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TECH FEATURE

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The first mass market smartphone with a built-in camera was the J-SHO4, developed by Sharp and launched in Japan in 2000. DYK?

Smartphone cameras continue to get even smarter...

An interpreter in your pocket

(if any). You can then choose to answer it, block the caller, or send it to voicemail. You can also

Star Trek ’s universal translator and the Babel fish from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy are now a reality with many smartphones able to translate multiple languages in real time for seamless communication, thanks to machine learning and sophisticated algorithms. And advancements in technology have made this invaluable function even faster and more accurate.

filter the types of calls to be screened and/or declined, flag them as spam, and report them. Photo finish Smartphone cameras continue to get even smarter, with machine learning adding a professional sheen to your snaps and videos. Shooting in low light conditions or after dark? Many cameras now have night modes that capture more detail and eliminate unwanted noise, while HDR processing properly balances bright and dark areas. And object recognition and facial detection tech will optimise settings for the best possible image quality. In-camera editing tools let you finesse photos and videos on the fly, and have a lot of fun doing it. One of the coolest is the Google Pixel 8’s Best Take, a face-swapping tool that can turn a frown into a smile in a group photo or portrait. Take a burst of shots and then simply select the best expression and seamlessly update the photo – particularly handy when photographing children!

Searching made simple When you spot something in a photo or video, like a new pair of shoes you fancy or an actor whose name you can’t remember, it generally involves leaving the app to search for info.

This multilingual marvel will translate two way speech and text messages, interpret face to-face conversations, and provide captions for video content. Need to decipher street signs and menus? Simply point the camera at them for instant translation. There’s no more need to pack a phrasebook or take Spanish lessons when travelling abroad – the language barrier has been broken and cross-cultural communication has never been easier! Hanging on

Circle to Search is a handy guesture-based feature on the new Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S24 series that gives you fast access to the details without switching apps. Just circle, highlight, scribble or tap on the image and voila, Google will quickly identify the item or subject for you.

the telephone How many times have you called your bank or energy provider only to be told by an emotionless recording that your place in the queue is… 90? Yep, speaking to a human takes a lot longer in this online-centric world, but if you own a Google Pixel phone that supports the Hold for Me function, Google

The classic clamshell Motorola Razr V3 was the fashionable phone of 2004 and now flip and foldable models are back with a contemporary makeover, boasting a virtually creaseless design. These compact, trendsetting devices have redefined portability – and increased pocket real estate. But it’s not just the convenience of a smaller and more comfortable fit in your hand and pocket that’s made flip and foldables popular. There is the flexibility of hands-free photography and video calls from a variety of different angles (flex, prop, or use the phone like a tripod), as well as a dual display – a cover screen for quick access to notifications and apps, and a big main screen for multitasking across multiple windows and apps, gaming, and watching videos. CLAMSHELL CONVENIENCE

Assistant will endure the interminable wait (and elevator music) while you attend to more important stuff, and then notify you when somebody finally answers. Screen spammers and scammers Call Screen is another great feature in the Google Pixel’s suite of Call Assist functions. When enabled, Google Assistant will answer those calls from unknown numbers, request the caller’s ID and the purpose of the call in a text message, and then display the response

32 MARCH 2024

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