VSCO Unveils ‘Capture’: A Dedicated iPhone Camera Application with Film-Inspired Filters

**Visual Supply Co. Unveils Capture: A New Standalone Camera Application for iPhone**

Visual Supply Co., celebrated for its widely used VSCO: Photo Editor, is poised to shake up the competitive arena of third-party camera applications with the debut of its latest standalone camera application, Capture. This cutting-edge app is designed to elevate the iPhone photography experience, offering users a refreshing alternative to the default Camera app from Apple.

**Navigating a Competitive Landscape**

With Capture, VSCO enters a burgeoning market of third-party camera apps that are transforming the way users take photos on their iPhones. Recent innovations in this domain include Adobe’s Project Indigo and other significant applications like Halide, which appeal to users looking for more than what Apple’s integrated camera features can provide.

**Notable Features of Capture**

As reported exclusively by Bloomberg’s Chris Welch, Capture will enable users to select from 50 of VSCO’s beloved photo filter presets during the shooting process. This functionality is intended to simplify the photography workflow by allowing users to apply their preferred aesthetic prior to taking a picture, eliminating the need for extensive post-shoot editing.

Eric Wittman, CEO of Visual Supply Co., highlighted the rationale behind Capture, noting, “Photographers are increasingly opting out of using complex editing software, favoring apps that simplify capturing that perfect moment with an intended look right at the time of shooting.” This aligns with the app’s vision of enhancing the photography journey while retaining artistic control.

**Photography Modes and Adjustments**

Capture provides two shooting modes: an automatic mode for quick photographs and a manual mode that offers advanced settings including shutter speed, exposure compensation, and distinctive lighting effects such as bloom and halation. This adaptability is designed for both casual users and dedicated photographers seeking more control over their shots.

**Usability and Release Information**

Crucially, Capture will not necessitate a paid subscription for usage, although a VSCO account will be required to leverage its features. After capturing their photos, users can choose to export them directly or transfer them to the main VSCO app for further editing.

At present, Capture is scheduled to launch in select test markets, including Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, with a wider release anticipated in the United States later this summer.

**Final Thoughts**

As Visual Supply Co. gears up to introduce Capture, the app promises a distinctive take on iPhone photography, emphasizing immediate aesthetic integration and user-friendly adjustments. With the rising trend of third-party camera applications, Capture is set to draw in both casual photographers and enthusiasts desiring a more personalized shooting experience.

Logitech Casa Pop Up Desk: An Adaptable Option for Working Remotely

# Logitech Casa Pop Up Desk: A Portable Solution for Mobile Work

Logitech has recently unveiled the Casa Pop Up Desk, a multifunctional device tailored for individuals who desire a permanent desk setup while traveling. With a price tag of $179.99, this item seeks to improve the experience for those who often work in cafés or outdoor environments.

## Overview

The Casa Pop Up Desk transcends being just a chic desk accessory; it comes equipped with a stowable keyboard and trackpad, providing a holistic answer for mobile work. The desk includes a compartment for keeping necessary items such as cables, earbuds, and flash drives, ensuring that users have quick access to everything they require.

## Thoughts

In terms of pricing, it’s important to consider that Apple’s Magic Trackpad is priced at $129 on its own. Thus, the Casa Pop Up Desk’s cost seems justified, particularly when accounting for the accompanying keyboard and trackpad.

Although the trackpad may not match the sophistication of Apple’s version, it performs satisfactorily. It emits a distinctive clicking sound and operates on a traditional diving-board mechanism. Nevertheless, it supports macOS gestures, provided that users install the Logi Options+ companion app. Early tests indicated that three-finger gestures did not function immediately.

On the other hand, the keyboard impresses. Those accustomed to Logitech’s MX keyboards will recognize the excellence. The keys are thoughtfully designed, the construction is robust, and it incorporates all essential Mac-specific keys.

The desk itself is mainly made from plastic materials but effectively fulfills its role. When opened, the book-style case features a magnetic click that holds it in an elevated stance, improving the laptop usage experience.

## Wrap Up

All in all, the Casa Pop Up Desk is a product that caters to the needs of its intended audience. While it may not suit everyone, it presents a practical alternative to acquiring separate elements like a Magic Trackpad, keyboard, and laptop stand, which could easily surpass $250.

Logitech’s offering combines these components into a compact folio design for $179. Available in three shades, including a personal favorite of Tan/Purple, it appeals to various aesthetic tastes.

For those interested, the Casa Pop Up Desk can be found on Amazon, and current Amazon Prime Visa holders can take advantage of a 10% bonus on this purchase.

**Buy Logitech Casa Pop Up Desk on Amazon:**

Apple Investigates Mira Murati’s AI Venture After Leaving OpenAI, Intends to Enhance Collaboration

Following a report last week indicating that Apple was in internal discussions regarding a possible acquisition of Perplexity, Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter disclosed that Apple also considered a potential agreement with another significant player in the AI domain: Mira Murati. Here’s what transpired.

Murati, who gained prominence as OpenAI’s former Chief Technology Officer, exited the company last year amid boardroom turmoil that momentarily resulted in CEO Sam Altman’s removal. In fact, as highlighted in the book “The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future,” Murati and OpenAI co-founder and Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever were pivotal figures behind the scenes during the surreal boardroom coup that briefly ousted Altman. Murati even took on the role of OpenAI’s interim CEO for a brief period before, in an ironic twist, threatening to resign unless Altman was reinstated. By that time, it was evident that the coup had failed, and Murati, like others involved, reversed course to preserve both the company and their own positions.

Less than a year later, Murati departed OpenAI and established a new AI startup named Thinking Machines Lab (by then, Ilya Sutskever had also left to create his own company, Safe SuperIntelligence). Now, according to Gurman, it seems Apple met with her earlier this year to explore a potential acquisition.

### What is Thinking Machines Lab?

Murati’s company epitomizes the current AI ecosystem: While it lacks a product at this moment, it has just completed the largest seed funding round ever for any startup, raising $2 billion led by Andreessen Horowitz. This placed the company’s valuation at an impressive US$10 billion.

So far, the publicly disclosed purpose of Thinking Machines Lab is to create “a future where everyone has access to the knowledge and tools to make AI work for their unique needs and goals.” Here’s a quote from their launch manifesto, which you can read in full on their website:

> “The scientific community’s understanding of frontier AI systems lags behind rapidly advancing capabilities. Knowledge of how these systems are trained is concentrated within the top research labs, limiting both the public discourse on AI and people’s abilities to use AI effectively. And, despite their potential, these systems remain difficult for people to customize to their specific needs and values. To bridge the gaps, we’re building Thinking Machines Lab to make AI systems more widely understood, customizable and generally capable.”

Regarding Apple’s interest in the company, in contrast to the ongoing internal assessments concerning Perplexity, discussions with Murati reportedly “never progressed.” Here’s Gurman:

> “Separately, Apple met earlier this year with Mira Murati — the former chief technology officer of OpenAI — to discuss a potential deal for her new AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab. The talks never progressed to an advanced stage.”

### 9to5Mac’s Take

That being said, I’d be surprised if Apple isn’t engaging with every other promising AI startup available, equally brimming with skilled engineers, including Ilya Sutskever’s Safe SuperIntelligence, or the French startup Mistral.

To be completely candid, Perplexity appears to be the least compatible culturally among the contenders, having faced its share of drama and controversy regarding data collection. Although the company seems to be performing better now and offers an intriguing product, it is also still embroiled in more legal issues than Apple would likely want to inherit if it were to invest.

Major New Film Launched This Weekend Was Shot Using iPhone

### 28 Years After: A Summer Box Office Hit Filmed on iPhone

Last weekend signified a pivotal achievement for Apple at the box office with the debut of “28 Years Later,” a sequel to the legendary horror movie “28 Days Later.” The film stood out as the leading new release in the U.S., earning a remarkable $30 million during its opening weekend, positioning it as a formidable competitor to Pixar’s newest animated feature, “Elio.”

#### Pioneering Filmmaking with iPhone

What differentiates “28 Years Later” from other prominent Hollywood films is its distinctive method of cinematography. The movie was primarily filmed using the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, moving away from conventional high-budget filmmaking that generally depends on costly camera gear. Director Danny Boyle chose the iPhone to achieve a sense of authenticity and closeness, which he believed was crucial for the film’s storyline.

Boyle emphasized the benefits of utilizing iPhones, commenting, “It’s very light, it’s inexpensive, and it enabled us to access locations that were quite remote and had shown very little sign of human activity for many, many, many years.” This inventive approach empowered the crew to shoot in areas that would have been difficult to reach with standard filming apparatus.

#### The Shooting Experience

The shooting process involved the use of up to 20 iPhones at once in custom setups, demonstrating the flexibility and proficiency of the devices. Cast members, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, noted that the close range of the iPhone cameras fostered a distinctive and immersive atmosphere on set. Johnson stated, “When someone holds an iPhone very close up, it feels a bit intrusive. You sense a kind of vulnerability, and you cannot conceal yourself. There’s an essence about it that reveals everything, and it required us to be very present in the moment.”

While initial reports indicated that the film was entirely filmed on iPhone, Boyle clarified that additional cameras were employed for particular shots. However, the majority of the film’s content was recorded using iPhone technology, marking a notable achievement at the convergence of mobile technology and filmmaking.

#### Conclusion

“28 Years Later” not only attained box office success but also redefined the limits of contemporary filmmaking. By employing the iPhone as the main shooting device, the film illustrates the changing dynamics of cinema and the possibilities for innovative storytelling through accessible technology. As audiences continue to interact with this groundbreaking film, one question lingers: could they tell it was filmed on an iPhone?