Category Archives: news

Vivo Announces Third Edition of Imagine Smartphone Photography Awards

Vivo has announced the third edition of the Vivo Imagine Smartphone Photography Awards, open to photographers and enthusiasts across India. The awards aim to position the platform as a hub for storytelling and authentic self-expression.

They encourage participants to submit work that reflects originality, perspective, and intent. This year’s extended format gives creators the freedom to experiment and refine their vision.

The jury will be led by acclaimed filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, joined by renowned photographers Vineet Vohra, Rakesh Pulapa, and Aamir Wani. Entries will be accepted in six categories: Nature & Landscape, Night & Light, Architecture, Motion, Portrait, and Street & Culture.

Submissions are open on www.vivoimagine.com from August 22 to November 30, 2025. The jury will shortlist six finalists—one per category—who will be invited to the Grand Finale in December. The grand jury winner will receive ₹5,00,000, while each category winner will be awarded a Vivo X200 Pro smartphone.

Reflecting on the initiative, Geetaj Channana, Head of Corporate Strategy, Vivo India, said “the Imagine Awards reaffirm our belief that photography belongs to everyone – it’s about perspective, not gear.”

In 2024, the awards drew 17,000+ entries nationwide, with Kukkala Suresh winning the grand prize. This year, vivo continues its mission to empower creators and celebrate the joy of imagination.

Nikon Announces Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

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Nikon has introduced the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, a new-generation standard zoom lens for full-frame/FX-format mirrorless cameras. The lens features an internal zoom mechanism, improving balance during operation and reducing the risk of dust and debris entering while zooming. It also offers enhanced resistance to dust and drips, making it suitable for outdoor use.

The lens is the first zoom model to adopt Nikon’s Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM) autofocus drive, achieving autofocus speeds approximately five times faster than its predecessor, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. Autofocus tracking during zooming has also been improved by around 60%, enabling better performance when photographing fast-moving subjects.

Weighing about 675 g, the lens is among the lightest in its class and supports a 77 mm filter thread. It has a minimum focusing distance of 0.24 m at the wide end and 0.33 m at the telephoto end, with maximum reproduction ratios of 0.21× and 0.32× respectively.

Additional features include an 11-blade diaphragm for rounded bokeh, suppression of focus breathing for video, a filter adjustment window on the lens hood, and coatings designed to minimise reflections, ghosting, and flare. The lens also offers a control ring with an optional tactile “click” function.

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II will be available starting August 22, 2025.

FOTO Bali Festival Debuts at Nuanu, Indonesia

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The inaugural FOTO Bali Festival launched at Nuanu Creative City from 26 July to 17 August 2025, marking a major milestone in Indonesia’s cultural scene. Featuring 34 artists from 10 countries and 32 projects, including 241 prints, multimedia, and photobooks. The festival explores the theme LIFE through exhibitions, workshops, talks, and tours. Curated by Ng Swan Ti and Gatari Surya Kusuma, the work spans grief, intimacy, resistance, and renewal. Events unfold across Labyrinth Art Gallery, Labyrinth Garden, and Popper’s Triangle. Over 25 public sessions feature leading voices like Beawiharta, Edy Purnomo, and Anshika Varma. Festival Director Kelsang Dolma emphasized its collaborative spirit and ambition to elevate photography in the region. The launch also coincided with Nuanu Nights, blending art, music, and Balinese culture.

Canon Celebrates 20th Anniversary of EOS 5 Series

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Canon is marking the 20th anniversary of its EOS 5 interchangeable-lens digital camera series. Launched in 2005 with the EOS 5D, the 5 series has played a key role in making full-frame photography more accessible. In 2008, the EOS 5D Mark II brought full-HD video capability to DSLRs, sparking widespread use of video in still cameras.

Subsequent models like the EOS 5D Mark III (2012), EOS 5Ds/5Ds R (2015), and EOS 5D Mark IV (2016) focused on advancements in autofocus, resolution, and performance. In 2020, Canon introduced the EOS R5, the first mirrorless camera in the series with 8K video capability. Its successor, the EOS R5 Mark II (2024), has added AI-driven subject tracking and an advanced image processing system.

With eight models released over two decades, the EOS 5 series has been central to Canon’s imaging evolution and many photographer’s workflows. Canon says it will continue to innovate and support the creative community through ongoing development of the EOS 5 line.

HP launches Laser M300 printers with auto-duplex for businesses in India

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HP has introduced its new Laser M300 series in India, a range of monochrome laser printers aimed at small and medium businesses (SMBs), local enterprises, and printing service shops. The series includes five models—Laser MFP 323sdnw, 323dnw, 323d, 303dw, and 303d—offering fast duplex printing, mobile connectivity, and energy-efficient performance.

Designed for high-volume workloads, all models in the M300 series offer print speeds of up to 30 pages per minute (A4) and automatic two-sided printing. Aimed at reducing downtime, the printers also feature a 600 MHz processor, 256 MB memory, and fast first-page-out time of 8.5 seconds.

Key features across the lineup include:

Options for print-only or multifunction (print, scan, copy)
250-sheet input tray with a multipurpose tray for bulk tasks
High-yield HP 181A and 181X toner cartridges, supporting 1,500 to 3,000 pages
Compact design suited for space-limited environments
USB and wireless connectivity via HP Smart app
Auto-Off technology and use of 20% post-consumer recycled plastic

The printers are built with sustainability in mind and comply with India’s environmental and energy efficiency standards.

Pricing via HP E-store:

HP Laser MFP 323sdnw: ₹35,250
HP Laser MFP 323dnw: ₹31,500
HP Laser MFP 323d: ₹29,250
HP Laser 303dw: ₹22,500
HP Laser 303d: ₹20,250

The M300 series is available now through HP’s online store.

Samsung Unveils Fold 7 and Flip 7

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Samsung has announced the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7, and Galaxy Z Flip7 FE.

Galaxy Z Fold7 weighs 215g and features an 8″ main AMOLED display and a 6.5″ cover screen. It includes the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, One UI 8 based on Android 16, and a 200MP main camera. AI tools such as Generative Edit and real-time translation are integrated. The device supports multitasking and is rated IP48 for water resistance.

Galaxy Z Flip7 weighs 188g and includes a 4.1″ FlexWindow and 6.9″ main display. It runs on “the latest 3nm processor”, has a 4,300mAh battery, and includes Samsung DeX support. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide lens. Gemini Live is accessible from the cover screen, and One UI 8 allows voice interaction and app access without unfolding the device.

Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is a more affordable option with a 6.7″ main display, a 50MP FlexCam. It is available in Black and White.

All devices use Gorilla Glass, Armor Aluminum, and have IP48 water resistance. Pre-orders begin July 9. General availability starts July 25. Purchases include six months of Google AI Pro access and 2TB of cloud storage.

Creative Commons Launches ‘CC Signals’ to Help Photographers Battle AI

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Creative Commons has unveiled “CC Signals,” a new framework that lets data holders (photographers) specify how their content can be used by AI systems, especially for training purposes. Inspired by its widely used open licensing system, CC Signals aims to bring transparency and ethical standards to content reuse in the AI era.

The initiative addresses growing concerns over how publicly available content is used to train AI. By offering a clear, limited set of reuse options, CC Signals provides a middle ground between unrestricted data scraping and closed, paywalled ecosystems.

“CC Signals are designed to sustain the commons in the age of AI,” says Creative Commons CEO Anna Tumadóttir. General Counsel Sarah Hinchliff Pearson adds that collective action is key to ensuring a more open, fair AI future.

Creative Commons is inviting public feedback as it develops the framework, with an alpha launch planned for November 2025. More details and early design insights are available on the organization’s website.

POCO Introduces F7 with 7550mAh Battery and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4

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POCO has announced the launch of its latest F-series device, the POCO F7, combining a large battery, slim design, and high-performance hardware.

The F7 features a 7550mAh Silicon Carbon battery—currently the largest in its segment—within a slim 7.99mm frame. It supports 90W fast charging and 22.5W reverse charging. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, with an AnTuTu score exceeding 2.1 million. It also includes up to 24GB RAM (12GB + 12GB virtual), UFS 4.1 storage, and an IceLoop cooling system for thermal management.

The phone has a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and slim bezels. Other features include a 50MP Sony IMX882 camera with OIS, a 20MP front camera, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection, and IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings.

The POCO F7 will be available on Flipkart starting July 1st, priced at ₹29,999 (12+256GB) and ₹31,999 (12+512GB). First-day buyers can avail up to ₹4,000 in discounts and benefits, including screen damage protection and an extended 2-year warranty.

Apple Built a Custom iPhone-Based Camera to Film Inside Real F1 Cars

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For its upcoming Formula One film, Apple engineered a custom camera module using iPhone components to capture cinematic-quality footage from inside F1 cars—without affecting performance.

Traditional F1 broadcast cameras are low-res and optimized for live TV. But director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda wanted more. Apple’s solution: a camera module built to look like a standard F1 broadcast unit but powered by iPhone internals—including a 48MP sensor (likely from the iPhone 15 Pro), an A-series chip, battery, and neutral density filter.

The module matched F1 broadcast gear in size, shape, and weight to preserve the car’s aerodynamics and balance. It also withstood extreme shock, vibration, and heat during the 2023 and 2024 racing seasons—meeting and exceeding Formula One’s durability standards.

Footage was recorded in ProRes Log format for maximum post-production flexibility. A custom version of iOS ran the system, with a USB-C iPad app giving filmmakers full manual control—frame rate, white balance, shutter angle, and more.

The project directly influenced consumer features. Log encoding and ACES color support—both used in the module—later appeared in the iPhone 15 Pro.

While iPhones are rarely used solo on film sets, Apple is increasingly blending pro filmmaking needs into its hardware development. Other companies like Samsung and Sony have shot films on phones, but Apple’s F1 module marks a new level of integration—embedding iPhone tech in a rugged, race-tested system built for Hollywood-grade results.

Apple’s iOS 26 Brings Changes to Imaging Experience, Camera APP and Photos

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Apple’s new design overhaul brings an update to the Camera app in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26, making everyday photography feel more immersive and intuitive. The redesigned UI prioritizes easy reach for core controls while minimizing distractions. Buttons, sliders, and toggles now live within a refined control layer that adapts as you frame shots or switch modes. In the app, navigation and tools morph fluidly to stay out of the way until you need them, keeping the focus squarely on capturing the moment. New gestures streamline access to pro tools, and the layout now curves with the edges of modern displays for a more cohesive, hardware-conscious experience.

Possibly one of the most disliked upgrade for users was the redesigned Photos App in iOS 18, which now gets a much needed redesign. The new Photos app in iOS 26 complements the new Camera experience with a cleaner, more fluid interface. Browsing feels faster and more immersive, with dynamic transitions and updated navigation that responds to how you interact. Albums are easier to organize, search is more intelligent, and editing tools are now grouped more intuitively. Built with the new Liquid Glass design language, every element — from buttons to background panels — subtly reflects your content and surroundings, creating a photo viewing experience that’s as rich and expressive as the memories it holds.

Apple also debuted the new Liquid Glass interface – which is a translucent, responsive material that shapes the entire experience, refracting surrounding content and reflecting your environment in real time. Liquid Glass marks a leap in UI design for Apple, making interactions in the Camera & photos app across Apple’s platforms more alive, tactile, and visually rich.

This update will be available from iPhone 11 onwards (Apple Intelligence updates available only on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series phones). The Developer version of iOS 26 is now made available and the Public Beta will be available from July with the final version coming out in Fall this year.

Here’s how you enable iOS BETA on your iPhone: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0gFj34_t7KU