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How To Find The Hidden Icon.

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Key Takeaways

  • Google Photos restores Perspective Tool but hides it behind an unnecessary crop step, creating an inconsistent experience
  • The tool remains absent from video editing
  • Despite the feature’s return, its hidden implementation and video limitation make this update feel half-baked

November 26 Update Below: Google Photos’ trend toward automation and AI. This article was originally published on November 25

Google Photos has finally addressed one of 2024’s biggest user complaints, by restoring the much-used Perspective Tool. However, the update creates a new issue: the feature is effectively invisible unless you follow the right steps.

Google Photos recently rolled out an updated video editor with new features and a streamlined interface, but some key features were removed in the process. After months of user complaints, Google has finally restored the Perspective Tool, but kept it hidden away from view.

The ‘Hidden’ Icon

As detailed in my previous article, when the new video editor arrived, users noticed that Auto Trim, Markup and the Perspective Tool were all missing from the new interface. Now, the Perspective Tool has finally made a comeback, although if you don’t know where to look, you’ll probably miss it.

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Google Photos’ Controversial Perspective Tool Returns

The Perspective Tool enables fine control over geometric correction, by allowing users to adjust each corner of an image independently, This feature is vital for correcting converging lines in architectural photography, ensuring the walls of tall buildings appear vertical. The tool is also vital for straightening up the sides of scanned documents or anything that wasn’t shot quite straight on.

Furthermore, the Perspective Tool is a daily requirement for many users, as evidenced by community complaints. So when Google removed it during the video editor update, users faced two options: downgrade to an older version of Google Photos or switch to third-party apps like Adobe Lightroom or Snapseed. If you’re in the former camp, it’s now safe to update your Google Photos app and use the newly-reinstated Perspective Tool — assuming you can find it.

Finding The Feature: The ‘Crop’ Workaround

Unfortunately, the “new” Perspective Tool isn’t easy to find. For reasons best known to Google, users must now perform a basic crop adjustment before the tool will appear in the interface.

Here’s how to find the hidden Perspective Tool:

  • Open your photo and tap Edit
  • Trigger the feature: Move any corner of the photo inward slightly, or select one of the preset aspect ratio options from the Framing tool.
  • Watch the corner: Only after this action will the Perspective Tool icon appear in the top right corner

Why This Matters

This implementation is significantly different from previous versions where the tool was accessible immediately.

Tapping the Perspective Correction tool activates automatic correction, which analyzes your image and suggests an initial adjustment. Users can then fine-tune this result or perform a manual correction by moving any of the four corners of the suggested crop.

Google’s decision to add this intermediate step is baffling and counterintuitive, especially when users are actively searching for it. I can see no technical reason why the Perspective Tool can’t be displayed immediately upon entering Edit mode as there’s plenty of room on the screen and the tool remains visible even if the user reverses their original framing adjustment. Let’s hope Google gets its act together and makes the Perspective Tool more accessible in future updates. As it stands, it’s a usability issue that will drive away power users.

The Perspective Tool Still Doesn’t Work For Video

Unfortunately, the new Perspective Tool currently only works for photos. It’s still absent from the video editor (unless Google has done an even better job of hiding it this time). Hopefully Google will also restore this functionality soon, as there appears to have been no good reason for removing it in the first place.

November 26 Update: Added analysis, and minor edits for article clarity.

Analysis: The Shift Away From Manual Controls

The issue highlighted with this update points to a broader trend within the Google Photos app: a gradual increase in automated and AI-powered features at the expense of traditional manual features.

The app’s new Create tab and AI-powered generative features now take center-stage, with an emphasis on conversational editing rather than manual on-screen adjustments. When you can simply ask Google’s Nano Banana model to straighten up an image for you, there’s less of a need for a user-operated perspective tool.

However, this trend takes away an important level of user control: What if you don’t want the image exactly straight? How much back-and-forth are you prepared to endure before Nano Banana finally delivers an adjustment that matches your expectations?

Manual tools are still important enough not to warrant being hidden away behind counter-intuitive screen interactions, especially as the Perspective Tool, as it stands, forces the user to crop first and then adjust the perspective. This is the opposite way around from a photographer’s typical workflow.

If you still make frequent manual edits to your photos, and want to continue to do so, then Google’s legacy Snapseed app (linked above) still has you covered.

Verdict: Is It Safe To Update?

If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your app, or switched to a different one to make perspective corrections, it’s now safe to install the latest version.

Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram.

ForbesCan You Tell If An Image Was Made By AI? Google Just Gave Everyone A Free ToolForbesGoogle Photos Adds New Video Editor But Removes Key Features





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Wateen and Beaconhouse Strengthen Partnership to Pioneer Digital Learning

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Wateen Telecom has strengthened its partnership with Beaconhouse Group, Pakistan’s largest network of private educational institutions, to enhance managed internet services over SD-WAN and fortify the digital learning infrastructure across the school network.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Ali Ahmad Khan, Chief Operating Officer, Beaconhouse, and Mr. Adil Rashid, CEO, Wateen Telecom.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior representatives from both organizations.

This collaboration builds on a longstanding foundation that reflects a shared commitment to enabling future-ready learning environments powered by secure, scalable, and reliable connectivity – pioneering the future of digital education in Beaconhouse schools across Pakistan.

The upgraded SD-WAN and Wi-Fi infrastructure will enhance classroom connectivity, support high-density usage, and create a more seamless experience for students accessing digital tools, cloud-based apps, and online learning resources.

This initiative reflects Wateen’s ongoing focus on strengthening Pakistan’s digital education landscape, enabling schools to deliver richer, more reliable learning experiences through modern, high-performance connectivity.





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Vivo X300 Pro Is An iPhone 17 Pro Rival With A Bigger Battery And Zeiss-Tuned Cameras

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Vivo launched the X300 and X300 Pro at an event in Shanghai, China on October 13, followed by an India debut last week. The Vivo X300 Pro takes on the iPhone 17 Pro, Oppo Find X9 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with an improved camera system, the latest MediaTek processor, and a familiar design language – something Oppo and OnePlus have deviated from this year.

The new flagship sports a large circular camera module on the back but flattens its sides. Vivo has steadily removed curves from its premium phones, a move that might bother some people. However, this design offers better grip than the slippery Vivo X100 Pro and is nowhere near as sharp as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. While the phone is heavy at 228 grams, it feels comfortable thanks to good weight distribution. It retains the IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings from last year.

There is no annoying Camera Control copy here, but you do get an Action Button clone on the left side. It supports both a standard long-press and a double-press trigger, which is currently not possible on Apple iPhones.. For example, I have set my unit to trigger DND with a long press and enable the flashlight with a double press.

The Vivo X300 Pro features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with thinner bezels, making the device slightly slimmer and shorter than its predecessor. Colors are vivid, and the screen is easily legible in bright environments. It supports a 1,260 x 2,800 resolution with 452ppi pixel density, a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, and a 94.85 percent screen-to-body ratio that makes HDR content look more immersive than before.

Under the hood, the Vivo flagship is powered by the top-tier MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. It offers smooth performance in day-to-day use and handles demanding games without overheating. You will notice the thermal improvement over last year’s Dimensity 9400 and recent rivals during extended gaming sessions.

Vivo continues its photography lead with a triple rear camera setup. The X300 Pro sports a 50MP Sony LYT-828 main camera, a 200MP telephoto sensor with 3.5x optical zoom, and a 50MP JN1 sensor for ultrawide shots.

As for the camera quality, you get good color vibrancy and white balance in daylight shots. Compared to the Vivo X200 Pro, the new model manages highlights and shadows better, offering more detail in challenging low-light environments. Portrait shots look as good as before, though there are occasional inconsistencies in processing. And like before, there are plenty of Zeiss effects and filters to play around with.

It also gets a Telephoto Extender Kit that supports 2.35x zoom. Co-engineered with Zeiss, the kit includes a lens, adapter ring, mounting parts, and a matching phone case. Unlike the Oppo-Hasselblad Teleconverter Kit, Vivo’s Extender Kit works with both the X300 Pro and the standard X300.

The Vivo X300 Pro packs a big 6,510mAh battery in China and India, though European models will ship with a smaller 5,440mAh cell. Both versions support 90W wired fast charging and 40W wireless charging. Regardless of the region, it should last an entire day with ease on moderate use. However, don’t expect it have multi-day endurance of the Oppo Find X9 Pro or the OnePlus 15.

For the first time, Vivo is bringing its OriginOS out of China. The Vivo X300 Pro runs Android 16-based OriginOS 6 globally. It offers a modern design, better UI uniformity, and is a clear upgrade over Funtouch OS.

You get iOS 26-like design elements, including translucent effects and a Dynamic Island-style feature for multitasking. For instance, you can select multiple photos from the gallery, drag them to the top of the screen to reveal shareable options, and drop them into an app like WhatsApp. It is a smart implementation of an existing concept.

Vivo X300 Pro: Price And Availability

The Vivo X300 Pro is priced at INR 1,09,999 for the single 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant in India. It is available for pre-booking now and will go on sale in Dune Gold and Elite Black starting December 10. Like previous Vivo flagships, the X300 series will not be released in the U.S.



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Zuma Resources Approves Asset Sale, Shifts Focus to Tech and EV Investments

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Zuma Resources Limited (formerly Bilal Fibres Limited) has announced a strategic shift in its business direction, with the Board of Directors approving a new focus on investments and partnerships across technology, AI-enabled services, electric vehicles (EV), healthcare, e-commerce, and other sectors.

In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the company said its board, at a meeting held on December 5, 2025, also approved the sale of land, buildings, plant, machinery, and other fixed assets.

The asset sale is being carried out in compliance with an order from the Lahore High Court to settle outstanding bank liabilities.

Additionally, the board approved the financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, and authorized management to convene the annual general meeting on December 31, 2025.

Zuma Resources, which recently rebranded from Bilal Fibres Limited, said it will keep stakeholders informed of further developments as it pursues its new investment strategy and completes the court-mandated asset sale.





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