Entertainment
Google withdraws portrait settings for Pixel Phone app ahead of rollout
Search titan Google has reportedly retreated its recently introduced portrait-related setting for the Pixel phones’ Phone app, meant to enhance user control over portrait effects during phone calls.
Initially designed exclusively for the Google Phone app on Pixel devices, this feature was part of Google’s efforts to improve user experience through software updates rather than hardware changes.
The feature was slated to gradually roll out via a server-side update for Pixel phones equipped with advanced computational photography and AI-driven camera capabilities. By extending portrait effects from photography and video into calling features, Google aimed to enhance visual clarity during communication.
With the new portrait setting, users could have managed portrait behaviour more effectively during calls, being able to activate or deactivate portrait processing instead of relying solely on automatic settings.
This functionality was particularly beneficial for those who frequently switched between voice and video calls, ensuring consistency and reducing unexpected visual effects.
Regardless, the rollback means that Pixel users will no longer have access to this feature, which was aligned with Google’s goal of enhancing the Phone app through AI-powered tools like Call Screen and improved spam detection.
As video calls have become more common than ever, the ability to control camera behaviour during calls is essential, but unfortunately, Google appears to have reconsidered its approach.
The decision to retract the feature reflects ongoing adjustments to Google’s strategy, as the company evaluates user feedback and the overall impact of such functionalities in the competitive landscape of communication technology.
Entertainment
Bunnie XO details discovering Jelly Roll’s affair in new memoir
Bunnie Xo is opening up about the darkest chapter of her marriage to Jelly Roll.
In her new memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic, the podcaster, 44, reveals she contemplated suicide in 2018 after discovering the country star, 41, was having an affair just two years after tying the knot — a betrayal that nearly ended both her marriage and her life.
After an explosive fight, Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, moved out of their Nashville home with his daughter, Bailee. Bunnie, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, grew increasingly suspicious.
Despite his denials, she later learned “he had his ex-fling waiting for him in a hotel down the street.” When a friend confirmed the affair, the weight of it all crushed her.
“That night I contemplated taking my life,” she revealed. “The pain was so intense that I genuinely just wanted to end it all.” She recalled staring at a bottle of pills and wondering, “Would J even care if I was dead?” Ultimately, she stopped herself.
The road back wasn’t easy. “I’m not going to pretend that we just went back to normal. We absolutely did not,” she admitted, adding, “It would take years to actually feel like this man loved me — that I wasn’t disposable.”
Last year, the couple marked nine years of marriage.
Entertainment
Stephen Colbert slams CBS, says lawyers told him James Talarico interview could not air on “The Late Show”
“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert criticized CBS on Monday night, saying the network blocked his interview with U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico from airing.
“You know who is not one of my guests tonight? That’s Texas State Representative James Talarico,” Colbert told his studio audience. “He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast. Then I was told in some uncertain terms that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this.”
Colbert said the reason CBS prevented “The Late Show” from broadcasting Talarico’s appearance was rooted in new guidance from the FCC for daytime talk shows and late-night TV programs, which requires the shows to provide equal time to opposing candidates.
While “The Late Show” didn’t air Talarico’s interview on TV, it did post it on YouTube, where FCC rules don’t apply.
“The network says I can’t give you a URL or a QR code, but I promise you, if you go to our YouTube page, you’ll find it,” Colbert said.
Talarico, a Democrat, has served as a Texas state representative since 2018 and is campaigning in the Democratic primary to represent his state in the U.S. Senate.
CBS said in a statement: “THE LATE SHOW was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview with Rep. James Talarico. The show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and presented options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled. THE LATE SHOW decided to present the interview through its YouTube channel with on-air promotion on the broadcast rather than potentially providing the equal-time options.”
CBS News has reached out to the FCC for comment.
The FCC issued a notice last month that daytime talk shows and late-night programs must give equal time to opposing candidates. The announcement hinged on a decades-old federal law requiring any FCC-licensed broadcaster that lets a political candidate appear on its airwaves to also offer “equal opportunities” to all other candidates running for the same office. The law exempts “bona fide newscasts” and news interviews from the equal time rule.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who was appointed by President Trump and is an ally of the president, wrote on X as he shared the notice: “For years, legacy TV networks assumed that their late night & daytime talk shows qualify as ‘bona fide news’ programs – even when motivated by purely partisan political purposes. Today, the FCC reminded them of their obligation to provide all candidates with equal opportunities.”
On “The Late Show” Monday, Colbert said, “Well, sir, you’re chairman of the FCC, so FCC U, because I think you are motivated by partisan purposes yourself.”
“Let’s just call this what it is: Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV, because all Trump does is watch TV, OK? He’s like a toddler with too much screentime. He gets cranky and then drops a load in his diaper,” Colbert said.
CBS News has reached out to the White House for comment.
Talarico shared a clip on social media early Tuesday, saying, “This is the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see. His FCC refused to air my interview with Stephen Colbert. Trump is worried we’re about to flip Texas.”
Tuesday marked the first day of early voting in Texas for the March 3 primary, in which Talarico faces U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and businessman Ahmad Hassan. They are facing off to take on the winner of the Republican primary, in which longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn is being challenged by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. Both races could go to runoffs if no candidate in either party gets 50% of the vote.
Networks, individual shows and talk show hosts have come under fire by Mr. Trump for what he has claimed is their politically biased programming. Mr. Trump has at times called for broadcasters to lose their FCC licenses.
After taking over “The Late Show” from David Letterman in 2015, Colbert is preparing to wrap his final season as its host in May, when CBS will retire the late-night franchise. Although many suggested the cancellation was politically motivated, as Colbert has been an outspoken critic of Mr. Trump and his administration, the network insisted its decision was purely financial.
Entertainment
Oscar-nominated star Rose Byrne gets real about burnout behind the camera
Rose Byrne has opened up about how she relaxes after long and emotionally draining days on film sets.
The 46-year-old actress is currently starring in new psychological comedy drama If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and got nominated for Oscars, where she plays a mother going through a deep personal struggle.
While talking about the pressure of intense roles, Rose admitted that she keeps her coping routine simple once filming wraps up.
She shared: “I drink a lot of alcohol. To be honest, it’s sometimes as simple as having a cocktail after a long day on set or switching on the TV.”
The Platonic actress also explained that she does not follow any spiritual routine but she focus on her quiet family life.
She, however, lives in Brooklyn with her husband Bobby Cannavale and says that they now want calm and private lifestyle.
The actress went on to add that she leans heavily on her close family and home community.
Her children Rocco and Rafael play a big role in keeping her grounded. Rose said, “My children couldn’t care less if I’ve had a long day but in the best and most refreshing way.”
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is written and directed by Mary Bronstein and also stars Conan O’Brien as her therapist.
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