|
 Apple is planning to start showing ads in the Apple Maps app this summer, and signs of ads have already shown up in the iOS 26.5 beta as Apple prepares to roll them out.
|
|
Those who don't verify their age will lose access to voice chat, messaging and other social features.
|
|
Sony is adopting new age verification policies for PlayStation users in the UK and Ireland. The company isn't making this a blanket requirement, but steps to confirm age will be needed to access "communication, broadcasting, and certain in-game features" beginning in June 2026. That includes essentials for online and social gamers, such as joining a party, voice chatting, text messaging or using third-party chat programs such as Discord. Some in-game communication tools, like chats or sharing user-generated content, will also only be available after an age check is completed. Although the new requirements will not be enforced until summer, users are already being prompted to get the verification process squared away.
Several states and countries began adopting this type of legislation in 2025, pushing restrictions as a way to protect children and teens from inappropriate content. It seems the trend will be continuing into this year, despite the concerns about privacy risks and new questions about whether these restrictive laws are even effective at their stated goals, but companies have still been moving to comply. Discord was one of the more notable gaming-centr
|
|
Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve is a highly capable free color grading tool with a history dating way back to the ‘80s, but it has never been thought of as a rival to Adobe's Lightroom due to its video origins. Now, Blackmagic Design has released a new version in beta that may change people's minds about that. The new Photo page lets you import RAW images then adjust them using Resolve's powerful color grading tools. You even get access to advanced VFX and AI features not found in Lightroom.
When I saw the new feature, I immediately wondered if I could cancel my $20 per month Adobe Photography subscription (with Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC). Apparently, I'm not alone. After trying it out, I believe that I could do so because photos are secondary to video for me. However, photographers who've used Lightroom for a long time would likely find it too painful to switch — at least, for now.
The Photo page and Albums
I tested the new Photo page functions and many of Resolve's new filter effects, but beware that the first beta is still buggy. I used it inside the $295 DaVinci Resolve Studio app (which includes free updates for life), because it has a few extra features not found in the free version.
With that said, DaVinci Resolve 21 now supports RAW photos from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony, with other brands to follow. Blackmagic has pledged to support RAW files for new cameras shortly after they're released like Adobe does with Lightroom. It also supports TIFFs, JPEGs, HEIFs and other photo file formats.
|
|
