been released in the Fanery and Day channels of Windows Insider. Now users can create a short summary of the text by highlighting it, right-clicking it or using the Control + M shortcut. Microsoft was already testing the Rewrite tool in Notepad.

A state level bull race competition was organized on Sunday at Nanganahalli village in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. In this thrilling event, the participants raced their bullock carts with full enthusiasm and excitement. This competition related to rural culture and tradition thrilled the spectators.

Snapchat has launched a new AI video lens for its users. This lens is based on Snap’s own artificial intelligence model and is made available exclusively for premium users. Through this feature, users can make their videos more interesting and creative. Snapchat is constantly updating its platform using new technologies so that users get the best experience.

f New ways of content creation have been added to Facebook. Now users can design games even without coding knowledge. This feature will be especially beneficial for creators and developers. Meta AI is also bringing new features to WhatsApp and Instagram, which will give users a more interactive and interesting experience. This update will make Facebook different from other platforms and help users to be more creative. Meta is constantly upgrading its platform using AI.

WhatsApp has released a new feature, allowing users to add their social media profile links. At present, this feature is available only to some users. Under this feature, users can add their Instagram profile to WhatsApp account. In future, there will also be an option to add links to other social media platforms. Several options have been given to control the visibility of the profile link, such as showing to everyone, showing only to contacts or not showing to anyone. This feature is available in the Android beta version.

YouTube Shorts lets you shoot and share vertical videos from the camera that you carry everywhere: your phone. Anyone can create with Shorts. Let’s dive into some tips to consider when filming.

Set up your phone

• Clean your camera lens before filming
• Turn off your notifications before you start filming to avoid disruptions
• Shoot vertically with your phone or camera of choice

To Record a clip, press and hold the capture button or tap it to start recording and then again to stop. The Shorts multi-segment camera lets you film and string multiple videos together.

Choose the right lighting

• Soft, even lighting will help your camera’s image sensor to maintain detail in the brightest and darkest parts of the image.
• On sunny days, try shooting in the shade to avoid bright sun and dark shadows.
• When filming at home, you can capture natural light by setting up your camera near a window.

Record quality sound

• Quality sound can make a world of difference. Make sure that you’re recording in a space with minimum echo and background noise.
• Turn off nearby fans or buzzy electronics to prevent your phone’s microphone from picking up unwanted sounds.
• If you have a mic and want to use it for the audio, great! If not, your phone mic will be fine

You can tap Undo to remove the previous video clip you have recorded or tap Redo to add it back. Take as many tries as you must to get the perfect shot.

Things to bear in mind

• If you have an idea for your Short, consider making a shot list before you start filming. Will you need screen recordings or extra footage?
• Always wait a beat after you press record before you start doing anything and always wait a beat after you finish before you stop recording. Don’t stop recording until you are done.

Set up your phone

Mobile phone cameras often have an auto and a manual mode. The auto mode is the easiest to get started with. But try out the manual mode if you would like more control over the look of your content.

• Hold your camera horizontally to shoot in 16:9 high definition.
• Use the phone’s rear camera as much as possible because it records at a higher resolution.
• Turn off notifications whilst filming to reduce interruptions.
• Adjust the depth of focus and exposure manually to produce a sharp, clear image.
• Lock both the exposure and focus to avoid the camera changing brightness and sharpness during your shoot.

BBC Earth Unplugged captures incredible images with a phone by using simple equipment.

Choose the right lighting

Cameras on mobile devices typically need lots of light. And good lighting helps to keep viewers engaged and interested in your video. Consider the limitations of the camera on your mobile device and then arrange your lighting setup to create the effect that you’re going for.

• Soft, even lighting will help your camera’s image sensor to maintain detail in the brightest and darkest parts of the image.
• On sunny days, try shooting in the shade to avoid bright sun and dark shadows.
• When filming at home, you can capture natural light by setting up your phone near a window.
• Bounce light onto your subject with a white card or a reflector.
• Use light to create different moods in your video.

Record quality sound

It’s important that audiences can watch your video and understand what the characters are saying. Quality sound can also cut time in editing, so it will help to get it right on the day of your shoot.

• Try placing your subject as close to the microphone as you can.
• Think through your shooting locations so that your subject can enter or move around within a shot without creating extra noise, which can be distracting.
• Consider using an external microphone to improve your sound quality when filming in a noisy environment.
• Locate your phone’s microphone so that you don’t cover it when shooting.
• Improve voice quality by covering hard flat surfaces in your environment with softer materials like cloth and pillows.

ThreadBanger shows how you can create your own macro lens for your phone.

Make the most out of your phone

Phones are small. Which means you can get shots that you can’t achieve with a bulkier DSLR or camcorder. And you’re not just limited to filming on your phone – you can edit and upload videos from them too.

• Take exciting shots. A selfie stick will allow you to film yourself when walking around, whilst a gorilla pod can give you the freedom to attach your phone anywhere.
• Experiment with different looks for your video by using clip-on macro or fisheye lenses compatible with your phone.
• Try setting your camera in unusual locations to achieve unique shots.

Tomorrows Filmmakers show how they use smartphones for a professional wedding shoot.

We recommend

• Taking a photo of yourself with your mobile where you intend to record – this will show you what your background will look like on video.
• Reducing background noise by turning off fans, closing windows and turning off notifications on your phone.