Ruby Rose leaves The CW's 'Batwoman' ahead of season 2 production

Ruby Rose plays Bruce Wayne's cousin Kate Kane on Batwoman (Photo courtesy of The CW, Warner Bros. TV, Berlanti Productions)

The CW deals with a tough challenge as its lead star Ruby Rose leaves Batwoman ahead of the production of its second season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, production company Warner Bros. is looking to recast the role before the show's scheduled return in early 2021. The announcement of Rose's departure came two days after the show's season finale. Batwoman was geared to be The CW's anchor for its Sunday night programming. 

The comic-based show made TV history as the first scripted live-action series to have a lesbian superhero lead. It was essential to the producer Greg Berlanti, showrunner Caroline Dries, and the production team that the part went to a member of the LGBTQ community. Rose, Warner Bros. TV, and Berlanti Productions didn't disclose her reason for leaving the show, but all parties had kind words to say about each other in released statements.

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Apple releases iOS 13.5 for iPhones, iPadOS 13.5, and corresponding tvOS updates

Today's the day for Apple device updates as iOS 13.5 has arrived for iPhones, iPadOS, and tvOS. The notable features include faster access to the passcode field with Face ID when people are wearing face masks. There is also an Exposure Notification API in support of COVID-19 contact tracing apps from public health authorities and apps. Installing the iPadOS update took us around 10 minutes on a 2020 iPad Pro 11. Our iPhone 8 update, however, took much longer, taking around an hour to download and install. The updates can be initiated via Software Update.

Samsung's new 50-megapixel camera sensor packs in faster autofocus

Samsung has a new 50-megapixel camera sensor, and its primary focus is, well, its autofocus—and high resolution, of course. The Samsung ISOCELL GN1, which has entered mass production this month, is its first camera sensor that includes both dual-pixel autofocus and Tetracell pixel-binning. This means that smartphones that come with this sensor should offer fast performance and decent low-light image quality.

With a pixel size of 1.2μm, you get a sensor that's more typical to phone camera sensors that then high-resolution sensors we've seen lately. By default, the ISOCELL GN1 can take 12.5-megapixel photos with four pixels binned into one. And with dual-pixel phase-detection autofocus, we're expecting to see improved autofocus performance with this sensor. Samsung also equipped this chip with Smart-ISO, real-time HDR, and electronic image stabilization. If it delivers on these points, the Samsung ISOCELL GN1 gives users better smartphone camera options.

Source: The Verge + GSMArena

IFA 2020 will be an invite-only event observing strict attendee limits

Photo courtesy of IFA

IFA 2020 in Berlin will be the first tech conference to take place after the COVID-19 pandemic put to a halt any large in-person gatherings. The event will take place from September 3 to 5. In April, the organizers teased a conference that would take on an "innovative new concept" as the government of the city of Berlin banned events with over 5,000 participants until at least October 24. And so, IFA 2020 will be closed to the public. It'll be invite-only and split into four smaller events, with no more than 1,000 attendees allowed for each experience every day. 

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