Snapchat fun AR lenses arrive on Chrome

Image: Snap

Remember 2020? Video calls became our lifeline, and some companies gambled on AR filters to fight the monotony. While they might have sparked a few smiles, let's be honest—they weren't exactly a pandemic panacea. Still, many stuck around. Except for Snap. They had a desktop app with AR filters, but alas, it met its demise last year. Fear not, lens lovers! Snap's bringing the fun back with a Chrome extension.

Snapchat Camera for Chrome lets you unleash AR lenses directly on your webcam. Video calls, streams, recordings—you name it, they've got you covered. Unlike the departed desktop app, you'll need your Snapchat login for this one. But hey, the good news is you can even use your custom lenses!

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Level up your video calls with Copilot+ PCs and enhanced Windows Studio Effects

Image: Microsoft

Copilot+ PCs take video conferencing to the next level with improved Windows Studio Effects powered by the Qualcomm Neural Processing Unit (NPU) inside. This AI-powered suite of features helps you look and sound your best during calls, while also minimizing distractions.

Background blur is a staple video call feature, and Copilot+ PCs elevate it with improved edge detection for a more natural look. No more awkward halo effects around your head! But background blur is just the beginning. Voice focus actively reduces background noise, ensuring your voice is crystal clear, even in noisy environments.

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Bluesky finally gets direct messaging

Image: Bluesky

Calling all Bluesky users! The platform just launched direct messaging (DMs), letting you chat privately with friends and contacts. It's text-based for now, but get ready to share images and videos soon.

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Windows 11 gets a supercharged Live Captions with Copilot+ PCs

Image: Microsoft

Live Captions is getting a major upgrade with Copilot+ PCs, a new lineup of Windows laptops powered by Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips. This improved feature offers real-time translation of spoken words into English subtitles on the screen, across an impressive 44 languages. No matter if you're on a video call, watching a movie, or listening to a lecture, Live Captions can transcribe the audio for better understanding.

Previously, Live Captions was an accessibility feature in Windows 11, but it was limited to 10 languages and worked primarily with pre-recorded/existing videos. Copilot+ PCs unlock the full potential of Live Captions, making it a powerful real-time translation tool.

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