Asus ROG Phone 9 Appears in its First Ever Leak:
Asus’s next gaming phone is not coming until at least early 2025, but the beastly handset has already appeared in its first-ever leak shared by Android Police. According to the report, the ROG Phone 9 should come in vanilla and Pro models, one of which has appeared on the internet with the model number ASUSAI2501C, though it is unclear which phone it belongs to. Since it is going to be a flagship-grade gaming phone as always, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset should be obvious. The SoC is launching in October during the next Snapdragon summit and Xiaomi 15 is going to be the first to adorn it.
Oppo F27 Pro+ Details Surface on Geekbench Listing:
This past weekend, details about the upcoming Oppo F27 Pro were disclosed through leaks, alongside a promotional poster indicating its official launch on June 13, together with its advanced variant, the F27 Pro+. Recently, further specifications of the F27 Pro+ have come to light. According to a Geekbench listing, the F27 Pro+ is expected to feature the same Dimensity 7050 SoC processor as its counterpart, the F27 Pro. The tested prototype included 8 GB of RAM, though there will likely be more memory options at launch. It will also come equipped with Android 14 from the outset with ColorOS 14 on top.
Redmi’s Next Flagship Killer Phone Shows Up in Detailed Leak:
Although Redmi is often linked with budget devices, the brand consistently produces flagship killers in its K series in China each year. Internationally, these devices rarely launch under the Redmi name. Instead, they sometimes appear as part of the Poco F series. The next generation of Redmi’s K series is on its way soon, and one of its members, the Redmi K80 Pro in particular, recently had its specifications leaked. This device is set to follow the K70 Pro, released in China last November. It is anticipated to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC, a 2K resolution screen, and a 5,500 mAh battery that supports 120W fast wired charging.
Instagram is Testing The Most Annoying Kind of Ads:
In a recent development that surprised social media users, Instagram has confirmed that it is testing intrusive ads that cannot be skipped within the app. Images of these new types of ads, known as “ad breaks”, have started making rounds on the internet. These ad breaks come with a countdown timer, effectively stopping you from scrolling through the app until the countdown lasts, similar to full-screen video ads.
Nothing Teases Its Next Device, Likely Phone (3):
Nothing has teased something on its official social media accounts. The teaser image only offers a glimpse at a corner of a device with a screw on a surface that appears to have a sandstone finish. The image below was captioned “3, 2, 1”, which suggests we will get the Nothing Phone (3) soon. The “2, 1” in the caption may be a reference to the Nothing Phone (2) and Nothing Phone (1) that came before.
realme Prepares to Launch the First Ever Premium Vegan Leather Back Smartphone, realme C63:
realme, the fastest-growing smartphone brand globally, is gearing up to launch the realme C63 in Pakistan. The realme C63 is set to be the first smartphone in the realme C series, and in its current price range, to feature a premium vegan leather back cover. Additionally, the smartphone offers exclusive 45W fast charging, allowing 1 minute of charging for 1 hour of call time, and is packed with innovative AI experiences.
The device also boasts a 50MP main camera, providing clearer details in photos and enabling users to capture stunning shots effortlessly.
Luxeed S9: New Huawei Crossover SUV Spotted in China:
Spy shots have recently surfaced of the latest model from Luxeed, a car brand co-developed by Chery and Huawei. The new vehicle, titled S9, has been seen undergoing road tests in China. Luxeed S9 is a sporty crossover SUV, with a profile reminiscent of the forthcoming Nio ET9. While it shares some similarities with the existing S7 model, particularly up to the C-pillar, the rear of the S9 has a distinctively stubby and abrupt ending. At the front, the S9 features headlights with three lenses, extending into the air intake. A lidar unit is visible on the roof, indicating advanced driver-assistance capabilities. The side profile reveals minimal overhangs at both the front and rear, contributing to its sleek, sporty look.
Spotify is Increasing Premium Prices Next Month:
Spotify has announced another price increase, confirming earlier speculations from April. Starting next month, the cost of its premium plan will rise to $11.99 per month, a $1 increase from the current $10.99. Additionally, the price for the Duo plan, which allows two users, will increase by $2, reaching $16.99. The family plan will see a $3 hike, bringing it to $19.99 per month. However, the student plan will maintain its current price of $5.99 per month.
Sindh Government Set to Launch Water Sports Project:
In a bid to boost tourism and recreational activities in the province, the Sindh government has soft-launched water sports at Keenjhar Lake, near Thatta District. Zulfiqar Shah, the Culture and Tourism Minister of Sindh announced that these activities have commenced on a trial basis, marking a significant step towards developing the area as a prime tourist destination.
Mobile SIMs of Non-Filers Cannot be Blocked Without Issuing Notices:
The Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered that the income tax general order 1 of 2024 regarding the blocking of SIMs of non-filers cannot be enforced without issuing notices to non-filer SIM holders. The non-filers have to give an explanation as to why they are not filing returns under section 114B of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. The petition was filed by a leading mobile company challenging the constitutionality and legality of the Income Tax General Order 1 of 2024.
Rockstar Jokingly Teases GTA 7 A Year Ahead of GTA 6 Release:
Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) is still a year away from release, but Rockstar has already mentioned GTA 7, giving fans a taste of what is to come, probably a decade later when they have children. This teaser comes from a recent interview with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, who jokingly teased the existence of GTA 7. This means that even though we are a long way off the official release, the project is still likely on the table and will eventually launch one day. Until then we have GTA 6 to look forward to, which is generating a significant amount of hype, and rightfully so. This is because GTA 5 is one of the biggest video game titles of all time and still has a very active online player base even after more than 10 years of release.
Redmi 13 Gets a 4G Version to Replace Redmi 12:
Redmi 13 4G has arrived as the latest member of Xiaomi’s entry-level lineup, succeeding last year’s Redmi 12, which launched nearly around the same time. The most notable upgrades here include a new main camera as well as an improved chipset. The screen is a 6.78-inch IPS LCD with 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, the same as its predecessor. Although the resolution has been downgraded, the Helio G91 Ultra chipset is a clear upgrade from the previous Helio G88. The memory options are the same as before, going all the way to 8 GB/256 GB. The phone boots Android 14 out of the box with HyperOS on top.
Paris Hilton among users targeted in TikTok hack:
TikTok says it is addressing a cyber-attack that targeted brands and celebrities, including Paris Hilton and Media. However, the video-sharing app told the Media that a “very limited” number of accounts had been compromised. It added that it was working with users to restore access to their accounts. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, did not share further details on cyber-attack, such as how it was carried out. A TikTok spokesperson said Ms Hilton’s account was targeted, but it was not compromised. The reality TV star, who has more than 10 million followers on TikTok, is an active user of the platform. The account of news broadcaster Media has been compromised, however.”We have been collaborating closely with Media to restore account access and implement enhanced security measures to safeguard their account moving forward,” TikTok said.
Destiny 2: Why The Final Shape is a big deal:
After ten years, the makers of influential online shooter Destiny are getting ready to bring a decade-long saga that’s hooked millions of gamers to a close. The massively multiplayer online (MMO) sci-fi shooter is set in a futuristic universe where humanity, overseen by a mysterious sphere known as The Traveler, fights for survival against enemy entity The Darkness. First launched by Halo developer Bungie in 2014, it released to mixed reviews but impressive sales. Since then it’s had a rocky road, but a decade down the line Destiny has built a dedicated community of fans and had a big influence on online gaming, particularly with its loot system of item-gathering that encourages repeat plays. New expansion The Final Shape is the beginning of the end of a story that’s been building since the original launch. It’s a big moment for fans, and an important chance for Bungie to prove it can still bring the goods.
Instagram tests forcing users to watch adverts:
Instagram is testing adverts that users cannot skip past.
The social media platform currently allows people to swipe or scroll past adverts that appear in its main feed of images and videos, as well as in its Stories and Reels feeds. But it is now trialling a feature called “ad break”, which users say they can not flick past as usual. Images shared online show a timer, which counts down to zero before normal functionality can resume. “Sometimes you may need to view an ad before you can keep browsing,” the Meta-owned platform tells those who click for more information. Instagram has confirmed to the Media that a trial is under way. “We’re always testing formats that can drive value for advertisers,” it said in a statement, adding that it would provide further updates if the test resulted in permanent format changes.
Researchers use AI to analyse cosmic explosions:
New research is being carried out using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse cosmic explosions. A type of AI known as machine learning will be used to make simulations of star explosions called supernovae, that release elements such as calcium and iron back into the universe. The research by the University of Warwick aims to help astronomers understand more about why and how supernovae take place. Lead author of the research Dr Mark Magee said while one model currently took up to 90 minutes to create, AI would enable thousands of supernovae models to be generated in less than a second. AI would also make research more accurate, helping to establish what models match real-life explosions, the university said. It added advancements in machine learning had made the research possible with future studies including a greater variety of explosions and supernovae.
New AI tech developed to detect heart failure earlier:
Artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to identify patients at risk of heart failure, meaning they could be treated earlier, Leeds-based researchers have said. An algorithm, known as Find-HF, has been “trained” by the Leeds University researchers to detect early symptoms of the condition using patient records. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), there are currently more than one million people in the UK with heart failure. Prof Chris Gale, from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Leeds, said the tech would open a “crucial window of opportunity” for patients. For the study, which was funded by the BHF, researchers used the patient records of 565,284 UK adults to train the AI algorithm, It was then further tested on a database of 106,026 records from Taiwan National University Hospital. The AI was able to accurately predict the patients at the highest risk of developing heart failure, and those who could be admitted to hospital with the condition, within five years, the researchers said.
The billionaires rallying behind Trump after his conviction:
Ultra-wealthy Republican donors are rallying behind former US President Donald Trump following his historic trial and criminal conviction. Trump, the Republican candidate for this November’s White House election, was found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal hush money paid to former adult-film star Stormy Daniels. While he has lagged behind Joe Biden and the Democrats’ fundraising efforts, the conviction injected new life into his electoral bid – with his campaign announcing that it raised nearly $53m (£41.6m) in just 24 hours after the verdict. Israeli-American casino billionaire Miriam Adelson is expected to announce a multi-million dollar boost to Trump’s campaign this week. According to US media reports, Mrs Adelson will donate to a political action committee called Preserve America. Political action committees can spend unlimited sums of money backing candidates for elected office.
The satellites using radar to peer at Earth in minute detail:
Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) allows satellites to bounce radar signals off the ground and interpret the echo – and it can even peer through clouds. Clouds cover around two-thirds of the world at any one time, preventing conventional satellites from seeing much of the planet. But now a declassified technology known as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be installed on satellites to “see” the Earth’s surface in the dark, through the clouds (or the smoke of wildfires), to provide a constant unobscured view of our planet, and show changes on the Earth’s surface in great detail. Previously used to equip only a relatively small number of large commercial satellites, this technology is now being combined with constellations of inexpensive nanosatellites in low-Earth orbit by start-ups such as Iceye and Capella Space. The goal is to provide round-the-clock observation of nearly anywhere on the planet for everyone from non-governmental organisations, to military customers. “SAR satellites are capable of a wider coverage and higher-resolution images than their optical rivals, day or night. You don’t have to wait for the clouds to clear, you don’t have to wait for the rain to stop,” says Holly George-Samuels, an associate scientist at security and defence contractors QinetiQ. “If you need the information, you can go and get it now, and it will be superior to an optical image.
Tackling water shortages with ‘Star Wars’ tech:
When a severe drought hit the Indian city of Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, in 2016, residents including student Swapnil Shrivastav had access to a limited amount of water each day. “We were rationed to two buckets of water a day, which we collected from water tanks,” he says. While he says it’s not uncommon for water supply issues to impact parts of India, it was a tough month for Mr Shrivastav and others in the region. “It was a very humid area; it was unmanageable.” Mr Shrivastav was already interested in water scarcity having won a student competition in 2012 on imagining the future of water in cities, but the experience pushed him to explore solutions. “One element of inspiration was from Star Wars where there’s an air to water device. I thought why don’t we give it a try? It was more of a curiosity project.” Several years later, in 2019, that idea led him, Govinda Balaji and Venkatesh Raja to set up Uravu Labs, a Bangalore-based startup. Their system converts air to water using atmospheric water generators that contain a liquid desiccant, which absorbs moisture from the air. Using sunlight or renewable electricity they heat the desiccant to 65C which releases the moisture, which can then be condensed into drinking water. Mr Shrivastav says the whole process takes about 12 hours. Today each unit produces about 2,000 litres of drinking water. However, while his vision was to supply drinking water to communities facing water shortages, he says it wasn’t financially viable.