OnePlus 13R — the purported successor to the OnePlus 12R that arrived earlier this year — could soon be launched by the company, and the smartphone has been spotted on a benchmarking website. The company has already introduced the flagship OnePlus 13 in China, and the handset is expected to debut in global markets in the coming months. We now have a good idea of what to expect from the OnePlus 13R, which is expected to arrive alongside the company's high-end smartphone.
OnePlus 13R Specifications (Expected)
A handset with the model number "OnePlus CPH2645" has been listed on Geekbench (via MySmartPrice). This smartphone is expected to debut as the OnePlus 13R, which is yet to be announced by the company. Over the past few years, the company has released two smartphones — a flagship model and a less expensive model with slightly less premium specifications.
The listing for the purported handset om Geekbench reveals that the smartphone is equipped with a motherboard named "pineapple", which suggests that the OnePlus 13R will be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. This is the same processor that powered the current generation OnePlus 12 model.
According to the Geekbench listing, the OnePlus 13R will be equipped with at least 12GB of RAM. Just like the OnePlus 13, it is expected to arrive with Android 15, with the company's OxygenOS 15 skin running on top. The benchmark result also shows the phone running the same version of Android.
The benchmark scores for the purported OnePlus 13R also give us an idea of what to expect from the handset in terms of performance. The phone scored 2,238 points in the single-core test and 6,761 points in the multi-core test. These results are slightly higher in comparison to the OnePlus 12 on Geekbench.
Five Canadian news media companies filed a legal action on Friday against ChatGPT owner OpenAI, accusing the artificial-intelligence company of regularly breaching copyright and online terms of use.
The case is part of a wave of lawsuits against OpenAI and other tech companies by authors, visual artists, music publishers and other copyright owners over data used to train generative AI systems. Microsoft is OpenAI's major backer.
In a statement, Torstar, Postmedia, The Globe and Mail, The Canadian Press, and CBC/Radio-Canada said OpenAI was scraping large swaths of content to develop its products without getting permission or compensating content owners.
"Journalism is in the public interest. OpenAI using other companies' journalism for their own commercial gain is not. It's illegal," they said.
A New York federal judge dismissed a lawsuit on Nov. 7 against OpenAI that claimed it misused articles from news outlets Raw Story and AlterNet.
In an 84-page statement of claim filed in Ontario's superior court of justice, the five Canadian companies demanded damages from OpenAI and a permanent injunction preventing it from using their material without consent.
"Rather than seek to obtain the information legally, OpenAI has elected to brazenly misappropriate the News Media Companies' valuable intellectual property and convert it for its own uses, including commercial uses, without consent or consideration," they said in the filing.
"The News Media Companies have never received from OpenAI any form of consideration, including payment, in exchange for OpenAI's use of their Works."
In response, OpenAI said its models were trained on publicly available data, grounded in fair use and related international copyright principles that were fair for creators.
"We collaborate closely with news publishers, including in the display, attribution and links to their content in ChatGPT search, and offer them easy ways to opt out should they so desire," a spokesperson said via email.
The Canadian news companies' document did not mention Microsoft. This month, billionaire Elon Musk expanded a lawsuit against OpenAI to include Microsoft, alleging the two companies illegally sought to monopolize the market for generative AI and sideline competitors.
Chinese scientists are reportedly racing against time to protect potatoes, a vital global food crop, from the adverse effects of climate change. Research conducted under the International Potato Center (CIP) in Beijing is said to have revealed alarming reductions in potato yields when exposed to higher temperatures. Potatoes grown in simulated conditions, replicating future climate scenarios, were found to weigh less than half of typical varieties in China, underscoring the urgent need for adaptation strategies.
Research Findings Highlight Urgency
The study, published in Climate Smart Agriculture journal and detailed in a Reuters report, detailed a three-year project led by molecular biologist Li Jieping. Potatoes cultivated under temperatures 3 degree-Celcius above the current average in Hebei and Inner Mongolia saw a yield reduction of over 50 percent. Li Jieping told the publication that the accelerated tuber growth came at the cost of size and weight, raising concerns about future food security in China, the world's largest potato producer.
Climate Challenges Threaten Production
Farmers in Inner Mongolia are already witnessing climate change impacts, including erratic rainfall that delays harvests and exacerbates crop diseases. Wang Shiyi, a manager at Hebei Jiuen Agricultural Development Company, reported that heavy rain this year slowed down harvesting efforts significantly.
Yakeshi Senfeng Potato Industry Company's general manager, Li Xuemin reportedly said that diseases such as late blight, which thrives in warm and humid conditions, are becoming more resistant to traditional control measures..
Developing Climate-Resilient Solutions
To address these challenges, Chinese researchers are reportedly employing advanced techniques such as aeroponics and genetic studies to develop heat-tolerant and disease-resistant potato varieties, as per sources. At a research facility in Yanqing, Beijing, workers are said to be propagating potato plantlets under controlled conditions. Li Jieping told the publication that changes in farming practices, including shifting planting seasons and moving to higher altitudes, may be necessary within the next decade to mitigate yield losses.
The researchers reportedly claim that without immediate interventions, both farmers' livelihoods and potato prices may be severely affected as global temperatures continue to rise.
Canada's Competition Bureau is suing Alphabet's Google over alleged anti-competitive conduct in online advertising, the antitrust watchdog said on Thursday.
The Competition Bureau, in a statement, said it had filed an application with the Competition Tribunal seeking an order that, among other things, requires Google to sell two of its ad tech tools. It is also seeking a penalty from Google to promote compliance with Canada's competition laws, the statement said.
Google said the complaint "ignores the intense competition where ad buyers and sellers have plenty of choice and we look forward to making our case in court."
"Our advertising technology tools help websites and apps fund their content, and enable businesses of all sizes to effectively reach new customers," Dan Taylor, VP of Global Ads, Google said in a statement.
The Competition Bureau opened an investigation in 2020 to probe whether the search engine giant had engaged in practices that harm competition in the online ads industry, and expanded the probe to include Google's advertising technology services earlier this year.
The investigation found that Google is the largest provider across the ad tech stack for web advertising in Canada and it "has abused its dominant position through conduct intended to ensure that it would maintain and entrench its market power," the bureau said on Thursday.
The case follows the US Justice Department's effort to show Google monopolised markets for publisher ad servers and advertiser ad networks.
Google has argued that the US DOJ is ignoring the company's legitimate business decisions and that the online advertising market is robust. The company also says the US government had cherrypicked a narrow slice of the online market and did not account for aggressive competition.
The closing arguments in the US case were made on Monday.
Earlier this year, Google offered to sell the ad exchange to end an EU antitrust investigation but European publishers rejected the proposal as insufficient, Reuters first reported in September.
Vivo S20 series has been launched in China comprising of two models — Vivo S20 and S20 Pro. It arrives as the successor to the Vivo S19 lineup which debuted in May. The new smartphones boast some common features such as 1.5K AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate, a 50-megapixel primary camera, and dual-SIM capabilities. The Vivo S20 and S20 Pro have an IP64-rated build against dust and water ingress and come with an in-display fingerprint sensor for security.
Vivo S20, Vivo S20 Pro Price
Vivo S20 price starts at CNY 2,299 (roughly Rs. 27,000) for the base 8GB + 256GB model. It is available in a total of four variants with the top-most 16GB + 512GB configuration priced at CNY 2,999 (roughly Rs. 35,000).
Meanwhile, the Vivo S20 Pro is priced at CNY 3,399 for the 12GB + 256GB configuration. It is also available in 16GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB variants. Both handsets can be pre-ordered starting today in China.
Vivo S20, Vivo S20 Pro Specifications
Both models in the Vivo S20 series are equipped with a 6.67-inch (1260 x 2800 pixels) 1.5K AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, peak brightness of 5,000 nits, and HDR10+ support. The base model gets a flat display while the Pro variant comes with a quad-curved panel. Both handsets run on OriginOS 5 based on Android 15.
The Vivo S20 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 2.2 storage. On the other hand, the Vivo S20 Pro gets a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ SoC under the hood, which is paired with Arm's Immortalis-G720 GPU, up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
For optics, the Vivo S20 comes with a dual rear camera unit, comprising a 50-megapixel OV50E sensor and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens. It also gets a 50-megapixel front-facing selfie camera. Meanwhile, the Vivo S20 Pro sports a triple rear camera setup which consists of a 50-megapixel Sony IMX921 primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 50-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens, and a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom. It gets the same selfie camera as the base model.
The phones have (nano + nano) dual-SIM support, IP64 splash and dust resistance rating, in-display fingerprint sensor, and aura light. For connectivity, the phones offer Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and Bluetooth 5.4.
The Vivo S20 is backed by a 6,500mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging. It measures 160.35×74.18×7.19mm in terms of dimensions and weighs 186g. The Vivo S20 Pro packs a 5,500mAh battery with 90W fast charging support and measures 160.56×75.02×7.43mm in terms of dimension and weighs 193g.
Amazon has announced its first-ever Black Friday Sale in India which went live at midnight November 28. During the sale period, customers can avail of exciting discounts on a wide range of items such as smartphones, TVs, home appliances, gaming consoles, fashion and beauty products, and more. Further, the e-commerce platform has partnered with several leading banks to offer instant discounts and cashback on transactions made with credit and debit cards. The Amazon Black Friday Sale ends on December 2.
Amazon Black Friday Sale 2024
During the Amazon Black Friday Sale, one of the most notable deals is on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G. The handset usually retails for Rs. 1,24,999 but can be purchased for as low as Rs. 74,999 during this period. The e-commerce giant has rolled out offers on smartphones from leading brands such as Apple, iQOO, OnePlus, Realme, Redmi, and Tecno, with discounts of up to 40 percent.
Another notable deal is available on the Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020). The laptop has a list price of Rs. 89,900 but is currently listed for Rs. 59,990 on the e-commerce platform.
Buyers can get home appliances and smart TVs with up to 65 percent off. The PlayStation 5 has a flat discount of Rs. 7,500, while products from Amazon brands can be purchased with a minimum 50 percent price reduction during the Black Friday Sale. The sale also offers a minimum 50 percent discount on premium kitchen appliances such as robot vacuum cleaners, and up to 25 percent off on Amazon Alexa and Fire TV devices.
In addition to price cuts, Amazon says buyers can also take advantage of an instant discount on up to 10 percent with select debit and credit cards from leading banks such as Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank, and OneCard. Amazon Prime members can get a flat 5 percent cashback on transactions carried out with Amazon co-branded cards.
Global foldable smartphone shipments fell by 1 percent year-on-year (YoY) in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, according to a market research firm. The market is reported to have experienced a dip for the first time after six consecutive quarters of growth. Samsung had the largest market share in the foldable smartphone market globally, followed by brands such as Honor, Huawei, Motorola, and Xiaomi. The latter recorded the highest YoY shipment growth among foldable brands courtesy of its foldable smartphone launches outside of China.
Global Foldable Smartphone Shipments
According to a report by Counterpoint Research, Q3 2024 marked the first-ever decline in global foldable smartphone shipments. Samsung's poor performance of its flagship Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 is attributed as one of the possible causes behind this decline. Despite this, the South Korean technology conglomerate had a market share of 56 percent — shipping more devices than its rivals by a massive margin.
The data comes from Counterpoint Research's Global Foldable Smartphone Market Tracker.
Global Foldable Smartphone Shipments in Q3 2024 Photo Credit: Counterpoint Research
However, by its own standards, Samsung's unit shipments witnessed a 21 percent YoY decrease. Its decreasing numbers in China, courtesy of the emergence of various brands and products, resulted in the company having only an 8 percent market share in the country. It is also reported to be facing strong competition in North America from Motorola's newest Razr series, while Honor's foldable smartphones are also said to be giving it a tough fight in the Western European market.
Huawei was reported to be the second-biggest player in the global foldable smartphone market with a 15 percent share, up from 13 percent compared to the same period last year. Although it launched several experimental models such as the Nova Flip and the Mate XT Ultimate Design which saw lower shipments, the company aims to drive growth with the launch of the Mate X6 this month.
Honor and Motorola grabbed the third and the fourth spots in the list with 10 percent and 7 percent market shares, respectively. Counterpoint notes that both brands were among the fastest growing in Q3 2024 courtesy of flagship smartphone launches in recent months. Xiaomi recorded the highest YoY shipment growth among foldable brands at 185 percent. It also had a 6 percent market share — its highest since entering the foldable smartphone market in Q1 2021.
Redmi K80 series was launched in China on Wednesday. Xiaomi's latest smartphone lineup comprises two models — Redmi K80 and Redmi K80 Pro. Both handsets are equipped with flagship Snapdragon chipsets and boast 120Hz AMOLED displays. The Redmi K80 Pro benefits from an additional 50-megapixel floating telephoto lens with 2.5X optical zoom, which the base model does not get. The Redmi K80 series comes with an IP68+IP69-rated build against dust and water ingress and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for security.
Redmi K80, Redmi K80 Pro Price
Redmi K80 price starts at CNY 2,499 (roughly Rs. 29,000) for the 12GB + 256GB model. It is offered in four other configurations with the 16GB + 1TB variant priced at CNY 3,599 (roughly Rs. 42,000). The handset is available in four colourways — Mountain Green, Mysterious Night Black, Snow Rock White, and Twilight Moon Blue.
Meanwhile, the Redmi K80 Pro starts at CNY 3,699 (roughly Rs. 43,000) for the base 12GB + 256GB variant. It is also available in a total of four RAM and storage configurations, with the top-end 16GB + 1TB variant priced at CNY 4,799 (roughly Rs. 56,000). Xiaomi has also introduced a Redmi K80 Pro Champions Edition model which sports the ‘Automobili Lamborghini Racing Team' branding, costing CNY 4,999 (roughly Rs. 58,000).
The Redmi K80 Pro can be purchased in Mountain Green, Mysterious Night Black, and Snow Rock White colourways.
Redmi K80, Redmi K80 Pro Specifications
Both models in the Redmi K80 series come with a 6.67-inch (1,440 x 3,200 pixels) 12-bit AMOLED display with a 2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The displays sport a peak brightness of 3,200 nits, a 2160Hz instant touch sampling rate, and offer HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support. The base model is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, while the Pro gets Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC.
The Redmi K80 and Redmi K80 Pro come with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 onboard storage. They run on the latest Xiaomi HyperOS 2.0.
For optics, the Redmi K80 is equipped with a dual rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel Light Hunter 800 primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens. The Redmi K80 Pro features the exact same camera setup as the base model but adds a third 50-megapixel floating telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom.
In terms of connectivity, both handsets come with a USB Type-C port, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 7, 5G, and 4G VoLTE support. They also get an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, an infrared sensor, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
The Redmi K80 is backed by a 6,000mAh battery with 120W (wired) and 50W (wireless) fast charging support, whereas the K80 Pro packs a 6,550mAh battery with support for 90W fast charging.
Magnetic vortices descending from Jupiter's ionosphere into its deep atmosphere are believed to trigger the formation of ultraviolet-absorbing anticyclonic storms, according to a study published on November 26 in Nature Astronomy. These storms, appearing as dark ovals, span the size of Earth and have been observed primarily in Jupiter's polar regions. The phenomenon was first detected in ultraviolet (UV) light by the Hubble Space Telescope in the 1990s and later confirmed by NASA's Cassini spacecraft in 2000.
Research Unveils Tornado Dynamics
The study, published in the Nature journal, was led by Troy Tsubota, an undergraduate researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with Michael Wong from UC Berkeley, Amy Simon of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and others.
The findings suggest these dark ovals are formed by swirling magnetic tornadoes generated due to friction between Jupiter's immense magnetic field lines and those in its ionosphere. These tornadoes are thought to stir aerosols, creating dense patches of UV-absorbing haze in the stratosphere.
The Role of the Io Plasma Torus
The study highlights that Jupiter's magnetic field, among the strongest in the solar system, interacts with the Io Plasma Torus — a ring of charged particles released by volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon Io. This interaction generates friction, potentially initiating magnetic vortices that descend into the planet's atmosphere.
The exact mechanism remains unclear, with researchers debating whether these tornadoes dredge up material from deeper atmospheric layers or create the hazes independently.
Regular Observations Confirm Patterns
The Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) project, which captures annual images of Jupiter using the Hubble Space Telescope, played a pivotal role in the discovery. Between 2015 and 2022, dark ovals were observed at the south pole in 75% of images but were significantly rarer at the north pole. These formations typically appear over a month and dissipate within two weeks, resembling a magnetic “tornado alley.”
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and open science by NASA has been reported to significantly advance disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. According to the space agency, NASA's Disasters Program, supported by the agency's commitment to open science, has been developing innovative tools and datasets to assist in managing natural disasters like hurricanes. These tools aim to equip communities and emergency responders with accurate, timely data for informed decision-making, as highlighted by the programme's application during Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Hurricane Ida and NASA's Contribution
Hurricane Ida, which struck Louisiana on August 21, 2021, was among the most destructive hurricanes in the US history. While emergency teams worked on the ground, NASA's Disasters Program utilised satellite-based models and tools to provide critical data.
Reports indicate that information on soil moisture, precipitation, vegetation changes, and power outages was shared through the NASA Disasters Mapping Portal. This data enabled organisations to understand the storm's impact and prioritise response strategies effectively.
Innovative Use of AI in Disaster Assessment
A notable application of NASA's AI tools was the detection of blue tarps covering roofs post-hurricane, a method designed to assess the extent of damage in affected regions. Based on a study by the Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT), such technologies have been recognised as valuable for gauging damage severity and aiding recovery efforts.
This approach was initially tested following Hurricane Maria in 2017 and has since been refined, as reported.
Open Science and Future Applications
NASA, in collaboration with IBM, is currently developing open-source AI models to process the agency's extensive satellite data archives. According to Kevin Murphy, NASA's Chief Science Data Officer, these models aim to reduce technical barriers, allowing users to apply the data for various purposes, including disaster prediction and agricultural management.
Murphy stated that such efforts align with NASA's objective of making scientific resources accessible to global communities, as per reports.
After over a decade of research, the H.E.S.S. Observatory in Namibia has recorded the most energetic cosmic ray electrons ever detected, according to reports. These high-energy particles, comprising electrons and positrons, are believed to originate from intense cosmic phenomena such as supernova explosions, neutron stars, and black holes. The discovery suggests that the sources of these particles are likely to be within a few hundred light-years of the solar system.
High-Energy Electron Detection Challenges
The study, as per a Space.com report, highlights that these findings shed light on extreme cosmic processes. Dr Mathieu de Naurois, Deputy Director of the H.E.S.S. collaboration and a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, stated that understanding these cosmic rays allows us to unveil big particle accelerators in the universe that are often associated with the most violent phenomena.
The research indicates that detecting these particles is particularly challenging due to their rarity and the difficulty in distinguishing them from other cosmic rays. Reports state that the H.E.S.S. Observatory utilised a vast telescope array designed to capture Cherenkov radiation, a phenomenon occurring when high-energy particles collide with Earth's atmosphere. This innovative approach enabled the detection of electrons with energy levels surpassing several teraelectronvolts, which exceed the capabilities of Earth-based particle accelerators.
Nearby Cosmic Accelerators
According to the study, the team identified a sharp energy spectrum break at 1 TeV, indicating rapid energy loss by electrons within the Milky Way. Dr Mathieu de Naurois told Space.com that this points to nearby sources, possibly involving supernova remnants or pulsars. The analysis suggests that these phenomena serve as powerful particle accelerators, producing the highest-energy electrons ever observed.
The findings provide crucial data for understanding cosmic rays and will serve as a benchmark for future studies, as noted by researchers involved in the project. This discovery adds to ongoing efforts to explore the universe's most energetic processes and their implications.
Last week, three small Australian satellites from Curtin University's Binar Space Program re-entered Earth's atmosphere and burned up far earlier than expected, cutting short valuable research opportunities. Launched with an initial lifespan of six months, these CubeSats – named Binar-2, Binar-3, and Binar-4 – only lasted two months in low Earth orbit (LEO), a situation attributed to intensified solar activity that has been challenging satellite operations in recent years.
Solar Activity Surges, Defying Predictions
According to a Live Science report, solar activity has recently surpassed predictions, registering levels one and a half times higher than anticipated for the current solar cycle, known as Solar Cycle 25. This surge, marked by an increase in solar flares, sunspots, and solar wind, is caused by fluctuations in the Sun's magnetic field, which reverses polarity approximately every 11 years. While solar cycles have been mapped, solar weather forecasting remains in its infancy, making precise predictions challenging.
The space weather effects on Earth have been significant. Intense auroras have been observed closer to the equator, and the heightened solar wind has increased ionising radiation, posing additional hazards for astronauts and high-altitude flights. Satellites in LEO, especially those without thrusters or altitude adjustment systems, such as the Binar CubeSats, face a constant drag that accelerates their orbital decay during periods of heightened solar activity.
The Impact on Satellite Missions
The early demise of the Binar CubeSats highlights the need for improved space weather forecasting to support satellite operations. CubeSats, like those in Curtin's program, are frequently used for research by universities and often lack the ability to counteract the increased atmospheric drag caused by space weather. Their sudden re-entry illustrates the risks faced by satellites during solar peaks.
Further Binar missions are already in development, with launches planned for late 2026, when solar activity is expected to decline. As solar minimum conditions approach by 2030, the next generation of CubeSats may operate in a more stable space environment, allowing for more prolonged research endeavours.
A mission to launch 23 Starlink internet satellites is set to be carried out by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida during the early hours of Monday, November 25, 2024. The Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for liftoff at 4:35 a.m. EST within a 3.5-hour launch window according to several reports. Among the satellites, 12 are equipped with direct-to-smartphone technology, marking a notable enhancement to the Starlink network.
Live Coverage and Booster Recovery
The event will be live-streamed by SpaceX on X, commencing approximately five minutes before the scheduled launch. Should the mission proceed as planned, the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage will successfully return to Earth around eight minutes post-liftoff, landing on the droneship Just Read the Instructions stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This mission will mark the 13th flight and landing for the booster, with six of its previous flights also dedicated to Starlink launches, according to SpaceX's mission briefing.
Deployment of Satellites
The upper stage of the Falcon 9 will continue its journey to deploy the 23 satellites into low Earth orbit. Deployment is expected to occur approximately 65 minutes after launch. These additions will contribute to the rapidly expanding Starlink constellation, which currently comprises over 6,600 active satellites.
Significance of the Starlink Network
Starlink, developed by SpaceX, is regarded as the largest satellite constellation ever assembled. According to various sources, its growth remains continuous, with nearly 70 percent of SpaceX's 115 Falcon 9 launches in 2024 dedicated to expanding this network. Starlink aims to provide high-speed internet access globally, including in remote regions.
As SpaceX continues its ambitious deployment schedule, the mission underscores the company's commitment to advancing global connectivity through satellite technology.
Amazon.com pumped another $4 billion into OpenAI competitor Anthropic, as the e-commerce giant goes up against Big Tech rivals in a race to capitalize on generative artificial intelligence technology.
This doubles Amazon's investment in the firm known for its GenAI chatbot Claude, but it remains a minority investor, the startup said on Friday. Similar to Amazon's previous $4 billion investment, it comes in the form of convertible notes and comes in phases, first at $1.3 billion.
Anthropic is also in talks with additional investors to raise more capital on the back of Amazon backing, sources added, who requested anonymity for discussing private matters. Anthropic declined to comment.
Amazon, which has gradually established itself as Anthropic's primary cloud partner, is fiercely competing with Microsoft and Alphabet's Google to offer AI-powered tools for its cloud customers. AWS is bringing significant revenue to Anthropic as a major distributor of its latest models.
"The investment in Anthropic is essential for Amazon to stay in a leadership position in AI," said D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria.
The e-commerce company's increased investment in Anthropic underscores the billions of dollars funneled into AI startups over the past year, as investors look to cash in on a boom in the technology, which became popular with the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022.
Microsoft-backed OpenAI raised $6.6 billion from investors last month, which could value the company at $157 billion and cement its position as one of the most valuable private companies in the world.
Anthropic plans to train and deploy its foundational models on Amazon's Trainium and Inferentia chips. The intensive process of training AI models requires powerful processors, making securing pricey AI chips a top priority for startups.
"It (partnership) also allows Amazon to promote its AI services such as leveraging its AI chips for training and inferencing, which Anthropic is using," Luria said.
Nvidia currently dominates the market for AI processors and counts Amazon among its long list of so-called hyperscaler customers.
Still, Amazon has been working to develop its own chips through its Annapurna Labs division, which Anthropic said it was "working closely with" to aid in developing processors. Amazon has also been trying to build its own AI model code-named “Olympus,” which it hasn't released.
Anthropic, co-founded by former OpenAI executives and siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, said last year it had secured a $500 million investment from Alphabet, which promised to invest another $1.5 billion over time.
The startup also uses Alphabet's Google Cloud services as part of its operations.
2024 is the year Google finally introduced its entire range of Pixel devices in India, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. In short, this year, consumers have plenty of Pixel devices to choose from, depending on the budget. Starting at Rs. 79,999 for the base Pixel 9 and going all the way to Rs. 172,999 for the book-style Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
On paper, the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL might only differ in terms of display size and battery, but the real difference lies in everyday use. One is compact to fit in the smallest pockets and convenient to use with one hand, while the other is huge at 6.8 inches. This year, Google added one phone to its Pixel lineup, which is the Pixel 9 Pro, which we will review here. Much like how Apple brought all the bells and whistles from its Pro Max model to Pro this year, Google also tries to fit all the firepower in the compact body of the Pixel 9 Pro. So, who should exactly buy this one or consider an alternate flagship? I try to answer this in my review.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Design: Compact form wins
Dimensions - 152.8mm x 72mm x 8.5mm
Weight - 199 grams
Durability - IP68 dust and water resistance
The Pixel 9 series finally ditches the bar-style rear back that housed the camera in a way that was loved and hated by some. The good news is that there's a new island placement on the rear for cameras, and it looks mature. It is easy on the eyes and makes the new Pixels shine in a crowded market with no distinct design except the iPhones.
The Pixel 9 Pro comes in four colour choices
I like the matte back panel and glossy frame finish on the Pixel 9 Pro. Thanks to the matte treatment, the back isn't a fingerprint magnet; however, it is a slippery phone. I accidentally dropped it twice during this review, but thankfully, the 9 Pro survived both drops without scratches. Unlike the iPhone 16 Plus (Review), the Google Pixel 9 Pro doesn't wobble on a flat surface mainly because the centre-aligned island at the back keeps it even.
The Pixel 9 Pro packs a 4700mAh battery
Over the years, the Pixels have developed their design language, and the new 9 series somehow maintains that in a good way. The polished finish metal frame feels solid in the hand, and Google has added additional protection by using Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both front and back panels.
At under 200 grams, the Pixel 9 Pro is a handy phone with an even weight distribution. The 8.5mm thickness is also decent. There's IP68 dust and water resistance on board for peace of mind.
It weighs 199 grams
The Pixel 9 Pro beats the 9 Pro XL in convenience. The compact form factor is easy to use and something that's easier to live with every day. I would pick this over most big phones because of the one-hand usage as well, and it nails the basics quite comfortably—the ease of checking notifications, typing, dialling numbers, and doing everything with just one hand. Everything else in design is minimalistic, which will grow on you.
In terms of colours, Google has always offered different shades, and this year, the lineup is interesting. The Pixel 9 Pro is available in Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian, and Porcelain - the one I got for the review. Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro feels like a solid device and a premium one, too.
The Pixel 9 is a compact device that's convenient to use with just one hand
Google Pixel 9 Pro Display: Flagship-grade
Display - 6.3-inch, 1280x2856 pixels, 1Hz - 120Hz
Display Type - Flat, LTPO, OLED
Display protection - Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front and rear panels)
The smartphone has an excellent display offering crisp, accurate and natural colours. The Pixel 9 Pro, compared to the Pixel 8, packs a bigger display - 6.3 vs 6.2 inches. The bezels around the display also seem slim, and the claimed screen-to-body ratio stands at 87 percent. I liked the overall colour rendering, and you will love watching HDR videos on the display. With a peak brightness of 3000nits, the Pixel 9 Pro is bright outdoors, and sunlight legibility is never a problem.
The phone offers a peak brightness of 3000nits
Thanks to the compact size, the Pixel 9 Pro is one of my preferred devices for multimedia usage and offers a decent 495PPI pixel density. With Widevine L1 certification, Pixel 9 Pro streamed Full-HD resolution Netflix shows on demand. This year, Google has shifted to an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which is quick and almost flawless for everyday use. The punch hole for selfies is almost non-distracting while watching videos or playing games.
The bezels around the display are narrower compared to the Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 9 Pro Performance: Hits and misses
Google Tensor G4
Titan M2 security coprocessor
16GB RAM and 256GB storage
In terms of raw performance, the Pixel 9 Pro doesn't offer the absolute best, and you guessed it right, it won't beat phones in the same price bracket. Google Tensor G4 is good for browsing, multitasking, and running Google's suite of AI apps. However, when it comes to gaming or even graphic-intensive image or video editing, the Pixel 9 Pro disappoints. But I'm not surprised, as the Pixels have never been advertised as gaming or performance-driven devices. During my review, the Tensor G4 handled light image editing and could run AI features without stutters. The Pixel 9 Pro doesn't get hot during intensive tasks thanks to excellent heat optimisations. Like during our synthetic benchmark tests, the Pixel 9 Pro handled tests well and below are the results for your reference.
Benchmarks
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
AnTuTu v10
12,25,583
10,38,343
10,67,971
PCMark Work 2.0
13,800
11,805
12,922
Geekbench V6 Single-Core
1,872
1,629
1,944
Geekbench V6 Multi-Core
4,227
3,274
4,667
GFXB T-rex
120
120
120
GFXB Manhattan 3.1
107
85
105
GFXB Car Chase
62
48
54
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL
Maxed Out
Maxed Out
Failed to Run
3DM Slingshot
Maxed Out
Maxed Out
Failed to Run
3DM Wild Life
Maxed Out
8,186
8,902
3DM Wild Life Unlimited
2,615
8,574
9,294
The pure Android experience is another reason many prefer Pixels over other Android devices. The Pixel 9 Pro runs Android 14 out-of-the-box and comes with Gemini (which I will talk about in a bit). Lately, Google has been pushing its AI prowess under the name Gemini, and it seems like a bigger push than what we have seen in all these years. It is greater than how Google pushed Search, but I'm not surprised. AI is the next big thing for smartphones and empowers users to do much more in less time. As expected, the software experience is fluid, and the Pixel UI is clean of bloatware, Pixel's biggest advantage over rivals.
Google Tensor G4 powers the Pixel 9 Pro
While reviewing, I downloaded the Android 15 update, which was mostly similar to Android 14, with some added features, like Theft Detection Lock and Private Space. Among all new features, the App Archiving has to be my Android 15 pick, a feature announced last year by Google that is only making its way as a system-wide option with the latest update. The feature lets users save storage on an app that's used rarely.
Thanks to the form factor, the Pixel 9 Pro is my go-to device for quickly typing emails and has one of the decent haptic motors for typing feedback. The loudspeaker is a loud one and is excellent for a mid-size room. As mentioned above, the Pixel 9 Pro was my device pick for most of my multimedia needs, thanks to the display quality and speaker output. The 9 Pro can connect to mobile networks in areas like a basement where other phones struggle to be connected to a network. The call quality is decent on the device, and we had no problems with 5G on both Airtel and Jio networks.
It features a 42-megapixel selfie camera
Google Pixel 9 Pro AI
2024 has been the year of AI push for smartphone manufacturers, so why should Google hold back? The Pixel 9 series comes with a host of AI features. The first is the Gemini assistant, which uses multimodal models with which users can interact via voice, text, or pictures. The company added an all-new Add Me feature to the camera, which will never let you miss out on group photos with the help of AI. The Super Res Zoom, a feature that has been part of Pixels ever since Pixel 3, has been improved and offers high-quality zoom up to 20x. Pixel 9 series gets the all-new Pixel Studio, an image generator app powered by what Google calls an on-device diffusion model running on Tensor G4 and Imagen 3 text-to-image model. There are more additions, like the new Weather app that gets AI enhancements, Keep Notes that integrates Gemini, and Pixel Screenshots to organise screenshots on the device. We have discussed AI capabilities on the new Pixels in our Pixel 9 Pro XL review, so you can read it here.
Pixel Studio uses generative AI to bring imagination to life
Google Pixel 9 Pro Camera: "Pixel-able"
50-megapixel primary camera
48-megapixel ultra-wide and 48-megapixel telephoto
42-megapixel selfie camera
Pixel 9 packs the same camera setup as its bigger sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Jumping straight to camera results, the daylight shots on the 9 Pro come out crisp with natural colours (true-to-life colours) and plenty of details. The dynamic range is excellent in some of the samples I captured, and skin tones are bang-on. Portraits are amazing, and blur is handled wonderfully. The telephoto camera is great and doesn't disappoint in some of the challenging situations. I managed to capture some excellent 5x photos.
Pixel 9 Pro comes with a triple camera setup
The ultrawide camera on the 9 Pro also shines. It captured some really good shots during camera tests, which you can see below. Macro lovers can take advantage of 9 Pro's ultrawide camera, though Samsung has done better in macro shots this year. The Pixels are a league apart when it comes to camera comparisons, be it with Samsung or an iPhone.
Daylight samples from the primary camera (tap images to expand)
Close-up shot using ultrawide camera (tap image to expand)
Low-light photography is another highlight of the 9 Pro. I clicked some amazing low-light shots with plenty of details, controlled noise, and keeping colours in check. Pixel's automatic night mode worked well for me. Of course, you can take things into your control and tweak settings to get better results. The portraits come out good, though, there's scope of improvement.
Low-light camera samples (tap image to expand)
Portrait shot in low light (tap image to expand)
The selfie camera on the 9 Pro is amazing; finally, the front camera upgrade has paid off—amazing skin tones captured in different light conditions. On the video front, the Pixel 9 Pro has improved greatly compared to the Pixel 8 Pro. However, it is not as good for videos as the iPhone at the moment.
Shots taken using 1x, 0.5x, 2x and 5x (tap image to expand)
Low light shots taken in 1x, 0.5, 2x and 5x (tap image to expand)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Battery: Decent
4700mAh battery
Up to 55% charging in about 30 minutes
Wireless charging support
Do not underestimate the Pixel 9 Pro just because of its sheer size. In my tests, I found the Pixel 9 Pro to be a capable device in terms of battery performance. With heavy usage, the Pixel 9 Pro lasted a whole day with 15-20 percent left till the end of the day. While with medium usage, the phone can easily last up to 36 hours.
Pixel 9 Pro comes with fast-charging support
The Pixel 9 Pro doesn't ship with a charger like modern-day flagships. It supports 27W wired charging and up to 15W wireless charging. I tested the phone with a 45W charger, and it matched the brand's claimed fast charging figures. The phone, however, takes roughly 100 minutes to charge fully.
The Pixel 9 Pro is a device that can outshine many compact flagships out there
Google Pixel 9 Pro Verdict
The Pixel 9 Pro is an excellent choice for those who want Pixel-like camera prowess. Its compact form factor is the biggest highlight, and the good thing is that Google this year hasn't kept marquee features limited to 9 Pro XL. You get all the bells and whistles of the bigger sibling at a lesser price with the 9 Pro. The battery surprised me with its backup, and it shines in most scenarios. The extended software support should give prospective buyers confidence.
The Pixel 9 Pro comes with a single 16GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration
The only downgrade is the lack of heavy-duty performance credentials, which you can experience only when gaming or editing videos or photos on the device. Long thing short, where the chipset is required to handle graphic-intensive tasks is where 9 Pro feels it remains behind the competition. It's high time that Google opts for Snapdragon or MediaTek for its chipset requirements, as Tensor cannot outrun its closest rivals.
If you want the best camera experience, you can't go wrong with the Pixel 9 Pro, but when you add gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks, I have to ask you to look another way.
At Rs. 109,999, the Pixel 9 Pro feels slightly expensive for what it offers, but you can consider it as a premium for all the top-tier Google features arriving this year, along with AI.
When talking about alternatives, the Pixel 9 (Review) is definitely the closest sibling you can consider, minus some features. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ (Review) is also closer to the Pixel 9 Pro in terms of packaging, while you can also look at the iPhone 16 Pro, which is slightly more expensive.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has once teased some upcoming features of its much-awaited Activa Electric scooter. The latest teasers from the brand shed some light about the interchangeable batteries and other key features of the ucpoming electric scooter. The company has already confirmed that the Honda Activa Electric scooter will be officially launched on November 27, 2024.
Honda Activa E to Feature Dual Swappable Batteries
Honda has revealed the new teaser on its official social media handle revealing some new hints of the upcoming vehicle. As per the tweet, the EV scooter will be equipped with two battery packs. The teaser further showcased that the scooter will come with swappable batteries, which could utilise the Honda's Mobile Power Pack interchangeable batteries. Interestingly, HMSI showcased its Benly e electric scooter at Bharat Mobiltiy Expo 2024 that used the similar battery configurations, so might expect the upcoming Activa E to feature this configuration.
The brand also recently teaser another teaser that revealed that it will come with at least two trims. The base variant will come fitted with a basic TFT display panel, while the higher specification model will feature a multi-colour screen interface. The advanced display unit will show essential information including battery charge status, available range, current speed, and selected riding mode.
Honda Activa E Expected Features and Specifications
According to reports, the electric scooter is expected to deliver a range of 104 kilometres in standard riding mode. The brand might also add a sport mode option for increased power delivery. The powertrain configuration could also include a swingarm-mounted motor setup, similar to the architecture seen in other electric scooters in the market segment. This arrangement is meant to optimise weight distribution and handling characteristics.
The battery packs will be removable allowing for quick interchange at charging stations. Apart from this, the higher variant is also reported to feature turn-by-turn navigation functionality and music playback control. The vehicle might also come LED lighting elements that could be standard across both variants. The pricing details are yet to be announced by HMSI, though market speculation suggests a competitive positioning in the segment.
Netflix's hit series Mismatched is set to make a comeback with its highly anticipated third season. The lead actors, Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli, announced the release date through an Instagram video, delighting fans with a charming exchange. The reveal concluded with a playful touch—a coffee cup unveiling the premiere date as December 13, 2024. The series, adapted from Sandhya Menon's novel When Dimple Met Rishi, continues to explore themes of young love, ambition and the challenges of adulthood.
When and Where to Watch Mismatched Season 3
Season 3 of Mismatched will premiere exclusively on Netflix on December 13, 2024. The first season of the series debuted in 2020, followed by a second season in October 2022. With fans eagerly awaiting the continuation of Rishi and Dimple's story, the upcoming season promises to delve deeper into their evolving relationship.
Official Trailer and Plot of Mismatched Season 3
While a trailer is yet to be released, the announcement video hinted at the show's signature blend of humour and romance. The storyline picks up as Rishi, played by Rohit Saraf and Dimple, portrayed by Prajakta Koli navigate adulthood after their time at the Aravali Institute. Set against a new backdrop in Hyderabad, the couple, alongside their friends, confronts fresh challenges involving relationships, career ambitions and personal growth.
Cast and Crew of Mismatched Season 3
The series is helmed by directors Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadhikari and produced by RSVP Movies. The returning cast includes Rannvijay Singha, Vidya Malavade, Taaruk Raina and Ahsaas Channa. New additions include Lauren Robinson, Garima Yajnik and Akshat Singh, expanding the show's ensemble for its next chapter.
The Tamil movie Lineman, inspired by real-life events, will be available for streaming on the OTT platform Aha starting November 22, 2024. The movie explores the life of a man striving to meet his state's Chief Minister to seek solutions to pressing issues in his life. The film sheds light on the hardships faced by saltpan workers, portraying their struggles and resilience. A trailer showcasing the film's emotional and intense storyline was released recently, drawing attention to the plight of these workers.
When and Where to Watch Lineman
Fans of Tamil cinema can stream Lineman exclusively on Aha starting November 22, 2024. The platform has consistently delivered quality Tamil content, and this addition promises to be a gripping watch for audiences.
Official Trailer and Plot of Lineman
The official teaser of Lineman offers glimpses of a powerful narrative, focusing on the daily challenges of saltpan workers. The plot centres on a determined man who travels to the capital to voice his grievances to government authorities. As the protagonist battles societal and bureaucratic hurdles, the film captures the harsh realities of life in rural India. Key scenes highlight the protagonist's struggles, including being robbed and left without shelter or food in an unfamiliar city.
Cast and Crew of Lineman
The film features veteran actor Charlie in a pivotal role, bringing depth to the narrative. Directed by Udhai Kumar and Vinoth Sekar, it is produced by Vinoth Sekar and Dinakar Babu. Cinematographer Vishnu K Raja, music composer Deepak Nandhakumar, and editor Sivaraj form the core technical team, enhancing the film's storytelling.
Reception of Lineman
The films has mixed reviews from critics and reviews and it has an IMDb rating of 6.2/10.
After a strong box-office performance, Bagheera, the action-packed Kannada film directed by Dr Suri, is ready to make its OTT debut. The film, which had a successful theatrical run during the Diwali season, focuses on the story of an IPS officer who takes justice into his own hands. Following its impressive showing against popular Bollywood releases like Singham Returns and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Bagheera now heads to a digital platform to reach a wider audience.
When and Where to Watch Bagheera
Netflix has officially confirmed that the latest movie is now available on Netflix. The movie is currently available in Telugu and Kannada. However, the company has also revealed that the movie will be available for streaming in Tamil and Malayalam regional langauges as well. That said, there is no information whether the movie will be available in Hindi langauge or not.
Official Trailer and Plot of Bagheera
The trailer of Bagheera introduces viewers to a tense narrative led by Vedanth, an acclaimed gold medallist and dedicated IPS officer. He finds himself challenged by citywide corruption and criminal networks that frustrate his official duties. To bring justice to his city, Vedanth adopts the alter ego of the vigilante "Bagheera," embarking on a perilous mission to dismantle organised crime.
Cast and Crew of Bagheera
The film stars Sriimurali in the title role, supported by Rukmini Vasanth, Prakash Raj, Sudha Rani, and Achyuth Kumar, each bringing depth to the gripping storyline. Dr Suri's directorial vision is complemented by Prashanth Neel's screenplay, with Vijay Kiragandur producing under the Hombale Films banner.
Reception
Achieving a significant Rs. 17.13 crore net within nine days of release, Bagheera has been a standout in the Kannada film industry, attracting a dedicated audience despite high-budget Bollywood competition from big releases like Singham and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
Prasar Bharati, has officially launched its OTT platform, 'Waves,' during the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The platform aims to provide a wide range of content, blending traditional and modern entertainment and is available on both Android and iOS. Featuring over 65 live TV channels and content in more than 12 languages, it caters to a diverse audience, with offerings ranging from classic television shows to contemporary series, across genres like infotainment, education, and gaming.
Key Features of Waves
Waves hosts a variety of content, including 65 live TV channels, video-on-demand options, free-to-play games, and e-commerce services through partnerships with ONDC, the company said in a statement. It is available in languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Tamil and Konkani, with a content mix that spans infotainment, education, and regional programming. Popular shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat are available alongside newer offerings, such as Fauji 2.0 and Kicking Balls.
Supporting Local Creators and Cultural Heritage
The platform also showcases student films and supports emerging content creators, offering a platform for young talent. Collaborations with film schools like FTII and Annapurna Film School are set to contribute to Waves' growing content library. Live events such as Mann Ki Baat and international sports like the US Premier League Cricket Tournament are also featured. Waves further promotes cybersecurity awareness through campaigns like Cyber Alert.
Future Prospects and Expansion
In line with the Digital India initiative, Waves aims to bridge the digital divide by offering accessible content in rural areas. Through strategic partnerships with ministries and organisations, it plans to provide docudramas, historical documentaries, and regional programming, which will be available to users nationwide. This diverse and inclusive approach positions Waves as a competitive player in India's OTT market.
Mountain lions in Greater Los Angeles are becoming increasingly nocturnal as a response to human recreational activities, according to a study published on November 15 in the Biological Conservation journal. The research highlights how these large predators, also known as pumas or cougars, are adapting their natural activity patterns to minimise encounters with humans who frequent their habitats for hiking, cycling, and jogging. These behavioural shifts show and highlight the challenges faced by wildlife coexisting with urban populations.
Study Reveals Shifts in Activity Patterns
The study, led by Ellie Bolas, a doctoral researcher at the University of California, Davis, analysed data collected from 22 GPS-collared mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains between 2011 and 2018. Using exercise activity data from the online platform Strava, the team compared human recreational patterns with the movements of the collared mountain lions.
The findings revealed that mountain lions in areas with higher human activity shifted their peak activity times from dawn and dusk to night. This behavioural flexibility allows the predators to avoid human presence while continuing to hunt and carry out other essential behaviours.
Broader Implications for Wildlife and Coexistence
The phenomenon of animals becoming more nocturnal to evade humans is not exclusive to mountain lions. There have been similar trends observed before globally among other mammals. Research conducted in 2019 indicated that even the sound of human voices could deter mountain lions, demonstrating the deep-seated wariness of humans among these animals due to historical persecution.
Mountain lions in urban areas like Los Angeles face additional pressures, including habitat fragmentation, wildfires and low genetic diversity. The study highlights recreational activities as a potential stressor, affecting the energy they expend on hunting and survival.
Bolas emphasised the importance of recognising these adaptations, stating that coexistence relies on the flexibility exhibited by wildlife. Despite the challenges, mountain lions continue to adjust to human activity, demonstrating resilience in shared landscapes.
Jeff Bezos' aerospace venture, Blue Origin, has confirmed plans to launch its ninth crewed mission, NS-28, on Friday, November 22, 2024. The suborbital spaceflight will take off from the company's West Texas facility during a designated window starting at 10:30 a.m. EST. Viewers can watch the live broadcast via Blue Origin's official channels or Space.com, with coverage beginning 30 minutes before launch.
NS-28 Mission Details and Crew
The NS-28 mission will carry six passengers, including Emily Calandrelli, an MIT-educated engineer, science communicator, and author. The flight also includes Marc and Sharon Hagle, a married couple who previously flew on the NS-20 mission in March 2022. Austin Litteral, a giveaway winner sponsored by the shopping platform Whatnot, entrepreneur James (J.D.) Russell, and businessman Henry (Hank) Wolfond will complete the crew.
In conjunction with the mission, Sharon Hagle's nonprofit organisation, SpaceKids Global, has arranged an educational programme for young students. The "SpaceKids Global Press Squad," comprised of eight children aged 8 to 12, will report on the mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and receive a tour of Blue Origin's facilities.
Overview of Blue Origin's Suborbital Programme
The New Shepard rocket-capsule system will make its 28th launch during this mission, marking the ninth crewed flight for the autonomous suborbital vehicle. The trip is expected to last approximately 10 to 12 minutes, offering passengers several minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth against the vastness of space.
Although Blue Origin has not disclosed the cost of its tickets, its primary competitor, Virgin Galactic, has previously announced a $600,000 price tag per seat. Virgin Galactic, however, is currently on hiatus as it develops a new fleet of Delta-class spaceplanes, anticipated to resume commercial operations in 2026.
The much-anticipated drama-thriller The Sabarmati Report, starring Vikrant Massey, premiered in cinemas on November 15, 2024. Directed by Dheeraj Sarna, the film delves into the aftermath of the tragic Godhra Train Burning of 2002, examining the incident through the perspective of the media. The production, backed by Balaji Motion Pictures and Vikir Films Production, has garnered attention for its gripping narrative and stellar performances. Its OTT release is expected soon, with Zee5 likely to host the film in the coming weeks.
When and Where to Watch The Sabarmati Report
The film, distributed by Zee Studios, is anticipated to make its OTT debut on Zee5. Although an exact release date has not been announced, it is expected to stream between late December 2024 and early January 2025. This timeline aligns with the industry standard of releasing films on streaming platforms 4–8 weeks after their theatrical release. Viewers are encouraged to monitor Zee5's official announcements for further updates.
Official Trailer and Plot of The Sabarmati Report
The trailer of The Sabarmati Report offers a glimpse into its emotionally charged storyline. Inspired by the Godhra Train Burning, the film portrays the loss of 59 lives in the Sabarmati Express incident and its broader societal implications. The narrative is presented through the lens of investigative journalism, highlighting the challenges faced by reporters as they navigate themes of justice, courage and societal divide. The film aims to strike a balance between historical authenticity and compelling storytelling.
Cast and Crew of The Sabarmati Report
The film boasts a diverse cast, including Vikrant Massey in the lead role, alongside Raashii Khanna, Riddhi Dogra and Barkha Singh. Supporting roles are portrayed by Nazneen Patni, Hella Stichlmair and others. Directed by Dheeraj Sarna, the film benefits from the backing of production houses Balaji Motion Pictures and Vikir Films Production.
Apple's AirTag 2 has been in the rumour mill for quite some time now. As we wait for Apple's official confirmation, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has claimed that the company is preparing to release its second-generation smart tracker next year. It is said to come with an updated design and a new wireless chip. Apple is expected to build some privacy improvements into its next AirTag. The company released the AirTag in April 2021. The device, which sparked privacy concerns, has not received any hardware updates since then.
Apple's AirTag 2 Is Coming in 2025
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in this weekly Power On newsletter, claimed that Apple was gearing up to launch the AirTag 2 around the “middle of next year.” The new device, codenamed B589, is reportedly "progressed in manufacturing tests" and the iPhone maker is preparing to bring it to market.
The AirTag 2 would likely sport a similar design to the current model but reportedly offer better range and an upgraded onboard wireless chip. The current model has an Ultra-Wideband (U1) chip and the second-generation model is expected to use a U2 chip with improved connectivity,
Gurman added that Apple would bring some privacy improvements to the next-generation AirTag, including making it more difficult for someone to remove the speaker from the tracker. First-generation AirTag has had issues with privacy since its launch and has been misused for stalking. Apple's decision to adopt privacy-focussed changes for AirTag 2 will likely address those concerns. "Apple is contending with lawsuits over the device, and it's in everyone's interest to make the new model more tamper-proof," Gurman said in his newsletter.
Apple will reportedly also launch a new smart home display alongside the next-generation AirTag next year. The company is also said to release updated versions of the iPad Air, entry-level iPad, MacBook Air, Mac Pro, Mac Studio, and iPhone SE in 2025. Apple is also expected to refresh the iPhone, Apple Watch and MacBook Pro lineup next year.
The first generation AirTag was released in April 2021 with a price tag of Rs. 3,190 for a single piece and Rs. 10,999 for a pack of four. It has an IP67-rated build and a built-in speaker.
Oppo Reno 13 series will launch in China soon. The company has announced the launch date of the lineup in the country. It has also revealed the smartphones' design, RAM and storage configurations, and a single colourway. The series is expected to comprise a base model and a Pro variant, which will succeed the Oppo Reno 12 and Reno 12 Pro, respectively. Meanwhile, one of the upcoming handsets has been spotted on a benchmarking website, giving us a look at its chipset. The global launch timeline of the lineup has also been leaked by a tipster.
Oppo Reno 13 Series Launch Date
The Oppo Reno 13 series will launch in China on November 25 at 7pm (4:30pm IST), according to a Weibo post by the company. The phones will be available in a Butterfly Purple colourway, while other colour options will likely be confirmed in the days leading up to the launch. Notably, the Oppo Pad 3 and Oppo Enco R3 Pro TWS earphones will be unveiled alongside the smartphones.
The Oppo China e-store listing for the base Oppo Reno 13 suggests that the phone will be available in five RAM and storage configurations — 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 256GB, 16GB + 512GB and 16GB + 1TB.
According to a post by X user @chunvn8888, the Oppo Reno 13 series will launch globally in January 2025. Previously, a leak also claimed that the Reno 13 handsets may arrive in India around that time.
Global release in Jan, powered by Dimensity 8300 on both vanila and Pro https://t.co/qfYjdPZSj0
Both the vanilla and Pro variants of the Oppo Reno 13 are expected to be equipped with MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipsets. Earlier leaks suggested that the Oppo Reno 13 Pro could feature a yet-to-be-released MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset.
Meanwhile, an Oppo handset with the model number PKK110, expected to be the Chinese version of the Oppo Reno 13 Pro, was spotted on Geekbench. The CPU and GPU configurations suggest that it could have the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 SoC. The phone is said to support 16GB of RAM and run on Android 15.
