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samedi 2 avril 2022

Insta360 One RS Review: A modular action camera that can capture literally everything

When you think of action cameras — those small, cube-shaped wide-angle cameras that extreme sports enthusiasts attach on top of their helmets, shoulder, backpacks, and more — the first brand that comes to mind is probably GoPro. But in recent years, GoPro has seen major competition from Insta360, the Chinese upstart brand best known for its highly popular 360-degree cameras. Insta360’s latest product, the One RS is a camera that can transform from a standard action camera to a 360-degree camera via modularity. The concept is original, the hardware well-built, but perhaps more than anything, it’s the brilliant software features that make Insta360 cameras (not just the One RS) so much fun to use.

Insta360 One RS with 4K Boost lens attached.

About this review: Instas360 sent me a One RS Twin Edition to review in early March. Insta360 did not have input in this review.


Insta360 One RS: Pricing and Availability

Insta360 One RS is a modular camera whose pieces can be sold separately or in various combinations. The most common package will be the $549 “Twin Edition,” which includes the core, battery base, and both 4K action lens and 360 camera lenses, along with a mounting bracket. There’s also a $299 “4K Edition” that includes all of the above but omits the 360 lens (which means you’re essentially buying only an action camera); and a $549 “1-inch Edition” that includes the core, battery base and a Leica-branded action lens with a 1-inch sensor.

All of these packages are available for order now on Insta360’s website or Amazon.

    Insta360 One RS
      The Insta360 One RS is a modular camera that can turn from an action cam to a 360 camera in under 30 seconds

        Pros:

        Cons:


    Design and Hardware

    Insta360 One RS

    The Insta360 One RS consists of three parts:

    • A core that houses an undisclosed processor, a 1.5-inch screen, microphone, MicroSD card slot, and USB-C port
    • A 1,445 mAh battery base
    • The camera lens (there are three options)

    The trio of lens options includes a 4K wide-angle action lens (officially named 4K Boost lens) that can shoot an equivalent of 16mm focal length; a 360 lens (consisting of two 5.7K fisheye lens each with 180-degree FoV); and a Leica-branded wide-angle 1-inch sensor (this is essentially a superior version of the 4K Boost Lens with a larger sensor that takes in more light).

    Insta360 One RS lenses

    The 4K Boost lens (left) and 360 lens (right).

    Insta360 will sell all of the above parts separately as well as in packages that include either just one or a combination of lenses. I tested the “Twin Edition,” which includes the 4K Boost lens and 360 lens, along with a mounting bracket.

    All of these parts connect via pin slots (similar to those in 80s/90s Nintendo cartridges) and snap into place with ease. Once connected, the whole kit feels sturdy, as if it’s one piece. When properly connected, the One RS is actually rated IPX8 for water resistance up to 16 feet underwater.

    Insta360 One RS

    When connected, the Insta360 One RS weighs 121g (4.3oz) and measures 70.1 x 49.1 x 32.6mm. This is a bit bigger and heavier than a standalone action camera like the GoPro Hero 10 Black and DJI Action.

    Insta360 One RS cameras Insta360 One RS

    The core features two physical buttons for power and shutter; slots for USB-C and Micro-SD card (both covered by a water-proof flap; a microphone; and a 1.5-inch LCD screen that supports touch and swipes, to navigate through the camera’s UI. Users can directly control the camera by interacting with the touchscreen, or via the Insta360 companion app on their phone. I will talk more about the app in the software section. The screen also serves as a viewfinder, and due to its modular nature, it can be positioned on the same side as the lens (for selfies and vlogs) or on the opposite side (for capturing footage in front of the user).

    The 4K Boost lens can snap 48MP still photos or record video up to 4K/60fps under normal mode or 6K/24fps in an anamorphic-like ultra wide-screen mode. The 360 lens, meanwhile, can record 360-degree video up to 5.7K at 30fps, or a lower resolution at up to 100fps.

    The 1,445 mAh battery base allows the Insta360 One RS to shoot for around 70 minutes on a single charge.

    Insta360 One RS

    The One RS, being cube-shaped, can obviously stand up right on surfaces on its own, but most users will want to pair it with a mounting bracket, which is included with the Twin Edition. It’s a quick-release bracket, meaning a press of a button will open a flap through which the Insta360 One RS will slide in and out. The bottom of the mount has a quarter-inch thread, which is the widely used standard for selfie sticks, tripod mounts, etc.

    Insta360 One RS mounting rbacket Insta360 One RS mounting rbacket

    Using the Insta360 One RS

    With a built-in mic and a touchscreen that allows easy navigation to all shooting modes, the Insta360 One RS is almost ready to begin filming out of the box — it just needs a MicroSD card, which is a separate purchase. Once that is taken care of, the Insta360 One RS can operate independently as a standalone camera without ever needing a smartphone. You can preview the scene with the built-in screen, record with the press of a button, review the footage captured on the screen and transfer files over to a computer via the MicroSD card.

    Insta360 One RS

    However, pairing the Insta360 One RS with a smartphone via the Insta360 companion app (available on iOS and Android) make the experience far easier. You get a much larger screen to preview and review footage, for example. The app also offers advanced camera settings like tweaking exposure and white balance, and perhaps most useful of all, you can control the Insta360 One RS remotely with the phone. You don’t have to touch the camera itself to change shooting modes or begin recording. I will talk about the Insta360 app more in the software section right after this one.

    Insta360 One RS

    Insta360 One RS connected to an iPhone 13 Mini

    With the 4K Boost lens, the One RS is a fairly typical action camera, meaning it captures a sweeping field-of-view with everything in focus. There’s optical stabilization inside the lens, but Insta360’s software stabilization is excellent too, as footage comes out mostly stable and smooth even when I’m walking, riding a bicycle, or running full speed. Because of the ultra-wide 16mm focal length, I can hold the One RS with my hands, arm extended, and still get my entire head and shoulder in the frame for vlogs. Adding a selfie stick obviously helps matters and make for a wider framing that shows not just me, but my background. The internal mic does a decent job capturing my voice, and Insta360’s software will automatically apply a de-noising algorithm to remove background sounds — although this leaves my voice sounding digitalized.

    Below is a collection of 4K Boost lens footage, captured in daytime and nighttime. Notice how the stabilization is really good even as I’m running full speed. Dynamic range is excellent during the daytime footage too. At night, obviously, video quality takes a hit, with noticeable noise.

    Switch to the 360 lens and the Insta360 One RS can capture 360-degree footage up to 5.7K. Like almost all 360 cameras, the footage here is just two 180-degree super fisheye videos stitched together, and Insta360’s software does a good job of hiding the stitch line. This shouldn’t be a surprise, because 360 cameras are ultimately Insta360’s main claim to fame. Its standalone 360 camera, the One X2, is widely considered the best consumer-grade 360 camera on the market. The 360 lens in the One RS is actually identical to the One X2’s lens, so you’re getting the exact same 360-degree footage.

    While 360-degree videos can be viewed with a VR headset or on YouTube, I prefer to reframe 360-degree videos into a conventional video for uploading to Instagram. To that end, Insta360 built this creative software trick that lets me pan around an existing 360-degree footage, set framing as I see fit, and then render a regular video with those camera movements. Below is a sample: this was a 360 video I reframed to make it look like there was a cameraman panning around the band (I’m on drums, by the way). In reality, the camera was just stationary in the middle of the band room. Notice the audio, while not amazing, can be considered good, considering audio is being captured by the One RS’ built-in microphone.

    Below are more reframed 360 samples, mostly shot at night. While Hong Kong at night is still pretty well lit, it is still considered a low light situation, and the footage remains mostly noise-free.

    You’ll notice in some angles of the above video it looks like the camera is floating above me as if it’s mounted on a drone. It wasn’t. The One RS was, in fact, just connected to an extended selfie stick. Insta360’s software automatically erases the selfie stick from the scene. In the stills below, you can see my arms extended, holding something that has been digitally erased.

    A still from a reframed 360 video A still from a reframed 360 video A still from a reframed 360 video A still from a reframed 360 video

    With both lenses, the Insta360 One RS can shoot videos in time-lapse at varying speeds, as well as slow-motion (up to 8x slowed down speed). For 360 videos, the Insta360 One R’s footage is as crisp as any competing consumer-grade 360 cameras, while 4K action cam footage is good, but bested by the GoPro Hero 10 which can shoot 4K/120fps.


    Insta360 One RS: Software

    But it’s the software that really makes the difference. Insta360 has both the aforementioned mobile app for iOS and Android and desktop software for Windows and Mac. To be honest, the mobile app is often easier and more intuitive to use, but the desktop software is needed to render 6K wide-screen footage. I have been using Insta360 products for years and have used the mobile app 99.9% of the time.

    The mobile app connects to the One RS wirelessly via a few taps — however, this process is much faster on the iOS app than on the Android app (we’re talking 10 seconds vs up to a minute). Once connected, both versions of the app have the same interface.

    Insta360 One RS app showing the camera viewfinder Insta360 app connecting to the One RS on iOS

    Within the app, we can directly see the camera’s viewfinder on the mobile screen, control the camera directly in the app, as well as make edits to footage already shot. The editing suite is quite impressive for a free mobile app — you don’t just get to trim length, switch aspect ratio (16:9, 9:16, 1:1) and render the video to your phone’s storage, you can also apply beauty filters that enlarge eyes or brighten skin (ugh). Color temperature, contrast, overall brightness can be tweaked too, but there’s also a one-stop “Color Plus” button that uses AI to apply tweaks automatically. I find that it works well for the most part.

    For 4K Boost lens footage, the editing is straightforward, almost as if you’re fixing up any normal smartphone footage. With 360 footage, however, there are a lot of things we can do, including the aforementioned reframing of a 360 video into a normal video. We can frame the video using our fingers to pinch and swipe through the footage, or by tagging pivot points at which the camera moves.

    360 camera insta360

    The above gif is heavily compressed, but in the below screenshots, you can see that the 5.7K 360 footage looks reasonably sharp even when zoomed in. This means 360 footage captured by the Insta360 offers a very diverse playing field. I can zoom all the way out to a tiny planet-like shot, or pull all the way to examine details of the scenery around me.

    Screenshot of Insta360 footage Screenshot of Insta360 footage Screenshot of Insta360 footage Screenshot of Insta360 footage

    Who should buy the Insta360 One RS?

    Insta360 One RS

    The Twin Edition’s $549 price tag seems like a high price at first glance, but when you consider that you’re getting a high-quality 4K action camera and a 360 camera, the price is justifiable. A GoPro Hero 10 alone costs $500; a standalone 360 camera from GoPro costs $400.

    If you are an outdoor adventurer and want a versatile camera that can capture literally everything in the scene, the Insta360 One RS is one of the best options out there

    As mentioned, I think the Insta360’s software is superior to competing DJI and GoPro products I’ve tested, especially the reframing feature. To be honest, I often feel like I don’t take full advantage of the Insta360 360 cameras because I’m just using them to walk around streets, or the occasional bike ride. Insta360’s 360 lenses are highly popular for those who participate in extreme outdoor activities like skydiving, dirt bike riding, among others. When I see that footage (often shared by Insta30’s Instagram account), I am left in awe.

    If you are an outdoor adventurer and want a versatile camera that can capture literally everything in the scene, the Insta360 One RS is one of the best options out there. If you don’t need either the 360 lens or the action lens, there are cheaper packages that shave about $100 off the price tag.

      Insta360 One RS (Twin Edition)
      The best option for those trying an Insta360 product for the first time -- this kit includes the 4K action lens and 360 lens so you can capture wide-angle stabilized 4K footage or 360-degree videos with just a quick swap of lenses.

    The post Insta360 One RS Review: A modular action camera that can capture literally everything appeared first on xda-developers.



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    vendredi 1 avril 2022

    Google Photos tests a new Snippets feature that creates short, shareable clips from your videos

    Google Photos is reportedly testing a new feature called Snippets. The feature is currently available for only a handful of users, and Google is yet to share any information about the feature or a wider rollout. Fortunately, users who have received the Snippets feature on their devices reveal that it automatically creates short, shareable clips from longer videos.

    First spotted by Reddit user u/CraftSquid426 (via Android Police), the Snippets feature in Google Photos appears to be a new creation category that will join the existing Animations, Collages, Movies, and Cinematic photos categories. Its icon is a short strip of film, suggesting that it will take a small section of a video on your phone to create a short, shareable clip. Like the other Google Photos creations features, Snippets will likely use machine learning to create the short clips.

    Google Photos Snippets Creations option screenshot

    Credit: u/CraftSquid426

    Android Police further reveals that the Photos app will also show Snippets in the main carousel on the home page. These automatically created Snippets look to be trimmed versions of longer videos attempting to highlight the best part of the video. However, the Snippets currently seem to capture a random part of the video, suggesting that the machine learning algorithm needs more training. It’s also worth mentioning that the Snippets feature has only been spotted on videos of pets so far.

    Credit: Android Police

    At the moment, we don’t have any further information about Google Photos’ new Snippets feature as it’s not available on any of our devices. We’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we have more details.

    It’s worth noting that the new Snippets feature comes just a week after Google announced three big changes coming to the Photos app — a Library tab UI overhaul, a Sharing tab design refresh, and new screenshot features.

    What do you think of Google Photos’ new Snippets feature? Do you think it’s a useful addition or just a gimmick that you probably won’t use? Let us know in the comments section below.

    Google Photos (Free, Google Play) →


    Source: Reddit
    Via: Android Police

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    Google starts testing Privacy Sandbox in Chrome and announces new user controls

    Google’s attempts to replace browser cookies with a new solution have been met with a lot of criticism from privacy advocates and competitors. Google’s first attempt at phasing out cookies came in FLoC, short for Federated Learning of Cohorts, which Google deemed more private and better than cross-site tracking cookies. However, the company abandoned the feature following the backlash, proposing a replacement in the form of Topics API, which categorizes your interests into different topics that advertisers can target. Now Google has started testing the Topics API along with other features such as FLEDGE and Attribution Reporting.

    In a blog post on Thursday, Google announced the next stage of testing for Privacy Sandbox features. As part of the trial, developers can now test out Topics, FLEDGE, and Attribution Reporting APIs in Chrome Canary. Google says it will soon expand these features to a limited number of Chrome Beta users, and assuming things go smoothly, the API testing will eventually be made available on the Chrome stable channel.

    “Starting today, developers can begin testing globally the Topics, FLEDGE, and Attribution Reporting APIs in the Canary version of Chrome. We’ll progress to a limited number of Chrome Beta users as soon as possible. Once things are working smoothly in Beta, we’ll make API testing available in the stable version of Chrome to expand testing to more Chrome users,” said Vinay Goel, Product Director, Privacy Sandbox, Chrome.

    Google says it’ll take into account feedback from developers and companies to further improve the APIs and make them broadly available in Chrome once it’s confident that they’re working as intended.

    “Once we’re confident that the APIs are working as designed, we’ll make them broadly available in Chrome, allowing more developers to integrate, evaluate and provide feedback as we continue to optimize them for their use cases.”

    Google Chrome Privacy Sandbox setting

    Google will also soon start testing updated Privacy Sandbox settings and controls in Chrome, allowing users to see and manage interests collected by the browser based on their history. In addition, users can also opt out of the trials altogether.


    Source: Google Chromium

    The post Google starts testing Privacy Sandbox in Chrome and announces new user controls appeared first on xda-developers.



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    jeudi 31 mars 2022

    Apple is working on its own payment processing technology and a “Pay Later” feature

    Apple has slowly been trying to dominate more and more fields, as its range of products and services further expands. For example, the company has been replacing Intel processors with its own M1 chips on the Mac lineup — a step closer towards independence. A new report now states that Apple is working on its own payment processing infrastructure. That’s to potentially rely less on relevant partners down the road. The report also mentions that the Cupertino tech giant could be developing a “Buy Now, Pay Later” feature for Apple Pay users. It will reportedly allow eligible users to borrow money from the company and pay them back through installments.

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has shared some of Apple’s internal plans in the financial department. The company is seemingly aiming to bring several payment-related tasks in-house — allowing it to rely less on current partners. These tasks could include payment processing, risk assessment for lending, fraud analysis, credit checks and additional customer-service functions such as the handling of disputes.

    If these plans come to fruition, eligible users might be able to borrow money from Apple and pay them back through one of the two installment plans. The first — Apple Pay in 4 — will reportedly aim at short-term, interest-free, four-installment plans. The second — Apple Pay Monthly Installments — could be for long-term installment plans with added interest.

    Apple’s payment-related plans will likely focus on additional financial services — such as the rumored hardware subscription model — rather than existing ones. For the time being, it’s unlikely for the company to completely drop its partnerships. Instead, it could be aiming at bringing more of its payment services to a wider range of regions. We only hope that this project helps bring Apple Card and Apple Pay to even more countries.

    Would you use a Buy Now, Pay Later feature offered by Apple? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments section below.


    Source: Bloomberg

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    Listen, Unwind, or Explore with OPPO’s O Relax

    Finding the right ambient sound app is a tedious process, as most of these types of apps are littered with low-quality sounds, ads, and bad UIs. Those of us that rely on nature sound loops, white noise, or ASMR tend to find ourselves with a collection of different apps to serve these purposes. OPPO users get access to an exclusive app called O Relax, which is the last ambient sound app that you’ll ever need. Packed with high-quality audio and customizable experiences, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a calming experience that can help you relax.

    It’s important to take a few minutes each day to destress and block out the chaos of life. Your phone can now be your private meditation space with O Relax, which is included for free in ColorOS 12.1. The OPPO Find X5 Pro, along with most other OPPO devices gives you access to this amazing sanctuary app.

    OPPO Find X5 Pro


    Listen

    The listen mode gives you access to a massive selection of different audio files, which you can add to your scene and fine-tune the volume levels. Start from presets that include ambient sounds, music, colored noise, or special collaboration projects with different themes.

    O Relax Summer Seashore

    The ambient sounds are a great way to create your own audio environment to help you fall asleep, relax, or meditate. If you want to drown out noise pollution from LEDs, appliances, or any sort of electronic device, try the different colored noises. The pink noise is perfect for canceling out the hum of LED noise, which is often annoying to people with sensitive ears.

    When you create your own ambient paradise, you can use sounds from nature, life, cities, ASMR, and more. As you discover new sounds, they are downloaded and stored locally for playback without an internet connection. You can use this feature to queue up some custom sounds before getting on a plane, and then drown out the noise of the flight with some nice headphones.


    Unwind

    The unwind section is a few games that are designed to relieve stress. A simple bubble popper uses audio and visuals to create a satisfying experience. As you pop the bubbles, the powerful haptic feedback from the OPPO Find X5 Pro delivers instant gratification.

    O Relax Unwind Game

    The deep breathing exercise is a great way to achieve full relaxation. This game uses haptic feedback and audio cues, so you can follow along without even looking at your phone. Try laying on your back and setting the phone on your chest, as you feel the vibrations match up with your breathing. Explore the other fun little games to find calming and satisfying ways to fully unwind.


    Explore

    Immerse yourself in an audible world inspired by specific locations in different cities. Travel through places like Beijing, Shenzhen, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Reykjavik. Each city has a distinctly different sound, which can be adjusted between quiet and lively. A map will show you exactly where you are experiencing these sounds from, with a description of the area.

    O Relax Explore

    When you’re tired of cities on Earth, explore an alien planet in a 360 video. Tap on parts of the environment to see custom visuals and information about the alien world. The haptic feedback is synced with the video, which results in a very interesting connection to the environment.


    The OPPO Find X5 Pro has an amazing built-in speaker that can fill your room with your calming sounds all night long. Because of the high-quality audio files used to make the O Relax sounds, everything sounds even better when paired with some nice speakers. Feel the bass of a thunderstorm, or immerse yourself in the city street ambiance as audio plays through whatever speaker setup you prefer. The addition of Dolby Atmos panoramic audio makes this experience better than ever,

    Get access to O Relax on OPPO phones like the new Find X5 Pro. Learn more about this phone on our XDA forums below.

    OPPO Find X5 Pro Forums
    We thank OPPO for sponsoring this post. Our sponsors help us pay for the many costs associated with running XDA, including server costs, full time developers, news writers, and much more. While you might see sponsored content (which will always be labeled as such) alongside Portal content, the Portal team is in no way responsible for these posts. Sponsored content, advertising and XDA Depot are managed by a separate team entirely. XDA will never compromise its journalistic integrity by accepting money to write favorably about a company, or alter our opinions or views in any way. Our opinion cannot be bought.

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    Apple won’t release an under-display Touch ID iPhone anytime soon, even though your sibling can unlock your Face ID iPhone

    Apple’s iPhones are great smartphones, and they have been so for a fair few years now. No matter which side of the Android vs iOS debate you stand on, it’s hard not to recognize the iPhone as a piece of tech that everyone in the industry tries to compete against. Anything that Apple does with the iPhone, the smartphone industry mocks for the first year and then shamelessly copies the next year. On the flip side, Apple is very slow to jump on new tech, and Android OEMs usually have features years before the Cupertino-based giant decides to adopt them. One such situation is under-display fingerprint sensors, a tech that Android OEMs have adopted since 2018. If you were waiting for Apple to adopt an in-display fingerprint sensor, you’ll have to wait a few more years, even though Touch ID has plenty of its own issues.

    Under-Display Touch ID delayed on iPhone

    According to noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, iPhones releasing in 2023 and 2024 will not be adopting under-display Touch ID. Kuo had previously predicted that 2023 could be the year when Apple makes the jump to under-display tech on the iPhone. But this prediction is now being revised, indicating we will have to pass over 3 more generations of iPhones before we have a chance of seeing Touch ID back on them in the form of an under-display solution.

    Note that the prediction doesn’t explicitly mention that the iPhone in 2026 will adopt an under-display Touch ID. For one, that is too far out in the future to accurately predict at this stage. And Apple has presented nothing either to indicate that they are interested in bringing back Touch ID at all. This is where the problem arises.

    PSA: Face ID on iPhones can evolve to be unlocked by your sibling

    When Apple made the jump from Touch ID to Face ID with the iPhone X, a lot was claimed about its superiority. Compared to face unlock as it was present on Android smartphones, Face ID was and remains so much more secure — Android phones simply matched an optical likeness, while Apple does a far more precise 3D scan. The 3D facial scan is very accurate, and Apple claims there is only a 1 in 1,000,000 chance of another random person being able to unlock your iPhone with their face. Compared to the 1 in 50,000 error rate for Touch ID, Face ID does appear to be a far more secure solution.

    These claims do come with fine print though, and ones that I feel are not publicized enough. While yes, you can’t trick Face ID by holding up a simple photo, you can beat it with a face that looks very similar to yours. As Apple itself notes in its documentation (emphasis added):

    The probability that a random person in the population could look at your iPhone or iPad Pro and unlock it using Face ID is less than 1 in 1,000,000 with a single enrolled appearance whether or not you’re wearing a mask. As an additional protection, Face ID allows only five unsuccessful match attempts before a passcode is required. The statistical probability is higher — and further increased if using Face ID with a mask — for twins and siblings that look like you, and among children under the age of 13, because their distinct facial features may not have fully developed. If you’re concerned about this, we recommend using a passcode to authenticate. You can also use Face ID without enabling Face ID with a mask.

    Apple does not quantify this statistical probability. And there’s no way to know if they also account for the fact that these strangers (twins and siblings) are far more likely to be in physical proximity to your iPhone than a random person with a similar fingerprint.

    So when I found out that my brother can open my iPhone 13 Pro with just a casual look, I was really (and rightfully) shocked.

    My brother is 6 years younger than me, but we do look fairly similar — as siblings often do. We aren’t twins though, and the age difference between us, as well as our personal preferences on hair and facial hair ensures that we definitely don’t look like photocopies of each other at any point. I was under the impression that this would be enough to keep my iPhone locked to me. However, all that my brother needs to do to unlock my iPhone is just look at it. Since we live in the same house (meaning he has plenty of opportunities to physically access my iPhone), the net effect is that my iPhone can be very easily and frequently unlocked by someone who is not me — and that is just insane.

    Before you jump angrily to the comments, let me clarify some things. One, my iPhone has only one appearance enrolled in it, and that is mine. There are no alternative appearances enrolled, neither of myself, nor of my brother. I did set up Face ID unlock with Mask, but my brother can unlock my phone with this option disabled too. I do have Apple Watch unlock set up as well, but my brother can again unlock my phone with this option disabled too. No, he does not have my passcode, and he doesn’t even really need it. [I would have presented video proof of this whole charade, but my sibling is not comfortable being recorded for use on the Internet, and so you have to take my word on this sibling-unlocking happening.]

    Face ID on iPhone

    The only explanation I have been able to find is that this is rather intentional in a way. As mentioned in Apple’s documentation, it is possible to train Face ID to work on faces that bear a close resemblance.

    Face ID automatically adapts to changes in your appearance, such as wearing cosmetic makeup or growing facial hair. If there is a more significant change in your appearance, like shaving a full beard, Face ID confirms your identity by using your passcode before it updates your face data.

    And further:

    This data will be refined and updated as you use Face ID to improve your experience, including when you successfully authenticate. Face ID will also update this data when it detects a close match but a passcode is subsequently entered to unlock the device.

    Essentially, if my sibling or any other close resemblance attempts a Face ID unlock unsuccessfully and then I enter the password to open the phone, Face ID will take this as a learning opportunity to update my appearance in its database, merging my stored appearance with this newer appearance. Every unsuccessful Face ID + successful password unlock will train the AI behind Face Unlock to perform better in the future. The caveat then is that this makes it entirely possible that eventually, your iPhone can be opened by your sibling, especially if they have frequent access to your phone, even if such unlock or training is not intentional. So don’t be surprised if one day your sibling can suddenly open your iPhone with their face.

    Touch ID > Face ID

    Within the context of what I have laid down, I’ve been forced to disable Face ID on my iPhone. I trust my brother to not indulge in my personal data, but I am still extremely uncomfortable with the very idea that he has unlimited access to every single piece of information on my iPhone, including my banking and investment apps.

    In a world with Touch ID iPhones, I would have had to worry about a small probability of bumping into a person who has a fingerprint similar enough to mine, who has access to my iPhone and wants to get inside of it. In a world with AI-based Face ID iPhones, there’s an even smaller probability that I come across a stranger who bears my facial resemblance. But what do I do about the sibling who can already unlock my Face ID iPhone?

    In my current reality, I wish I could go back to a Touch ID iPhone. There’s no way to disable Face ID from learning and evolving appearances. So even if I do reset my stored appearance, it is only a matter of days and weeks before it matches the two faces again. Apple’s eloquent solution here is to ask users to just disable Face ID completely, and that is what I have done for now. Since I was already used to not being able to easily unlock my iPhone over the past two years because I had a mask on (Apple took its sweet time to roll out Face mask-based unlocking), the inconvenience is rather familiar. A part of me still hoped that a future iPhone flagship could bring back Touch ID. But looks like I will have to wait for a while now.

    Until then, I’ll be using my banking apps on my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and my other Android devices.

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    These are the Best iPhone SE 3 Cases to buy in 2022

    Apple recently gave its budget-friendly iPhone, the iPhone SE, a minor refresh. The latest model in the SE lineup features the same dated design as its predecessor, but it packs a couple of significant improvements on the inside. The iPhone SE 3 packs Apple’s flagship A15 Bionic chip, which is a huge step up from the A13 on the older model. In addition, it comes with a couple of connectivity improvements, including 5G and Wi-Fi 6 support.

    For a starting price of $429, the new iPhone SE 3 is a decent pick for those who want a compact iPhone that offers great performance at an affordable price. So, if you’ve been planning to get one for yourself, make sure you order a case and screen protector as well. That’s because the iPhone SE 3 features glass on both the front and back, which is susceptible to scratches and dings in day-to-day use. A durable case and screen protector will go a long way in keeping your iPhone looking new for a long time. If you’re not sure which one to order, here are our top picks for the best iPhone SE 3 cases you can get right now.

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    Official Cases

    Since the iPhone SE 3 is identical to its predecessor on the outside, it perfectly fits in all the cases designed for the older model. Apple offers two official cases for the iPhone SE 3, with both featuring a minimal look and precise cutouts for all the buttons and ports.

      iPhone SE Leather Case

      Premium leather finish

      The iPhone SE Leather Case has a minimal design and offers a premium leather finish, precise cutouts, and an embossed Apple logo on the back. It’s available in three colors – Product Red, Black, and Midnight Blue.
      iPhone SE Silicone Case

      Durable silicone case

      The iPhone SE Silicone case features the same design as the leather case with precise cutouts, a smooth finish, and a printed Apple logo on the back. It’s available in four colors – Product Red, Chalk Pink, Abyss Blue, and Midnight.

    Although Apple doesn’t offer any other first-party cases for the iPhone SE 3, there are plenty of third-party options available on Amazon. Check out the sections below for some great third-party alternatives.

    Clear Cases

    Clear cases are great picks for those who want to show off the original color of their smartphone without compromising on protection. Since the iPhone SE 3 is available in a couple of cool colors, you can consider getting one of these clear cases for it.

      Spigen Ultra Hybrid

      Anti-yellowing back

      The Spigen Ultra Hybrid clear case for the iPhone SE 3 features an anti-yellowing polycarbonate back.
      ESR Air Armor

      Military-grade drop protection

      The ESR Air Armor clear case for the iPhone SE 3 features a unique design with air pockets in the corners for military-grade drop protection.
      Spigen Liquid Crystal

      Slim clear case

      Looking for a slim case that's also clear? The Spigen Liquid Crystal case offers the best of both worlds.
      ESR Clear Silicone

      Cheap clear case

      Save a few bucks and get this basic clear silicone case from ESR for your new iPhone SE 3.

    Thin Cases

    The following options are for those who don’t like to use a case on their smartphone because of the added bulk. These thin cases provide basic scratch protection without making the phone uncomfortable to hold.

      TORRAS Slim Fit

      Super slim

      This slim fit case for the iPhone SE 3 features a raised bezel around the camera and display to protect them from scratches.
      Spigen Liquid Air Armor

      Comfortable grip

      Spigen's Liquid Air Armor case for the iPhone SE 3 has a slim profile and a textured back for a comfortable grip.
      Torras Shockproof slim fit

      Extra drop protection

      This variant of Torras' slim fit case has a silicone bumper for extra drop protection.

    Rugged Cases

    Do you tend to drop your phone more often than you’d like? You should probably invest in a rugged case for your iPhone SE 3. The following options provide enough drop protection to keep your phone looking as good as new even after several drops.

      Temdan rugged case

      Minimal design

      If you're not fond of rugged cases that have a rugged design, this case from Temdan could be a great pick for you.
      Driverbox rugged case

      Minimal alternative

      This iPhone SE 3 rugged case from Driverbox also features a minimal design with a plain back and plenty of protection.
      Sportlink waterproof rugged case

      Waterproof

      This rugged iPhone SE 3 case from Sportlink is IP68 certified, meaning that it will protect your phone from water damage.
      Otterbox Commuter

      Premium rugged case

      The Otterbox Commuter series case for the iPhone SE 3 is the most premium rugged case you can buy for your new phone.
      Supcase Unicorn Beetle

      Built-in screen protector

      The Supcase Unicorn Beetle case for the iPhone SE 3 is a great rugged case that comes with a built-in screen protector.

      Promoted

      Spigen Tough Armor

      MIL-STD 810G protection

      The Spigen Tough Armor case for the iPhone SE 3 offers MIL-STD 810G protection and a built-in kickstand.

    Kickstand Cases

    Do you often use your iPhone to watch movies or TV shows? You should get one of these kickstand cases for your iPhone SE 3 for a more comfortable viewing experience.

      Poetic Revolution

      Dual-layer design

      This rugged iPhone SE 3 case from Poetic has a dual-layer design for maximum protection, along with a built-in kickstand and screen protector.
      VEGO Kickstand Case

      Magnetic kickstand

      This rugged case for the iPhone SE 3 features a dual purpose kickstand that you can use to prop up your phone or mount it magnetically in your car.
      Silicone kickstand case

      Minimal design

      This silicone kickstand case for the iPhone SE 3 features a minimal design and it's available in nine cool colors.
      ESR kickstand case

      Clear kickstand case

      The ESR kickstand case for the iPhone SE 3 features a clear back plate that doesn't cover up your phone's gorgeous color.

    Wallet Cases

    For those who want a case that doubles up as a wallet to hold a few cards and spare cash, check out the following wallet cases for the iPhone SE 3.

      Vakoo wallet case

      RFID blocking

      This folio-style wallet case has room for two cards and some spare cash, along with an RFID blocking layer.
      Belemay wallet case

      Genuine leather

      This premium wallet case for the iPhone SE 3 is made of genuine leather and has enough room to hold three cards and some cash.
      Shieldon Wallet case

      Dual purpose

      The Shieldon wallet case features a dual purpose design that lets you use the folio cover as a kickstand.
      Smartish wallet case

      Unique design

      This cool-looking wallet case from Smartish features a unique design with a built-in pocket for three cards on the back.

    Stylish Cases

    This category is for those who want to add a dash of style or color to their smartphones with a stylish case. Check out the following options to jazz up your new iPhone SE 3.

      Caseology Parralax

      Stylish and rugged

      This cool-looking iPhone SE 3 case from Caseology features a geometric print at the back that gives it a unique appeal.
      i-Blason Cosmo

      Unique look

      Give your new iPhone SE 3 a unique look with this dual-layer protective case from iBlason.

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      DTTO Silicone case

      Minimal

      Match your phone with your outfit with the DTTO Silicone case which is available in 24 color options.
      Tendlin Leather case

      Leather finish

      Tendlin's hybrid leather and TPU case offers an ample amount of protection and a premium finish.

    Leather cases

    Do you want your iPhone SE 3 to look more stylish and luxurious, while protecting it against potential accidents? Leather cases are the answer. They shield the affordable phone in addition to providing it with a more premium look.

      TORRO Genuine Leather Case with Card Slots

      360º Protection

      This 360º leather case offers a kickstand mode and card pockets. It's a mix that provides protection, extra functionality, and style. It's perfect for those who watch a lot of videos on their iPhones.
      SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Royal Series

      Rugged

      This rugged case has a built-in screen protector and a leather back. It's ideal for rough environments.

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      Bocasal Genuine Leather Wallet Case

      Kickstand

      Available in four colors to pick from, this case includes a strap, has pockets for cash and cards, and offers a kickstand mode. It's the ultimate 360º leather case.

    That rounds up our list of the best iPhone SE 3 cases that you can get right now. Pick the one that’s best suited for your requirements, whether it’s all-around protection, storage, or a unique look. If you still haven’t ordered the device yet, you can click on the link below to order the iPhone SE 3 right now!

      iPhone SE 3 (2022)
      Although Apple claims that the new iPhone SE 3 features the most durable glass on a smartphone, you should probably get a case for it anyway.

    Which one of these iPhone SE 3 cases fulfills your requirements? Let us know in the comments section below.

    The post These are the Best iPhone SE 3 Cases to buy in 2022 appeared first on xda-developers.



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