iPhone users may soon be able to create group selfies with their friends without actually seeing them.
Apple has been granted a patent for new technology to create synthetic group selfies, allowing users to make it look as though they are together, even when they are not.
While the patent was filed long before the onslaught of the coronavirus, the technology could be a game changer for social media users who are forced to socially distance from friends and loved ones.
According to the patent, the feature would allow iPhones and other Apple products to take people’s individual pictures and arrange them together to create one overall group selfie. The technology will also work for video, according to Apple.
Originally filed in 2018, the patent notes the difficulty people can face arranging a group of people for a photo. "Thus, an easier mechanism for capturing a group selfie would be advantageous," it says.
While there are no details as to exactly how the new technology will work yet, it will likely be an extension of an existing feature on later iPhone models that allows the camera to recognise the difference between a person in the front of an image and the background, and separate the two.
It’s not clear how long it will be until Apple users will be able to try the new feature, but if it arrives as the world continues to practise social distancing, it might be the company’s most welcome update yet.
Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
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Read more about the coronavirus
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
Asia%20Cup%202022
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Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
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The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
