Starting with iOS 10, Apple has been scanning iPhone users` photo libraries and automatically creating nostalgic videos it calls Memories. They`re basically slideshows of what it deems to be meaningful photos and videos from your collection, set to music, and arranged around a theme. You`ll laugh, you`ll cry, and sometimes you`ll remember that time you took a picture of the frozen pizza baking directions.
iOS 11, released to the general public yesterday, brought some updates to Memories. They`re now portrait-format friendly, and more Memories will be automatically created around a wider range of subjects and themes. But if my first Memory video after downloading iOS 11 is any indication, Apple hasn`t gotten much smarter about what photos to include.
An interesting photo for Instagram, but not a moment I wanted to reminisce about months later. It`s hard for a computer to know the difference.
Though it does a few things well - it generally picks up on the fact that I like nice photos of my boyfriend and me - Apple`s algorithm makes some pretty weird choices. My latest Memory, titled `Best of the last 2 months,` opens on an image of a discarded Craisins box on a bed of grass. I thought it was an interesting photo for Instagram, but not a moment I wanted to reminisce about months later. It`s hard for a computer to know the difference.
The misses are all much funnier because of the slightly dramatic treatment: panning, gentle transitions and music give the impression of something that`s been carefully curated to invoke nostalgia. It`s all very serious, and works very well for a post-hike selfie with a majestic backdrop. It`s downright laughable when it`s a photo of some acne-treating serum I took a picture of to send to my sister.
Ah, how I cherished this moment.
To be completely fair, Memories videos are meant to be customized and edited by the human viewing them. The algorithm gets you to a starting point, and it`s up to you ...
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