Author: DA Gadgets

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Google Willow: All You Need to Know About the Quantum Processor That Outperforms World’s Best Supercomputer

A recent study published in Nature has detailed a major achievement by Google’s Quantum AI team. Their latest quantum processor, named “Willow,” solved a computational problem in five minutes that would have taken the world’s most advanced supercomputer an estimated 10 septillion years. This achievement marks significant progress in overcoming one of the greatest challenges in quantum computing — reducing errors as the machines scale.

Breakthrough in Quantum Error Correction

Quantum computers are known for their high error rates, where approximately one in 1,000 qubits fail during calculations. In comparison, traditional computers experience failures in only one out of a billion billion bits. This discrepancy has made error-correction methods critical for advancing the technology. The Willow processor, which contains 105 physical qubits, employs error-correcting technologies that reduce inaccuracies as more qubits are added, an achievement first theorised by computer scientist Peter Shor in 1995.

Google Quantum AI’s Julian Kelly, director of quantum hardware, told Live Science that the team’s focus has been on achieving a state where fewer errors are introduced than are corrected. The Willow processor’s design integrates physical qubits into “logical qubits,” enabling calculations to proceed even if individual qubits fail.

Through advancements in machine learning, device fabrication, and calibration techniques, the team reported coherence times of up to 100 microseconds — five times better than their previous Sycamore processor, the researchers stated in the study.

Path to Practical Applications

The team’s immediate goal is to construct a logical qubit with an error rate of one in a million, requiring 1,457 physical qubits. Once achieved, their efforts will shift towards connecting multiple logical qubits to solve real-world problems. While the Willow processor has demonstrated exponential error reduction, scientists aim to move beyond benchmarks and focus on practical computations that extend the capabilities of quantum machines.

This progress, as highlighted in the study and expert discussions, indicates a path forward for quantum computing to outperform classical systems in diverse applications.

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Arecibo Observatory Data Helps SETI Uncover Secrets of Pulsar Signals and Cosmic Distortions

Years after the collapse of the Arecibo Observatory, its extensive datasets remain instrumental in advancing astronomical research. In a study led by Sofia Sheikh from the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute, data from the observatory was utilised to uncover new details about pulsar signals. These dense neutron stars emit beams of radiation likened to “cosmic lighthouses,” and their signals undergo distortions as they traverse the interstellar medium. Findings from this research were published in The Astrophysical Journal on November 26.

Pulsar Signals and Interstellar Scintillation

The study explored how pulsar signals are affected by interstellar gas and dust. Researchers investigated 23 pulsars, including six previously unstudied, revealing insights into distortive phenomena called diffractive interstellar scintillation (DISS). This phenomenon, which resembles the rippling patterns caused by light passing through water, is attributed to interactions between pulsar signals and charged particles in space.

The Role of Arecibo’s Archival Data

The now-defunct Arecibo radio telescope, once spanning 305 metres, collapsed in December 2020 due to cable failures. Despite its destruction, the data collected over decades continues to contribute significantly to astrophysical discoveries. It was revealed by researchers that pulsar signals exhibit broader bandwidths than predicted by current interstellar models. This discrepancy indicates a need to refine existing frameworks, particularly by incorporating the structural complexity of the Milky Way.

Implications for Gravitational Wave Studies

Reportedly, a better understanding of pulsar signal distortions could enhance projects like the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav), which employs pulsar timing arrays to detect space-time distortions caused by gravitational waves. The recent identification of the gravitational wave background, potentially originating from supermassive black hole mergers, underscores the relevance of such advancements.

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Asteroids Impacting Neutron Stars May Be the Cause of Fast Radio Bursts

In a study in The Astrophysical Journal, it has been proposed that fast radio bursts (FRBs), enigmatic blasts of radio waves detected from deep space, could originate from the collision of asteroids with neutron stars. According to reports, these collisions release immense energy—sufficient to power humanity for 100 million years. The findings align with observations of FRBs and suggest a potential mechanism behind their creation.

FRBs are characterised by their brief duration, ranging from milliseconds to a few seconds, during which they emit as much energy as the Sun does over several days. Since their discovery in 2007, their origins have remained elusive. As per sources, the detection rate of these phenomena increased significantly in 2017 with the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME).

Energy Generated by Asteroid Impacts on Neutron Stars

Neutron stars, remnants of massive stars, are known for their extreme density and powerful magnetic fields. Dr Matthew Hopkins, an astrophysicist at Oxford University, explained to Space.com that the gravitational force and magnetic energy of neutron stars contribute to the release of colossal energy when impacted by asteroids. For an asteroid roughly one kilometre in size, energy equivalent to 10^29 joules may be released, comparable to 100 million years of global energy consumption.

Frequency and Distribution of Collisions Across Galaxies

Dr Dang Pham, the study’s lead author and a researcher at the University of Toronto, noted in a statement that interstellar objects such as asteroids and comets are abundant enough to account for observed FRB rates. Speaking to Space.com, Dr Pham stated that the estimated rate of neutron star-asteroid collisions aligns with the current FRB detection frequency.

Implications for Repeating FRBs

However, the study acknowledges that these collisions are unlikely to explain repeating FRBs, which occur more frequently. Researchers suggest that repeated bursts may stem from collisions involving asteroid belts or other celestial phenomena, a hypothesis that remains under investigation.

Further observations through projects like CHIME and the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder are expected to refine understanding of FRB origins and their connection to interstellar events.

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What Is a Host Based Firewall and Is it Secure Enough?

A host-based firewall is installed and run on a single device, like a laptop, cell phone, or server. These firewalls are tailored to individual devices so they can monitor and control its specific traffic — as opposed to network-based firewalls, which protect an entire network of devices.

Most consumer devices come with host-based firewalls pre-installed. If you use an HP laptop or an iPhone, you’re already protected by host-based firewalls. Microsoft and Apple provide their own versions of these firewalls and frequently update them to address new cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.

Aside from your personal phone and computer, host-based firewalls also play a critical role when it comes to business cybersecurity. Host-based firewalls play a vital role in securing individual endpoints. This level of protection is critical as business networks increasingly accommodate remote workers and cloud applications.

I’ll start with the consumer end of host-based firewalls, and then we’ll cover what businesses need to know about this incredibly important network security tool.

1 CloudTalk

Company Size

Employees per Company Size

Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)

Any Company Size Any Company Size

Features

24/7 Customer Support, Call Management/Monitoring, Contact Center, and more

What consumers get with a host-based firewall

As a consumer, the host-based firewall on your phone or laptop gives you a vital default level of protection on your personal devices. Since you probably use your devices for things like banking, investing, and storing important personal info, this built-in protection is crucial.

Host-based firewalls typically come pre-installed, and they’re already designed to guard against a range of common cyber threats. If you’re reading this on a device running Windows or Apple software, you’re probably using a host-based firewall right now.

But how exactly do these firewalls work? Primarily, it comes down to regulating network traffic based on predetermined firewall rules and deciding which applications or services on your device can access the internet and which external sources can connect to your device.

In other words, you can think of host-based firewalls as the “gatekeeper” to your device.

So if you have one of these firewalls installed and go to use an application that requires internet access, like a web browser, the firewall will evaluate this request against its set of rules.

If the application is recognized as safe and allowed internet access under these rules, the firewall permits the connection. But if an unknown program attempts to send data from your laptop to an external server, the firewall can block this outgoing traffic, preventing potential data theft or other malicious activities.

Similarly, if unsolicited traffic tries to access your device from the internet—say, a hacking attempt targeting vulnerable ports on your laptop—the firewall can deny this connection, keeping your device secure.

This ongoing monitoring and regulation of incoming and outgoing traffic, based on established security rules, is how host-based firewalls actively protect your devices from a variety of cyber threats.

That said, while host-based firewalls are effective at managing traffic and blocking unsolicited connections, they may not be as equipped to handle more advanced threats like phishing attacks or malware that a user might unknowingly download.

For consumers using home networks or connecting to public Wi-Fi in places like airports, a host-based firewall provides a necessary security measure. It’s your first line of defense, particularly in public settings where network security is uncertain.

But relying solely on your host-based firewall isn’t recommended; it should be part of a broader security approach that includes antimalware software and following online safety basics.

What businesses need from a host-based firewall

In a corporate environment, host-based firewalls need to do more heavy lifting beyond basic traffic filtering. They should provide advanced security features to make sure you’re protected against sophisticated cyber threats.

Advanced functionality

If you’re using a host-based firewall in a business setting, it should use advanced features like deep packet inspection and intrusion prevention systems.

Deep packet inspection (DPI) essentially delves into the contents of the data packets traversing your network. This means that not only are the headers of packets scrutinized, but so is their payload – the actual data being transmitted.

For example, DPI can uncover a seemingly harmless email attachment carrying hidden malware, allowing the firewall to block it before it compromises the network. To borrow an analogy from a physical package, it’s akin to checking not just the address on a package but also carefully inspecting its contents.

Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), on the other hand, are basically sentinels or watchmen for your network. They’re constantly monitoring network traffic, looking for patterns or activities indicative of a cyberattack.

Suppose an IPS detects an unusual number of requests to a particular server within the network, resembling a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. If that’s the case, it can immediately take action to block this traffic, often before users even notice any disruption.

Behavioral analytics and anomaly detection enable firewalls to learn what “normal” device behavior looks like and detect deviations that might indicate a security threat.

For example, if an employee’s laptop suddenly starts transmitting large amounts of encrypted data at unusual hours, a host-based firewall can identify this as anomalous behavior and alert the security team or block the activity automatically.

Application-level control refers to the ability to manage and enforce firewall rules based on specific applications within network traffic.

For example, a firewall could allow access to a specific application like Slack for communication while blocking unauthorized file-sharing apps that pose a security risk.

Centralized management

Effective host-based firewalls should offer centralized management for businesses to easily monitor and configure devices at scale. Features like role-based access controls and automated updates ensure that IT teams can maintain security without manual oversight on every device.

This is particularly valuable for organizations with a distributed workforce, as they can scale protection without compromising efficiency. Learn more about best practices for firewall management.

Integration with broader security frameworks

A host-based firewall must integrate seamlessly with other network security software, such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems. This ensures that all layers of the security architecture communicate effectively, enabling quick threat detection and coordinated responses.

Endpoint protection

Businesses often deploy host-based firewalls on endpoints like laptops, desktops, and mobile devices, which are critical for remote and hybrid workforces. These firewalls offer device-specific security, preventing threats even when employees connect through unsecured networks.

For example, a remote employee working from a café with public Wi-Fi remains protected from threats such as unauthorized access or data interception. Additionally, firewalls can be tailored to specific device usage, like safeguarding graphic designers who frequently transfer large files.

In industries that rely heavily on Internet of Things (IoT) devices (e.g., manufacturing, healthcare, smart cities), host-based firewalls are used to protect these devices from cyber threats. IoT devices are a common target for hackers, due to their connectivity and often limited security features. Host-based firewalls can be installed to prevent IoT devices from connecting to other devices outside the network.

Do you always need a host-based firewall?

If your business already has a robust IT security framework — network firewalls, endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems, and other advanced security measures — you may wonder: is a host-based firewall still necessary?

I say yes, one hundred percent.

First of all, why not? What’s the downside to running a simple host-based firewall on every device connected to your network?

A comprehensive IT security policy benefits from multiple layers of protection, and a host-based firewall is one of the most effective layers to secure individual devices, particularly when they are used outside your corporate network.

While EDR systems and antimalware software are crucial for detecting threats and blocking malicious activity, a host-based firewall provides the first line of defense by monitoring device-specific traffic.

Even with a secure network perimeter, devices are vulnerable to attacks when employees work remotely or use unsecured public networks. Host-based firewalls offer device-level security by filtering incoming and outgoing traffic specific to that device. For instance, when an employee connects to a public Wi-Fi network, the host-based firewall ensures the device remains protected from attacks such as data interception or unauthorized access.

Remote work security has been one of the biggest challenges for many organizations. A host-based firewall is a simple solution to offer basic protections to employee devices, regardless of where they are.

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What Does a Firewall Do To Protect My Home Network

A firewall is a security protocol that protects your internal network from the threats of the internet. It keeps an eye on the data that comes in and out of your home network.

Without a firewall, your trusted private network could be at risk of cyberattacks, data breaches, and malware from the public.

1 CloudTalk

Company Size

Employees per Company Size

Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+)

Any Company Size Any Company Size

Features

24/7 Customer Support, Call Management/Monitoring, Contact Center, and more

The technical side of what a firewall does

To get to grips with how a firewall works, you need to understand how data travels between internet networks.

Basically, data moves across the internet in the form of information-filled packets. A firewall inspects these data packets to analyze their:

  • Content: The information each data packet contains, such as an image, text, or video.
  • Protocol: The language of the data packet, for example, HTTP or TCP.
  • Port: The medium that the data is traveling through, such as email, web, or a social media network.
  • Source: Where the data is coming from, for example, the IP address or hostname of incoming traffic.
  • Destination: Where the data is headed, including the IP address, hostname, and other information that describes where the traffic is going.

Afterwards, the firewall determines whether to let the data packet pass or, instead, to block it based on a set of predefined rules.

To ensure that dangerous data packets are blocked, it’s crucial that you properly set up your firewall, create effective rules, and keep it up to date.

SEE: Learn the fundamentals of computer networking. 

Hardware firewalls

Hardware firewalls are dedicated physical devices, often integrated into routers or standalone appliances, that act as a barrier between a private network and the internet. They offer robust, centralized protection, making them ideal for organizations and businesses that need to secure multiple devices or high volumes of network traffic.

Although they are typically more expensive than software firewalls, hardware firewalls provide scalability and consistent performance, protecting an entire network without relying on the resources of individual devices.

Software firewalls

Software firewalls are applications installed on individual devices to monitor and control network traffic at the endpoint level. They are included by default in most operating systems, such as Windows and macOS, and some routers also incorporate software firewall capabilities.

These firewalls can be customized to block specific applications, filter outbound and inbound traffic, and provide alerts for suspicious activities. The specific capabilities will depend on what type of software firewall you are using. A Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), for example, may provide tools for access control, intrusion prevention, advanced threat intelligence, and deep packet inspection.

What a firewall does to protect your home network

1. Blocks unauthorized traffic

To reiterate, a firewall blocks threats coming from restricted sources or ports.

This means your firewall will block any data packets coming from a restricted IP address or website. It will also reduce your home network’s visibility to potentially risky protocols.

Firewalls can also block data packets that have malicious content.

Basically, firewall users can set predefined rules to give a firewall access control of their data. Based on these rules, the firewall will shut out intruders. For instance, parents may set rules in the firewall to deny access to certain applications or block out content based on certain keywords.

2. Defends against threats

A firewall serves as a checkpoint for all data packets, so it protects your home’s internet system from several threats, including:

  • Cyberattacks coming from hackers who want to damage your system or steal and erase data.
  • Malware that infects not just software but also hardware, possibly destroying applications and devices.
  • Ransomware that locks important files, seeking funds from you to release it.

Instead of just sniffing out these malicious invaders, a firewall neutralizes them in case they do enter your network. This way, it prevents the threats from spreading through your network infrastructure, further decreasing the scope of the damage.

Learn more about the latest threats to network security and how to defend against each one.

3. Prevents application intrusion

Even if you expect untrusted applications to act out of line, sometimes your most-trusted apps will try to access and extract sensitive data from your device.

This can happen when the application is outdated, infected, or a hacker tries to use it to get into your system.

Thankfully, your firewall observes an application’s behavior to make sure there are no attempts to enter unauthorized resources. Doing so, it protects your sensitive data.

For example, if an application tries to access a location or photos on your device even though you haven’t allowed it to do so, the firewall will act immediately to stop it. Along with protecting your data, it will also inform you of unusual activity.

4. Improves network performance

Firewalls are more than security guards. Since they monitor the flow of traffic and keep an eye on who’s accessing your devices, they free up valuable resources. By doing so, they reduce network congestion and improve your performance online.

Apart from filtering out unnecessary traffic volume, a firewall also keeps the network’s functioning in check by increasing your security.

What’s more, firewalls prevent crashes that can occur due to cyber attacks, misconfiguration, or bugs in your system.

5. Maintains privacy

Imagine a stranger watching you through your window. Creepy, right?

This is something hackers may do to keep an eye on your data and browsing habits. They might even use your private information against you.

A firewall stops this from happening by using rules to filter network traffic, blocking unauthorized attempts to access your system or monitor your activities. It inspects data packets for suspicious patterns, ensuring sensitive information stays secure.

Advanced firewalls use features like deep packet inspection and stateful packet filtering to detect and prevent unauthorized data transfers or malicious activity. They also monitor outgoing traffic, stopping applications or malware from transmitting private data to untrusted sources, providing a crucial layer of protection against data breaches.

6. Logs and audits data

Firewalls don’t merely observe the traffic coming in and out of the network. They can also be configured to log information about this traffic.

This data is critical in order to check the information later in case an unfortunate event arises and you need to go back and analyze what happened.

A firewall can track the timestamps, size, protocols, ports, IP addresses, and other details of a given packet. This information can help you investigate network activity. For instance, if a bug enters your system and ends up disturbing it, you can access the firewall’s log to track exactly where it came from.

Apart from being useful in tracking activity, these logs are also helpful in identifying system or security issues in the long run. Learn how to perform a firewall audit.

7. Scans for vulnerabilities

Some firewalls can also scan weaknesses in your network’s connected devices. This allows the firewall to alert you of outdated or misconfigured software.

They can also integrate with other vulnerability scanning programs to give you an idea of your network’s security position.

This isn’t all, though. Since firewalls can also analyze the severity of your vulnerabilities, you’ll be in a better place to prioritize important security upgrades or changes in the future.

What doesn’t a firewall do?

While a firewall is an important part of a security system, it is still just a part. It’s far from the only type of network security protection you need.

For example, you should have good antivirus software to protect your network. Antivirus software protects against malware by detecting and removing harmful files that the firewall doesn’t block. Firewalls only inspect network traffic, and malware hiding within applications, files, or devices may go undetected.

Skilled hackers can also slip through a firewall’s guard by using port hopping, spoofing, and other sneaky techniques to deliver malicious payloads. All these tricks can fool the firewall into believing that a hacker is transferring legitimate data packets from trusted sources, ports, or protocols.

Along with a firewall, antivirus software creates a layered defense, constantly monitoring your system for threats that pass through the firewall.

These are just two of the most important technologies to use when you are setting up network security — a firewall is one of several layers that play an important role in keeping your devices and personal data secure. Here are some of the other common tools people use:

  • Anti-phishing software: Blocks malicious websites, links, and content.
  • VPN: Encrypts and secures your connection by masking your online activity and covering your IP address.
  • Antivirus software: Defends against malicious software by scanning individual files, downloads, applications, and network traffic.
  • Intrusion detection system: Filters network traffic to protect against cyber hackers by blocking them before they can enter your system.

Installing a firewall in combination with these solutions can protect you from online scams, attacks, malware, tracking, and sensitive data extraction.

SEE: Learn about common network security configuration mistakes.

There are also limitations of firewalls to be aware of:

  • Firewalls may block legitimate traffic.
  • Firewalls may fail to catch harmful traffic or alert you about threats.
  • Misconfigured firewalls can create new vulnerabilities.
  • Overly restrictive firewall rules can negatively impact user experience.

Firewalls for consumers are typically easy to install and require minimal configuration. There are many different types of firewalls. I would recommend using one that fits your confidence level with computer networking. Setting rules for firewalls is certainly something you can teach yourself how to do, but as I mentioned, misconfigured firewalls can cause a host of problems or accidentally open the door to hackers.

Firewalls for businesses manage and monitor network traffic on a larger scale, protecting against external threats while supporting advanced features like intrusion detection/protection and deep packet inspection. Unlike consumer firewalls, which typically secure single devices or small home networks, business firewalls are designed to handle high traffic volumes and support complex networks.

However, even powerful business firewalls are only one piece of an effective network security strategy, which should also include endpoint protection, employee training, and regular system monitoring to guard against evolving cyber threats. Learn more about how to secure a network and the best network security tools available today.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Specifications Leak via Camera FV-5 Database

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to launch early next year as the company’s top-of-the-line handset. The smartphone, which has been in the rumour mill for the past few months, has now been listed on a professional camera application database. The alleged listing suggests details about its camera system, such as support for electronic image stabilisation (EIS), maximum image resolution, and the lens’ aperture size. Notably, this development comes after a tipster suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s higher storage variants may get an upgrade in terms of RAM.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera FV-5 Listing

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra was spotted on the Camera FV-5 database with the model number SM-S938U. The listing hints at a primary sensor with a 12.5-megapixel resolution, which likely refers to a 50-megapixel camera with four-in-one pixel binning. The sensor could have a 6.3mm focal length and support for electronic image stabilisation (EIS).

The handset is said to have a maximum image resolution of 4080×3060 pixels. It is speculated to have a 1x magnification factor with a 75.7-degree horizontal and 60.5-degree vertical field of view. The sensor is tipped to have a f/1.7 aperture and 26.6mm focal length (35mm). Additionally, it will reportedly shoot images in the JPEG/DNG format.

The listing also suggests that the purported Galaxy S25 Ultra may have a hyperfocal distance of 4.86m and support both auto and manual focus modes.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Specifications (Expected)

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to be equipped with a 6.86-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, as per previous reports. The purported handset may sport a 200-megapixel primary camera, a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto camera, a 50-megapixel 5x telephoto camera, and an upgraded 50-megapixel ultrawide camera.

It is said to be powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, paired with up to 16GB of RAM. The phone may pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W charging.

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Paris & Nicole: The Encore OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch it Online?

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are reuniting for a special project, 21 years after their reality TV series The Simple Life gained popularity. The three-part series, titled Paris & Nicole: The Encore, will feature the duo producing an opera based on their playful “Sanasa” song from the show. Scheduled for release on December 13, 2024, the show is expected to explore their journey, creativity and iconic bond. The project is narrated by Alan Cumming and was announced during the 2024 Vulture Festival.

 When and Where to Watch Paris & Nicole: The Encore

Paris & Nicole: The Encore will be available for streaming in India on JioCinema from December 13, 2024. Fans can enjoy the series exclusively on this platform.

Official Trailer and Plot of Paris & Nicole: The Encore

The teaser for the series gives a glimpse into Hilton and Richie revisiting their Arkansas roots, the setting of their original reality TV debut. The show documents their attempt to create an opera based on “Sanasa.” Highlights include auditions featuring Sia, pitching their opera idea to Kathy Hilton, and shopping for opera supplies. The opera itself will reflect their humour and creativity as they tackle an art form they are new to, creating what is promised to be a unique performance.

Cast and Crew of Paris & Nicole: The Encore

The show stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, with narration by Alan Cumming. Cameos from notable figures in the arts, including pop icon Sia, are featured. The series is directed by a team of seasoned professionals known for their work in reality television and entertainment.

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.

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Scientists Discover First Astrosphere Around Sunlike Star: What You Need to Know?

Astronomers have detected an astrosphere around a star resembling the Sun, marking a significant milestone in understanding stellar evolution. This finding, shared during the 25 Years of Science with Chandra symposium on December 3, 2024, provides a rare view into the early conditions of stars like the Sun. An astrosphere, described as a bubble of ionised gas formed by stellar wind, acts as a protective shell around stars. The discovery has shed light on how these structures are formed and their role in shielding planetary systems from cosmic radiation.

What Defines an Astrosphere?

Astrospheres are created by a star’s stellar wind, a continuous stream of charged particles. For instance, the Sun’s heliosphere serves as an example, extending beyond Pluto and safeguarding the solar system from cosmic rays. Despite extensive research, such phenomena had not been observed around stars with characteristics similar to the Sun. As per reports, Carey Lisse, a researcher at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, noted in an interview with a prominent science publication that the detection of astrospheres around average stars has been elusive for over two decades.

Key Target: HD 61005, Known as “The Moth”

The star HD 61005, dubbed “The Moth” for its distinctive wing-like dust disk, became the focus of this investigation. Its rapid movement through a dense interstellar gas cloud at approximately 10 kilometres per second has resulted in the unique shape of its surrounding disk. According to sources, HD 61005, which mirrors the size and mass of the Sun, was chosen for its youthful stage at 100 million years old. Young stars like this typically emit stronger stellar winds, providing ideal conditions for studying astrospheres.

X-ray Data Unveil Unexpected Details

Observations captured by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory revealed a halo of X-rays encasing HD 61005. This structure extends nearly 100 times farther than the Sun’s heliosphere. Contrary to expectations, the astrosphere displayed a spherical shape, suggesting the star’s intense wind counteracts external pressures.

Insights into Solar Evolution

The findings are believed to offer clues about the early behaviour of the Sun and its protective influences on the young Earth. Understanding such phenomena could also aid in evaluating the habitability of planets orbiting stars with similar properties. The study represents a leap in comprehending the protective role of astrospheres across stellar systems.

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New Honor GT Products Confirmed to Launch on December 16; Phone Design Teased

Honor 90 GT was launched in China in December 2023. A successor to the handset may arrive soon. The company has announced that new Honor GT products will be unveiled later this month. The company has yet to confirm the moniker of the upcoming devices. The design of one of the upcoming phones, speculated to be Honor 100 GT, has been revealed as well. Previously, some key specifications of a purported Honor 100 GT smartphone had surfaced online, suggesting an upgraded battery and chipset over the existing Honor 90 GT.

New Honor GT Launch

Honor confirmed in a Weibo post that the new Honor GT products will launch in China on December 16 at 7:30pm local time (5pm IST). The company has yet to reveal the monikers of the upcoming devices. One of the new launches is speculated to be the Honor 100 GT.

The post teases the design of an Honor GT phone with a rectangular rear camera module. It holds two camera sensors and a pill-shaped LED unit. One corner of the rear camera module is inscribed with the letter “GT.” The teaser shows the phone in a white/silver colourway. The phone is confirmed to run on MagicOS. 

Honor 100 GT Features (Expected)

The purported Honor 100 GT has been tipped to come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a “high-density silicon” battery. It is expected to get a flat LTPS display with a 1.5K resolution and eye-protection technology.

The Honor 100 GT will likely get a 50-megapixel Sony “IMX9xx” primary rear sensor, according to the earlier leak. The handset is expected to be equipped with a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for security. 

Notably, the Honor 90 GT sports a 50-megapixel dual rear camera system including a Sony IMX800 main camera sensor. It has a 6.7-inch full-HD+ (2,664 x 1,200 pixels) OLED screen, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a 5,000mAh battery with 100W fast charging support. For security, it gets a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

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.

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Valve could be working on a rival to the Nvidia Shield streaming box

Valve could be making a streaming box Hints found in the Steam Deck code No indications of a launch date yet It might be five years since the Nvidia Shield last had a refresh – see our Nvidia Shield (2019) review for details – but the device remains one of the best streaming boxes in the business. We’re now hearing it may get a new competitor, courtesy of Valve. As per a Reddit thread analyzing changes to the Steam Deck code (via XDA Developers), it looks as though the software used on the portable console could soon be adapted to run on a streaming box connected to a television. You’d then have a lightweight, versatile device that could both play games and stream video and audio to the big screen – much like the Nvidia Shield does. This is mostly speculation at this point, but we could definitely see it happening. There are references in the code to an AMD 8540U processor, though this may only be referring to a prototype device, so the configuration could change. That would certainly offer more power than the current Steam Deck specs. HDMI and Android The Valve Steam Deck (Image credit: Valve) According to the tipster who spotted the code change, extra support for HDMI control is being added – and the changes match some of the code seen on ChromeOS devices, suggesting support for both Android and web apps. Apart from that, there are no real details about what could be coming. We don’t know anything in terms of dimensions or pricing, and there’s no indication here about how long it’s going to be before the product is announced (if it ever is). Go all the way back to our Nvidia Shield (2015) review, and you’ll see that it’s always been an impressively versatile device. It’s earned itself a relatively small but loyal group of users, though we haven’t seen any signs that we’ll ever get a new model. Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. What we did get a couple of months ago was the first software update for the Nvidia Shield in a year – though it was intended to squash some outstanding bugs on the streaming box, rather than add any new features. You might also like