Tag: Gadget News

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Asif Ali’s Kishkindha Kaandam Reported to Stream on Disney+ Hotstar

Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali’s thriller, Kishkindha Kaandam, directed by Dinjith Ayyathan, will soon be available on Disney+ Hotstar. Following its success in cinemas, where it ran for over two months, the movie is reported to release digitally in December. Although an official announcement from Disney+ Hotstar is pending, sources suggest the thriller might debut by the end of November.

As per a report by OTTPlay, the movie is set to release  on November 19, 2024 on the popular OTT platform. The report highlights that the movie might be available in different langauges, including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. That said, there is no official confirmation about the release date of the Kishkindha Kaandam, so we suggest you take this leak with a pinch of salt. The release follows Disney+ Hotstar’s premiere of Ajayante Randam Moshanam, another Malayalam blockbuster, indicating the platform’s strong push for Malayalam content this season.

Official Trailer and Plot of Kishkindha Kaandam

Kishkindha Kaandam is crafted as a mystery-thriller, telling the story of a newly-wed woman who moves in with her father-in-law and husband. She soon finds herself in a web of mystery, trying to uncover the truth behind a child’s disappearance and a missing revolver, all while navigating the emotional complexities of her father-in-law’s deteriorating mental health. The narrative, penned by Bahul Ramesh, has resonated strongly with audiences who favour intense, character-driven plots.

Cast and Crew of Kishkindha Kaandam

The film stars Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali, with Vijayaraghavan playing a significant role. The movie’s screenplay was developed by cinematographer Bahul Ramesh, adding a visual richness that complements the story’s emotional depth. Helmed by Dinjith Ayyathan, the team has aimed to deliver a suspenseful experience.

Reception of Kishkindha Kaandam

Released in theatres in September, Kishkindha Kaandam has been a box-office surprise, gaining popularity for its slow-burn approach to storytelling. The movie has been well-received, especially in Kerala. The movie has received an 8.6 / 10 on IMDb rating. The film’s lifetime box office collection 48.75 crores gross in India and 27.20 crores gross in the overseas market.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE Tipped to Be Powered by Same Chipset as Galaxy S24 Series

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE is rumoured to launch next year, joining the South Korean technology conglomerate’s flagship foldable smartphone lineup as an affordable alternative to the Galaxy Z Flip series. Despite the rumour mill suggesting that it might cut down on some features in an attempt to be priced affordably, a tipster has revealed that the purported smartphone could be powered by the same Exynos processor as the flagship Galaxy S24 series.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE Processor Leaks

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), tipster @Jukanlosreve suggests that a flagship processor could be used in the purported Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE. It is said to be powered by the Exynos 2400 under the hood — the processor which currently powers the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus in select regions including India. 

This development contradicts previous reports which suggested that the purported smartphone could feature toned-down internals to keep the costs as low as possible. It is speculated to hit the market in 2025 as a more affordable variant of the Galaxy Z Flip series’ clamshell-style foldable model.

According to Samsung, it is exploring “ways to lower entry barriers so that more customers can actually experience foldable products”. Thus, the rumours about the development of more affordable variants of the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold smartphones could hold some truth to them.

Meanwhile, the tipster also suggests that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could get Exynos 2500 under the hood. Notably, Samsung’s current flagship foldable smartphone lineup is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This suggests that the South Korean company could make the shift from Qualcomm to its in-house fabricated chipsets in some regions. In addition to affordable versions of its foldables, Samsung is also tipped to be developing a Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim and an additional model in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 series.

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iPhone 16 Plus Survives Durability Test, Shows Better Scratch Resistance Compared to Other Phones

iPhone 16 series was launched in September comprising four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Cupertino-based tech giant’s Plus model packages all of the same features as the base model but in a bigger, 6.7-inch form factor. Nearly two months after its debut, YouTube users have been testing the smartphone’s durability through various “scratch” tests and the handset appears to survive better compared to other devices in the market.

iPhone 16 Plus Durability Test

YouTuber Zack Nelson, popularly known by his channel name JerryRigEverything, has now tested the new iPhone 16 Plus for its durability in a recent YouTube video. The smartphone was tested for seven years worth of damage. As per his claims, the Plus model outperforms other smartphones, especially on the Mohs hardness scale.

During the scratch test, the iPhone 16 Plus appears to show very faint scratches at level six when scratched with a razor blade. Only at level seven do the deeper groves appear distinctly. This is in stark contrast to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra which showed very prominent lines even at level six which could not be rubbed off. The YouTuber says Apple’s latest generation Ceramic Shield “still feels very smooth”.

However, that is not the case for the rest of the smartphone as its 85 percent recycled aluminium frame easily gets scratched. The side panels, including the power and volume buttons on the iPhone 16 Plus visibly get some damage with blade scratches.

When put to fire test, the smartphone’s display did not get a permanent burn mark and its Super Retina XDR display still appeared to work. The iPhone 16 Plus also survived the bend test, showing good structural strength without any visible cracks or fractures on its chassis. However, it should be noted that these tests are not a definitive indicator of the ability of these handsets to survive real-world damage and are just meant for reference purposes.

The YouTuber suggests that it might be even easier to repair than the Pro models courtesy of the new electrically de-bonding adherent at the back which loses its abilities when a current is passed through it. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro models still feature the traditional adhesive glue pull tabs.

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TSMC to Suspend Production of Advanced AI Chips for China From November 11: Report

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) has notified Chinese chip design companies that it is suspending production of their most advanced AI chips from Monday, the Financial Times reported, citing three people familiar with the matter.

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, told Chinese customers it would no longer manufacture AI chips at advanced process nodes of 7 nanometres or smaller, FT said on Friday.

The U.S. has imposed a raft of measures aimed at restricting the shipment of advanced GPU chips – which enable AI – to China to hobble its artificial intelligence capabilities, which Washington fears could be used to develop bioweapons and launch large-scale cyberattacks.

Earlier this month, the U.S. imposed a $500,000 penalty on New York-based GlobalFoundries for shipping chips without authorization to an affiliate of blacklisted Chinese chipmaker SMIC.

Any future supplies of the advanced AI chips by TSMC to Chinese customers would be subject to an approval process likely to involve Washington, according to the FT report.

“TSMC does not comment on market rumour. TSMC is a law-abiding company and we are committed to complying with all applicable rules and regulations, including applicable export controls,” the company said.

The U.S. Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The move to restrict exports to China comes at a time when the U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating how a chip produced by the Taiwanese chipmaker ended up in a product made by China’s heavily sanctioned Huawei.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

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Itel S25, Itel S25 Ultra With 6.78-Inch AMOLED Screens, 50-Megapixel Rear Camera Launched: Price, Specifications

Itel S25 and Itel S25 Ultra were launched in the Philippines on Friday as the company’s latest midrange smartphones that bear a familiar name — Samsung is also expected to launch the flagship Galaxy S25 series in early 2025. The new phones from Itel are equipped with Unisoc processors and sport 6.78-inch AMOLED screens with an under-display fingerprint scanner. They are also equipped with a 50-megapixel rear camera and a 32-megapixel selfie camera. Both handsets are also expected to receive an update to Android 15.

Itel S25, Itel S25 Ultra Price and Availability

Itel S25 pricing reportedly starts at PHP 5,799 (roughly Rs. 8,400) for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the Itel S25 Ultra begins at PHP 10,999 (roughly Rs. 15,900). Customers in the Philippines can pre-order the Itel S25 via Shopee, while the Itel S25 Ultra will be up for pre-orders on Sunday.

The standard model will be sold in Bromo Black, Mambo Mint, and Sahara Gleam colourways, while the Itel S25 Ultra will be available in Bromo Black, Komodo Ocean, and Meteor Titanium colour options.

Itel S25, Itel S25 Ultra Specifications

Both the Itel S25 and Itel S25 Ultra are dual SIM smartphones that run on Android 14. The company has equipped the standard model with a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Ultra variant has a curved AMOLED screen with the same size and refresh rate, along with Gorilla Glass 7i protection.

The company is yet to reveal details of the chipset powering the Itel S25, while the S25 Ultra is powered by a Unisoc T620 chipset, along with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 2.2 storage. 

Both the Itel S25 and S25 Ultra are equipped with a 50-megapixel primary camera on the rear panel, while a 32-megapixel front-facing camera handles selfies and video calls.

Connectivity options on the Itel S25 and S25 Ultra include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC, as well as a USB Type-C port. The Ultra model is also touted to feature an infrared transmitter to control various appliances.

Both handsets pack a 5,000mAh battery, but there’s no mention of support for fast charging. The Itel S25 has an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, while the Itel S25 Ultra has a slightly better IP64 rating. Both phones have an in-display fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication.

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Ola Electric’s Q2 Loss Narrows, Says Most Service Issues ‘Minor’

Ola Electric, India’s top e-scooter maker by market share, reported a narrower second-quarter loss on Friday helped by a jump in sales, and said the recent surge in service requests was largely for “minor issues.”

The Bengaluru-based company said its consolidated loss narrowed to 4.95 billion rupees ($58.7 million) in the July-September quarter from 5.24 billion rupees a year earlier.

Ola’s quarterly revenue jumped 39.1% to 12.14 billion rupees, helped by sales of mass models, or those priced below 100,000 rupees (about $1,186). It had not begun deliveries of these models last year.

Ola Electric delivered a total of 98,619 two-wheelers between July and September, 73.6% higher than last year. It sold 56,545 mass models.

Expenses grew by 21.8%, slower than the previous quarter’s 26.6% rise. Raw material costs, Ola’s biggest expense, rose 46.7% but were lower 18.2% sequentially.

Rising consumer complaints and regulatory scrutiny over allegations of poor service have cast a shadow on the SoftBank-backed e-scooter maker, following a stellar market debut in August.

“Not all service requests that come are complaints or issues with the product, many of them are regular check-ins or scheduled maintenance,” founder and chairperson Bhavish Aggarwal said on an analyst call on Friday.

“Two-thirds of it actually are just minor issues like loose parts or customers unfamiliar with the software used,” Aggarwal said.

Ola Electric’s shares have fallen 5.5% since listing on Aug. 9, while its dominance in the electric two-wheeler market has diminished in recent months.

“Over the second quarter, we had a bit of a capacity challenge in terms of service, our sales expanded faster than we had expanded our service network,” Aggarwal said.

Reuters last year visited 35 Ola centres in 10 Indian states and found many faced significant backlogs, with demand outstripping their workforce or their supply of spare parts.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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NASA’s X-59 Supersonic Jet Completes Initial Engine Tests, First Flight Approaching

NASA’s experimental X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (Quesst) aircraft has reached a crucial testing milestone with its engine fired up for the first time. Since late October, engineers at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, have been carrying out phased engine tests to evaluate the X-59’s performance and systems integration. These tests mark a significant step toward the aircraft’s initial flight, though an official date for this event has not been determined.

Engine Tests and Performance Evaluations

Engine tests began with low-speed operations, allowing engineers to inspect for leaks and verify that key systems, such as hydraulics and electrical components, function smoothly with the engine running. Once basic checks were complete, the X-59’s engine was powered up in full for an initial assessment. Jay Brandon, NASA’s X-59 chief engineer, explained that the tests served as a “warmup” to ensure the engine performed correctly and supported various critical aircraft systems.

The jet operates with a modified F414-GE-100 engine, a version of the F414 series used in the U.S. Navy’s Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. To predict the sound levels the X-59 might produce, NASA has used F/A-18 jets to simulate the aircraft’s unique sound profile, which is quieter than conventional sonic booms.

Design Features and Goals

The X-59 is designed to reach Mach 1.4, with a target altitude of 55,000 feet. Its long, streamlined nose — extending over 11 meters — is crafted to reduce sonic booms to a mild “thump” sound, instead of the disruptive noise traditionally associated with supersonic travel. With its shape, the X-59 could support regulatory shifts allowing quieter supersonic flights over populated areas.

In January 2024, NASA unveiled the X-59’s revolutionary cockpit design, which lacks a forward-facing window. To compensate, pilots rely on an “eXternal Vision System” that provides a forward view via a digital display, combining camera feeds with augmented reality. Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator, highlighted this technology as a means to overcome limitations in visibility due to the aircraft’s design.

Next Steps and Community Research

Upcoming testing phases will examine the aircraft’s responses to different simulated scenarios and include taxi tests to ensure smooth ground operation. Once airborne, the X-59 will fly over select U.S. cities to gauge public response to its quieter sound profile. Data gathered will support NASA’s goal of demonstrating viable, noise-minimised supersonic flight for potential future commercial applications.

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Black Holes Explosions Driven by Hawking Radiation May Unveil New Physics

Primordial black holes (PBHs), possibly formed shortly after the Big Bang, may be experiencing explosive events across the universe. A recent study led by theoretical physicists Dr Marco Calzà and Dr João G. Rosa from the University of Coimbra proposes that these eruptions, driven by Hawking radiation, could be detectable with the advanced sensitivity of future telescopes. Such events, if observed, could provide a deeper understanding of unexplored particles and uncover fundamental physics.

Understanding Primordial Black Holes

PBHs are thought to have emerged from high-density regions in the early universe, just fractions of a second post-Big Bang. Initially theorised in 1967 by scientists Yakov Zeldovich and Igor Novikov, these compact entities may have been as small as subatomic particles. Unlike their more massive counterparts, PBHs could have formed independently from stellar collapse, instead arising from energy fluctuations in the universe’s primordial “soup” of particles.

A major unanswered question is whether PBHs could account for dark matter, which constitutes 85% of all matter in the cosmos but remains undetected. Cosmological models lend support to the theory of PBHs, but direct observation has yet to confirm their existence.

The Role of Hawking Radiation

One defining feature of PBHs is their ability to emit Hawking radiation, a quantum process theorised by the late Stephen Hawking. This process suggests that black holes gradually lose mass by releasing radiation as virtual particle pairs arise near the event horizon. In larger black holes, this radiation is nearly undetectable, but smaller PBHs would emit a substantial amount, potentially revealing their presence to astronomers.

According to Dr. Calzà, lighter black holes could emit photons, electrons, and even neutrinos in detectable amounts. As they lose mass, PBHs would radiate more intensely, eventually leading to a powerful burst of radiation – an event that gamma-ray and neutrino detectors are actively monitoring.

Probing PBH Explosions for New Discoveries

In the study published in the Journal of High Energy Physics, Dr. Calzà and Dr. Rosa present methods to track the mass and spin of PBHs as they approach their final moments. Insights into a PBH’s spin could indicate the presence of new particles like axions, predicted by string theory. Dr. Rosa suggests that observing PBH explosions could reveal new physics by distinguishing particle models through the Hawking radiation spectrum.

Upcoming high-sensitivity telescopes may soon allow scientists to detect these cosmic events, shedding light on the elusive dark matter and broadening the understanding of our universe’s fundamental structure.

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Redmi K80 Series Teased; Redmi K80 Pro Could Be Priced Lower Than OnePlus 13

Redmi K80 series launch is expected to happen soon. The Chinese company has yet to announce a launch date, but ahead of that, Redmi’s General Manager teased the upcoming lineup on the Web. The forthcoming series is confirmed to include the vanilla Redmi K80 and Redmi K80 Pro. They are expected to bring several performance-oriented upgrades over last year’s Redmi K70 and Redmi K70 Pro. The Redmi K80 Pro is rumoured to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC.

Redmi Brand’s General Manager Wang Teng Thomas on Weibo teased the arrival of the new Redmi K80 series. The series will comprise the vanilla Redmi K80 and Redmi K80 Pro. It was previously speculated to include a Redmi K80e model as well. The phones are confirmed to run on customised HyperOS 2 interface.

The upcoming lineup is teased to come with enhanced imaging, longer battery life, and better screens than their predecessors. It will have a different design from the previous models with a new texture and metal frame. The Weibo post also confirms a price hike for the Redmi K80 series. 

Redmi K80 Pro AnTuTu Score Revealed

The Redmi K80 Pro appears to have scored over 3 million points on the AnTuTu 10 platform. The other two unnamed phones next to the device scored 2,832,981 and 2,738,065 points.

Further, an image posted by the executive on Weibo indicates that the Redmi K80 Pro will have a higher configuration and price than competitor’s models. In the comment section, he clarifies that it will have a lower price than the OnePlus 13. The OnePlus 13 starts at CNY 4,499 (around Rs. 53,000). For comparison, the Redmi K70 Pro launched at CNY 3,299 (around Rs. 38,000). It could offer a higher configuration than the iQOO 13.

The Redmi K80 series is rumoured to debut later this month. Both models are expected to pack a 6.67-inch 2K resolution display with 120Hz refresh rate. They could come with IP68 dust and water resistance. The Redmi K80 is likely to run on Snapdragon 8 Gen SoC while the Redmi K80 Pro could get a Snapdragon 8 Elite under the hood.

Last year’s Redmi K70 was rebranded as the Poco F6 Pro for the global market. Therefore the Redmi K80 is anticipated to debut as Poco F7 Pro in the global market.

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Appudo Ippudo Eppudo OTT Release Reportedly Revealed: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The Telugu-language action comedy Appudo Ippudo Eppudo is set to release in cinemas on November 8, 2024. Fans eager to catch the movie on streaming platforms can anticipate its arrival on OTT platform soon following its theatrical run.  Amazon Prime Video is now the official streaming partner for Appudo Ippudo Eppudo. That said, multiple reports suggest that the movie might be available on the streaming platform post its theatrical release. 

As per multiple reports circulating online, the Telugu-language movie will be available on Prime Video by December 2024. That said, there is no official confirmation on the same, so you can take this leak with a pinch of salt. We will update this space when we get more information on the OTT release date of Appudo Ippudo Eppudo.

Official Trailer and Plot of Appudo Ippudo Eppudo

Appudo Ippudo Eppudo introduces audiences to a man leading a carefree lifestyle in London, using relationships with women for financial gain. However, his life takes a serious turn when his choices lead to unexpected troubles. The plot follows his struggle to navigate these challenges and find a way out. Sudheer Verma has directed the film, showcasing a mix of action, drama, and comedy, elements that have intrigued audiences ahead of its release.

Cast and Crew of Appudo Ippudo Eppudo

Directed by Sudheer Verma and produced by B. V. S. N. Prasad under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, the film features Nikhil Siddhartha in the lead role. Kannada actress Rukmini Vasanth and Divyansha Kaushik co-star, with Harsha Chemudu taking on a notable supporting role. This cast lineup promises an engaging dynamic in a story that blends humour with action-packed drama.

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