Posted on

SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Delayed Due to Hydraulic Glitch, Rescheduled for March 14

A hydraulics issue forced SpaceX to call off the scheduled launch of its Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on March 12, just 45 minutes before liftoff. The mission, carrying four astronauts, was set to depart aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:48 p.m. EDT (2348 GMT). The problem was traced to a malfunction in the transporter-erector, the structure responsible for moving and supporting the rocket on the launchpad. NASA astronaut Anne McClain, the mission commander, addressed the situation, stating that the crew would be ready once the issue was resolved. No faults were reported with the Falcon 9 rocket or the Crew Dragon capsule, named Endurance.

Technical Fault Identified in Transporter-Erector

As reported, according to NASA, the detected issue involved a clamp arm on the transporter-erector, which plays a critical role in securing the rocket before liftoff. Mike Ravenscroft, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program launch vehicle office manager, explained that the concern was related to how the Falcon 9 is held in place at the time of release. SpaceX and NASA engineers conducted assessments before deciding to postpone the mission.

New Launch Attempt Scheduled for March 14

Following the delay, NASA confirmed that another attempt to launch Crew-10 is planned for March 14 at 7:03 p.m. EDT (2303 GMT). The four-member team includes NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. The mission aims to transport the crew to the ISS for a six-month stay, replacing the Crew-9 team, which includes astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, and Barry Wilmore, along with cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The Crew-9 team is expected to return to Earth shortly after Crew-10 arrives.

Posted on

Google Updates Chrome Extensions Policy to Tighten Rules Governing Affiliate Links

Google has updated its Chrome Web Store policies that govern extensions related to affiliate marketing links, codes, and cookies. Affiliate links are one of the forms of revenue that content creators rely on to generate income, and the firm’s latest policy is designed to prevent Chrome extensions from injecting affiliate links that could replace the ones posted by content creators. The move comes weeks after a popular extension accused of inserting their own affiliate links on websites.

Google Cracks Down on Unauthorised Affiliate Code Injection

The updated Chrome extensions policy for affiliate ads includes a new rule that prevents the addition of affiliate links, codes, or cookies unless the core functionality of the extension provides a “direct and transparent user benefit”. Extensions will no longer be allowed to inject affiliate links on a webpage unless they grant users a “tangible benefit”.

Google has also provided examples of how extensions might violate its updated policy. For example, Chrome extensions that inject affiliate links in the background, without user engagement, would violate the policy. “Similarly, extensions adding affiliate links but not providing users cashback or discounts will not be compliant.”

As a result, if Chrome extensions want to add an affiliate link, code, or cookie, they will now need to ensure they provide a user benefit. This should also prevent third-party extensions from illegally benefitting from content creators.

The company silently updated its affiliate ads policy for Chrome extensions, and no reason was specified for the updated rules. However, it’s worth noting that the revamped policy comes months after Honey, a popular shopping extension owned by PayPal, was accused of taking affiliate revenue from content creators who promoted it online.

US lawyer and YouTube content creator Devin Stone (also known as LegalEagle) filed a class action lawsuit against Honey in December 2024. Stone has urged other creators to join the lawsuit against Honey, which is designed to seamlessly find and apply coupons as users browse the web.

Posted on

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Tipped to Get 200-Megapixel Main Camera, Improved Under-Display Camera

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to be announced in the second half of this year. While we have already heard a lot about the book-style foldable phone in recent months, a new leak now suggests the phone’s camera details. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is tipped to come with a new primary rear camera, which will be an improvement over the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The under-display camera found on the inner screen is also said to see an upgrade. Other sensors and the selfie camera could remain the same as its predecessor.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Camera Details Tipped

According to a report by Galaxyclub.nl (Dutch), Samsung will equip the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a 200-megapixel main rear camera. The foldable is said to feature the same main camera that is used in the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra. Notably, the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, which launched in select markets last year, also features a similar 200-megapixel sensor. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is said to arrive as the first Z Fold phone outside South Korea to have a 200-megapixel shooter.

The inclusion of a 200-megapixel primary sensor in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 would be a huge upgrade over the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s camera system. However, other camera sensors could remain the same as the predecessor, which gets a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel secondary ultra wide sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor.

Meanwhile, the under-display camera embedded in the inner screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is also said to get an upgrade, but more details weren’t specified. It is tipped to feature a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the cover screen similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy Z Fold 7 sometime in July alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 7. They are said to launch alongside the company’s first tri-fold smartphone.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 could come with the same price as the preceding Galaxy Z Fold 6. It could start at Rs. 1,64,999 for the base 12GB + 256GB configuration. The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy SoC is expected to power the phone. It is likely to be available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options with support for 12GB of RAM.

Posted on

The LG C5 is now available to pre-order in the UK (mostly), and the price is right

LG has announced pricing for LG C5 OLED models Launch prices are exactly the same as last year’s LG C4 Pre-orders are available through LG LG has revealed pricing for select models of the LG C5, the mid-range OLED in its 2025 TV lineup, and prices are stable compared to last year. The successor to the LG C4, one of the best TVs released in 2024, select LG C5 models are available to pre-order directly from LG. The models available for pre-order are the 42, 55, 65 and 77-inch and pricing for each is as follows: LG 42-inch C5 OLED: £1,399.99 LG 55-inch C5 OLED: £1,900 LG 65-inch C5 OLED: £2,699.99 LG 77-inch C5 OLED: £3,799.99 LG seems to have prioritised the most popular sizes in the range, with pre-orders and pricing for the 48 and 83-inch still yet to appear. You may like We’ve also now seen a confirmed release date, with delivery dates on LG’s website labelled as 31st March. You can pre-order the LG C5 in the links below, where there’s a promotion on each available size coming with a free soundbar (models of soundbar vary depending on TV size): The LG C5’s latest features include a new Alpha 9 Gen 8 Processor, which features Brightness Booster tech, and webOS 25, the latest iteration of LG’s smart TV platform. With webOS 25 comes a plethora of new AI features, including AI Concierge (tailored content recommendations), Voice ID and an improved AI Chatbot. There’s also the new AI Sound Wizard, which lets users create their own personal sound mode, and from what we’ve seen of it in action, it’s a fascinating tool that could really be useful for some viewers. The right price (Image credit: Future) Every year when new TVs are announced, we anticipate that the latest models will reflect a £1-200 price rise compared to their predecessors, mainly due to inflation or the addition of some new tech. But after European LG OLED pricing and US LG OLED pricing, both of which showed stable or dropping prices for the C5, were revealed recently, we remained hopeful the same would be true for the UK. For the announced models, that is pretty much the case, and this was a good call by LG. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. LG’s C-series OLEDs are often among the most popular TVs every year, with their jack-of-all-trades versatility making them excellent for movies. They’re also among the best gaming TVs and come in a wide range of sizes, often for the most competitive price compared to rival sets. Looking at the LG C5 on paper, its specs are not all that different from the C4, other than the features we mentioned above. Sadly, there’s no new OLED four-stack panel, which can be found on the LG G5, or even the micro lens array (MLA) panel used on last year’s G4 this time around. So, naturally, we’d expect there to be no compromise on price, and thankfully, that’s what’s happened. We’re currently testing the LG C5, so expect a full review soon. You might also like

Posted on

Gladiator II Now Available For Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

The much-anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 historical epic, Gladiator II, has now been made available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The film, which was released in cinemas on November 22, 2024, follows the journey of Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, as he navigates the violent world of gladiatorial combat. With a cast featuring Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen, the film has generated significant attention from audiences and critics alike. Those with an active Prime Video subscription can now watch it online.

When and Where to Watch Gladiator II

The film is now available on Amazon Prime Video for streaming. Gladiator II has now been made accessible on digital platforms, allowing audiences worldwide to experience the historical drama from their homes. A valid subscription to the streaming service is required to watch the film.

Official Trailer and Plot of Gladiator II

The film follows Lucius, who embarks on a journey of revenge after witnessing the murder of his uncle. His quest leads him into the brutal gladiatorial arena, where he challenges the authority of Rome. Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, a former slave who mentors Lucius and trains him in combat. Meanwhile, political unrest brews as Emperor Geta, portrayed by Joseph Quinn, and Emperor Caracalla, played by Fred Hechinger, struggle to maintain power.

Cast and Crew of Gladiator II

Directed by Ridley Scott, the film brings together a strong ensemble cast. Paul Mescal takes on the lead role of Lucius, while Denzel Washington plays Macrinus, a former slave turned mentor. Pedro Pascal appears as General Justo Acacio, with Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla. Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger portray Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla, respectively. The screenplay has been written by David Scarpa, with production led by Ridley Scott, Walter F. Parkes, and Laurie MacDonald.

Reception of Gladiator II

The film has received mixed to positive responses from critics and audiences. It has an IMDb rating of 6.6 /10. Denzel Washington’s performance has been widely praised in several reviews. At the global box office, Gladiator II has earned approximately $500 million against the reported production budget of $250 million.

Posted on

Apple Arcade to Add New Katamari Damacy and Space Invader Games in April

Apple is adding six games to its Apple Arcade game subscriptions service in April, including new Katamari and Space Invaders titles. In addition to the two new games, relaxing puzzle title puffies, management sim RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic+, board game The Game of Life 2+ and puzzle title Sesame Street Mecha Builders+ will join Apple Arcade next month. Existing Arcade games NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, PGA Tour Pro Golf and Skate City: New York will receive content updates in March, Apple announced.

All games will join Apple Arcade on April 3, the company announced in a Newsroom post Tuesday. NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition and PGA Tour Pro Golf will be updated on March 13, while Skate City: New York will receive new content on March 27. The games will be playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac and supported Apple devices. 

Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE

A brand-new Katamari game, the first in eight years, is coming exclusively to Apple Arcade on April 3. Developed by Bandai Namco, the action title tasks players with rolling around their Katamari, an adhesive ball, and collecting different objects. “Roll, stick and grow,” the game’s description on the App Store reads. As players keep rolling and expanding their Katamari with objects strewn across the world, they attract an in-game audience and unlock new stages.

Apple Arcade Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE apple arcade

Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE is developed by Bandai Namco
Photo Credit: Bandai Namco/ Apple

Space Invaders Infinity Gene Evolve

The new Space Invaders game, developed by Taito Corporation, evolves in gameplay style and visual presentation as players progress through levels. Space Invaders Infinity Gene Evolve transforms from retro graphics to 3D shooter and allows players to switch between two styles of play — classic shooting or bullet hell, providing two different ways to play each level. The game comes with 36 main stages, 30 extra stages and 100 stages in the Challenge mode that change each time and thus offer replayability.

puffies

A relaxing puzzle game, puffies combines the familiar objective of jigsaw puzzles with nostalgic puffy stickers. The game features hand-designed stickers spread across various levels that players can collect by solving jigsaw puzzles. Puffies comes with a ranked leaderboard, daily challenges and more.

RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic+

The ad-free version of RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic combines two beloved games from the series — RollerCoaster Tycoon and RollerCoaster Tycoon 2. The construction and management sim lets players set up and run their own amusement parks and adorn them with the thrilling roller coasters. The plus version comes enhanced for Apple devices and includes three expansion packs — Wacky Worlds, Time Twister, and Toolkit

Apple Arcade RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic Plus apple arcade

RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic combines RollerCoaster Tycoon 1 and 2
Photo Credit: Atari/ Apple

The Game of Life 2+

Marmalade Game Studio’s The Game of Life 2 is a sequel to the iconic board game, bringing tons of player choices, exclusive jobs, and an Apple Arcade exclusive outfit. In The Game of Life 2, players can choose to follow their dreams, adopt a pet, marry and have kids, or take the path they want to take.

Sesame Street Mecha Builders+

StoryToys’ Sesame Street Mecha Builders+ is an educational puzzle game that features activities based around science, math, engineering and more for children aged 2-6. It features beloved Sesame Street characters like Elmo and Cookie Monster and creative puzzles designed around learning.

All games joining Apple Arcade will be available to subscribers at no additional cost. Apple’s game subscription service houses over 200 titles and costs Rs. 99 a month in India. Apple Arcade is also available as part of the Apple One subscription.

Posted on

Asus TUF Gaming F16 With Intel Core 5 210H Processor, 16-Inch Display Launched in India

Asus TUF Gaming F16 has been launched in India on Wednesday. The new gaming focused laptop is equipped with the Intel Core 5 210H processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050A GPU. The laptop features a 16-inch display with 144Hz refresh rate. It offers up to 16GB of onboard RAM and 512GB of M.2 storage. The Asus TUF Gaming F16 boasts military-grade durability and houses a 56Wh battery.

Asus TUF Gaming F16 Price in India

The Asus TUF Gaming F16 (FX607VBR) carries a price tag of Rs. 80,990 in India. It is offered in a single Mecha Grey colourway and is up for sale through Asus Exclusive stores, Asus eShop, Amazon, and Flipkart. It will be available through other retail outlets including Reliance, Croma and Vijay Sales.

Asus TUF Gaming F16 Specifications

The Asus TUF Gaming F16 ships with Windows 11 Home and features 16-inch full-HD+ (1,200×1,920 pixels) antiglare IPS display with 16:10 aspect ratio. The display has 144Hz refresh rate, 300 nits peak brightness and 3ms response time. It runs on an octa-core Intel Core 5 210H processor alongside the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050A laptop GPU. This CPU has 12 threads and a clock speed of 4.8GHz. The new laptop packs 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB of NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. The RAM is expandable up to 32GB, while the storage can be expanded up to 4TB.

Asus is providing three-month free Xbox Game Pass for PC with the Asus TUF Gaming F16. It features AI-based noise-cancelling technology for filtering out background noise. It has Dolby Atmos support and Hi-Res certification for headphones. The laptop has US military grad (MIL-STD 810H) certification and is claimed to withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, and mechanical shocks.

Connectivity options on the Asus TUF Gaming F16 include Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6. The laptop includes a Backlit Chiclet Keyboard with 1-Zone RGB lighting. Ports on the laptop include a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port for DisplayPort, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 FRL port, an RJ45 LAN port and a 3.5mm audio jack. It boasts a 720 pixel HD camera.

Asus TUF Gaming F16 is backed by a 56Wh lithium-ion battery. The laptop comes with a 150W AC adapter that is claimed to fill the battery from zero to 50 percent in 30 minutes. It measures 354 x 251 x 22.1mm and weighs 2.20 kilograms.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Apple Releases iOS 18.3.2, macOS 15.3.2 Updates to Fix Security Flaw That Enabled ‘Extremely Sophisticated Attack’

Posted on

How to Use NordPass: A Step-by-Step Guide

NordPass, Nord Security’s password manager, is an intuitive application offering reliable password storage and protection.

In this article, we walk you through how to set up and use NordPass. We also answer some frequently asked questions about NordPass and its features.

How to set up and use NordPass

1. Choosing a NordPass subscription

NordPass has two subscription tiers: Personal and Business. Its Personal plans are for individual consumers, while NordPass Business is for businesses and organizations.

In our hands-on review, NordPass received a score of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Check out our full NordPass review here.

NordPass Personal plans
NordPass Personal plans. Image: NordPass

Within the Personal tier, NordPass has three plan options: Free, Premium, and Family. The Premium one-year subscription costs $1.69 per month for one user, and the Family plan is $3.69 per month per user for up to six users.

NordPass’ Free version is free forever; however, it only allows for one-device log-in, and lacks important features such as a dark web monitor and password health scanner.

NordPass Business plans
NordPass Business plans. Image: NordPass

Meanwhile, NordPass Business is split into Teams, Business, and Enterprise plans. The Teams one-year subscription costs $1.99 per user, per month for up to 10 people. NordPass Business provides protection for five users and up at $3.99 per user, per month. And, a one-year Enterprise subscription can protect the same five users and up at $5.99 per user, per month.

Customers can opt for a two-year plan, which offers more affordable monthly rates.

I highly recommend trialing out a plan before purchasing a subscription. A 30-day free trial is available for the Premium plan, and both Teams and Business have a 14-day free trial. Neither require a credit card to access.

For those interested in trying NordPass’ free trial for its consumer version, I recommend searching “nordpass free trial” on Google as the easiest way to access it. I’ve found that NordPass tends to update or change their webpages every now and then, so looking it up directly via Google will be the fastest way to avail of the trial.

Looking up NordPass’ free trial on Google
Looking up NordPass’ free trial on Google. Image: Luis Millares

From there, you’ll see a page titled, “Free 30-day NordPass Premium Trial.” Clicking this will lead you directly to the free trial page, where you can enter your email address and start the trial.

NordPass’ free trial page
NordPass’ free trial page. Image: NordPass

If you’re interested in accessing one of the 14-day free trials for NordPass Business, repeat our previous steps and simply search “nordpass free trial business” on Google this time around.

Looking for NordPass business trial
Looking for NordPass business trial. Image: Luis Millares

Clicking on the link will lead you to a sign-up page, where NordPass will ask you to enter your business email, company name, and other information.

NordPass Business trial sign-up
NordPass Business trial sign-up. Image: NordPass

2. Setting up the web app and browser extension

Going back, let’s select the NordPass Premium free trial to give you a quick look on how to use NordPass. At the NordPass free trial page, NordPass will ask you to provide an email address. I’ve put my test account below:

Providing my email for NordPass trial
Providing my email for NordPass trial. Image: Luis Millares

After providing my email, I was redirected to NordPass’ browser extension page on the Chrome Web Store. I downloaded the extension, and it installed automatically.

NordPass on the Chrome Web Store
NordPass on the Chrome Web Store. Image: NordPass

After installation, NordPass asked me to either log in or create an account. I chose “Create Account” and provided my email address. From there, NordPass asked me to create a Master Password. The master password is the only password you’ll have to create on your own as NordPass has a built-in password generator which you can use to create more secure, randomized passwords.

NordPass Master Password.
NordPass Master Password. Image: Luis Millares

The master password serves as the key to your encrypted password vault and stored passwords. NordPass requires all master passwords to be at least 9 characters or more and to have at least one special character.

After I provided my master password, I was directed to the main dashboard to begin storing and managing my passwords.

NordPass main dashboard.
NordPass main dashboard. Image: Luis Millares

3. Using NordPass

The easiest way to save your first login is to create and save a new account online. To demonstrate this, I’ll create a new account on Udemy.

On Udemy’s account creation page, the NordPass logo appeared in the password field.

NordPass logo on password field.
NordPass logo on password field. Image: Luis Millares

When I clicked on the logo, NordPass’ password generator popped up.

NordPass password generator.
NordPass password generator. Image: Luis Millares

It automatically generated a randomized password for my Udemy account. By default, NordPass creates a 20-character-long password, but you can have it generate a password that’s 60 characters long. You can also have it create a password phrase, which has been said is more secure.

Saving a new login.
Saving a new login. Image: Luis Millares

After the password was generated, NordPass prompted me to save the Udemy account details to my NordPass vault.

NordPass Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is NordPass free?

Yes, but only for the consumer NordPass solution, not NordPass Business. NordPass’ free version doesn’t have key features such as dark web scanning, the ability to share items, and emergency access. And, it only allows a single-device login per account.

How do I import passwords to NordPass?

To import your passwords to NordPass, go to the Settings menu, navigate to the Import and Export section, and click “Import items.” NordPass lets you import passwords from a CSV file, browsers, and other popular password managers.

What if NordPass isn’t working?

If you encounter any problems with NordPass, you can visit their official support page or access their 24/7 live chat support. You can also send a message to their support email for more assistance.

Is NordPass the same as NordVPN?

No, they are two different services. While they are both from security software provider Nord Security, NordPass is a password manager and NordVPN is a virtual private network service.

What operating systems does NordPass support?

In terms of browsers, NordPass is available on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Safari. This includes browsers for both desktop and mobile.

For its desktop application, NordPass supports Windows (10 and up), macOS (11 and up), Linux, Chrome OS (web vault only), Android (9.0 and up), and iOS (15.0 and up).

Is NordPass available for iPhone or Android?

Yes, NordPass has apps for both iOS and Android. You can also access NordPass on your smartphone via a supported mobile browser.

What we think of NordPass

In our full review, NordPass received a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. We highlighted its affordable pricing, easy-to-use application, and useful business features — all of which make it one of the best password managers available today.

While its free version is limited to only one device, the all-around user experience and security you get with NordPass make a premium subscription worth the spend.

If you want to learn more, read our full review and analysis of NordPass and check out our NordPass vs 1Password comparison.

Posted on

Samsung Galaxy F16 5G With MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, 50-Megapixel Camera Launched in India

Samsung Galaxy F16 5G has been launched in India as the successor to the Galaxy F15 5G, which was unveiled in the country in March 2024. The latest Galaxy F16 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with 25W wired fast charging support. For optics, it carries a 50-megapixel triple rear camera unit and a 13-megapixel selfie shooter. The phone will get six OS upgrades as well as six years of security updates.

Samsung Galaxy F16 5G Price in India, Availability

Samsung Galaxy F16 5G price in India starts at Rs. 11,499, including all offers. It will go on sale in the country starting at 12pm IST on March 13, a promotional banner on Flipkart confirms. The handset will be available for purchase via the e-commerce site in Bling Black, Glam Green, and Vibing Blue shades.galaxy f16 5g samsung inline f16 5g

An earlier leak suggested that the Galaxy F16 5G will be priced in India at Rs. 13,499, Rs. 14,999, and Rs. 16,499 for the 4GB, 6GB and 8GB RAM options, respectively. All variants had been tipped to support 128GB storage.. 

Samsung Galaxy F16 5G Features, Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy F16 5G sports a 6.7-inch full-HD+ (1,080 x 2,340 pixels) Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The handset gets a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM. The handset supports 128GB of onboard storage and up to 1.5TB external storage via microSD card. The phone ships with Android 15-based One UI 7 and is promised to receive six OS upgrades and six years of security updates.

In the camera department, the Samsung Galaxy F16 5G has a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 5-megapixel ultrawide shooter, a 2-megapixel macro sensor at the back. The phone gets a 13-megapixel sensor on the front.

Samsung packs a 5,000mAh battery in the Galaxy F16 5G with 25W wired fast charging support. Connectivity options include 5G, 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS and a USB Type-C port. The handset measures 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9mm in size and weighs 191g.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.
Posted on

Warner Bros is replacing some DVDs that ‘rot’ and become unwatchable – but there’s a big catch that undermines the value of physical media

Some Warner Bros DVDs won’t play due to material problems Affected discs were made between 2006 and 2008 Warner Bros is replacing discs, but not all movies are still available Of all the advantages of physical media – picture and sound quality, extra features, impressing visitors to your home with your excellent and eclectic taste – one of the most important ones is permanence. Unlike movies on the best streaming services, movies won’t suddenly disappear from your shelves overnight because of licensing issues or cost-cutting. Unless… they rot. A new plague of disc rot has been discovered, and it’s affecting Warner Bros Home Entertainment movies manufactured between 2006 and 2008. The rot renders the discs unplayable, and while Warner Bros is offering replacements, it can’t replace them all. You may like Why isn’t Warner Bros replacing every rotted disc? The short answer is that it can’t. As the firm explained in a statement, “Where possible, the defective discs have been replaced with the same title. However, as some of the affected titles are no longer in print or the rights have expired, consumers have been offered an exchange for a title of like-value.” Disc rot isn’t new – it affected laserdiscs, and CDs, and every other shiny disc format since. But this particular outbreak is happening very early in the discs’ lifespan. Disc rot is oxidization, and it’s very unusual to have that happen on discs that are still relatively young. In ideal conditions and with careful storage and handling a DVD could last as long as 100 years, and even the lowest lifespan expectation is around 30 years. However, if the manufacturing isn’t perfect, then the lifespan can be much shorter: for example, the phenomenon of disc bronzing, a form of disc rot affecting compact discs in the early 1990s, was largely found in discs made at a specific UK factory between 1988 and 1993. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. There’s no cure for disc rot, so if you think you might have some of the affected titles it’s a good idea to check them now: disc rot is often visible on the disc itself, usually as a cloudy area, but it’s most apparent when you actually play the disc: rot means it doesn’t work properly. As for prevention, other than careful handling and storage there’s not a great deal you can do to prevent something that’s mostly the result of manufacturing issues. And it’s all especially frustrating in this case, where collectors of physical media may be keeping these discs because a particular movie – or feature, or commentary – is hard to find or not available now. That’s not a problem if Warner Bros can really replace the disc, but when it can’t we’re facing the question of how can we secure access to art for the future? People who rip discs to make a backup aren’t necessarily immune either: rewritable Blu-Rays and DVD discs may only have a lifespan of five to 10 years. But it’s more understandable than ever that people want a backup of the things they want to keep most – even the physical object isn’t safe from change. You might also like