Visual Edge

In technology, first-mover advantage does not necessarily translate to
eventual market leadership. While it is too early to bring ChatGPT under this phenomenon, its dominance took a hit this week when Google's AI platform Gemini unseated it as the top downloaded app in the US, the main market for AI in the world. The figures are from Apple Store where such app battles are often won and lost. After a delayed entry into the AI game, Google has been snapping at the heels of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. It managed to achieve this tipping point with the launch of its AI image editor Nano Banana in August. 

This tool within Gemini has turned out to be incredibly popular and has changed the kind of things people could do with images like manipulating or blending selfies or profile pictures into other photos while maintaining likeness. By one estimate, more than 20 million first-time users joined Gemini after the launch of Nano Banana. It also highlights how the AI wars are going to be underpinned by images and videos. But other big platforms, including ChatGPT, will roll out such products and the number one position could keep shifting depending on the flavour of the moment.

Virtual Boy Returns

The Virtual Boy was a rare failure for Nintendo. Meant to render games in
stereoscopic 3D graphics and to give a VR experience through a headset, it ended up being a big dud when launched in 1995. Now 30 years on, it is making a comeback. Nintendo has announced it will be bringing back the headset and re-releasing its games through the Nintendo Switch Online service.

Kodak's Retro Cameras

Kodak recently came out with Kodak Charmera, a line of 1980s-inspired digital toy cameras that are no larger the size of key rings and can shoot both photos and videos. Marketed as a functional fashion accessory, they come in seven styles, each with filters that mimic the look of vintage film photography. They'll probably not deliver the sharpest images and videos, but they already appear to have struck a chord with the customers.

Liquid Glass Update

Apple rolled out iOS 26, the latest software update for iPhone, with a host of new features, including Liquid Glass, which brings in translucency for icons and other display elements. It has also upped its AI game with Live Translation. For instance, if you are having a conversation on FaceTime in a different language, real-time translated captions on screen become available.