US-UK plan would share tech companies’ data with both governments

Companies like Microsoft and Google store some of their data overseas and when US agencies want access to that data, during a criminal case, for example, they often have a fight on their hands. That’s because current laws don’t require these companies to provide that data, just as they don’t require these companies to hand over data stored in the US to foreign agencies. This has posed a problem on both sides because it can slow down investigations being conducted by US or other countries’ officials and it puts tech companies in a sort of legal limbo as they’ve typically chosen to protect users’ privacy since there are no laws compelling them to do otherwise.

However, as the Financial Times reports, the US and the UK are currently hashing out an agreement that would require tech companies based in either country to provide information requested by law enforcement agencies in both the US and the UK. The UK Home Office told the Financial Times, “Since 2015, the UK has been working with the US government, and representatives from US technology companies, on a proposed UK-US bilateral data access agreement that would allow companies in one country to comply with lawful orders for electronic communications from the other.” It added, “This agreement would help law enforcement and security agencies protect the public through accessing data stored or controlled by companies in each others’ countries in support of serious crime and terrorism investigations, and would include strong safeguards and maintain rigorous privacy protections for citizens.”

This data-sharing plan would hinge on laws being changed in the US. Currently the laws governing these situations are around three decades old and were drafted well before email and social media were a way of life. And people from all sides have called for updated regulations. A group of senators have proposed new legislation and tech companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon have voiced their support for changes in the law through a letter to senators, an amicus brief and speeches. Companies such as Microsoft, Google and Yahoo have all butted heads with the government in court over access to data.

The White House’s National Security Council told the Financial Times that the administration supports this agreement and that it could be extended to other countries in the future.

Source: Financial Times

Slack screen sharing will let your coworkers control your computer

Virtual-office app Slack is adding one of its most requested features: screen sharing. And more than just simply letting a coworker look at what’s on your display, you can grant control so that they can add a few lines of code, or values to a cell in a spread sheet. Everyone will have their own cursor for typing and clicking around, which almost makes it sound like Slack is turning your screen into a Google Doc. All thanks to the magic of the internet. Not into relinquishing full control of your machine? Your call participants can still interact, but they’ll be limited to drawing on things. Still, that’s pretty cool.

Facebook recently added screen sharing to its Workplace desktop app, so Slack is just a touch late to this party. However, Workplace is still in a limited beta and doesn’t quite have the user base that Slack does.

There’s also that whole deal where Slack is basically becoming the last work chat app you’ll need. What with it adding integrations and features that used to require myriad logins to various disparate services like Join.Me for sharing a screen with multiple remote people, and all. That’s to say nothing of how consistently easy it is to use the new collaboration tools.

If you’re just using the app to chat with friends on a private channel, the new functionality won’t be available to you; a post on Medium says that you’ll need to be a paid subscriber to access it.

Source: Slack HQ (Medium)

Netflix’s DVD queue app is available on Android

Earlier this year, Netflix released a new app that allows users to manage their DVD queues. That feature had previously been available on Netflix apps until an update in 2011 removed it, but surprisingly the now separate DVD portion of Netflix is still profitable and used by around four million people. So while it may have seemed like a “why now” sort of move, it apparently made sense with so many people still choosing to rent DVDs. However, that app was released in January and only for iOS and it has taken until now for the company to release an Android version.

Phandroid reports today that the DVD Netflix app is now available for Android, nearly 10 months after iOS users got theirs. The app allows customers to manage their queues and provides notifications when returned discs have been received by Netflix and when new ones have been sent out. It also lets users browse and search for new rentals and provides recommendations. It’s available now from the Google Play Store.

Via: Phandroid

Source: Google Play Store

Apple May Have Acquired Camera Sensor Company InVisage Earlier This Year

Apple has reportedly acquired or at least hired some talent away from InVisage, according to the blog Image Sensors World. The report, citing two unnamed sources, claims the deal was closed in July of this year.

Beyond the sources familiar with the matter, there are only subtle clues that Apple may have scooped up InVisage.

Image Sensors World, for example, highlighted that InVisage is no longer listed as a current investment in the portfolios of venture capital firms Nokia Growth Partners and InterWest Partners.

InVisage also removed a news page and a list of employee profiles from its website, compared to an archived version from February. Many companies acquired by Apple in the past have simplified or even removed their websites.

LinkedIn lists at least six Apple employees who previously worked at InVisage, although only two joined the company this year. One of them, Nail Khaliullin, appears to have joined Apple as a hardware engineer in July.

InVisage also filed to register a manufacturing subsidiary in June with the state of California, where the company is headquartered, but it later surrendered the request and the entity was legally dissolved in early October.

InVisage, founded in 2006 and based out of Newark, California, has developed new image sensor architecture with a dedicated QuantumFilm layer that can maximize a smartphone camera’s light sensing capability.

The company’s website says QuantumFilm pixels have over three times higher dynamic range, allowing users to capture “supremely detailed images in almost any lighting condition where there is bright sky.”

QuantumFilm is a photosensitive layer that relies on InVisage’s newly invented class of materials to absorb light; specifically, the new material is made up of quantum dots, nanoparticles that can be dispersed to form a grid once they are synthesized. Just like paint, this dispersion of solid materials can be coated onto a substrate and allowed to dry.

InVisage’s technologies could certainly be implemented as part of annual improvements to iPhone and iPad cameras.

Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment, but we’ll update this article if the company confirms the deal.

Tags: Apple acquisition, InVisage
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Angela Ahrendts’ Makeover of Apple Retail Outlined in New Profile

A new profile of Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts has been posted today by BuzzFeed News, providing a look into Ahrendts’ move from Burberry, the inspiration for her approach to retail from late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, and her partnership with Apple design chief Jony Ive. Ahrendts has been in the spotlight lately following her presentation during the iPhone X keynote event in September, where she explained Apple’s new retail initiative, Today at Apple, and provided a sneak peek into upcoming locations around the world.

Ahrendts said that her approach to the new retail strategy began with an inspiration from Steve Jobs, comparing the brick-and-mortar locations as the retail team’s “hardware” and the inner workings of the store — like Today at Apple programs — as the “software.”

Image captured by Hoss Ghertassi via BuzzFeed News

Ahrendts’s approach to retail harkens back to the late founder Steve Jobs’ insistence on building “the whole widget” — in other words, constructing the look and feel of a device, as well as making the operating system and the processor that runs it, in order to fully optimize — and control — the entire user experience.

“This is our hardware,” she said, pointing to the Indianapolis store’s glass doors and indoor ficuses. ”Then you say, ‘What’s the software of the store? How do we turn it on?’ Because this unto itself is magnificent, but it’s not just what it is, it’s what it does,” referring to the new Today at Apple program, under which locations host events like photography workshops and coding classes.

Ahrendts has tweaked parts of Apple’s retail “software” by changing employee t-shirts to a softer material, and removing lanyards so employees “make a human connection” with customers. One former Apple Genius said that while removing lanyards made uniforms “cleaner,” the high amount of customers visiting Apple every day is a “reality of retail” that made connecting with every customer difficult.

When she was creating her strategy, Ahrendts discussed the design and look of the new Apple locations with Jony Ive, who was said to have told Ahrendts, “Don’t mess with the tables,” referring to the iconic wooden tables that line every Apple store. Ive further described these tables as “sacred.”

Before embarking on the redesign, Ahrendts consulted creative chief Ive, whom Steve Jobs once called his “spiritual partner.” “In one of those very early conversations,” Ahrendts recalled, Ive “said, ‘Don’t mess with the tables. They’re the same tables we used in our design studio and I love that it goes from the studio to the stores.’ He said, ‘They’re sacred.’”

Ahrendts also recalled the company’s expansion into China, where she asked all United States retail employees if they would be interested to move overseas and assist in running new stores in China. The executive said she was expecting 100 or 200 responses, but ended up with 2,000, half of which ended up moving overseas with plans to stay for between 1 and 5 years. Those who remain in the U.S. said that under Ahrendts’ leadership, worker benefits have improved.

Image captured by Hoss Ghertassi via BuzzFeed News

All of the employees who spoke to BuzzFeed News agree that Ahrendts improved their benefits soon after she joined in May 2014. For example, Ahrendts introduced restricted stock units, or gifted Apple stock (which could previously be purchased at a discount), that vests every three years. She also extended school tuition reimbursement to part-time workers. Most said they were happy with their pay, which ranges from $17 to $20 an hour for non-Genius roles and up to $30 an hour for Geniuses.

Still, some employees have described their work as starting to feel “increasingly corporate” under Ahrendts. One technical specialist stated that Apple retail “now feels more like a Circuit City, a Best Buy” because of increased micromanagement, rising repair prices, a focus on moving customers in and out of the store as fast as possible, and an “emphasis” on attracting business accounts.

The rest of the profile on Ahrendts covers much of the same ground as BuzzFeed’s iPhone 8 launch video about Apple’s “war room,” as well as an interview with CEO Tim Cook and Ahrendts posted yesterday. In that interview, Ahrendts said it was “fake news…silly” that she was being groomed as future Apple CEO. Cook then said, “I see my role as CEO to prepare as many people as I can to be CEO, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Check out the full BuzzFeed News article on Angela Ahrendts here.

Tags: Angela Ahrendts, Apple retail
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Apple Wants to Produce Comedies and Dramas That Are Viewer Friendly Enough for Apple Stores

Apple’s reported $1 billion push into original content will include comedies and emotional dramas with broad appeal, according to Bloomberg.

The report claims Apple wants every show it produces to be suitable enough for an Apple Store, as opposed to content with nudity, raw language, and violence. Hollywood producers that have pitched edgier content, such as an eight-part series produced by filmmaker Alfonso Cuarónto, have allegedly been turned away.

Apple wants to have a small slate of shows ready for release in 2019, a timeframe previously reported. Unlike Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke: The Series, however, its new shows will supposedly no longer be placed on Apple Music, which in turn will be limited to music-related videos and documentaries.

Carpool Karaoke itself was supposed to launch in April, but its debut was delayed until August due to some coarse content.

Days before Apple Inc. planned to celebrate the release of its first TV show last spring at a Hollywood hotel, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook told his deputies the fun had to wait. Foul language and references to vaginal hygiene had to be cut from some episodes of Carpool Karaoke, a show featuring celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, Blake Shelton, and Chelsea Handler cracking jokes while driving around Los Angeles.

While the delay of Carpool Karaoke was widely reported last April, the reasons never were. Edits were made, additional episodes were shot, and Apple shifted resources to another show. When Carpool Karaoke was released in August, it didn’t make much of a splash.

Apple has aggressively hired as it pushes into the content arena. In June, the company hired Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, two Sony Pictures Television executives, to lead its video programming efforts. Apple has also hired Matt Cherniss, Morgan Wandell, Jay Hunt, and several other industry executives.

Tags: bloomberg.com, Apple’s Hollywood ambitions
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Apple Says Claims Face ID Was Downgraded to Speed Up Production Are ‘Completely False’

Bloomberg this morning alleged that Apple allowed its suppliers to make Face ID less accurate in order to speed up production on the device, a claim that Apple now says is “completely false” in a statement shared with TechCrunch.

According to Apple, the quality and the accuracy of Face ID have not changed, and Face ID will be the new “gold standard” for facial authentication.

Customer excitement for iPhone X and Face ID has been incredible, and we can’t wait for customers to get their hands on it starting Friday, November 3. Face ID is a powerful and secure authentication system that’s incredibly easy and intuitive to use. The quality and accuracy of Face ID haven’t changed. It continues to be 1 in a million probability of a random person unlocking your iPhone with Face ID.

Bloomberg’s claim that Apple has reduced the accuracy spec for Face ID is completely false and we expect Face ID to be the new gold standard for facial authentication.

The report from Bloomberg, which went into detail about some of the components used in the TrueDepth camera, suggested Apple had “relaxed some of the specifications for Face ID” to boost the number of usable dot projectors, a component that Apple suppliers were said to be struggling with. From Bloomberg:

It’s not clear how much the new specs will reduce the technology’s efficacy. At the phone’s official unveiling in September, executives boasted that there was a one in a million chance that an interloper could defeat Face ID to unlock a phone. Even downgraded, it will probably still be far more accurate than Touch ID, where the odds of someone other than the owner of a phone being able to unlock it are one in 50,000.

In addition to Apple’s statement suggesting no changes have been made to Face ID, Apple has shared specific accuracy numbers and details on the feature, so it would be difficult for the company to make changes in production that would alter the way that Face ID works.

Apple reportedly struggled with production for several of the components for the iPhone X, given that it’s a new device using many new technologies. As a result of those issues, supply of the iPhone X is expected to be extremely limited at launch, with Apple likely unable to reach supply-demand balance until 2018.

Related Roundup: iPhone XBuyer’s Guide: iPhone X (Caution)
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Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes Apple apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

Data Monitor Pro

Data Monitor Pro will monitor both Cellular (4G/LTE/3G/Edge/GPRS) and Wi-Fi data usage in real time from your device. This app will let you be in control of your data usage to avoid costly overage charges.

Available on:

iOS

Smart PDF Scanner

Just snap a photo of your document, and get a PDF file you can instantly send to your colleagues, all from your iPhone or Apple device.

Available on:

iOS

Picture Perfect

Picture Perfect is a fun and simple way to make beautiful photos in seconds. The app also brings in features such as ‘ToneCurve,’ which allows you to modify simply by clicking and dragging on the areas you wish to change.

Available on:

iOS

RadioApp

Easily tune in to local radio stations and to radio stations from all over the world, using a unique analog-like tuner.

Available on:

iOS

Plug & Ride

This carpooling app can help you reduce your driving commute to one day per week, by riding with trusted co-workers and car owners for free.

Available on:

iOS

Stacheify

It’s a mustache mirror! Just hold up the app and go mustache crazy trying tons of different “follicle-accurate” stache styles.

Available on:

iOS

Editor’s Recommendations

• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Nokia 6 vs Moto G5 Plus: Can Nokia’s looks outweigh a powerful performance?

While the name Nokia evokes nostalgia for many, the latest line of smartphones is actually under HMD Global — the company licensing Nokia’s name. Among the list of devices debuted is the Nokia 6 which was unveiled in China last year, but is now available in the U.S. It comes packed with upgraded specs, far different than the ones you may remember Nokia offering. It does still have plenty of competition on the smartphone market though, and that includes the king of budget phones, the Lenovo Moto G5 Plus.

When comparing the devices based on physicality, the Moto G5 Plus looks a little dated next to the glossy finish of the Nokia 6. Nokia’s phone also boasts a higher megapixel camera both on the front and rear, but in comparing these two smartphones you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. The Moto G5 Plus still packs a strong processor, fast charging technology, and more. In a battle between the Nokia 6 vs. Moto G5 Plus, we find out which smartphone has the more impressive specs and features when it comes to long-term use.

Specs

Nokia 6

Lenovo Moto G5 Plus

Size
154 x 75.8 x 7.85mm (6.06 x 2.98 x 0.31-inches)
150.2 x 74 x 7.7mm (5.91 x 2.91 x 0.30-inches)
Weight
5.96oz
5.47oz
Screen
5.5-inch IPS LCD
5.2-inch LCD
Resolution
1,080 x 1920 (403ppi)
1,080 x 1,920 (424ppi)
OS
Android 7.1.1
Android 7.0
Storage
 32GB
64GB
MicroSD card slot
Yes, up to 256GB
Yes, up to 256GB
NFC support
 Yes
No
Processor
 Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
RAM
 3GB
4GB
Connectivity
 GSM / WCDMA / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Camera
 16MP rear, 8MP front
12MP rear, 5MP front
Video
 1,080p
2,160p
Bluetooth
 Yes, version 4.2
Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor
 Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Water resistant
 No
No
Battery
 3,000mAh
3,000mAh
Ports
 MicroUSB
MicroUSB
Marketplace
 Google Play
Google Play
Color offerings
Arte Black (limited edition), Matte Black, Tempered Blue, Silver, Copper
Lunar Grey, Fine Gold
Availability
 Amazon

Amazon
Price
 $229
$300
DT review
Coming soon
3.5 Stars

While the Nokia 6 and the Moto G5 Plus do share certain similarities, there are some important differences on the spec sheet. For starters, the Moto G5 Plus carries a far more powerful processor the Snapdragon 625 — in comparison to Nokia’s Snapdragon 430. Lenovo’s phone also packs in 4GB of RAM, whereas the Nokia 6 makes do with 3GB of RAM. The Moto G5 Plus is speedier and smoother in performance and capable of coping with more open apps and games simultaneously.

There’s also a big difference in the storage stakes. The Nokia 6 includes 32 GB of storage, with the Moto G5 Plus offering double that at 64GB. If you’re already set on the Nokia 6, there is the option of getting your hands on the limited edition Arte Black model with the exact same storage as the Moto G5 Plus. You can extend the storage of both devices with a MicroSD card up to 256GB in size. But even with a MicroSD card, the Moto G5 Plus still pulls ahead.

Overall, the Moto G5 Plus comes out as the winner. If you’re looking for a phone that’s quick, capable of multitasking, and with enough storage space, then the Moto G5 Plus is best in class at this price point.

Winner: Moto G5 Plus

Design, display, and durability

The Nokia 6 includes a 5.5-inch display with a full HD 1080p resolution– which is bigger than the 5.2-inch display the G5 Plus offers. The smaller screen in the Moto G5 Plus does mean a higher pixel density for a touch more sharpness. As for the frame, the shiny plastic backing on the Nokia 6 makes it look sleek alongside the metal frame and minimal side bezels. The Moto G5 Plus on the other hand, has a rounder frame with thicker side bezels, a plastic body, and a removable metal cover — all of which make the device look dated. As for color options, the Moto G5 Plus is available in a Fine Gold and Lunar Gray while the Nokia 6 comes in Matte Black or Silver.

Both feature an indented fingerprint sensor embedded on the front, below the screen, but the G5 Plus scanner is a bit more rounded in comparison to the Nokia 6 which is flatter. For the Moto G5 Plus, bulky is a pattern when it comes to the buttons in general — even the camera juts out slightly and dominates the back of the phone.

Neither the G5 Plus or the Nokia 6 are water resistant, and with similar physical hardware can most likely handle the same amount of abuse. The Nokia 6 does have a metal frame that should protect it more from drops. Still, you should check out the best Moto G5 Plus cases or the best Nokia 6 cases to make sure your phone is properly protected. Due to a much smoother, updated design we’re calling the Nokia 6 a winner.

Winner: Nokia 6

Battery life and charging

Kyle Wiggers/Digital Trends

Qualcomm claims the Snapdragon 625 is one of the most power-efficient processors so far, and the Moto G5 Plus boasts a 3,000mAh removable battery. We’ve had some time to test out the device ourselves in our Moto G5 Plus review, and it was able to withstand a busy afternoon with heavy usage — bringing it to 30 percent by the evening. A less hectic day brought it down to 50 percent, meaning you’ll most likely be able to get about a day and a half out of the phone before it dies.

If you do use up the battery and need to power up quickly, the G5 Plus won’t take long to charge. With Motorola’s TurboPower technology, the company claims it can supply up to 80 percent battery within 35 minutes of charging. Rapid charging isn’t completely revolutionary with support featured on LG’s G6 and HTC’s U Ultra, but it’s still considered rare on budget phones.

The Nokia 6 also includes a 3,000mAh battery, so we expect it will get through an average day with change. We’ll have to test it out further to see what difference the Snapdragon 430 processor and slightly larger screen makes. Sadly, the Nokia 6 lacks fast charging capability.

Even though the Moto G5 Plus includes the same sized battery as the Nokia 6, its fast charging capabilities definitely crown it as the winner in this category.

Winner: Moto G5 Plus

Camera

The rear camera on the Nokia 6 features a 16-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and a dual-tone flash. There’s also an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, along with phase detection, autofocus, and dual-LED flash. The G5 Plus has a 12-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.7 aperture and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. As for features, it also includes phase detection autofocus, dual-LED tone flash, and laser autofocus. For shooting video, the Nokia 6 can only shoot up to 1,080p while the Moto G5 Plus can record at 2k resolution.

Cameras have become an essential part of any smartphone, and the quality of your photos is vitally important to consider when purchasing a smartphone. In our testing, the Nokia 6 output has been subpar, despite its high megapixel count. The Moto G5 Plus easily wins this round because it features a much faster camera app and produces good photos.

Winner: Moto G5 Plus

Software

Kyle Wiggers/Digital Trends

Both devices come equipped with Nougat — the Nokia 6 comes with Android 7.1.1 and the Moto G5 Plus has Android 7.0. Don’t forget — with a Moto-branded phone you also get Moto Actions. When enabled, it lets you use gestures instead of the navigation keys to swipe around on the home screen or to silence notifications and calls. With Moto Voice, you can also request certain actions via voice commands through the device.

Other than having the second latest Android OS — since Android O has been released — the Nokia 6 doesn’t come with any additional fancy software features. The Nokia does come with the Google Assistant functionality, but so does the Moto G5 Plus. HMD said it will keep up with security updates from Google, so if that’s important to you then the Nokia 6 is the way to go. For us, the handy Moto apps make the G5 Plus the winner in terms of software.

Winner: Moto G5 Plus

Price and availability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

In the U.S., the Moto G5 Plus is available in two different variants. There’s 32GB of storage and 2GB of RAM for $230 and a $280 model with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. You can also save money on the U.S. version by purchasing an Amazon-subsidized phone for $185 — meaning you’ll get ads and personalized offers. As for color configurations, the G5 Plus comes in gray and gold. For those in Europe, the Moto G5 Plus is available from local carriers in a range of different markets and will cost you 280 euros ($297).

The Nokia 6 is available exclusively through Amazon for $230 or as an-supported phone for $180. The ad-supported matte black and silver models will be AT&T and T-Mobile compatible. In Europe, the device starts at 230 euros ($242) with the special addition Arte Black going for 270 euros ($316).

There’s a lot of confusion when it comes to price and availability for both phones. Basically, they’re both around the same full retail price unless you purchase them from Amazon. At which point, you’ll still have to settle for ads, along with Amazon apps integrated into the device.

Winner: Tie 

Overall Winner: Moto G5 Plus

It’s clear the Moto G5 Plus takes the win in more categories than the Nokia 6. With a far more powerful processor, more RAM, and greater storage capacity, it’s a solid all-rounder. Although it does have the same size battery as the Nokia 6, its fast charging technology will have you at full battery in barely any time at all. You might be dazzled by Nokia’s sleek, high-end looking device with a large display, but it’s important to consider performance and camera as well. With the power and capabilities the Moto G5 Plus offers, it’s worth shelling out a bit more money for.

Editor’s Recommendations

• Everything you need to know about Nokia’s return to smartphones
• These are the 5 best Nokia 6 cases and covers
• Nokia 8 hands-on review
• Nokia 3310 3G review
• Nokia 8 vs. iPhone 7: Can HMD’s Android flagship beat Apple’s aging iPhone?

Nik Collection isn’t dead after all with acquisition by DxO

Why it matters to you

The Nik Collection will gain compatibility with current versions of Photoshop and Lightroom in 2018, while DxO PhotoLab now allows for non-destructive local adjustments.

Nik Collection photographers, take a deep breath — the popular image editing plug-ins aren’t going anywhere after all. On October 25, DxO, the company behind the DxO One camera and the DxOMark sensor and lens ratings, announced the acquisition of the Nik Collection from Google, with plans to update the collection in 2018. The announcement comes with the company’s latest update to DxO OpticsPro RAW converter, which has been re-named to DxO PhotoLab and adds local retouching tools thanks to Nik U Point technology.

DxO acquires the Nik Collection

Google essentially killed off the Nik Collection, a popular set of plugins for Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, earlier this year when the company announced it had no plans for updating the plugins to make them compatible with new versions of Adobe software. The change came after the company made the add-ons free to download in 2016.

Now, DxO has stepped in to save the collection. Fans of the tools will have to wait until next year before the software is up-to-date and compatible with the latest versions of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Classic and the latest desktop operating systems, however. The tools are still available as a free download from DxO until that update. The company did not clarify whether the collection will still be free after the update next year.

“We are very excited to welcome the Nik Collection to the DxO family,” Jérôme Ménière, CEO and founder of DxO, said in a press release. “DxO revolutionized the image processing market many times over the years with its innovative solutions, and we will continue to do so with Nik’s tools, which offer new creative opportunities to millions of photographers.”

The Nik Collection includes seven plugins that offer a range of effects from film simulations to high dynamic range processing.

DxO OpticsPro becomes DxO PhotoLab

While the updated plugins are not yet available, the U Point technology pioneered by Nik, which allows users to easily select specific regions of an image without complex masking techniques, has already been integrated into DxO PhotoLab. This brings  local adjustments to DxO’s RAW photo editor, and is the only solution on the market that offers U Point in a non-destructive, RAW environment.

Beyond U Point, PhotoLab also now includes an automatic mask retouching brush for precise selections. A new graduated filter tool joins the options for local edits, with both new additions working non-destructively. Unlike using local selections after an image is already converted, accessing these tools inside of a RAW editor means that users can use all of the RAW data when making adjustments, leading to better results.

To enhance the experience of making those specific adjustments, DxOMark includes the tools in a Local Equalizer toolbox right next to the area getting those adjustments. Multiple adjustments can also be applied without re-selecting the area.

DxO PhotoLab’s previous repair tool was also re-built from the ground-up using a new algorithm that creates more accurate — and faster — adjustments. The company says the tool remains just as simple to use.

The update also fine-tunes lens corrections, the software’s stand-out feature. The tool can now be optimized for the photograph’s ISO level, for sharper results while controlling noise.

DxO PhotoLab Essentials retails for $129, with the Elite edition at $199. Through the end of November, the Essentials version is discounted by $30 and the Elite version by $50 as part of a launch promotion. Current customers can also get a discounted upgrade.

Editor’s Recommendations

• Adobe’s new Lightroom leverages the cloud for cross-platform photo editing
• What’s the difference between Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic?
• Corel PaintShop Pro 2018 Review
• Photoshop 2018 now supports 360-degree photos, adds new design tools
• Samsung Galaxy S8 camera tips that will make you a better photographer