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'Diminished Reality' App Does Augmented Reality in Reverse

Coming soon to an Android device near you: Diminished Reality! What's Diminished Reality? A lot like Augmented Reality, really, but with one big difference: Where AR giveth, insinuating virtual elements into a live representation of the real world, Diminished Reality taketh away, hiding actually-existing objects within a live feed.

As video chat becomes increasingly popular, the ability to selectively reveal the things in one's own environment is a definite boon for privacy. Initially developed for Windows, the framework will be ported to the Android mobile operating system and made freely available for non-commercial use.

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are packed with new features, and you can try them before almost everyone else. First, check Gadget Hacks' list of supported iPhone and iPad models, then follow the step-by-step guide to install the iOS/iPadOS 26 beta — no paid developer account required.