Tag: beta

VSCO Capture Available in Ireland

VSCO Capture enables photographers to shoot with more creative control in the moment. The free app provides precise editing controls and a wide range of popular presets within an intuitive interface. It’s designed to help creators capture their creative point of view, refine it, and edit in real-time, as they’re shooting VSCO Capture, is an experiential photo app from VSCO that’s now available in the Irish app store as a part of an early/open beta release.
The presets and effects are non-destructive, meaning the original image is retained (JPEG/HEIC/RAW/ProRAW formats) and can be further modified in VSCO Studio or with other advanced editing software. VSCO Capture is a free app and includes 50 VSCO presets (including the latest We The Creator presets), as well as Bloom and Halation effects.
The app is only available in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand for now and will likely be more broadly available in the U.S. and around the world later this summer

Samsung One UI 7 Beta Starts to Roll Out

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the public release of the One UI 7 beta program, boasting powerful AI features, simplified controls and a preview of scalable AI ecosystems of the future. One UI 7 marks a significant leap forward by integrating leading AI agents and multimodal capabilities into every touch point of the interface, creating an AI platform where every interaction feels natural and intuitive. The beta program offers a first look at an upgraded mobile user experience for greater personalisation than ever before.

Enhanced AI Enables More Intuitive User Experiences 

One UI 7 brings powerful updates to Galaxy AI features[1] including advanced writing assist tools. Integrated into AI OS, they allow users to boost their productivity where texts can be selected, without needing to switch between applications. This capability expands on the powerful writing assist tools already available to Galaxy users, offering AI-powered options to summarise content, check spelling and grammar, and automatically format notes into bullet points.

Upgraded call features with One UI 7 push the boundaries of communication and connection through call transcripts , with support for 20 languages[2]. When call recording is enabled, recorded calls will automatically be transcribed for reference later on, eliminating the need to take notes manually while multi-tasking.

Bold New Design for Greater Personalisation and Control 

One UI 7’s powerful AI features come with a significant new look, based on a new notification system that streamlines communication with easy access from the device’s lock screen. It includes Now Bar, which highlights relevant activities across various features like Interpreter, Music, Recording, Stopwatch and more. By offering instant access to important notifications, Now Bar reduces the need to constantly unlock the device and allows users to engage with key information effortlessly. Set to be supported on upcoming Galaxy S series devices, Now Bar will transform the lock screen experience, which will continue to evolve with more intelligent experiences in the future.

These feature upgrades are all anchored in a simple, impactful and emotive design. Together, these principles shape streamlined and cohesive experiences for Galaxy users. Defined by bold, iconic design choices, One UI 7 reduces visual clutter and fosters an inviting experience designed to resonate with users on a personal level and enable intuitive mobile experiences across AI features.

A simplified home screen, redesigned One UI widgets, and lock screen—among other features—work together to grant users granular control over every detail and make customisation intuitive and seamless.

A redesigned camera UX allows more intuitive control over advanced settings. Camera buttons, controls, and modes have been reorganised to make it easier to find the features you need and to give you a clearer preview of the picture you’re taking or the video you’re recording.

For Pro and Pro video modes, the manual settings layout has also been simplified, making it easier to focus on the picture or video you’re shooting. A new zoom control is available when you’re recording in Pro video mode, allowing you to control the zoom speed for smooth transitions.

The official One UI 7 release will commence with upcoming Galaxy S series devices, featuring additional AI capabilities including enhanced on-device AI functions, starting from the first quarter of 2025. In line with Samsung’s commitment to extend its OS upgrade policy, the update will gradually roll out to other Galaxy devices.

The One UI 7 beta program will be first available for Galaxy S24 series devices in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the U.S., from December 5. Galaxy S24 series users can apply to join the beta program via Samsung Members.

See our Sasmung reviews

Beta Festival, Ireland’s art and technology festival starts today

Featuring a robot that rolls its eyes at live social media algorithms, the opportunity to reduce emissions by distracting fossil fuel companies and digital tools that investigate real-life conspiracies, Beta runs until Sunday, November 17th at The Digital Hub and wider Dublin 8 area.
Co-founded and supported by The Digital Hub, Beta has announced a full line-up of artists, exhibitions, installations and workshops that will focus on the key theme of the relationship between technology and power, with specific focus areas including artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology.
In addition, a first-of-its-kind Assembly on AI and Art will bring together leading experts in technology and culture to discuss critical areas in the arts industry which are impacted by AI and should be considered for future policy developments. AI Ambassador for Ireland Patricia Scanlon will be among the facilitators leading discussions.
Cannes Film Festival winner Noire, the Unknown Life of Claudette Colvin will make its Irish debut at this year’s Beta Festival at the Samuel Beckett Theatre from Thursday, November 7th to Sunday, November 10th. Noire tells the real-life story of 15-year-old Claudette Colvin, who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in a segregated 1950s Alabama. The production uses virtual reality to provide viewers with an immersive digital experience. Tickets for Noire are limited and range from €15 – €22.
Beta will also host an international exhibition Unsettling the Algorithm: Seeds of Resistance, which will explore how digital systems and algorithms shape, influence and govern our daily lives. Curated by Aisling Murray and Nora O’ Murchú, the exhibition will feature artists including Basil Al-Rawi, Tega Brain and Sam Levigne, Firas Shehadeh, and Winnie Soon and Tzu-Tung Lee among others.
Separately, the Local Artists Network will spotlight emerging Irish artists with new work from Conan McIvor and new commissions from Aisling Phelan and Cailean Finn. Both exhibitions are free of charge and will run from Friday, November 1st to Sunday, November 17th. Additional workshops covering digital democracy, facial recognition technology and artist networking events are taking place over the two weeks and will be free of charge to attendees.
Events and exhibitions will take place predominantly in buildings across The Digital Hub campus, including iD8 Studio, The Bank and wider Dublin areas including Pallas Projects Studios, Fire Station Artists Studio and the Samuel Beckett Theatre.
Beta will officially launch on Friday, November 1st with events including the Assembly on AI and Art, keynote from Abeba Birhane as well as free workshops and panel discussions.
The conference over the opening weekend will cover topics from digital activism to immersive storytelling, algorithmic resistance and future archives. Tickets for the conferences are available to purchase from the Beta website from €15 – €25.
Key highlights from the weekend will include:
  • Samuel Beckett Theatre will host performances from Noire, an immersive virtual reality performance that tells the story of Claudette Colvin who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in the 1950s segregated Alabama. Directed by Stéphane Foenkinos and Pierre-Alain Giraud.
  • The Ethics Studio, a space for members of the public to engage with real ethical concerns and potential real-world impacts of new and emerging technologies developed with the festival research partner ADAPT Research Centre. This will include The Bigger Picture – an exhibition of new commissions that challenge outdated tropes and offers a more grounded, realistic portrayal of AI.
  • Keynote talks from Kay Watson, Head of Arts Technologies at London’s Serpentine Gallery and Abebe Birhane, who is a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body and was featured in the TIME 100 Most Influential People in AI list.
  • International exhibition Unsettling the Algorithm: Seeds of Resistance, which will explore how algorithms and technology influence and impact our daily lives, with work including Cold Call, a call centre that reimagines carbon offsetting by encouraging viewers to call fossil fuel companies and distract them for as long as possible, delaying carbon-emitting activities.
The opening will take place on Friday, November 1st with a preview of the exhibition at The Digital Hub, with a reception supported by Diageo Ireland.
Aisling Murray, co-founder and director of Beta Festival, commented:
“In a moment where much of our interaction with the world is mediated by screens and dominated by AI-driven narratives —both utopian and dystopian—Beta aims to create a space where people can come together to critically explore the complexities of our digital culture. This year’s festival brings together artists, researchers, and technologists to examine the power dynamics embedded in new technologies and offer alternative approaches to how we engage with them. Through exhibitions, workshops, and discussions, we hope to empower the public with a sense of agency, encouraging them to question, resist, and rethink the platforms that shape our daily lives.
Ireland is uniquely positioned at this intersection of art, research, and technology, with a wealth of creative talent and intellectual rigor, alongside some of the world’s leading tech companies. By bringing these diverse voices into conversation, we aim to spark meaningful public engagement with the critical issues surrounding technology today. I am so grateful to The Digital Hub for supporting this project and seeing its value and relevance and am excited for this year’s edition.”
Fiach Mac Conghail, co-founder of Beta Festival and CEO of The Digital Hub, added:
“The Digital Hub has a strong track record of supporting digital technology industries, creative enterprises and community learning programmes in our Dublin 8 community and wider area. Beta aims to be a culmination of activities within the Liberties campus and act as a starting point to foster discussions on how we can make complex technologies more accessible and tangible for all communities. Beta’s programme for 2024 gives us a prime position to further these objectives and create a meaningful impact with communities interested in art and technology. We are delighted to see the return of Beta following its successful first year and look forward to seeing the work of many great artists and greet the visitors that join us for the festival from November 1st.”
The Digital Hub and Aisling Murray are being supported in its preparations for Beta by Science Week, Ambassade de France en Irlande and Institut Français, British Council, ADAPT Research Centre, Smart Dublin, Fire Station Artist’s Studio, Creative Futures Academy, The Arts Council and Pallas Projects.
Beta Festival will kick off Friday, 1st November with a variety of events and exhibitions during that time with the centrepiece exhibition, Unsettling the Algorithm: Seeds of Resistance and additional events at The Digital Hub running until Sunday, 17th November.
To find out more about Beta Festival 2024 and how to purchase event tickets, visit https://2024.betafestival.ie/

Beta Festival announces programme including award-winning XR performance Noire, conference featuring Abebe Birhane and international exhibition Unsettling the Algorithm

Beta, Ireland’s festival of art and technology, will return for its second edition with a focus on interrogating the relationship between power and technology, examining how digital tools influence society and how we can take agency back in their use.

Co-founded and supported by The Digital Hub, Beta will return from 1st to 17th November and will feature a series of events including two exhibitions, several interactive workshops, performances, a thought-provoking conference, and an assembly focussed on artificial intelligence and art.

Cannes Film Festival winner Noire, the Unknown Life of Claudette Colvin will make its Irish debut at this year’s Beta Festival. Directed by Stéphane Foenkinos and Pierre-Alain Giraud, Noire tells the real-life story of 15-year-old Claudette Colvin, who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in a segregated 1950s Alabama through an immersive and encapsulating digital performance showing the power of storytelling through technology. Noire is presented by The Digital Hub, the French Embassy in Ireland and Institut Francais, as part of the official Novembre Numérique programme, and is supported by Smart Dublin.

This year, Beta will host two exhibitions: the first Unsettling the Algorithm: Seeds of Resistance, is an international exhibition curated by Aisling Murray and Nora O’ Murchú. Featuring artists including Irish-Iraqi artist Basil Al-Rawi, Tega Brain and Sam Levigne, Firas Shehadeh, Winnie Soon and Tzu-Tung Lee, Nora Al Badri and !Mediengruppe Bitnik among others, the exhibition will explore how digital infrastructures and algorithms shape, influence and govern our daily lives. Separately, the Local Artists Network will spotlight emerging Irish artists with new work from Conan McIvor, Aisling Phelan, Cailean Finn, and more.

Among these installations will be the interactive artwork Boogaloo Bias, which explores the dangers of unregulated use of facial recognition technology particularly among law enforcement. Created by Jennifer Gradecki and Derek Curry, the project examines the practice of ‘brute forcing’, where law enforcement substitutes images of celebrities resembling suspects when high-quality images are unavailable and explores themes of accountability and bias in automated systems.

Keynote addresses by cognitive behavioural scientist and member of the UN’s AI Advisory Board Abebe Birhane and Head of Arts Technologies at London’s Serpentine Gallery Kay Watson will be delivered at the conference, while several workshops, discussions and think-ins will be hosted by ADAPT research centre, the Creative Futures Academy, Fire Station Artists’ Studios and Creative Spark during the festival.

Key highlights for the festival will include:

  • Noire, the Unknown Life of Claudette Colvin tells the real-life story of the 15-year-old who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in a segregated 1950’s Alabama in a near-mirror event to that of Rosa Parks, told through an immersive digital performance. Noire won the inaugural award for Best Immersive Experience at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year and the production is brought to Ireland by the Beta Festival and The Digital Hub, in association with the French Embassy and Institut Francais, and is supported by Smart Dublin. Noire will make its Irish debut at the Samuel Beckett Theatre from 7th – 10th November.
  • Assembly on Art and AI will bring together AI researchers, policy makers, cultural leaders and artists to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on arts and culture and identify challenges and opportunities to fuel a rolling agenda of areas to consider when creating policy centred on AI.
  • Cold Call, a call centre created by Tega Brain and Sam Lavigne that reimagines carbon offsetting, by transforming the concept of time theft – a form of resistance where employees deliberately slow productivity – into a carbon-saving strategy aimed at high-emission companies. Through the call centre, viewers are encouraged to call fossil fuel companies and distract them for as long as possible, delaying carbon-emitting activities.
  • Keynote discussions by Head of London’s Serpentine Gallery Kay Watson and UN’s AI Advisory Board Abeba Birhane, encompassing AI’s potential benefits and proven risks

The official opening will take place on Friday, 1st November at The Digital Hub in Dublin 8.

Aisling Murray, co-founder and director of Beta Festival, commented:

“I am thrilled that Beta is returning for its second year and very grateful for the continued support from co-founders The Digital Hub and funders Science Week. It has been an exciting opportunity to work with Nora O’ Murchú on curating our international exhibition Unsettling the Algorithm, which complements this year’s programme that showcases some of Ireland’s most exciting art and technology offerings and gives audiences a chance to explore international best practice of new technologies. The outstanding XR performance Noire will be a highlight of our programme and is the best integration of immersive technology with storytelling that I have come across, which I cannot wait to share with audiences.

Fiach Mac Conghail, co-founder of Beta Festival and CEO of The Digital Hub, added:

“At The Digital Hub, we always consider the impact of emerging innovations in technology on our society. We provide a creative and safe space for audiences to understand these developments in a tangible and meaningful way. We believe that artists can assist us in this understanding and this year’s programme at Beta is no exception. Through an invigorating programme of important artworks, workshops, innovative keynote speeches and engaging performances, we are in a position to offer this insight and consideration to our communities at The Digital Hub. We are excited to launch the 2024 edition of Beta festival on 1st November and look forward to seeing the great work of so many artists and the visitors that join us over the two weeks.”

The Digital Hub has a strong track record in supporting digital technology industries, creative enterprises, and community learning programmes in Dublin 8 and beyond. Beta is aimed to be both a culmination of various activities within the Liberties campus, as well as a starting point for further discussion on how to make complex technologies more accessible to communities.

The Digital Hub and Aisling Murray are being supported in its preparations for Beta by Science Week, Ambassade de France en Irlande and Institut Francais, British Council, ADAPT Research Centre, Smart Dublin, Fire Station Artist’s Studio, Creative Futures Academy, The Arts Council and Pallas Projects.

Beta Festival will kick off from Friday, 1 November with a variety of events and exhibitions during that time with the centrepiece exhibition, Unsettling the Algorithm: Seeds of Resistance and additional events at The Digital Hub running until Sunday, 17 November.

Tickets for Noire are available from 12pm, Thursday October 3rd and are available to purchase at https://2024.betafestival.ie/.

Dublin set to be home to new international arts and technology festival – Beta

The Digital Hub, in partnership with Aisling Murray and with the support of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), are putting in place plans for a new international arts and technology festival for Ireland. Beta, which will take place across 4 days in November, is seeking to critically engage with technology’s impact on society through a combination of creativity, debate, and experimentation.

Beta will focus on a number of key themes which are dominating the technology discussion at present, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, data rights and sustainability. The festival has identified a need to bring together Ireland’s research and digital arts communities in order to foster a discussion about how the two disciplines can combine for the benefit of society.

Beta is led by Aisling Murray, a curator and creative producer with 15 years’ experience across exhibitions, festivals, literature, spoken word, theatre and dance. She most recently worked with the Goethe-Institut Irland in developing their Quantum Technology Art residency and curated the inaugural art and science stage at Electric Picnic funded by SFI. Prior to this she worked for Science Gallery Dublin where she produced national and international creative programmes converging art, science, technology and society.

Ultimately, the festival organisers are aiming to position Ireland as a leader in the intersection of art and technology programming in an audience-centred way to engage the public playfully and critically with new technologies. Beta will also include performances, discussion, workshops and a nighttime programme over the 4 days.

Beta has already confirmed a number of acclaimed artists to participate in this year’s festival including Libby Heaney, Leon Butler and Peter Power.

Two unique works have been commissioned to support the launch of Beta. Artist Leon Butler has imagined what the identity of a festival of art and technology could be and has generated a new font seen in the Beta logo. The final logo almost looks hand drawn or screen printed with beautifully imperfect edges – this intersection of cutting-edge technology and human creativity is exactly what Beta will explore with the festival.

Beta’s website, which launched today, features a new commission from artist and designer Farouk Alao. Specialising in 3D motion and web design, he has drawn inspiration from nature, his world, and human emotions. His vision explores the intersection of reality and imagination. The motion piece on Beta’s website, called the Beta cube, positions Beta as a centre point in which art, technology and creativity resolve and makes use of the unique font designed by Butler.

Beta is also launching a new international residency in partnership with transmediale in Berlin supported by the Arts Council of Ireland. Transmediale is one of the leading and longest running festivals for art and digital culture in Europe. The Beta x transmediale residency will bring together four artists from Ireland and Germany to explore critical perspectives on artificial intelligence and digital art. Taking place as a hybrid residency with 2 weeks online, 3 weeks in Dublin, Ireland and 3 weeks in Berlin, Germany, the residency programme will provide space, resources and mentorship to four artists to develop new artworks that generate new imaginaries around climate resilience and political polarisation.

Aisling Murray, Director of Beta, said:

“Beta has the potential to really put Ireland on the map in terms of the intersection of research, technology and digital arts. Each of these disciplines continues to grow from strength to strength, which is why it’s very timely that Beta is now coming to fruition. The Digital Hub are the ideal co-founder for this with their experience both creatively and with industry, I’m so grateful for their support and excited to create an anchor point in the year for the communities interested in these themes.. I’m hugely excited for what is going to be 4 days of immersive content, performance and discussion in Dublin 8. The Liberties is a really important aspect of this festival, steeped in history, culture and innovation it is the perfect meeting place for what we want Beta to symbolise.”

The Digital Hub has a strong track record in supporting digital technology industries, creative enterprises, and community learning programmes in Dublin 8 and beyond. Beta is aimed to be both the culmination of various activities within the Liberties campus, as well as a starting point for further discussion on how to make complex technologies more accessible to communities.

The Digital Hub and Aisling Murray are being supported in its preparations for Beta by SFI, The Arts Council, Project Arts Centre, Goethe Institut, Alliance Française, British Council, ADAPT Research Centre, and NCAD Gallery. More information: https://betafestival.ie/

Samsung announces  “Galaxy Beta Program” for Android 7.0 on Galaxy S7/S7 EDGE. #Android #GalaxyS7

It was a matter of “when” instead of “If” that the guys at Samsung started trying to fix all those little details they always have had during they reign.

They are now letting users have a taste of what the upcoming versions of Android for Galaxy will feel like.

  Android 7.0 Nougat is the latest instalment of the Android ecosystem, and as far as today only two 2016 phones have it.

And something that has always been an issue with Samsung is timely updates, but this time they seem to have a different strategy to make updates faster by letting userw get involve.

The program is available since November 9th to users residing in the U.S., U.K. and Korea, with China soon to join.

Some things you need to have in mind:

For the U.K, the beta program is only available to users of S7 and S7 edge who have a non-operator locked device or have purchased an open market version.

Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition and Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition are excluded from the program.

So if you happen to have a locked carrier version of the phone or one of those extremely rare and expensive “Special Editions” you’re so “special” that you can’t participated in something for the normal S7 user.

All you need to do to join the program is download the Galaxy Beta Program  or the Samsung Members apps.

So run as fast as you can to get your taste of Nougat and the Grace UX found on the Note7 with all those little tweaks to the AOD and other small things that will make your phone feel like new again.

Source

 

HERE kicks off Public Beta program to test “Contextual Menu” feature on #Android by @Tiwaash #Beta #Navigation

Want to join hands with HERE in improving the already good navigation app the best?? Well then here is your chance. Starting today HERE is kicking off their public Beta program open to check the latest features and give them feedback for Android users.

HERE wants feedback from users on ‘contextual menu’ feature; a single, long-press anywhere on the map brings up a shortcut menu to quickly see location information, share a location, get directions or start drive navigation. That is super cool. What are you waiting for? If you own an Android device running Android 4.1 and above and has at least 1 GB of RAM, follow the insurrections below and you are good to go.

Steps to Sign up

1) Join the HERE Beta Program Google group.

2) Visit this link on your mobile device and click on Become a Tester. Please note, you must join the HERE Beta Program group first (from step 1) before you can become a tester.

3) Open the Play Store app on your mobile device and install or update the HERE app with the beta version by choosing Update or Install.

4) Use the app as you normally would and tell us what you think or report problems using the Feedback option in the HERE menu of the app or email us directly at beta@here.com.

Note: For more info on this Beta tester program visit here.

Let us know your feedback in the comments below or tweet us using #techbuzzireland.

Stay tuned for more tech buzz.

Sign up process for MixRadio Beta Programme for #Android and #iOS detailed by @Tiwaash #MixRadio #Beta #Music

A few days back we were surprised when MixRadio had announced their private beta program for Android and iOS. We were really excited to check the app ourselves and it is a good one. But now you can have the opportunity too, too check it yourself. Today we take you through the steps to follow to sign up for MixRadio Beta Program. Continue reading to understand this simple process.

Android Users
To join the MixRadio for Android beta programme users, must follow these simple steps;

  • Click here.
  • You will be taken to HockeyApp Beta recruitment page for Android Beta testers.
  • Sign in with your Facebook,  Google+, Microsoft or create a new HockeyApp account
  • After registering on HockeyApp you will receive confirmation of acceptance into the MixRadio Droid Beta programme.
  • You will then be able to download and install the latest Beta version of MixRadio for Android
  • Ensure you have enabled installation of 3rd party apps ( Settings -> Security -> Enable “Unknown Sources”)
  • You will receive updates from HockeyApp for all subsequence updates to the app.

Any issues or feedback should be reported here. 

iOS Users
To join the MixRadio for iOS beta programme users, must follow these simple steps;

  • Click here.
  • You will be taken to HockeyApp Beta recruitment page for iOS Beta testers.
  • Sign in with your Facebook,  Google+, Microsoft or create a new HockeyApp account
  • Some time after registering on HockeyApp you will receive confirmation of acceptance into the MixRadio iOS Beta programme.
  • You will later receive an email from the iTunes Store to your registered email address, with the subject “TestFlight: You’re invited to test MixRadio”
  • If you do not get an email within a few working days, check your spam folder.
  • Follow the instructions in that email and enjoy MixRadio!
  • You will receive updates notifications from TestFlight for all subsequence updates to the app.

Any issues or feedback should be reported here.

Share your experience with us in comments below or tweet us using #TechBuzzIreland.

Stay tuned for more tech buzz.

#Android and #iOS versions of #MixRadio released to Private Beta Testers by @Tiwaash #Music

Earlier today the very popular personalized music streaming service on WindowsPhone, MixRadio released its BETA Android and iOS versions of the App. Whilst this is not a launch it does point in a new direction for the MixRadio team. We may have expected this as Microsoft sold this awesome service to LINE Corporation sometime back.

MixRadio is a radio focused service that serves up music suggestions based on your chosen parameters. Favorite artists, genres, or even just using some of the curated mixes, MixRadio usually comes up with tunes you want to hear, or just hit Play Me and it plays music which you can thumbs up or down to make it a personal radio station.

MixRadio evolved from Nokia Music which was exclusive to Nokia devices. Nokia later on passed on MixRadio to Microsoft as part of the acquisition and then Microsoft sold it to Line Corporation. Keeping in mind the popularity and the amazing music streaming service, MixRadio is now game to take on the Android & iOS platforms. We are yet to see how the apps look but one thing is very clear with this initiative that MixRadio is on a huge expansion spree. We wish them all the very best and extend all our support both as bloggers and personal.

Stay tuned for more tech buzz.