Sony wants to emphasize that the AI camera on the new Xperia phone is quite impressive.

      Sony's AI camera assistant is facing criticism, and its defense seems unconvincing.

      Sony’s Xperia smartphones are recognized for their impressive camera capabilities, featuring high-quality lenses and sophisticated in-camera controls that enable users to capture outstanding images.

      Thus, when the company's official account shared a series of before-and-after photos taken with its AI camera assistant, the reactions were quite shocking. Not only did Sony venture into questionable AI territory, but the photos they presented were also quite poor.

      In light of the criticism surrounding the AI Camera Assistant, Sony has attempted to defend the feature, though I remain unconvinced.

      In clarifying the AI Camera Assistant, Sony explained that it doesn't edit photos post-capture. Instead, it assesses the scene, lighting, subject, distance, and background before the shot and recommends four different settings in various creative styles for users to select from. Users can choose any of these options or adjust their own settings.

      While this explanation sounds reasonable, the promotional images shared by Sony highlighted a different issue. The previously disastrous images are still noticeable in the new clarifications, as the AI-generated options do not appear significantly improved compared to the originals.

      What’s particularly disappointing is that consumers who purchase Sony Xperia smartphones do so for the brand's renowned color science and manual control features. If users desired heavily processed images, they would more likely opt for brands like Apple, Google, or Samsung, which offer a wider array of features.

      The Xperia has always been associated with camera purists. This has been its identity. By leaning into AI-driven photography that yields mediocre outcomes, it seems Sony might be neglecting this identity.

      To be fair, the cameras of the Xperia 1 VIII are indeed superior to previous models and can capture stunning images. The hardware itself isn't the issue; rather, the problem lies in Sony's shift in messaging from focusing on its core strength—raw camera performance—to pursuing the AI trend, which benefits the phone far less.

      Rachit is an experienced tech journalist with over seven years of expertise in the consumer technology sector.

      Your Pixel phone may soon notify you when a caller is misrepresenting their identity.

      Google's latest feature could expose scammers before you pick up the phone.

      Google has consistently led the way in safeguarding Pixel users from spam calls, and it appears the company is not finished. According to a recent analysis of the Google Phone app by Android Authority, Google is developing a new phone number spoofing detection feature.

      What is phone number spoofing?

      Siri may be late to the AI scene, but its iOS 27 redesign could still remain in beta.

      Siri has spent 15 years in beta and may remain there for even longer.

      Reports suggest that Apple is gearing up for one of the most significant redesigns of Siri in years with iOS 27, but despite multiple delays, the upgraded assistant might still be labeled as a beta product. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, internal test versions of iOS 27 are already referring to the revamped Siri as a beta experience and include an option for users to opt out of the Siri beta entirely.

      This would feel quite familiar to long-time Apple users, as Siri initially launched under a beta label in 2011 before Apple quietly removed that branding in 2013. Nonetheless, Siri has continued to receive criticism for lagging in comparison to competitors regarding reliability, conversational abilities, and overall intelligence.

      Siri’s transformation in iOS 27 may also introduce an automatic deletion feature for your AI chats.

      Siri might finally erase those awkward AI inquiries.

      Apple's long-anticipated Siri update in iOS 27 could include a feature that most AI chatbots consider optional: the automatic deletion of AI conversations. According to Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg newsletter, Apple is preparing a redesigned Siri experience that features a dedicated chatbot-style interface, prioritizing privacy controls rather than relegating them to hidden settings.

      The anticipated feature would enable users to automatically delete Siri conversations after 30 days, one year, or permanently retain them. This approach resembles the auto-delete system currently available in Apple's Messages app.