Most people touch up their selfies to remove pimples or ruddy patches without a second thought. Facebook wants you to have the same attitude about removing pesky eyelids from photos, too. 

Using a machine learning technique called ‘generative adversarial network,’ or GAN, Facebook researchers taught an AI to observe a picture in which you blinked, compare it to an unblinking photo of you, and then use “in-painting” to substitute your closed eyelids for open eyes. 

Facebook researchers Brian Dolhansky and Cristian Canton Ferrer released a paper Monday that detailed the process. Eventually, Facebook could add GAN as a feature to its Facebook or Instagram apps, though the paper does not suggest this is an option. 

Dolhansky and Ferrer taught their AI to match features like iris color, skin tone, eye contours and lighting. They then gave photos to participants in their study and asked them to pick which eyes were the originals. 54% of the time, they either picked the in-painted eyes or couldn’t tell the difference. 

Dolhansky and Ferrer did admit that they had trouble generating eyes from some original photos, especially those whose subjects wore glasses or whose hair covered or overshadowed their eyes. They’re confident they can solve the issue with further tests. 

The study doesn’t make clear whether the “participants” were looking at their own photos or at strangers. People looking at their own selfies or at family snapshots may be more likely to spot an “uncanny valley” effect, as the researchers put it. 

Still, with further tweaking, this AI could make it possible to salvage those group photos where one person blinked or everyone squinted in the bright sun. 

AI touch-ups

Facebook isn’t the only tech company interested in using AI to significantly edit people’s features in photos. 

Adobe is working on an app that will take your selfies and automatically Photoshop them. It’s AI will intelligently study faces and use a telephoto lens to downplay certain features on your face. 

Beyond this photo-based plastic surgery, Adobe also uses AI to intelligently select and crop out objects in a photo, or to enhance low-res images by using AI to estimate what pixels are missing and then insert them automatically. 

Eventually, AI could be used to selectively pull features from your most flattering photos into some kind of realistic-looking amalgamate selfie, or to pull features from other people’s photos into your own. 

Combined with AI tech to simply edit your facial template to look more handsome or beautiful, and we’re about to get an influx of some very flattering, very unrealistic dating profile pics. 

http://www.techradar.com/news/facebooks-ai-can-take-your-blinking-selfies-and-digitally-open-your-eyes

If you’re looking for one of the best portable laptop battery chargers or power banks, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered together the best laptop chargers that can keep your mobile devices powered on for longer.

The best portable laptop battery chargers are critical if you’re using one of the best laptops away from home – you don’t want to be stranded while out of battery. This is why the best portable laptop battery chargers are so popular, and finding the right one for your needs is absolutely essential.

With the best laptop battery chargers, you don’t need to worry about getting stuck without your laptop, and by making sure you only buy a quality one, you can ensure that you’ll get your work done without interruption.

The best portable laptop battery chargers can even replace your original laptop charger entirely, as they provide you with an uninterruptible power supply no matter where you go.

However, there are plenty of shoddy battery chargers out there, which is why we created this list. We’ve gone ahead and highlighted the best portable laptop battery chargers and power banks you can buy today. We’ve also included our exclusive price comparison tool, so that you can make sure you only get the best deal when looking for the best laptop chargers and power banks.

1. Mophie Powerstation AC

Capacity: 22Ah | Outputs: 1 x AC, 1 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C

Mophie Powerstation AC is all about high output to bring your devices back to life. It’s Through its built in 100W AC jack, users will be able to power an 15-inch MacBook Pro. Meanwhile, the USB-C port is rated at 30W with a USB-PD label, meaning its one of the few batteries capable of fast charging an iPhone X or iPhone 8.

2. Omni 20 USB-C

Capacity: 20100mAh | Outputs: 2 x USB-C, 2 x USB-A | Notebook Connectors: N/A

If you have a newer laptop, and find yourself running out of juice throughout the day, the Omni 20 USB-C might be for you. Not only does it have an insanely high capacity, but it also allows charging of multiple USB-C devices simultaneously. So, if you’re working and you need to charge your Nintendo Switch and a mobile device, you go for it. Plus, the Omni 20 also serves as a USB hub, clearing out some extra storage space in your bag.

3. Poweradd Pilot Pro2

Capacity: 23Ah | Outputs: 1 x DC, 2 x USB | Notebook Connectors: 10

Backed by a two-year warranty, this emergency battery for your laptop comes with 10 connectors to cover most of the notebooks on the market. With a 23Ah/85Wh capacity and a maximum power output of 90W (20V, 4.5A), it tips the scale at just under 560g which makes this device great when travelling by plane. The marketing blurb even mentions ‘anti-explosion’ batteries.

As expected, there are no USB Type-C connectors and you will need to carry its very own 40W (20V, 2A) power supply unit – with a proprietary connector – to charge it on the go.

4. RAVPower RP-PB058

Capacity: 26.8Ah | Outputs: 1 x Type-C, 2 x Type-A | Notebook Connectors: 0

Advances in computer component technology mean that newer laptops now need less juice to work. This is particularly true for high-end models like the latest Apple MacBook, HP Elite x2 1012 G1, the Huawei MateBook or Dell’s popular XPS 13 family.

The common point for all of them is the fact that they have a USB Type-C connector. RAVPower can deliver up to 30W (20V, 1.5A) of power which should be enough for the target products. You can recharge it using a 30W wall charger that can also be used to power compatible laptops – very handy indeed.

5. MaxOak Apple MacBook Charger

Capacity: 36Ah | Outputs: 2 x Type-A, 1 x Type-C, DC-out | Notebook Connectors: 3

Here’s the perfect example of a vendor that went the extra mile to make sure that its product matches the expectations of the audience. The MaxOak has all the hallmarks of an Apple device – without bearing the logo – but with the matching brushed aluminium finish.

It has the second-highest capacity of all the battery chargers on this list, but these beefy reserves come with a big disadvantage – it has such a large capacity that at least one airline has banned it, so bear that in mind if you plan to use this peripheral to satisfy your long haul travels. It is relatively heavy at almost 1kg and will cater for most recent Apple laptops (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and MacBook) but nothing else.

6. Qi-Infinity Upgraded Powerbank

Capacity: 35Ah | Outputs: 4 x Type-A, DC-out | Notebook Connectors: 1

This is the only charger in this list that targets Microsoft’s popular Surface range by offering the appropriate DC output voltage (12V and 15V). It comes with a generous five ports, four of which allow you to charge other 5V devices (that includes anything from other power banks to tablets and smartphones).

Of particular interest is the support for fast-charging courtesy of Qualcomm’s Qi technology. You will be able to charge the new MacBook as well, but no traditional laptops that rely on a 19V DC output. Just be aware that its capacity, 35Ah, may get it banned on some airlines, just like the MaxOak devices above and below.

• This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and australian readers, check out a fine alternative in the RAVPower RP-PB058 

7. MaxOak K2

Capacity: 50Ah | Outputs: 4 x Type-A, 2 x DC-out | Notebook Connectors: 11

The K2 is the world’s second highest mountain and it is fitting – to some extent – that MaxOak named this battery after that lofty peak. After all, at 50Ah, this is the biggest battery on our list and one that is also the heaviest of the lot. It supports laptops up to 60W (3A, 20V) as well as fast-charging.

Note that it takes up to eight hours to charge the battery and that can only be achieved via a proprietary charger. Sadly, it doesn’t carry a USB Type-C connector – which makes it useless for newer laptops – and you won’t be able to lug it around on the plane (as with the previous two peripherals, the massive capacity here may mean it’s banned on some flights).

8. Sandberg Powerbank 20000

Capacity: 20Ah | Outputs: 2 x USB Type A, 1 x DC-out | Notebook Connectors: 12

Sandberg’s Powerbank is neither the cheapest nor the most powerful around. However, it does come with a couple of features that make it a rather enticing option. It outputs to a number of voltages (12V, 16V, 19V and 20V), automatically choosing the right one depending on the device which is connected.

There are also two USB ports and these are obviously hardwired to output 5V on both. You get 12 different charge tips but sadly none would fit our Dell XPS 13, and they won’t be useful for USB Type-C models like the XPS 13 from 2016.

There are a couple of things that differentiate this from most of its rivals: it uses a brushed, premium aluminium finish, with bright blue LED status lights that clearly indicate the amount of juice left (or how close the battery is to being charged).

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers, check out a fine alternative in the MaxOak K2 

9. RavPower AC Power Bank

Capacity: 27Ah | Outputs: 1 x USB Type-C, 2 x USB Type-A, DC-out | Notebook Connectors: 0

If you are looking for a versatile laptop charger, then do consider this RavPower offering. It is by far the most expensive model on our list, but this Reddot award winner carries a feature that no one has replicated till now. It has an AC output that can deliver up to 100W of power – yes, this could even power a TV if needed.

Note that you will probably need an adaptor (there’s one bundled) because the power bank can only accommodate two-prong plugs. You will be able to take it on a commercial flight, but you will not be able to recharge it via USB.

10. Dell Power Companion PW7015L

Capacity: 18Ah | Outputs: 2 x USB Type-A, DC-out | Notebook Connectors: 0

Dell sells the Power Companion with various battery capacities. It is more compact than the RAVPower models, and the unit looks like a Dell power brick that charges your laptop. When you’re at your desk, you can daisy-chain to recharge the Power Companion and your Dell laptop by connecting your Dell charging brick to the Power Companion, and then connecting it to your notebook.

Dell’s Power Companion is a far sleeker battery pack if your office relies on Dell Inspiron, Latitude, XPS or Venue laptops and tablets, with the added benefit that it has extra USB ports should you need them.

http://www.techradar.com/news/top-8-best-portable-laptop-battery-chargers-and-power-banks-in-2017

While a lack of console cross-platform play has long been an issue for fans of gaming, it feels like it’s really come to a head recently with Fortnite Battle Royale. As Xbox and Nintendo tweet one another to organize games of Fortnite, PlayStation remains on the sidelines as the platform that refuses to enable its users to play with anyone else. 

Sony has been rather evasive when it comes to explaining its reasoning for its reticence. Xbox and Nintendo seem to have no problem with it, and Epic Games has said turning on cross-play would be as easy as pressing a button. Yet PlayStation won’t get in on the act.

According to Joe Smedley, the former head of Sony Entertainment Online, the main reason for this is nothing more complicated than money. 

Tweeting a response to a video on the topic made by Kinda Funny’s Greg Miller, Smedley said:

btw when I was at Sony, the stated reason internally for this was money. They didn’t like someone buying something on an Xbox and it being used on a Playstation. simple as that. dumb reason, but there it is.June 18, 2018

After settling for a while, the cross-play Fortnite issue was raised once more when the game launched on Nintendo Switch during E3. PlayStation 4 users who had linked their console to their Epic account found that they were unable to log in on their Switch console, meaning their progress and purchases would have to started from scratch if they wanted to use their Switch. 

This wasn’t a problem that Xbox and PC users faced, and there’s been some dissatisfaction among PlayStation users with friends on other platforms since. 

Fans are continuing to place pressure on Sony and PlayStation over the cross-play issue but whether or not the company will budge is hard to say.

http://www.techradar.com/news/former-sony-online-boss-says-fortnite-cross-play-issue-is-down-to-money