Tag: Gadget News

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Oppo’s 2024 Run Includes Return to the Premium Segment With Find X8, AI, and More

For Oppo, 2024 has been a dream run, with the brand registering the highest growth amongst the top five brands in Q3 2024. As per IDC, Oppo led with launches like A3x, K12x and Reno 12 series in the quarter. After securing the second spot in the top smartphone manufacturers list and beating the likes of Realme, Xiaomi, and Motorola, Oppo has made a comeback to the premium segment. The all-new Find X8 series – Find X8 and Find X8 Pro – attempts to be the feather in the hat for Oppo. Gadgets 360 got to talk to Savio D’Souza, Head of Product Communications, Oppo India, to discuss the new launch and much more.

Smartphone premiumisation in India

We wanted to jump straight to the new Find X8 series, which is a return for Oppo in the premium smartphone segment in India. D’Souza explained how the premiumisation trend has entered the smartphone space with increasing ASP (average selling price).

“Indian consumers increasingly seek top-tier smartphones for communication, productivity, entertainment, and payments. A recent IDC report highlights that the premium segment registered the highest growth of 86% in the July-Sept 2024 quarter. The Find X8 Series addresses this demand with cutting-edge features like AI Summary, AI Reflection Remover, AI LinkBoost, a flagship quad-camera system, and a sleek, lightweight design. The timing couldn’t be better for the Find X series to return, as premium innovation is now the need of the hour,” he said.

With new launches in the premium segment, the market is becoming aggressive. How does Oppo’s new Find X8 series fit into the entire premium price range, where iPhones and Samsungs dominate the segment? “With the Find X8 series, we are redefining what smartphones can achieve. The smartphone combines the best from industry leaders—MediaTek, Google, Hasselblad, and Dolby Vision. The Dimensity 9400 chipset powers exceptional performance, while Google Gemini enhances AI personalisation. Hasselblad Imaging provides pro-level photography, and Dolby Vision delivers stunning display quality. Oppo’s proprietary HyperTone Image Engine further optimises photo quality,” D’Souza said.

“With Oppo’s engineering prowess, we have packed all these powerful aspects into a lightweight and sleek device. Together, these technologies create a smartphone that seamlessly blends innovation, performance, and user-centric features, making the Find X8 Series a standout flagship,” he added.

AI to enhance user experience?

When asked about Oppo’s AI ambitions, D’Souza said that the company has a strategy set for consumer needs. “This year, we have integrated generative AI across our lineup—features typically reserved for flagship devices. By the end of 2024, we aim to deliver 50 million AI-powered smartphones globally,” he said.

oppo find x8 series find x8

Find X8 and Find X8 Pro come with the same camera hardware

On being asked about whether AI alone will be the enabler for consumers to make the switch. D’Souza said, “I believe it’s the coming together of hardware, software, and AI that delivers a superior smartphone experience. A good device needs a powerful processor to function efficiently, and AI compliments and, at times, supplements their efforts to elevate the performance.”

Giving the Find X8 series example, D’Souza further explained, “The Find X8 Series is engineered by Oppo for high performance, and it integrates exceptional AI-based functionalities across its camera, productivity, and connectivity systems, all optimised by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset.” But he stressed that Oppo has ensured that they are offering the best camera experience, too.

“The Find X8 Series features a path-breaking quad-camera system with dual telephoto cameras and the AI Telescope Zoom further adds to the camera capabilities. It uses powerful AI algorithms with generative AI models to help users zoom into subjects while preserving clarity and accuracy, even at extreme zoom levels such as up to 120x,” he added.

After-sales support

The after-sales is the backbone of the smartphone business in India. When asked about the updates on service centres from Oppo and if there is any new offering to be announced for Find X8 series support, D’Souza said, “We are a customer-first brand and believe that a strong after-sales support network is central to delivering a premium user experience. We have revamped our after-sales service model with new-generation service centres. Additionally, the digitally led Oppo Self-Help Assistant, aligned with the Indian Government’s ‘Right to Repair’ framework, enables customers to resolve their smartphone issues without visiting a service centre. A strong validation of our efforts is reflected in the recent Counterpoint Research survey, where Oppo India earned the Number 1 position in customer satisfaction for after-sales.”

For the Find X8 series, Oppo announced a host of benefits, like an additional warranty of 365 days on pre-booking till December 2, 2024. The company also introduced ‘Refresh Service’, where customers can replace screen guards and protective cases twice within the warranty tenure and even get them delivered to their homes.

Oppo is also among a handful of brands that offer an International Warranty Service, which means customers can also get maintenance, repairs, and software upgrades in countries where the device is officially available.

2025 – What’s in store?

When asked about Oppo’s 2025 plans, and we are in the last month, D’Souza promised some exciting products in the lineup without sharing many details.

“2024 has been a landmark year for Oppo in terms of AI-driven product innovation with the Reno 12 Series, F Series, and now the Find X8 Series. We will continue to introduce new products and technologies to enable ‘AI for All’. There is a strong focus on bringing Gen AI features across photography, productivity, and performance parameters, and over 5800 AI-related patents have already been filed by Oppo for image processing, computer vision, speech technology, natural language processing, machine learning, etc. There are exciting launches planned in 2025, and you will hear from us at the right time,” he added.

Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro are now available in India via online and offline channels.

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Amazon Web Services (AWS) Launches Automated Reasoning Checks in Preview to Combat AI Hallucinations

Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched a new service at its ongoing re:Invent conference that will help enterprises reduce instances of artificial intelligence (AI) hallucination. Launched on Monday, the Automated Reasoning checks tool is available in preview and can be found within the Amazon Bedrock Guardrails. The company claimed that the tool mathematically validates the accuracy of responses generated by large language models (LLMs) and prevents factual errors from hallucinations. It is similar to the Grounding with Google Search feature which is available on both the Gemini API as well as the Google AI Studio.

AWS Automated Reasoning Checks

AI models can often generate responses that are incorrect, misleading, or fictional. This is known as AI hallucination, and the issue impacts the credibility of AI models, especially when used in an enterprise space. While companies can somewhat mitigate the issue by training the AI system on high-quality organisational data, the pre-training data and architectural flaws can still make the AI hallucinate.

AWS detailed its solution to AI hallucination in a blog post. The Automated Reasoning checks tool has been introduced as a new safeguard and is added in preview within Amazon Bedrock Guardrails. Amazon explained that it uses “mathematical, logic-based algorithmic verification and reasoning processes” to verify the information generated by LLMs.

The process is pretty straightforward. Users will have to upload relevant documents that describe the rules of the organisation to the Amazon Bedrock console. Bedrock will automatically analyse these documents and create an initial Automated Reasoning policy, which will convert the natural language text into a mathematical format.

Once done, users can move to the Automated Reasoning menu under the Safeguards section. There, a new policy can be created and users can add existing documents that contain the information that the AI should learn. Users can also manually set processing parameters and the policy’s intent. Additionally, sample questions and answers can also be added to help the AI understand a typical interaction.

Once all of this is done, the AI will be ready to be deployed, and the Automated Reasoning checks tool will automatically verify in case the chatbot provides any incorrect responses. Currently, the tool is available in preview in only the US West (Oregon) AWS region. The company plans to roll it out to other regions soon.

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Realme Neo 7 With 6.78-Inch Display, 50-Megapixel Camera Spotted on MIIT; Teased to Get Dimensity 9300+ SoC

Realme Neo 7 will launch on December 11 and Realme is actively teasing the smartphone through its social media handles in China. The brand confirmed that it will run on MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset. Additionally, the handset has been spotted on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website. The listing shows key specifications of the phone including a 6.78-inch display, up to 16GB onboard memory, a maximum of 1TB onboard storage, and dual rear cameras. 

Latest teasers posted by Realme on Weibo reveal that Realme Neo 7 will have a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset under the hood.

Realme Neo 7 Specifications (Expected)

Additionally, a Realme smartphone with model number RMX5060 has surfaced on the MIIT database suggesting its key specifications. This model number is said to belong to the Realme Neo 7. As per the listing, the upcoming phone will be launched in 6GB,8GB,12GB,16GB RAM options and 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. It is shown with a dual rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel secondary sensor.

The listing suggests that the Realme Neo 7 will have a 16-megapixel front camera. It is shown with a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with 1,264X2,780 pixel resolution. It could pack a distance sensor, gravity sensor, and light sensor. For authentication, it may include an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock feature.

Realme’s Neo 7 is shown to measure 162.55×76.39×8.56mm in size and weigh 213.4 grams. The listing suggests a 6,850mAh battery on the phone, however Realme has already confirmed that the phone will pack a 7,000mAh battery.

The new Realme Neo 7 will launch in China on December 11 at 4:00pm local time (2:30am IST). It is currently up for pre-booking in the country via Realme’s official website and e-commerce sites. The handset will carry a price tag of CNY 2,499 (roughly Rs. 29,100).

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Intel Arc B-Series GPUs With Ray-Tracing and AI Engine Launched: Specifications

Intel Arc B-series graphics processing units (GPUs) was launched by the company on Tuesday. Codenamed Battlemage, the new GPUs target price points which are accessible to creators and gamers, enabling them to play popular titles in up to 1440p resolution at over 60 frames per second (fps), according to the US chipmaker. The B-series comprises two GPU models called Intel Arc B580 and Arc B570, with both of them supporting features such as XeSS 2 upscaling technology, frame generation, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

Intel Arc B-Series GPUs Price, Availability

Intel Arc B580 graphics card will be available from add-in board partners such as Acer, ASRock, GUNNIR, ONIX Technology, MAXSUN, and Sparkle starting December 13 from $249 (roughly Rs. 21,000).

Meanwhile, the Intel Arc B570 GPU can be purchased from January 16 starting at $219 (roughly Rs. 19,000).

Intel Arc B-Series GPUs Specifications

Intel says its new Arc B-series GPUs deliver up to 70 percent better performance per Xe-core and up to 50 percent improved performance per watt compared to the previous generation. Both GPUs are built on Intel’s latest Xe2 architecture using TSMC’s N5 fabrication process. They support artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, leveraging the Intel Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) engines.

The company says XeSS 2 incorporates three key technologies: XeSS Super Resolution, XeSS Frame Generation, and Xe Low Latency. XeSS Super Resolution provides AI-powered upscaling with support for over 150 games. Meanwhile, the XeSS Frame Generation leverages AI to add interpolated frames with the help of optical flow and motion vector reprojection. On the other hand, the Xe Low Latency is integrated with the game engine to deliver faster input responses.

Intel’s Arc B580 GPU is equipped with 20 second-generation Xe cores and 20 ray tracing units. According to the company, it has a peak clock speed of 2,670MHz and is equipped with 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM with a memory bandwidth of 456GB/s. It has a total board power (TBP) of 190W and a peak computational power of 233 trillion operations per second (TOPS).

Meanwhile, the Intel Arc B570 gets 18 Xe cores and 18 ray tracing units. It comes with 10GB of DDR6 memory, a memory bandwidth of 380GB/s, and a peak clock speed of 2,500MHz. Its peak computational power is rated at 203 TOPS with a 150W TBP.

Paired with the Intel Graphics Software, the B-series GPUs provide access to a range of display settings such as colour and scaling modes, and variable refresh rate (VRR) support.

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Indian Ocean Study Reveals Bay of Bengal Defies Ekman’s Wind-Driven Current Theory

A study published in Science Advances has identified a significant anomaly to Vagn Walfrid Ekman’s widely-accepted theory on wind-driven ocean currents. Conducted by a team of researchers from NOAA, the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services and the University of Zagreb, the study focused on the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. Data spanning several years from a buoy stationed off India’s eastern coast was examined, revealing that ocean currents in this region deflect leftward, contradicting the theory’s predictions for the Northern Hemisphere.

Ekman’s Theory and Its Longstanding Influence

The Ekman theory, developed in 1905 by Swedish oceanographer Vagn Walfrid Ekman, asserts that surface ocean currents are deflected 45 degrees to the right of wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis force. Successive layers beneath the surface exhibit similar patterns, forming the Ekman spiral. This mechanism, though robust, assumes idealised conditions, including uniform ocean depth and density. Variations such as those observed in the Bay of Bengal highlight its limitations.

Findings from the Bay of Bengal

As per the study, according to data collected over several years, currents in the Bay of Bengal were found to veer leftward despite prevailing winds, defying Ekman’s predictions. This anomaly underscores the need to reassess assumptions about global oceanic patterns. The researchers suggested that local factors, including unique regional wind patterns and oceanic dynamics, could play a significant role.

Implications for Climate Models

It was noted in a statement by the researchers that the findings could influence future climate modelling efforts. If exceptions to Ekman’s theory exist in the Bay of Bengal, others might also occur globally, underscoring the need for more detailed oceanographic studies. Discussions have also highlighted the potential deployment of a NASA satellite system to monitor wind and surface currents comprehensively.

This study has brought attention to gaps in understanding wind-driven currents, stressing the importance of revisiting established models as global warming continues to impact ocean behaviour.

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World Labs Unveils AI System That Can Generate 3D Interactive Worlds Using an Image

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 to Debut With Larger Displays: Report

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World Labs Unveils AI System That Can Generate 3D Interactive Worlds Using an Image

World Labs, the artificial intelligence (AI) startup, unveiled its first AI system on Monday. The currently unnamed AI system can generate interactive 3D worlds using an image input. These generated worlds turn the 2D visual asset into explorable 3D scenes where users can navigate using a keyboard and mouse. The AI system is currently in preview and has not been made public. However, the startup, which was founded by the computer scientist Fei-Fei Li, stated that it is working to release the full version soon.

World Labs Unveils AI System Capable of Generating 3D Worlds

In a blog post, the San Francisco-based startup showcased the capabilities of its AI model. World Labs highlighted that most generative AI tools today can create 2D content such as images or videos. Although some AI firms do generate 3D models from 2D images or text prompts, the scope is pretty limited. In recent times, only Google DeepMind has unveiled an AI model that generates unique 2D video game levels.

However, based on the interactive assets shared by the startup, the unnamed AI system’s capabilities surpass the generative capabilities seen so far. Put short, the company claims users can add any image that depicts a scene as input, and the AI model can generate a 3D interactive version of the scene. This means users can move forward, backwards, and side-to-side and explore the generated area.

The AI model does not only generate three-dimensional renders of the objects in the image, it also creates unseen details such as new alleyways, ceiling art, new objects and more from scratch. World Labs claim that apart from the initial image, everything is generated by the AI system.

Additionally, the generated scenes can also be modified. Users can change camera angles, depth, and zoom as well as add 3D effects to the background as well as the objects in the foreground.

World Labs’ AI system can also be integrated with other AI tools. The startup said this will allow creators to first generate the starting image using a familiar text-to-image generator such as Ideogram, Dall-E, or Midjourney and then create a 3D world using the startup’s tool. The AI firm is currently working with a few creators to test the AI system’s capabilities and its 3D-native generative AI workflow.

As of now, the AI system is not available in the public domain, and the startup highlighted that it is still working on it to improve the size and the fidelity of the generated worlds. However, interested individuals can join the company’s waitlist to be informed when the AI system is released.

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.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 to Debut With Larger Displays: Report

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Oppo Find X8, Find X8 Pro With Dimensity 9400 SoC Go on Sale in India: Price, Launch Offers

Oppo Find X8 series was launched in India on November 21 and its sale commences in the country today. The Chinese smartphone maker has now confirmed the availability and launch offers of its latest flagship handsets. The smartphone lineup comprises two models — Oppo Find X8 and Find X8 Pro, which have become the first smartphones with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 chipset to debut in India. Both models are equipped with up to four 50-megapixel Hasselblad-tuned cameras and run on ColorOS 15 based on Android 15.

Oppo Find X8 Series Price, Launch Offers

Oppo Find X8 price in India starts at Rs. 69,999 for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the 16GB + 512GB model is priced at Rs. 79,999. It is available in Space Black and Star Grey colour options.

Meanwhile, the Oppo Find X8 Pro is available in a single 16GB + 512GB storage configuration priced at Rs. 99,999. The handset is sold in Pearl White and Space Black colourways. Both models can be purchased via the Oppo e-store, Flipkart, and retail outlets in the country.

Customers can take advantage of a 10 percent instant cashback on SBI, HDFC Bank, Kotak Bank, Bank of Baroda, and IDFC First Bank card transactions. This translates into a discount of Rs. 9,999 for the Find X8 Pro, Rs. 6,999 for the Find X8 12+256 GB model and Rs. 7,999 for the Find X8 16+512 GB variant.

Further, they can also avail of a 24-month no-cost EMI offer from finance partners such as Bajaj Finserv, TVS Credit, HDB Financial Services, and IDFC First Bank. There’s also an exchange bonus of Rs. 5,000 while existing Oppo customers who trade in their device for the Find X8 series will enjoy an additional Rs. 3,000 off as a loyalty bonus.

Oppo Find X8 Series Specifications

Oppo Find X8 features a 6.59-inch (1,256×2,760 pixels) LTPO AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 4,500nits, and a 460ppi pixel density. Meanwhile, the Pro model has a 6.78-inch (1,264×2,780 pixels) LTPO AMOLED screen with a pixel density of 450ppi, although the refresh rate and peak brightness remain the same as the standard model.

Both models are powered by MediaTek’s octa-core Dimensity 9400 chip built on TSMC’s 3nm process technology, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 inbuilt storage. They run on ColorOS 15 based on Android 15.

The Oppo Find X8 is equipped with a 50-megapixel primary camera with a Sony LYT-700 sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field-of-view (FoV), and a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. It has a 32-megapixel front camera for selfies which is also available on the Pro model.

On the other hand, the Oppo Find X8 Pro sports a 50-megapixel primary camera with a LYT-808 sensor. It has the same ultra-wide angle camera and telephoto sensor as the base model but adds a 50-megapixel Sony IMX858 periscope telephoto camera with up to 6x optical zoom.

The Find X8 packs a 5,630mAh silicon carbon battery with support for 80W (SuperVOOC) and 50W (AirVOOC) fast charging, while the Find X8 Pro has a larger 5,910mAh battery that supports the same charging speeds. They also offer 10W reverse wireless charging support.

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Top OTT Releases in December 2024: Singham Again, Agni, Amaran, Churchill at War, and More

As December unfolds, OTT platforms are gearing up with a stellar lineup of films and series catering to diverse tastes. From gripping action thrillers to heartwarming festive tales, this month’s releases promise an immersive viewing experience across platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV+. Here’s a rundown of must-watch content and where to stream them.

Top OTT Releases in December 2024

Check out the top OTT releases this month on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and more:

Jack in Time for Christmas

Platform: Prime Video

Expected Release Date: December 3

Jack Whitehall embarks on a festive adventure as he races against time to return to the UK for Christmas. With appearances from Michael Bublé, Rebel Wilson and Dave Bautista, this semi-scripted special promises humor, heart and holiday hijinks.

Churchill at War

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: December 4

A four-part docuseries that explores Winston Churchill’s leadership during World War II. Featuring archival footage and dramatized recreations, it captures the immense pressure and pivotal decisions that defined his legacy.

That Christmas Story

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: December 4

This animated festive tale, inspired by Richard Curtis’ beloved books, interweaves multiple holiday stories in a picturesque town. Themes of love, chaos and festive spirit make it a perfect family watch for the season.

Smile 2

Platform: BookMyShow Stream, Apple TV+, Prime Video

Release Date: December 4

A sequel to the 2022 horror sensation, the story follows global pop star Skye Riley as she battles a terrifying supernatural curse. As the malevolent smiling entity returns, it brings chilling visions and a dangerous curse with it.

Amaran

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: December 5

Set against the backdrop of the 2014 Qazipathri operation, this film honors the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan. Sivakarthikeyan leads the cast in this poignant tale of courage, sacrifice and unwavering duty.

Black Doves

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: December 5

Starring Keira Knightley, this espionage thriller dives into the shadowy underworld of betrayal and double lives. As a suburban mother by day and a covert operative by night, she faces a race against time when her cover is blown.

A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: December 6

A musical extravaganza blending holiday cheer, comedy and celebrity guest appearances. Sabrina Carpenter performs festive tracks alongside fun skits, making it an energetic and entertaining holiday special.

Jigra

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: December 6

A Bollywood action drama where Alia Bhatt plays a determined sister on a mission to save her brother imprisoned on false charges. This emotional journey explores themes of justice, family and resilience.

Agni

Platform: Prime Video

Release Date: December 6

India’s first cinematic tribute to firefighters, starring Pratik Gandhi and Divyenndu. The story follows a firefighter and a morally conflicted policeman as they team up to stop a series of deadly fires plaguing the city.

Fly Me to the Moon

Platform: Apple TV+

Release Date: December 6

Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum star in a romantic comedy set during the Apollo 11 moon landing. This quirky tale of love and professional clashes combines humor, nostalgia and a dash of intrigue.

Mary

Platform: Prime Video

Release Date: December 6

A biblical epic reimagining Mary of Nazareth’s life, her struggles with faith and her miraculous journey to protect her son. Featuring Anthony Hopkins as King Herod, the film explores themes of resilience and divinity.

The Sticky

Platform: Prime Video

Release Date: December 6

A dark comedy inspired by Canada’s infamous maple syrup heist. This series follows a maple farmer’s unexpected dive into the criminal underworld to save her livelihood, blending absurd humor with real-life drama.

A Nonsense Christmas

Platform: Prime Video

Release Date: December 7

Another Sabrina Carpenter holiday special featuring musical performances, comedic sketches and festive fun. With surprise celebrity guests, this show guarantees holiday cheer for all ages.

Kerala Crime Files Season 2

Platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Release Date: December 11

A gritty sequel that takes viewers deeper into the world of criminal investigations. This season uncovers darker secrets, offering high-stakes drama and intense storytelling.

December 13

Carry-On

Platform: Netflix

Release Date: December 13

In this high-octane thriller, a TSA agent is blackmailed into helping smuggle a dangerous package onto a Christmas Eve flight. The action-packed narrative unfolds in a race against time to prevent a catastrophe.

Singham Again

Platform: Prime Video

Release Date: December 27

In this action-packed Bollywood sequel, Ajay Devgn returns as the fearless cop Singham, now embarking on a rescue mission inspired by the Ramayana. With a star-studded cast including Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, the film combines mythological themes with thrilling drama.

With such a variety of genres and compelling stories, December’s OTT slate ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy this festive season.

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Can We Defend Earth from Asteroids? Here’s What You Need to Know

Efforts to shield Earth from asteroid impacts have advanced, but significant gaps remain in planetary defence systems. Robin George Andrews’ book How to Kill an Asteroid delves into the complexities of safeguarding the planet from potentially catastrophic asteroid collisions, as per a report. According to the book, the key strategy involves deflecting asteroids from their trajectories rather than destroying them, an approach tested by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in 2022. This mission marked a major milestone in space defence, successfully altering the orbit of the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos.

NASA’s DART Mission and Its Implications

As per a report by ScienceNews, NASA’s DART spacecraft demonstrated the feasibility of redirecting a non-threatening asteroid during its mission. As reported, the spacecraft collided with Dimorphos on September 26, 2022, changing its orbital path. This first-of-its-kind success showcased a viable strategy to prevent future impacts, as noted in the mission’s post-analysis. However, experts caution that DART represents the only proven method, highlighting the need for further advancements.

Gaps in Planetary Defence Systems

Planetary defence faces substantial challenges, particularly in detection capabilities. Sources indicate that the proposed Near-Earth Object Surveyor (NEO Surveyor), designed to enhance asteroid detection, has faced delays due to budgetary cuts. The loss of key observational tools, such as the Arecibo Observatory, has also hindered monitoring efforts. These setbacks, as highlighted by researchers, underscore the urgent need for investment in detection technologies.

Global and Social Ramifications

Addressing asteroid threats extends beyond scientific and technological measures. Experts have raised concerns about potential geopolitical and societal disruptions following asteroid warnings. Scenarios such as misinformation, economic instability, and political tensions have been cited as potential consequences, adding complexity to planetary defence planning.

While challenges remain, Andrews’ book underscores the necessity for global cooperation and reinvestment in asteroid preparedness to prevent future catastrophes. Scientists and policymakers continue to advocate for expanded efforts, ensuring readiness to counter celestial threats.

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Gaganyaan Astronauts Finish First Phase of Training for ISRO-NASA Joint Mission

The first phase of astronaut training for India’s Gaganyaan mission, a collaborative effort between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA, has been successfully completed. ISRO announced this milestone in an official statment, which confirmed that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the primary crew member, and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, the backup crew member, have concluded their initial training in the United States. The Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for late 2026, marks India’s first human space flight.

Training Details and Key Milestones

The initial training, which commenced in August, has been focused on preparing the astronauts for their roles in the mission. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), ISRO revealed that the programme included mission-related ground facility tours, an overview of launch sequences, SpaceX suit fitting sessions, and space food trials. The astronauts were also familiarised with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and systems onboard the

International Space Station (ISS).

As per reports, ISRO said that a significant part of this phase involved simulations for potential emergencies in space. Medical emergency training and operational drills were highlighted as critical components of this preparation. The programme also covered day-to-day operational routines and communication protocols required during the mission.

Focus of the Next Training Phase

The astronauts will now proceed to advanced training, as confirmed by ISRO. The upcoming phase will involve hands-on modules for the U.S. Orbital Segment of the ISS. Focus will also be placed on scientific research experiments in microgravity and operational training aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

The Gaganyaan mission represents India’s significant step into human space exploration. With comprehensive training modules and collaborative efforts between ISRO and NASA, the programme is seen as a vital contribution to the global space community. According to ISRO, the astronauts are undergoing rigorous preparations to ensure the mission’s success.