Ebbing waters in Hat Yai reveal dead bodies as catastrophic floods devastate southern Thailand, triggering widespread public anger at the government. 110 deaths have so… Read More ›
The post Ebbing waters in Hat Yai revealed dead bodies as the disaster in the southern city sparks public anger appeared first on Thai Examiner.
The Phuket Express
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Songkhla – Authorities in Songkhla Province have confirmed that the death toll from the recent flooding has risen to 117 lives lost as of November 28. The figure reflects fatalities directly linked to the disaster, while officials stated that routine deaths from illness and accidents continue at their normal rate, averaging 200–250 per month under […]
Songkhla Confirms 117 Flood Deaths
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If you were wanting some AI-generated fun this holiday weekend, you’ll need to be efficient. Google and OpenAI have cut generation request limits for Nano Banana Pro and Sora, citing overwhelming demand.
Bill Peebles, who heads Sora at OpenAI, said free users will have six video generations a day. “Our gpus are melting,” he explained. Unlike previous limits, Peebles did not say the measures were temporary, but noted users “can purchase additional gens as needed,” part of a broader push to monetize the platform. Limits for ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers are unchanged, though not specified.
Google is also restricting free users to two images a day on Nano Banana Pro, which launched last week. The change, down from three, was first noticed by 9to5Google. It warns limits may change frequently and “without notice,” standard practice following popular releases. The company also appears to be restricting free users’ access to Gemini 3 Pro.
Will Apple turn to Intel for production of its M-series chips in 2027? That’s what supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted on X Friday. Citing his latest industry surveys, Kuo says that Intel’s chances of becoming Apple’s latest “advanced-node supplier… has improved significantly” in recent weeks.
Any deal with Intel would be significant considering the chipmaker famously missed out on supplying its own processors for the original iPhone. Apple now has a deal with Taiwan-based TSMC to supply silicon chips for its iPhone, iPad and Mac products.
Kuo says that Apple has a non-disclosure agreement with Intel to acquire the company’s 18AP PDK 0.9.1GA chips. At this point, the company is waiting on Intel to deliver the PDK 1.0/1.1 kit, which is supposed to arrive in the first quarter of 2026. If everything stays on track, Intel could start shipping Apple’s lowest-end M-series processor, built on the 18AP advanced node, sometime in the second or third quarter of 2027, Kuo says. But that timing still depends on how smoothly things go once Apple actually gets the PDK 1.0/1.1 kit.
Kuo theorizes that a deal with Intel could help Apple demonstrate to the Trump administration that its committed to “buying American” by rerouting its supply chain to include more US-based companies. For Intel, a deal could signal that the company’s worst days are passed. “Looking ahead, the 14A node and beyond could capture more orders from Apple and other tier-one customers, turning Intel’s long-term outlook more positive,” Kuo writes.
Could Apple strike a deal with Intel? And what would happen if it decided to use the chipmaker’s 18AP processors for its entry-level M-series?
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| Photo: Abby Ferguson |
If you're a beginner photographer who spends any time on the internet, chances are you've been bombarded with content saying that you need to learn Manual mode immediately. It's a frequent refrain that "real" photographers exclusively shoot with manual controls, even from day one. While Manual mode certainly has its advantages and is something to work toward, Auto mode doesn't need to be so vilified. There's a time and a place for it, especially as you learn.
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| Photo: Abby Ferguson |
Photography can be an overwhelming activity when you're new. There's a lot to balance and consider when managing technical aspects such as exposure and stylistic choices like depth of field, motion and composition. While some people learn best by throwing themselves into the deep end, that's not the case for everyone. That's where Auto mode comes into play.
You can focus your energy on learning light, composition, timing and storytelling.
In Auto mode, your camera automatically sets core settings based on the scene you're photographing, which takes some of the pressure off as you learn. Instead of having to juggle exposure right from the start, you can focus your energy on learning light, composition, timing and storytelling. After all, each of those aspects have a significant impact on how successful or impactful your image is. If you dedicate yourself to improving those right away, you'll be off to a great start on your photographic journey.
Automatic mode can also help you learn about manual controls, provided you pay attention. If you notice that your portraits don’t have the blurred background you see in others’ photos, that’s a clue that depth of field and aperture are topics to dig into next. Likewise, if you're consistently getting blurry results when photographing action, that's a sign you may want to dedicate time to learning about shutter speed. Auto mode doesn't just take the guesswork out of exposing images; it can highlight specific knowledge gaps you may want to fill when you're ready to learn about manual controls.
Auto mode can make the difference between missing out or taking the photo.
On the practical side, there are times when getting the shot is the most important thing. Auto mode can make the difference between missing out because you're fiddling with settings or taking the photo. Using Auto (especially as you learn) for everyday snapshots, travel and fast-moving moments can help ensure that you have a photo of the moment. If the prospect of using your camera in Manual mode is intimidating, spend time regularly using Auto mode first, and work your way up to manual controls over time.
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| Photo: Abby Ferguson |
While Auto mode is useful, photographers actively seeking to grow will eventually encounter limitations and frustrations with it. That's because Auto doesn't know what you want in terms of depth of field (how much of a scene is in focus) or what you're trying to achieve with motion. It may also struggle in tricky lighting conditions, such as backlighting and night scenes, leaving you with disappointing photos.
At a certain point, as the photographer, you'll want to take creative control.
At a certain point, as the photographer, you'll want to take creative control, and learning the impact of the different camera settings unlocks just that. There are other modes in between full Auto and Manual that can also help you learn while taking some of the pressure off: Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority are all beneficial tools for photographers of all levels.
Choosing an aperture and shutter speed based on the visual impact of each will help you create an image that more closely aligns with your vision and adds to the photograph's impact. Ultimately, Manual mode gives you the most control and can help you prioritize proper exposure where you want it in challenging light, such as keeping your subject bright enough even if the light is behind them.
Learning how (and why) to control aperture, shutter speed and ISO can be tricky, but it just takes time. Each has an impact on your image, so it takes balancing all three to achieve what you want.
At the end of the day, Auto mode is a tool, just like any of the other modes. It isn't "cheating" or a badge of ineptitude if you use Auto. It can be a useful resource for beginner photographers, helping to keep the pressure off as you learn other aspects of photography. Plus, photography doesn't always need to be so serious; sometimes it's okay to turn your camera to Auto and just have fun.
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