Evaluation of iPhone 17 Pro Cameras by Lux, Developer of Halide

### Lux’s Review of the iPhone 17 Pro Camera

Apple’s newest iPhone series has captured the interest of numerous photographers, including Austin Mann and Tyler Stalman, who have offered their perspectives on the camera functions of the iPhone 17 Pro. Lux, the developers of the professional camera application Halide, have also contributed their evaluation of the iPhone 17 Pro cameras.

For photography lovers wanting more control than what the standard Camera app provides, Halide has stood out as a premier option on the App Store. Lux’s assessment takes the iPhone 17 Pro on a photographic voyage through New York, London, and Iceland, highlighting its capability to capture breathtaking images across varied settings.

#### Main Highlights of the Review

1. **Telephoto Zoom Features**: The review focuses on the innovative 4x and 8x telephoto zoom options, lauding Apple’s technical accomplishments that render these features effective. The stabilization system employed in the 8x zoom is especially praised for its efficiency, enabling stable images even at extended focal lengths.

2. **Enhancements to 2x Zoom**: Major advancements have been realized in the optical performance of the 2x zoom. The review points out that the results are more defined and seem less processed, a significant triumph considering Apple attributes this to refined processing.

3. **Center Stage Front Camera**: Lux shares details regarding the new Center Stage functionality of the front camera, which enriches video conferencing by ensuring subjects remain centered within the frame.

#### Technical Innovations

The review applauds Apple’s progress in camera technology, notably concerning the 8x zoom. The fusion of hardware and software stabilization methods, including features like Action Mode, facilitates an intuitive experience for users shooting with a long lens.

#### Enhancements in Image Processing

Lux also comments on the modifications in Apple’s image processing for the iPhone 17 Pro. The advancements in the 2x mode are especially significant, as they yield images that are not just sharper but also present a more organic appearance, minimizing the signs of excessive processing.

For those eager to dive deeper into the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera abilities, the complete review is accessible on Lux’s website. Moreover, for users in search of a professional-caliber camera application, Halide continues to be a highly endorsed selection.

What do you think about the camera performance of the iPhone 17 Pro? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Call Recording Application Ceases Operations After User Data Exposure, Encompassing Recordings and Transcripts

### Neon App: A Warning Story of Security Breaches in the Era of Data Monetization

This morning, the Neon app, which attracted considerable interest for its innovative business strategy of compensating users for recording and sharing their phone calls, has gone offline due to a significant security breach. This article explores the circumstances behind the app’s ascent and its sudden decline, emphasizing the consequences of data privacy in the digital landscape.

#### The Ascent of Neon

Neon Mobile swiftly turned into a phenomenon on the App Store, offering users the chance to earn “hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually” by sharing their audio exchanges. The app achieved 7th place overall in the free charts and 2nd in the Social Networking category, drawing a user demographic eager to monetize their discussions for the advantage of AI firms needing data for machine learning.

#### The Security Vulnerability

Nonetheless, the enthusiasm surrounding Neon was fleeting. A report from TechCrunch disclosed a critical security vulnerability that granted unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The breach allowed any individual to obtain not only the phone numbers of users but also their call recordings and transcripts. This troubling revelation sparked serious worries about the app’s data safeguarding practices.

TechCrunch’s probe into Neon revealed that journalists could intercept data about their own calls and manipulate the app’s servers to fetch call records and metadata from other users. This metadata comprised crucial information such as the user’s phone number, the contact number of the individual they were calling, the time and length of the call, and the earnings associated with each conversation.

#### Ethical Issues

The investigation also exposed concerning actions among certain users attempting to exploit the app’s compensation system. Reports suggested that some individuals were recording real-life dialogues without the consent of those present, raising ethical dilemmas about privacy and consent in the realm of monetizing personal information.

#### Reaction from Neon

In response to the security breach, Neon’s founder, Alex Kiam, acted quickly by taking the app offline and informing users of the temporary suspension. However, the announcement lacked transparency regarding the specifics of the data breach. Kiam stressed the company’s dedication to data privacy, asserting, “Your data privacy is our top priority,” while not directly addressing the breach.

#### Future Consequences

Currently, it remains unclear whether Neon will make a comeback to the App Store. TechCrunch has contacted both Apple and Google for their comments on the matter but has yet to receive a reply. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks linked to apps that manage sensitive user data, particularly those that monetize personal details.

#### Conclusion

The Neon app’s swift rise and subsequent decline underscore the vital necessity of strong security protocols within the tech sector, especially as companies increasingly aim to profit from user data. As users, it is crucial to stay alert about the applications we utilize and the data we disclose, ensuring that our privacy remains intact in the quest for profit.

Apple TV+ Unveils Touching Trailer for Ben Stiller’s Film about His Parents

### ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost’ Debuts Next Month

A few months back, Apple revealed its new partnership with Severance director Ben Stiller: “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost,” a documentary centered on his parents, iconic comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Now, the initial trailer has been unveiled, offering a surprisingly emotional look into their lives.

With a limited theatrical release set for October 17, “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost” will launch globally on Apple TV+ the following week, on October 24. The documentary will include a wealth of archival footage, interviews, and writings from the comedy pair, as Ben Stiller and his sister, Amy Stiller, delve into and comprehend their parents’ relationship both onstage and off.

For fans of Severance, the trailer features a recognizable face: Christopher Walken, who plays Burt Goodman in the series, shares his memories of the comedy duo.

Ben Stiller conveyed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “I feel very fortunate to be collaborating once again with the amazing team at Apple TV+, this time on a project that is deeply personal to me and my family. It’s thrilling to finally share it with audiences; and a profound honor to celebrate my parents, both as I experienced them growing up, and as I’ve come to understand them in new ways through the making of this film.”

Watch “Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost” on Apple TV+. Apple TV+ is priced at $12.99 per month and showcases popular TV shows and films like Severance, The Studio, The Morning Show, Shrinking, and Silo.

visionOS 26 Brings Two Long-Awaited iPhone Features

**Is Spatial Computing through Glasses or a Headset Set to Supplant the iPhone? Not Likely.**

The emergence of spatial computing has ignited conversations about the future of handheld devices, especially regarding whether innovations such as augmented reality (AR) glasses or headsets will ultimately replace smartphones, particularly the iPhone. Nonetheless, recent trends indicate that this shift is not on the horizon. Apple’s most recent version, visionOS 26, adds features that bolster the connectivity between the iPhone and the Vision Pro headset, signifying that the iPhone continues to be an essential element of Apple’s ecosystem.

### Integration of iPhone and Vision Pro with visionOS 26

Released earlier this month, visionOS 26 introduces considerable upgrades for Vision Pro users, especially in terms of how they engage with their iPhones while utilizing the headset. Among the premier features of this update are spatial widgets and enhanced Personas, which enrich the immersive experience. However, two significant improvements specifically focus on the iPhone integration:

1. **Unlocking Your iPhone Without Entering a Passcode**: One of the most irritating features of using the Vision Pro was the necessity of entering a passcode to unlock the iPhone while engaged in an experience. With visionOS 26, users can now unlock their iPhones merely by swiping up, as the system identifies the user without needing further validation.

2. **Accessing Your iPhone During Immersive Experiences**: Users can now view their iPhone even while involved in immersive environments. This feature facilitates smooth interaction with the iPhone, ensuring that important alerts and functionalities are reachable without interrupting the immersive experience.

These upgrades showcase Apple’s awareness of user habits and the significance of staying connected with the iPhone, even in a spatial computing scenario. The capability to unlock the iPhone with ease and access it during immersive experiences underscores a dedication to user convenience.

### The Prospects for the iPhone in a Spatial Computing Era

In spite of the progress in spatial computing, it is evident that the iPhone is not disappearing anytime soon. Apple’s incorporation of iPhone capabilities within visionOS 26 underscores that the smartphone remains a fundamental part of its product ecosystem. The enhancements in visionOS 26 not only elevate the user experience but also reaffirm the iPhone’s relevance in a swiftly changing technological environment.

As spatial computing continues to evolve, it will likely serve as a complement rather than a substitute for traditional smartphones. The iPhone’s adaptability and established user demographic guarantee its ongoing significance, even as new technologies are introduced.

In summary, while spatial computing presents thrilling opportunities, the iPhone’s integration with platforms like visionOS 26 emphasizes its lasting importance. Users can anticipate a future where both devices coexist, enriching the overall digital experience.

EU Commission Responds to Apple’s Appeal to Repeal the Digital Markets Act (DMA)

**Apple’s Position on the Digital Markets Act: An In-Depth Analysis**

Last night, Apple delivered its most vigorous opposition yet to Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which may require it to loosen its ecosystem. Today, the European Commission responded. Here are the specifics.

### A Little Context

Over the last few years, Europe has been formulating the DMA, a collection of regulations intended to obligate “gatekeepers” to open their platforms and ecosystems to foster a more equitable environment for competition.

With respect to Apple, the DMA has already stipulated that the company allow the distribution of iOS and iPadOS applications via alternative marketplaces, including the web, authorize alternative browser engines, empower users to select their default browser, enhance access to NFC functionalities, and more.

Apple has resisted these modifications, participating in several rounds of discussions while facing a potential €500 million fine. At present, the EU is collecting input from app developers and other parties to evaluate Apple’s adherence to the current regulations.

Additional modifications are anticipated, including a stipulation for Apple to provide third-party hardware with the same degree of integration as its proprietary devices like the Apple Watch and AirPods. Apple has contended that this requirement could be technically impractical or could jeopardize user privacy.

In its defense, Apple pointed out the challenges involved in preserving features such as Live Translation with AirPods, which depends on Apple Intelligence to safeguard user privacy by processing conversations on-device. The company voiced concerns that opening this functionality to other devices could compromise user data to third parties.

Apple also asserted that recent software delays for EU users are a direct result of the DMA, contending that the legislation is counterproductive, leading to fewer options, diminished differentiation, and unfair competition.

### The EU Responds

In reaction to Apple’s strong opposition, the European Commission conveyed its lack of astonishment. Spokesperson Thomas Regnier noted that Apple has disputed every facet of the DMA since its initiation, which undermines the company’s portrayal of desiring full cooperation with the Commission.

Regnier commented on Apple’s hesitance to partake in substantive discussions regarding DMA adherence, observing that after two months of communication, Apple requested to eliminate the entire framework. He stressed that while companies may strive to safeguard their profits, the DMA’s objective is to nurture competition, not to defend corporate interests.

In a separate comment to French news outlet France24, Regnier confirmed that the Commission has “absolutely no intention” of rescinding the law.

Apple’s latest remarks represent its most vigorous resistance to the DMA thus far, signaling that the company views few options to evade compliance with the new regulations.

### Conclusion

The ongoing dispute between Apple and the European Commission concerning the Digital Markets Act underscores the broader tensions between regulatory entities and prominent tech firms. As the situation progresses, it will be important to observe how these developments influence the tech landscape in Europe and beyond. What are your views on the DMA?