Technical Information

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. OnePlus 13R Geekbench scores Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Geekbench   The listing for the purported handset ...

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 statemen...

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 fu...

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 har...

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 se...

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, ...

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 mar...

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 a...

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 i...

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 po...

Flowers of Hypenia macrantha, a species native to Brazil, have been observed using unique mechanisms to outcompete rivals during pollination. According to research, these blooms utilise a pollen "catapult" system to increase the chances of successful pollination. The strategy involves launching their pollen in a burst to displace rival pollen from the beaks of visiting hummingbirds, enhancing their reproductive success. Pollination Strategy Observed in Brazilian Flowers The flowers exhibit both male and female reproductive stages, switching roles to avoid self-pollination. During their male phase, pollen is produced and stored under petal-covered compartments. When a hummingbird probes the flower for nectar, a trigger mechanism is activated, launching the stored pollen forcefully. This process was studied using hummingbird skulls coated with fluorescent particles to simulate natural conditions, as per a ScienceNewsExplores report . High-speed footage of the experiment dem...

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 par...

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 ...

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 mis...

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 mode...

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 flag...

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 configur...

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, a...

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 Fauj...

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 ...

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 edu...

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 f...

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 upgr...

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 ...